What brand and weight of gi does everyone use? Gi advice?

[Noodle]

What brand and weight of gi does everyone use?

I have been using Kwon gi's and am looking to get another. I have an 8 oz Kwon premium line cotton gi that I love. I also have an old 12 oz Kwon cotton kumite gi that I used quite a while ago.

I love cotton over the mixed fabric and am considering the Kwon Kata gi. They only come in 12 and 16 oz. Has anyone used this brand and type (Kwon Kata) before and have any advice?

Anybody use a 12 or 16 oz gi in general for normal practice? I remember the 12 oz really making me sweat, am I asking for trouble with a 16 oz gi? I would think that it would have a very crisp snap?

I would appreciate any comments on these Kwon gi's or other manufacturers. Especially commments from anyone who uses the 12 and 16 oz gi's for daily use.

thanks,
Noodle

[Freeform]

For karate and Tai Jitsu practice I used to have this cracking International gi, had it for years, then the arm got ripped off :(

Just now I have a heavyweight Hayashi, a black Giko (really comfortable :) ), for aikido I have a lightweight Hayashi (kirin I think) and a random light cheap one.

For Judo I've got an Addidas Champion Heavyweight and a Hayashi Fuji Heavyweight.

And I have a size 5 dobok, only used once for sale if anybody wants it! :D

And I have a large collection of random Gi bottoms as well!

Col

[Hakko-Ryu]

I have a 'Judo' brand Gi....and it just RIPPED!!!!! (big friggin hole ) :(...sigh...i loved that gi too (felt comfortable). So i guess don't get 'JUDO' brand if you're into judo or jjs (too thin)

[YODA]

The only Gi I own is my BJJ Gi - Gameness Goldweave.

[kerling]

TOKAIDO

[Goju]

I use a light, white, Century MA karate gi

[Noodle]

Anybody out there use a 12 -16oz gi for karate? Any comments about using a heavier gi?

I currently mainly use an 8oz, but thinking about getting a heavier gi for daily use. Any comments?

thanks,
noodle

[Freeform]

I think if you want to make your training a 'little' more difficult you could train with the heavier Gi, and compete in the light one.

I used to do a 2hr aikido class back to back with 2hrs of karate, I'd change from a Judo gi to a karate gi and there was a noticable difference in performance, for about 5 mins! :D

The heavier gi should tire you out quicker through heat and sweat. Although I'm taking about the difference between a light Judo gi and a heavy karate one, the diff between a 8 and 16 oz may not be as big.

Col

[Kwajman]

Tiger Claw, Medium weight. Holds up well, wouldn't want to grab a sleeve and try a throw though...

[humblegojuguy]

I use nagamochi gi and it is the best I have ever used. It is a heavy weight gi. You can check it out at nagamochi.ca

[Soete-tsuki]

I use a 16 oz. You really need a heavier Gi for Aikido, so much friction with the ground will wear down anything lighter than 12 oz in no time...

[Goju]

Im using a light cotton gi, but im buying a 12 oz brushed canvas Budo gi

[pocketwarrior]

I bought a really cheap lightweight "Falcon" gi last year from the mall. Seeing as i'm not very big (hence the name) i was able to get away with the biggest kids size which was on offer and cost me.... wait.....eight quid! Been training in it at least twice a week for over a year and the only thing that's ripped are the tassels that tie together, but i've had them rip on more expensive gi's anyway.

[Pacificshore]

I have personally used/tried many variety of karate gi's. I am familiar with the Kwon gi, as I too have an 8oz. one that I use as a spare. The heaviest I have go with the Kwon was the 12oz.

I recently bought my friend, a Shotokan stylist, one of Kwon's premium line gi's, the 11oz., and that is a very nice uniform. As for the heaviest gi I've worn well that would be a 14oz. Not sure how much of a difference 2 more ounces would make, but I think that for me personally it would be too heavy for eveyday use.

[Blue Bloater]

A heavy gee for kata, and a light gee for sparring.

[47Ronin]

Shureido heavy weight. (century sucks, can't even make a gi correctly)

[happywelshgal]

I wear a 16oz Kamikazi Purple Label Gi, for training and competing. I have to train in one otherwise it feels too different when I compete. This is a good gi for kata and it holds its shape well, and is a crisp sounding gi.

[Telsun]

I used to wear a Blitz 16 oz gi, which was lovely and "cracky". When it wore out I could not afford to replace it with another 16oz so bought a lighter one a 12oz I think.

Now I find the 12 oz suit much more comfortable and realize that a 16 oz was too stiff. I would only recommend a 14 oz max. If you get a Japanese suit i.e Tokaido or shureido, you will find that a 12oz feels like a lesser makes 14 oz.

Blitz 5 star White Diamond is a nice gi or the lesser "Silver" gi is fine.

[qbushido]

I've had a heavyweight century gi for about 6 years now without issue, it actually is begining to get a little small! Overall I couldnt have been happier with thier gi tops though I have to say I prefer lighter pants, So I mix and match, heavyweight karate top, with adidas taekwondo pants dobok pants. I plan on buying a 14oz tokiado in the next few months.

[BigBadBob]

I wear a Shogun Silver (Medium weight) Gi.

Although quite expensive to buy in the shops, they will sell wholesale to clubs at a much discounted rate.

Hence the whole club is kitted out in various weights of Shogun, and everyone is happy with them.

[Dinesh]

I have used gi's from The cheap Cotton blends to Mitsuboshi.
I find PINE TREE gi's are a nice gi to use.THe cut isn't the best in the bus but @ less than 100USD for a 14oz one i recommend it.
I have also heard that KI is good.
FYI IMO it's alot better to train with a heavyier gi during dojo kumite etc.It gets u accustomted to the weight,so when u go into kumite and wear a lgith one,you are having a ball.
ALso a heavy gi is excellent for kata competition as it gives the extra snap and heck it looks alot better:)
The Tiger claw are also really good Gi's.
Affordable and not a waste of money .
Try the pine tree though.
Different "bolts" of fabric are used sometimes and taht leades to a difference in "hardness" of the material.eg; i bought 2 and one is softer(not lighter) than the other.
A Gi shouldn't be stiff and should allow free movement.

[Paul Herbert]

Hirota Special and a Tokaido Medium Weight

[Seito]

Tokaido...

[Nathanj]

I've been using Juka gold gi's for about 4 years, they're 14 oz. in fact I bought two of them four years ago, and they're still in great condition, very sturdy, and comfortable. I use them for training, and sparring, and I've never even considered going with a lighter weight gi.

[ketong71]

I Second that. I saw a medium weight Century Gi and I felt the material. Very thin. Shureido is the best I've used, though pricey. My friends love Hirota. I heard good things about Kamikaze and they are not expensive. Check out http://www.kamikaze.com/securestore/c52661.2.html for prices. They came out with a new line called "Arawaza" -- http://www.kamikaze.com/securestore/c164847.2.html

Regards,

Ketong71

[Dinesh]

What about MEIJIN anyone used those yet?
the reviews look good and the constructiont too..
BUt Tokaido still rocks......
I'm really not going to spend all that $$ in Gi right now as i'm still growing(16 yrs ,5 Foot 10),so i tend to stick with Gi's that are around 100 USD.
When i reach about 19-20 i'll get a Tokaido or Shureido.