The 10 Best Gi Uniforms For Training Karate
Need a new Karate uniform? Then look no further, as we’ve scoured the internet for the top 10 Karate gi’s and kimonos for training. Whether you’re a beginner to the martial art, or you’re a veteran that needs a new gi – we have you covered. From quality, to price, to style – these are the best gis for everyone.
A karate gi is not just for training but is a historic part of the martial art. If you’re training with a dummy at home for example – you would not really need a kimono. However, in almost every dojo, this is the uniform you must wear whilst training, with the two most common and accepted colors being blue and white.
When buying a karate gi, there are different factors you will want to consider such as price, materials, weight, and durability. There is often a trade-off between variables such as weight and durability, with thicker uniforms lasting longer, whereas lightweight uniforms offer greater mobility, but will need to be replaced sooner.
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Hawk Sports Karate Uniform – Beginners Choice
The Hawk Sports Karate Uniform is a good choice and the price alone costs less than $30 – which is an absolute steal. Furthermore, it also comes with a free white belt and 5 year guarantee which is ideal for newcomers. You wouldn’t really expect a karate uniform to last too much longer than this anyway. Working out at around $5 per year of use is really not bad at all.
You may be put off by the cheap price of this kimono, but fear not, the reviews speak for themselves and the quality is decent. This is made from an 8oz poly-cotton blend and is very lightweight, it could easily be sold for double the price but isn’t – so it’s a bit of a no-brainer in that sense.
Overall, this is pretty much the best choice if you’re new to karate and want a good quality, but cheap uniform.
TOKYODO Karate Uniform
The Tokyodo gi is slightly more expensive than the Hawk but is also available in black as well as white. Once more, it comes with a free white belt and is made from polyester and cotton. Perhaps the best part of the Tokyodo is its durability. It has 5 rows of stitching which means it’s less likely to break and is built to last. For this reason, it is more durable alternative to other budget karate uniforms.
As well, this kimono is made with a loose fit so is easy to wear whilst training in the dojo and allows for the flexibility to perform high kicks. Most people who train karate will want their gi to fit in this way, since having a tight fit does not give you any kind of advantage.
Ronin Camouflage Karate Uniform
If you know Karate, then you’ll know that Ronin has been around for years and is known for its quality and strong brand name. This gi is a bit ‘different’ and is for more extraverted Karateka. Gone is the traditional plain, white gi and it’s been replaced with a rare camo look.
Whilst it may not be very traditional looking, it certainly stands out and looks cool. Obviously, in almost any kind of competition, you would not be allowed to wear this uniform – since it is not a traditional color. This kimono may look awesome to some, but it does cost over $100 putting it in the higher end of the price range. Nonetheless, if you can afford it then why not? It is certainly original.
MACS Karate Uniform
Returning back to a cheaper option, this gi is the lowest costing karate uniform you can find.
Using a drawstring waist, it’s also available in four different colors, including red – which is generally quite an unusual look in Karate.
It may be cheap but also has a wider fit in parts like the inner thighs to allow for extra high kicks which is nice. Perhaps its best feature though is that it’s without any logos or design, making it looks sleek and traditional. For a solid starter gi, this choice makes perfect sense. It has nothing fancy about it but costs extremely little.
Twister Double Stitch Karate Uniform
The Twister gi is high quality as it uses 100% cotton, as well as double stitching. This means that in terms of durability, it’s up there with the best and is also pre-shrunk to make sure it fits with ease. Cotton also allows you to remain cool and will stop you from overheating and sweating too much – especially when compared to cheap polyester. This is the main reason why the Twister costs more than budget karate kimonos.
Therefore, if quality is your main lookout then this karate gi is probably the best choice. Perhaps most importantly, it is built to last so it won’t break within weeks or months. If you’ve been training for a few years, then this is a good option if you want something that is high quality.
Tiger Claw Traditional Karate Uniform
This gi doesn’t have a logo in sight and is navy blue from head to toe. It also uses an elastic waist and drawstring so even if you lose or gain a little weight, it doesn’t matter. The Tiger Claw gi is reasonably priced and its baggy fit looks like something straight out of the 80s. With this in mind, if you’re after a timeless, retro looking kimono then this one is ideal. Overall, the name alone sets the tone.
