Karate Gi

What brand does everyone where?

Any recommendations? (Tokaido, Shureido, other). I always wondered what the grandmasters wore.

All I can suggest is to get a suit with a soft feel that is whisper quiet.

Don't fall for the built in snap!

but the snap is so cool! lol

why the whisper though?

It's funny how trends seem to run.

I set my heart on getting a Shureido when I got my brown belt, but now it seems that all the "cool" kids want Hirota.

Nowadays for me, it’s whatever is the best value for money (and by that I mean cheap).

Also would echo Wadoka's sentiments - the "sound effects" gi is to be avoided.

Gary

which gi's are the sound effects ones?

None of them really, as the sound effects often come from the person wearing them - usually doing the technique incorrectly.

The “Sokuto snap” springs to mind.

That said heavyweight gis are often noisy, as it’s like you are training in tent canvas ime.

Gary

So, if the person is doing the technique incorrectly, it usually makes that sound?

Often, yes.

Probably means the the leg material of the heavyweight gi is "clanking" against the leg, which suggests to me the leg is moving in a wrong direction.

Gary

And anyway, what I am trying to say is that I wouldn't base your gi purchase criteria around the sound that it makes.

Gary

Let the technique do the talking not your gi

Gary

I have tried loads of different Gi's in the last few years.

The two best ones for me personally are my Adidas Competition Gi (Kumite) and a dirt cheap Blitz one.

I have tried the heavy Gi's and personally hate them.

I wouldn't recommend the Adidas one unless you do competition or sparring specific lessons as it's very light weight. But it's here http://www.avasports.com/karate/wkf_master.htm

Heres the cheapy Blitz one http://www.blitzsport.com/Adult-Polycotton...=8&category=136 (£8.17 inc vat in my size)

I have tried numerous Black Eagle and Blitz suits, ranging from 12Oz Right up to 18Oz. They are just too heavy for our work outs, the heavier they are, the more they seem to just stay in one position and are very rough against your body. I did my 3rd Kyu grading in an 18Oz, thinking it would look/feel good, I swear I nearly melted inside it.

I was so suprised at how good the cheapy blitz one was that I now have a couple of them and chucked out all my heavy suits.

I have two new Tokaido and one Hirota, lots of Kamikaze and one Adidas.

I like my light and cheap Kamikaze Zanshin.

Why silent? Just to remove one distraction.

perhaps sometimes it has to do with incorrect movement, but that is not something general.

AJ

I try not to spend too much on gi's. I have a 14oz Giko (its ok) a 16oz Cimac Gold (excellent cut and look but too heavy to train in) a cheap Kabuki off ebay (nice cut, nice look but a bit too cardboard like), a Blitz Tournament (its ok) but my favourite is my 'Icon' from Legend Martial Arts, its a nice cut, its soft (not much snap) and comfortable its only £30 (It only cost me 99p but thats another story). Its by far my best and I will get another when the time comes to replace one.

shep

Budo Nord Kata Gi