Shureido GI question

[opr1945]

Most of the students at the Dojo I attend wear Shureido GIs. There was a discussion that I listened to, but did not participate in, comparing the K-10 and the NW3 Gis. I visited the Shureido web site as well as others and could not find much actual information. The K10 is described as heavyweight 100% cotton good for all around use. The KW3 was described as heavyweight poly-cotton blend good for kata and all around use.

There must be some differences, advantages, problems, drawbacks, benefits between them. Else why would the company make two identical products with different names?

Can anyone help to enlighten me as between these two models?

 

[Same Trick]

I’ll guess the intention is that poly-cotton won’t cling to body when getting sweaty?
Back when I was into karate there was only 100% cotton Gi’s and the heavyweight Gi’s didn’t tend so cling to body while the lightweight had a real clinging problem

 

[opr1945]

I did email the company this is the response:

"Thank you for contacting RYUKYU ENTERPRISES, INC./SHUREIDO USA
We are currently moving locations. Our new address is 1166 E. Valencia Dr. Fullerton, CA. 92832
Our telphone number is the same. We are currently unpacking and setting up our new location. Please give us a few weeks to get everything back to normal. Thank you for your patience."

I got the same response back in February when I emails them with a different question.

Must have a lot of unpacking to do.

 

[Same Trick]

On their website the descriptions of their karate Gi’s say “for serious practitioners” only about their 100% cotton heavyweight Gi’s.
So that’s the one you should go for….when they’re unpacked

 

[opr1945]

I did find this on one retailers web site:

SHIHAN-TOURNAMENT TKC-10 / SHIHAN KC-10: Superior Heavy Weight Gi designed especially for Shihan. Exclusive original material (rayon, polyester and cotton). Shrinks less and keeps a very nice white colour longer than 100% cotton gis. Very comfortable to wear. We recommend the Tournament cut version (TKC-10)

Karategi Shureido NEW WAVE 3: Highest quality, heavy (cotton and polyester) with special SNAP effect! The exlusiv choice for the best KATA competitors and INSTRUCTORS only! The new design comes with much shorter trousers and sleeves according to the idea to leave some centimeters above the ankle and half of the forearm uncovered. Does not shrink. Easy to iron. No brand logo embroideries on the uniform!
Select your version: NW-3 (HEAVY: Perfect for Kata), NW-2 (MEDIUM: 12% less weight than NW-3, perfect for all kind of uses) or NW-1 (LIGHT: 25% less weight than NW-3, perfect for Kumite and in all situations when you sweat a lot.).
another seller

Kata Shureido New Wave 3 (NW3)​

Kata is more technically demanding than ever before and you need a sharp cut Gi that delivers huge performance. The New Wave 3 is the world's best Karate Kata Gi. Production times are backed up due to high seasonal demand as they are custom tailored by hand in Okinawa one by one suited for each athlete.

The New Wave 3 has a unique poly cotton blend that keeps it lightweight and breathable while offering a rigid look with wide cut arms and legs that taper in the bends at the knee and elbow. The extra thigh room allows for deeper stances with less constriction and huge snapping when techniques are launched.

This is the Kata gi of choice for many World Karate Champions.




Yet another one:
K10
Description
Japans Top of the line Karate gi !! It is a traditionally cut Karate gi, meaning that it does not have short sleeves or pant legs, and is made of 100% duck canvas cotton. Duck canvas cotton is also known as duck cloth. It is a tightly woven cotton fabric that is excellent for a variety of things, including heavy weight Karate gis.

The Shureido K-10 is both available in white only. They are also cut larger than most heavyweight karate gis, something that you should keep in mind when ordering. If you are unsure which size to order, please feel free to e-mail us your height, weight and waist size and we will be able to match you up with a perfect fit.

Like most heavyweight Karate gis, the Shureido gis do not come with a belt, so if you are looking for a high-quality belt to match your high-quality gi, you may want to check out the Shureido Deluxe belts. They are available in cotton or satin.




Still more:
The Karategui Shureido New Wave 3- WKF, is the most popular karategi in Kata competitions. It is used by the karatekas and teams with the highest Kata ranking. Teams from Japan, Turkey or Hong Kong do not hesitate to compete with this unrivalled Karategui. Its SNAP effect is unrivalled and so is its presence. The karategui enhances the strength of the karateka and the precision of its movements with every sound, with every position. The skirt is at just the right height and stays stretched from behind without falling. The sleeves and trousers are pre-cut to WKF competition size, adapted to a standard size. The same cut of the uniform is more adjusted to the body of the karateka, more fitted.

What special features does the New Wave 3 fabric have?​

The yarn is a double-structured grain and contains polyester staples as a central core, covered with cotton. This innovative material has a skin-friendly texture and at the same time features a strong, unique central core. The snap provided by this karategi is second to none.

It is a heavy weight Karategi, made of a blend of polyester and cotton. Suitable for dynamic movements thanks to its three-dimensional cut trousers.

The fabric is exceptionally firm. It retains its shape with a special sewing system that in turn absorbs sweat in the back.

The shrinkage of the jacket and trousers length is 2 cm.


another
k10 100% Cotton, Heavy Weight Gi, Shrinkage 5cm Shipping wt. 1.8000kg

NW3 Polyester/Cotton, Heavy Weight, Shrinkage 1.5kg, Weight 1.5kg Shipping wt. 1.5000kg

 

[Same Trick]

The cotton/synthetic blend is probably less “sticky”/(frictionless) that’s maybe why it’s preferred by and advertised toward competitors, whose mental focus might be disturbed by such things as a sturdy Gi.

Often are synthetic/cotton blend advertised in positive terms such as “breathable material”, but for a karate Gi I think that’s a non issue since it’s not a tight fitting outfit, plenty of air circulate between body and suit.

Another angle for synthetic/cotton blend preference might be it’s a cheaper garment for the Gi manufacturers so they can make a greater profit, also with a twist it can be advertised as environmentally friendly .

 

[opr1945]

and lastly a review:

Last in the series of posts about what I consider my favourite karategi is none other than Shureido.​

It’s important that I state that I in no way listed the posts in order of preference. All three karategi are my top choice and each serve a different purpose.​

The Seishin is light, airy, and has great snap; ideal for the hot Okinawan conditions.​

The Kamikaze is heavy, hard wearing, and I know to be long lasting so it will be with me for a long time, giving me the best cost per wear.​

The Shureido is something special however; from Okinawa, the birthplace of Karate, the K10 is a heavyweight 100% cotton keikogi.

Made from Japanese No. 10 Duck canvas, a material used especially for dogi and which comes in a slight blue tinge which fades over time.

I read somewhere on the vast web of the internet that this blue helps protect the white keikogi from yellow discolouration from constant use.

However, if you just wash your keikogi after every use this shouldn’t be an issue.

There is no exact weight given but a size 4 pant and top weighs roughly 2kg.

It feels great during long and hot training sessions and feels solid every time you put it on.

The stiffness is just right to feel like it can handle grabs and pulls from your fellow karateka and is also able to deliver good snap when performing techniques.

The bottoms sit comfortably on the waist with enough room in the gusset for kicking high (although not common in Okinawan Karate).

They have a range of other keikogi, but these are usually lighter and a blend of man made fibres; I may come around to using a composite material but for now I am a fan of 100% cotton.

Whilst in Okinawa I went directly to the store, a few weeks before I was due to leave, and had my K10 selected and adjusted to my requirements.

My short leg pants were triple checked and I had to reassure them that yes, I like mine half way up my shin.

I got my name embroidered on, in Katakana of course, so that introductions in Okinawa were easier and also to ensure that my keikogi wouldn’t get mixed up amongst the many others worn on the island.

It was ready within a week and it fitted perfectly, albeit without much space for a lot of body weight increase, but my plan was to lose some more anyway.

During training it was very comfortable and didn’t have overly baggy elements and without the fabric tugging on body parts as you move.

However, would I have bought a Shureido karategi had I not already been in Okinawa?

Probably not.

There are lots of karategi out there that are older in their lineage (if that is important to you), and the Karategi is technically a Japanese invention, despite Karate being from Okinawa.

With that I never looked at Shureido as being any more special than the Japanese brands, Tokaido and Hirota, although they are more expensive which is why I have been happy to buy non-Japanese alternatives like Kamikaze, Adidas and Arawaza.

If you are going to be in Okinawa there is something cool about walking into the main store, talking with the staff, checking out the weapons, books and memorabilia, and walking out with a brand new keikogi that is tried and tested by many great Okinawan karateka on the island.

After all, the keikogi itself serves as a sponge for your memories of training on the island, once the bruises have healed.

​

 

[Same Trick]

I too bought my first and only Shureido Gi in their main store in Naha, it’s now 37 years ago(the Gi is long gone), can’t tell if it’s the same store shown in that pic, I remember it was a small store. I also bought a Gi named something as “Shobu Jirushi” in a small family business that mainly made Kendo equipments, I liked that Gi too, don’t know if the business still there.

 

[opr1945]

I emailed several on line retailers. Here are a two responses I received.

Shureido Australia replied:
K10 heavier
Regards
Arthur

ORIENTAL MARTIAL ART​

The weight of Shureido New Wave 3 size 4 is around 1.5 kgs.
The weight of Shureido K-10 size 4 is around 1.8 kgs.
they also included much of the information listed above.