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Jordan Giarratano
Jordan Giarratano's picture
What brand of gi is your favorite? Striking/grappling hybrid needed!

I teach a combination of kickboxing (Muay Thai with a lot of clinching) and karate. In the karate class we practice the kata and spent at least as much time working on throws, trips, grabs, from the bunkai. We also put some time in on practical self-defense. My students have never worn a gi. I have, my original training was in Tang Soo Do, but when I opened my school, it didn't make sense to wear gis. When I started adding more applications from the kata (inspired by Iain's work) I realized our t-shirts and shorts weren't ideal training attire. Additionally, as my students progress, I want them to be able to practice with the body and feedback of the gi. 

It's almost a paralell to gi/no gi BJJ. When we spar Muay Thai it's nice to be unencumbered, but it's also enriching to put on a gi and practice the classical applications (and in some cases replicate what you would do if someone grabbed you by the collar or sleeve to start a fight).

So, my question: Which gi do you feel offers the best all-around performance in the following areas:

Lightweight enough for range-of-motion in kicking and to snap through quick motions when performing kata.

Heavy and woven sturdy enough for grabbing the sleeves and lapel, and for performing throws.

Not covered in horrific logos.

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated. 

Leigh Simms
Leigh Simms's picture

Hi Jordan, 

Really good question and I think there will be some excellent answers from the forum members. I have a similar issue and usually train in an Adidas Kata Champion Gi Bottoms and a Rashguard Top. 

When it comes to bunkai or sparring I will put on either the Adidas Gi Kata top or my BJJ Gi Top depending on the exact drill/sparring we are doing. 

The Adidas Kata Champion works very well for me for most of the training and I can wear it for most things. here is a discription from amazon -

100% cotton extra-dense canvas heavyweight fabric

14 oz. heavy duty brushed cotton designed primarily for kata

Drawstring waist pants gi is favored by champions and instructors

Reinforced lapel, armpit aeration and reinforced stitching at the cuffs, ankles and jacket hem

I look forward to hearing from everyone else here though and maybe I will be buying a new gi too!  :) 

diadicic
diadicic's picture

This is what I have been using for about 3 years.    Jukado Ryoyo

http://www.juka.com/uniform/jukado.htm

Don't put it in the dryer.  It is the best of both worlds for me.

Dom

Wastelander
Wastelander's picture

I've been using a Ronin Brand gi for a few years, and it works well for me, but it's their 16oz super heavyweight gi, which is probably heavier than you're wanting. They do make a 12oz gi, which should probably work well. My instructor and several other senior students at the dojo use KI/Mugen brand dogi, which seem to hold up pretty well, at least for a while. Both Ronin and KI/Mugen are relatively affordable. Shureido and Tokaido make good, durable dogi, but they cost quite a bit more.

All that said, if you're doing a lot of grabbing and pulling, it might be worthwhile to get a judo or BJJ gi. It won't feel as nice when you're striking, but it will hold up to the rigors of grappling better than even the best heavyweight karate gi.

Jordan Giarratano
Jordan Giarratano's picture

You are all awesome. Thanks for all of this feedback! 

OnlySeisan
OnlySeisan's picture

A good alternative to a gi even though it's not classical or "traditional" is to find an Army/ Navy surplus store or the equivalent and buy the battle dress uniform/ utilities top. It's light weight has reinforced stitching and is made to put up with real world abuse. All of mine have stood up to a fair amount of Marine Corps martial arts training and private practice. It's also much cheaper than buying a gi. The trousers are just as rugged as well.

Just a thought if you wanted to save money, since a surplus store will probably sell them for about $20-30 a pop for old style fatigues instead of $100-200 for a decent gi.  

Jordan Giarratano
Jordan Giarratano's picture

diadicic wrote:

This is what I have been using for about 3 years.    Jukado Ryoyo

http://www.juka.com/uniform/jukado.htm

Don't put it in the dryer.  It is the best of both worlds for me.

Dom

This sounds like it meets both of our needs really well. How heavy does the top feel? How does it do with sweat/moisture? Is it super hot in the summer?

Thanks!

Jordan

Ian H
Ian H's picture

Jordan Giarratano wrote:
So, my question: Which gi do you feel offers the best all-around performance in the following areas:

Lightweight enough for range-of-motion in kicking and to snap through quick motions when performing kata.

Heavy and woven sturdy enough for grabbing the sleeves and lapel, and for performing throws.

Not covered in horrific logos.

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated. 

I'm going to toss a seemingly oddball suggestion out there ... http://www.arawaza.com/arawaza_onyx_karate.html

Yeah, it's supposed to be a "WKF kumite gi".  Odd suggestion, I know, but here's the thing.  It's a cotton/poly blend, so it's stronger for its weight than you might expect from cotton alone.  It also has a "bumpy" texutured feel to the fabric (hard to describe in a few words) that makes it better at dealing with sweat and such.  And the great thing about this gi is that it's "cutting edge technology" from 2003 ... so it's still traditional enough, and all-round enough, to be tough enough to deal with pulling and grappling and such.  

I have one that is close to a decade old, and it has held up well.  It's not going to be as tough as a real judo gi, but if you are looking for lightweight and good freedom of movement with strength added, this is worth considering.   (Select "no" for "WKF approved" to avoid a bit of extra embroidery.  Do NOT get the "Onyx Evolution" or "Onyx Air" ... the "next generation" models that are far lighter and easier to rip open.)

An odd suggestion, but maybe it works for you. 

senshido
senshido's picture
Andrew Carr-Locke
Andrew Carr-Locke's picture

Arawaza also has a decent Judo gi too. Go for the midweight line. I use these pants and a regular cheap arawaza heavy-weight karate gi top. great combo for kumite or BJJ. I use for cross training and it still looks ok for teaching. Throw in the wash and dryer, gets softer with age and more comfortable.