Venum Elite Karate Uniform
Like Ronin, Venum have been in the karate gi business for some time, so rest assured that the quality of this product is top level. In fact, you may have heard of Venum through the UFC who currently make all apparel for MMA fighters, as well as various other sports such as Taekwondo and karate.
Showing its quality, this gi is made from 100% cotton which is the ideal material for remaining cool. At the same time, it has durable fabric for striking movements and is approved by the WKF. This means that if you plan on competing in sports Karate, then you won’t have to check whether this uniform needs approval or not.
A nice feature of this gi is that it also comes with a portable backpack which means you can carry it around with you.
Seishin Premium Adult Karate Uniform
Speaking honestly, this is by far the most expensive gi on the list and costs roughly $250.
Therefore, if you’re on a budget then avoid this gi and review. Almost everyone does not need a karate kimono that costs over $200, there are far cheaper alternatives that do a great job for less money.
However, if money isn’t an option then it’s basically a luxury addition to any gi collection. This kimono is WKF approved so it’s not just expensive and aesthetic and can be used practically. Furthermore, just like any quality kimono, it’s made from 100% cotton and is very lightweight, and has extra material around the sleeves which is good for grip fighting and longevity.
A cool fact about the Seishin gi, is that it was designed in Okinawa, so you’re literally wearing a piece of Karate history when you wear this kimono.
JP Karate Uniform
At under $20, this gi is the cheapest on our list and is undeniably affordable.
The good news is that this kimono is not too bad at all given that it is so cheap. It is made from 220 GSM fabric and has 8 oz pants whilst also being hand and machine washable. Whilst it’s also only available in white, the reality is that most gis are white anyway so it’s not really an issue. In addition to this, white is the classic color for karate.
For those wondering whether to commit to Karate, this is a good starter gi as you cannot really lose at this price.
Zephyr Martial Arts Uniform
Available in four colors, this gi is a bit different from the norm. It has unusual pants that aren’t your typical Karate style. Instead, they’re closer to sweat pants yet still look like Karate gi pants. Because of this, movement in the legs is easy and it’s also less itchy for those with skin problems as there’s less friction. The one issue here though is they may not be WKF legal since this is not a regular kimono.
The gi jacket is double stitched and lightweight, so if you want to wear this within your dojo to spar in, it’s a good deal and not just simply designed for comfort.
WKF Legal Karate Kimonos
If you are a karate competitor, it is essential to buy a kimono from a brand that is approved. Brands such as Ronin, Adidas, and Venum are all well known to make solid uniforms. There are many Japanese brands that also make WKF approved uniforms, but these are a little harder to get hold of in the west.
Factors To Consider When Buying Karate Uniforms
Durability
If you are a beginner at karate, durability should not be too much of a concern. It is best to buy an inexpensive karate gi, before deciding whether you want to stick with this martial art or not.
For more experienced practitioners, durability of a karate gi matters a lot. If you’re training a few times a week, you don’t want something that is going to deteriorate within a year. For this reason, you will want to buy a uniform that is at least double stitched and ideally made of cotton. This will make sure it stays together and does not tear. Heavier gis usually last a lot longer than lightweight gis due to the fact that the material is denser.
Cost
It should come as no surprise that the more money you spend on a karate uniform, the greater the quality will be. The first thing you should do is figure out the top end of your budget and then find a gi that suits both this and your personal requirements.
Once again, beginners should look to spend well under $50 on a karate gi. There is no point in spending money on something that you will not use very often, so it’s best to figure out where you stand with karate before committing to a big purchase. Experienced karate athletes will obviously spend a lot more money since they will likely want a WKF legal gi made of quality materials.
Material
The best karate uniforms are made from cotton since they are both lightweight and breathable. These kimonos are more expensive, which is understandable since cotton is more desirable and expensive than cheaper alternatives.
Cheaper karate uniforms are made from a polyester and cotton blend. These uniforms will cause you to overheat faster since it is harder for your sweat to escape and cool down.
Karate Uniform Sizing & Fit
As a rule of thumb, karate gis should be loose and allow your body to make all of the movements it is required to make. In other words, it should allow you to move unrestricted in both kumite and kata. Therefore it is better to have a karate gi that is slightly on the baggy side, rather than something which is tight fitting. As karate is a striking martial art, you do not want something which holds back your range of motion and restricts your striking range for both punches and kicks.
Although many manufacturers will have their own sizing for their specific products. Below is a good guide to standard karate uniform sizes for each height and weight:
