When I began my martial arts journey I received a "free" 6 oz. martial arts gi. After a year of training with it, it literally felt like I was wearing a piece of paper. A couple months ago I bought an 8 oz uniform, it was much more crisp, and my techniques had a louder snap when being performed. i really like it. There are also 10, 12 ,and 14 oz. uniforms. What are your personal favorite and why (oz wise)?
Ideal uniform weight
- Thread starter Azulx
- Start date
In Kempo I use 10oz..It makes me feel faster 
Judo I use 14. I used a lighter one, and it was not in a pretty shape after a while, so had to go up in weight.
Judo I use 14. I used a lighter one, and it was not in a pretty shape after a while, so had to go up in weight.
I've tried a bunch of gi weights and types and brands. I keep coming back to the one I started with. 10 ounce 'Middleweight' Century brand gi in 100% brushed cotton. I have worn 12 and 14 ounce types and found them to feel restricting on my movements. Anything lighter than 10 ounces and I feel like I'm wearing pyjamas.
I should also note that the weight rating is not always the same between brands. My 10 ounce is very similar to what others seem to call 12 ounce, and in a couple cases, I have friends in my dojo who have purchased so-called 12 ounce gi and my 10 ounce is definitely thicker and has more 'pop'.
My Century gi seem to last me about three years, then they are worn out. They're not terribly expensive, so I'm OK with that.
I also avoid the 'traditional Japanese' cut; it's a longer top than I like. After I cut 10 inches off my size 7 gi top sleeps, I still have the bottom of the top that hangs to my knees. Not my style. I like the 'American' cut much better. Top of the gi only hangs to just past the crotch.
I should also note that the weight rating is not always the same between brands. My 10 ounce is very similar to what others seem to call 12 ounce, and in a couple cases, I have friends in my dojo who have purchased so-called 12 ounce gi and my 10 ounce is definitely thicker and has more 'pop'.
My Century gi seem to last me about three years, then they are worn out. They're not terribly expensive, so I'm OK with that.
I also avoid the 'traditional Japanese' cut; it's a longer top than I like. After I cut 10 inches off my size 7 gi top sleeps, I still have the bottom of the top that hangs to my knees. Not my style. I like the 'American' cut much better. Top of the gi only hangs to just past the crotch.
JR 137
Grandmaster
I wear a 12 oz and a 14 oz. I'm looking for a well made 10 oz. that fits me right and doesn't break the bank.
I don't think the weight itself is what makes heavyweight gis better; it's the material. The lighter weight gis are typically a twill material, kind of like jeans, only a lot thinner. Heavier gis are typically cotton canvas, which if weight was kept equal, would be more durable and stiffer (in a good way). Basically the difference between a 100% cotton t-shirt and a 100% cotton dress shirt.
I've been looking into the higher end poly/cotton blended gis, such as Shureido's New Wave line. I don't know anyone who owns one, nor have I seen one in person. I hate that this stuff is all mail order. I'd love to be able to go to a place like Sports Authority and try on a bunch of different high end gis.
And with gis, don't be afraid to spend a good bit of money on them. I've owned a Shureido K-10 which is about $225. Easily the best gi I've ever worn and wrath the money. I wore it 4-5 times per week, for 2-3 hours at a time. 6 years of that, with bleaching and machine drying it every time (both a huge no-no for gis), and it was pretty much just as good as when I bought it. I'd still have it, but I lost it in a move from grad school. Some aren't worth the money, but the top brands like Shureido and Tokaido (their Japanese made ones) are. I'd easily justify the $225 of the Shureido over the $65 for my KI heavyweight. I'm wired like that though; I'd rather spend $200 on something I'll get a lot of use out of and enjoy than spend $10 on an equivalent product that sucks and I'll throw away.
I don't think the weight itself is what makes heavyweight gis better; it's the material. The lighter weight gis are typically a twill material, kind of like jeans, only a lot thinner. Heavier gis are typically cotton canvas, which if weight was kept equal, would be more durable and stiffer (in a good way). Basically the difference between a 100% cotton t-shirt and a 100% cotton dress shirt.
I've been looking into the higher end poly/cotton blended gis, such as Shureido's New Wave line. I don't know anyone who owns one, nor have I seen one in person. I hate that this stuff is all mail order. I'd love to be able to go to a place like Sports Authority and try on a bunch of different high end gis.
And with gis, don't be afraid to spend a good bit of money on them. I've owned a Shureido K-10 which is about $225. Easily the best gi I've ever worn and wrath the money. I wore it 4-5 times per week, for 2-3 hours at a time. 6 years of that, with bleaching and machine drying it every time (both a huge no-no for gis), and it was pretty much just as good as when I bought it. I'd still have it, but I lost it in a move from grad school. Some aren't worth the money, but the top brands like Shureido and Tokaido (their Japanese made ones) are. I'd easily justify the $225 of the Shureido over the $65 for my KI heavyweight. I'm wired like that though; I'd rather spend $200 on something I'll get a lot of use out of and enjoy than spend $10 on an equivalent product that sucks and I'll throw away.
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dancingalone
Grandmaster
I own many uniforms between time in karate, taekwondo, aikido, and jiujitsu. There is no single best answer.
Heavier uniforms in the striking arts look nicer for gradings and pictures. I also prefer their feel in training, but I understand this is an individual preference. Kumite specialists often use lighter, loose fitting uniforms to maximize mobility. I was gifted recently with a pair of old stock Bear Brand uniforms that are marked as 17 oz. I wish I had stocked up on these when they were being made. Very nice quality and I don't remember that they were all that expensive either at the time.
In jiujitsu, it's also a matter of preference. Some like lightweight for comfort, some prefer durability or are heavy sweaters so a heavier uniform might be chosen instead. Me personally, I like heavier pearlweaves as a compromise between the two approaches. I don't like ripstop pants because they don't seem to protect my legs well enough, and goldweaves and doubleweaves are kinda hot in my area when training in older gyms.
Heavier uniforms in the striking arts look nicer for gradings and pictures. I also prefer their feel in training, but I understand this is an individual preference. Kumite specialists often use lighter, loose fitting uniforms to maximize mobility. I was gifted recently with a pair of old stock Bear Brand uniforms that are marked as 17 oz. I wish I had stocked up on these when they were being made. Very nice quality and I don't remember that they were all that expensive either at the time.
In jiujitsu, it's also a matter of preference. Some like lightweight for comfort, some prefer durability or are heavy sweaters so a heavier uniform might be chosen instead. Me personally, I like heavier pearlweaves as a compromise between the two approaches. I don't like ripstop pants because they don't seem to protect my legs well enough, and goldweaves and doubleweaves are kinda hot in my area when training in older gyms.
It depends on what you're using it for. I was just looking at the Kwon catalog the other day and they had a high-end TKD sport uniform advertised as being 50% lighter than regular TKD uniforms Which would, I guess, make it 3oz? But if you're doing, say, Judo, a heavy-weight uniform is going to be better.
My experience is that a 6oz basic uniform does get worn-out and dingy after a year or two. But they're also very inexpensive, which is why they're often given away for free to new signups or as part of some trial package.
My experience is that a 6oz basic uniform does get worn-out and dingy after a year or two. But they're also very inexpensive, which is why they're often given away for free to new signups or as part of some trial package.
It depends on what Art one trains in, the weather outside or inside the training hall, & personal preference. I train TKD. When I lived in Chicago, a 12 or 14 oz uniform was fine in January, but never in July. Now that I live in Los Angeles, I don't own anything that heavy for TKD. I wear much lighter weight uniforms, now. When I visit Chicago in the Winter, I wish I had a warmer uniform. They used to make a 12 oz v-neck Kukki-TKD uniform, but they haven't for close to 10 years. I wish I had one though.
If you're in an Art or a school where your uniform is going to be pulled on, or you'll be thrown. Go heavier. If not, there's not as much need to...unless it's an issue of temperature.
If you're in an Art or a school where your uniform is going to be pulled on, or you'll be thrown. Go heavier. If not, there's not as much need to...unless it's an issue of temperature.
I might try a single weave (lighter) gi for my next one just to compare. Both of my gis have been moya brand and both double weave and very heavy. I'm rolling around giving my gi heavy abuse. I sold my first one with about 100 hrs on the matts and it looked almost brand new. I sold it because it had my old school's logo on it and I was moving and it was really too small for me anyways. I have something over 200 hrs in my current one and, aside from some fraying on the neck, is holding up extremely well. I sweat buckets and it's nice having the thick gi to collect it but maybe I'd sweat a little less in a single weave.
Ironbear24
Senior Master
Mine is around 8 I think. I wish it were heavier to be honest. The heavier ones seem to last longer and give your motions and strike more presence. As you said the snap sound adds to that.
I train in TKD, I got about 125- 150 hrs of training out my 6 oz. Dobok. I would train anywhere from 2-5 hours a week. This was about a years worth of training.The uniform felt like I was wearing paper by the end of the year. In February of this year I bought an 8 oz uniform and it feels much nicer than the 6.oz. I will invest in a 10 oz. at the end of year and see how that feels.
Side Note: We train indoors in multi-purpose room.
Side Note: We train indoors in multi-purpose room.
JR 137
Grandmaster
Forget about the snap sound. It's a kids' thing IMO. It was cool for a week or two when I bought my first real gi at 19. Then I realized it was just for show.
Ironbear24
Senior Master
No I like the snap sound.
I do too. It doesn't have any real meaning, but I enjoy the pop.
One thing I like about a gi is that we can grab each other by it for the purpose of throwing and such. Also, if I trip someone (intentionally) and want to stop them from hitting the floor too hard, you can grab them by the gi. T-shirts tend to rip. But whatever works is fine.
Yeah, same here. That's traditional for CMA. Let's just be thankful we don't practice sumo.
I was going to make a joke about the Sumo Wrestler's uniform on a woman. I decided to change may mind when I found this picture. The woman's uniform is definitely better so no jokes this time about the uniform, so I'll leave you with this message
Caption: The same look she gives her husband. "Get in the kitchen and make me a sammich"
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