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Andrew Carr-Locke
Andrew Carr-Locke's picture
What do you like in a Gi?

There was a post in the help wanted section of when to replace your gi...which got me thinking, what is it that you like about your current gi? 

Myself, I have trained in Karate style cuts, Judo style cuts, and Jiu-Jitsu style cuts of Gi's. The Karate ones were all generally light weight and at the time I thought I'd never enjoy training in anything heavy, but now I seem to have shifted mindsets and almost all my Gi's are Judo or BJJ weight (HEAVY). Still apart from weight, what else do I like about my Gi? Some of them just seem to fit right, the body, the sleeves, the pant leg and width, drawstring (cord not flat), material....and then others I wont take off the shelf anymore because I don't like the arm length, or it feels too tight accross the shoulder area, or the body is tight, or the skirt is too long, etc... 

If you were going to create your ultimate gi, what would it look/feel like? (be as descriptive as possible)

Chris Rob
Chris Rob's picture

An heavy weight Gi that Irons easly

Chris Rob
Chris Rob's picture

I like the adidas WKF Champion GI

Iain Abernethy
Iain Abernethy's picture

Being 5 foot 8 and over 15 stone the key thing for me is a gi that does not stick to me and limit movement the moment I start to sweat. I find judo style gis are ideal for what they are designed for, but they make it hard to get rid of heat and are not great for dynamic striking as they have a habit of rubbing your skin off you. I like the heavy Black Eagle gis as the cut allows for free movement and they are resilient enough to withstand the rough and tumble of grappling too. I almost always teach in a gi, but much of my training is in t-shirt and shorts these days.

All the best,

Iain

Gavin J Poffley
Gavin J Poffley's picture

I like a heavier fabric but really value the fit (especially around the shoulders) being loose so as not to impede movement and to aid in cooling. To this effect I usually wear one size larger than reccomended. I am 6ft 4 and 16 stone so that usually means a 6.5 or a 7 under most size charts. I also prefer slightly shorter sleeves and trouser legs so I often get those taken in when buying a new dogi. A lot of traditional Japanese cut ones have pretty short sleeves anyway though. 

I really like the quality of the Hirota and Shureido brands so will go for those wherever possible 

On another note I really dont like the look of bjj dogi with all the patches and advertisements on them.. never worked out why they had to have those... 

Andrew Carr-Locke
Andrew Carr-Locke's picture

Gavin J Poffley wrote:

On another note I really dont like the look of bjj dogi with all the patches and advertisements on them.. never worked out why they had to have those... 

I never understood this either... all of my BJJ Gi's that I actually wear have no patches or ads on them, the body cut is a bit tighter than a Judo gi, but the sleeve length and pant length is usually similar. It feels like there is less room inside them, but they do tendo to shift less than my judo gi's. 

PASmith
PASmith's picture

What do I like in a gi?

Kyra Gracie. Do a google image search. wink