Choosing A Karate Gi

The study of Karate has been practice for centuries. However, what most people don't realize is that the Karate Gi is very young relative to the age of the study of Karate. Although it is easy to spot a karate gi in modern times it wasn't always so easy. The Judo Master Kigoro Kano founder of Kodo-kan was the original creator of the Judo Gi. It was later copied by Karate from Judo as they modified for their own use and called it the Karate Gi.

Karate Gi Materials

Most Karate Gi's of today are made from a white cotton canvas style clothing material. The quality is a reflection of the amount of cotton it is comprised of. If a karate gi is made up of only 60% cotton and the rest polyester then that uniform isn't as high of quality as one made with 100% cotton. However, this also depends on the stitching thickness and a few other factors as well. But, usually you can determine quality by looking at the percentage of cotton the uniform is constructed from.

Thickness Can Determine Quality

One major variation of uniforms is the thickness. Thickness of the canvas material can vary greatly, however the uniform thickness of 8 to 12 ounces is recommended for Karate. Thinner uniforms are great to wear in the summer when it is hot but they will not last as long as their thicker counterparts.

Karate Gi In 3 Pieces

The Karate Gi is comprised of three pieces and that is the jacket (Uwa-gi), pants (Zubon), and the belt(Obi). The Karate belt which signifies rank is meant to know the level at which a student is at The karate belt also has a functional side to and is meant to keep the jacket closed while keeping the pants up.

Traditional Cut or Tournament Cut

There are two typical styles of karate Gi's; the traditional cut and the tournament cut. The traditional cut is designed to cover the entire length of the arms and legs. While the tournament cut is designed to leave the forearms and legs (typically down to the top of the ankles) exposed. The tournament cut is designed to minimize or eliminate the risks of tripping and having to adjust it during sparring.

What color white, red, or black?

The last Karate Gi variation we will cover in this hub is the various color options.  You can buy just about any color of karate Gi online like; a white Gi, black Gi, red Gi, even pink Gi's for the ladies. One important note is to check with your instructor before buying a Giother than white. The school may have stiff rules or guidelines against any karate Gi's that aren't white.