Gi / grappling apparel megathread

[Shuma-Gorath]

This thread is now the Gi Megathread. Please post any reviews and recommendations here, and read any previous posts before asking about a particular brand.

I'm also including rashguards, shorts, etc. here for MMA and no-gi training.

[Samfoo]

I have wondered if anybody can recommend a brand, or if single or double weave is the way to go? On the issue of color i keep thinking white will never look clean again after about a month, and I can only assume a white belt showing up for his first class ever in a black gi is asking for a butt kicking. I'll need to know this before I start training (after a get a job and can pay for it).

For Judo, I like Kwon. They pretty much never wear out.

[lawdog]

It depends on a lot of factors. Your level. Your style of fighting. Your body type. Your budget.

Generally for grappling I prefer a double weave. For judo I'd say Mizuno and Adidas might make the 2 best, depending on your body type. Adidas is cut pretty slim and favors thinner body types.

Tokari (Canadian company) makes an excellent gi and will go to great lengths to fit you. I recently purchased a new one from them and after 8 emails, a 20 minute phone call, and emailing them a very detailed form consisting of all my measurements, the gi fits like a glove after shrinkage, and it was only $80. I think the quality is comparable to Mizuno.

I just don't think anybody other than an elite level competitor should spend more than $150 on a gi. The upper end Mizuno and Adidas are about $300.

There are some excellent, less popular (in the U.S.) European brands that I've been very impresseed with, but never worn. One is a real bitch to grip, and seems to be made very well, but I don't know much else about it. I think it's the German made Dax Moskito, or something like that.

Swain makes an excellent gi (made by Century, I think), but for the money, I think Mizuno is better quality.

Tiger Claw, Warrior, etc. make some very inexpensive double weave gis, but they'll wear out fairly quickly and they typically aren't very stiff and their lapels are generally too soft for competition. So good for n00bies or training, not great for more experienced competitors.

Those are just the ones I'm familiar with. There are many others out there, and lots of companies make BJJ gis specifically, which are slightly different, but don't necessarily have to be.

Single weave is much cheaper and more comfortable, but much easier to grip and will wear out quickly. It's debatable whether or not the single weave is cooler than a double weave. Single will breathe better, but tends to lie flat against your skin. Most double weaves are a bit stiffer and will rest off the skin a bit. I find double weaves to be a bit cooler on me than a single weave.

[Cassius]

I have wondered if anybody can recommend a brand, or if single or double weave is the way to go? On the issue of color i keep thinking white will never look clean again after about a month, and I can only assume a white belt showing up for his first class ever in a black gi is asking for a butt kicking. I'll need to know this before I start training (after a get a job and can pay for it).

Like people have said, it depends what you want it for. My school gets a pretty big discount on Atama products, so I have a two Atama gis: one blue and one white. They are both gold weave, which is my favorite. I've never seen any Atama gold or double weaves rip. As for Atama's Judo style gis, I have no clue.

As a side note: IF you are doing BJJ, nobody will care what color your gi is, most likely. I recommend blue, as it does not seem to stain and doesn't fade badly at all. For any other MA, I would go with whatever everyone else tells you, as I have no clue.

[MaverickZ]

1) Kikskin, they rock. my instructor loves them and recommends them to everyone. he has had his since '98, and it's barely starting to show signs of wear. personally, i love mine. we have people at my school wearing black, blue, white, whatever. it doesn't matter what belt level you are. who cares anyway. we all know how good someone is, and that's certainly not tied to their gi color.

2) PL, WTF TKD uses the pullovers. us traditionalists use regular old dobaks that tie.

3) Haldir, keep your tkd criticisms to appropriate threads. and it's spelled nightmare.

4) i have a sleeveless dobak. i took my old tkd dobak and undid the stitches on the sleeves. took all of half an hour. i can't stand sleeves, at all. this way i don't have to roll up the sleeves all the time.

5) don't get a heavy gi for tkd. you'll regret it every second. just get a cheap and light one, the lighter the better.

[JohnnyFive]

I had a singleweave Kwon and it shrank really wierdly (sleeves were too long, chest was too tight) so I am not the biggest fan. I've had good luck with:

www.hsujudo.com for cheap doubleweave gis. These are a pretty decent doubleweave gi, and they have good prices. They will also give a substantial club discount if your sensei sets it up. Then it becomes awesome cheap.

www.hatashita.com for mizuno type gis. More expensive, nicer cut. Worth that much money? Well, hey, I play Judo, it's not like I can spend my dough on fancy patches or black belt clubs or sharkskin kendo armor.

www.kodokangear.com For the DAX Moskito. This is a gi definately cut for the portly man (I am not, unfortunately, so it is quite large on me.) This gi is basically the thickest permitted by IJF regulations, and is a real pain in the butt to grab on to. It's also probably not that suited for groundwork (or summer) because it's so heavy.

I'm thinking of trying the Toraki Personal Gold. (www.toraki.com).

[lawdog]

I'm thinking of trying the Toraki Personal Gold. (www.toraki.com).

Toraki's customer service was absolutely amazing! I can't say enough about them. Kodokangear is good as well, but nothing like Toraki. I'm not sure I'll ever buy another brand of gi.

[Yrkoon9]

Bang for the buck is Ouano. Honestly this would be my first choice for next gi.

For durability you have HCK, Atama, Koral, Gameness. The good ones are gonna run you over a hundred.

[Tourettes]

Hatashita has a good budget doubleweave judogi - the fuji - for $80 (size 4-5). They're a nice training gi. Plus, Hatashita rocks - customer service is spot on.

[Cassius]

Bang for the buck is Ouano. Honestly this would be my first choice for next gi.

For durability you have HCK, Atama, Koral, Gameness. The good ones are gonna run you over a hundred.

I think my Atama goldweaves were around $83 each counting shipping with the school discount, if that helps.