UNIFORM

[Please visit our sponsor:]

[Turru]

I'm triying to buy a nice aikido uniform. Maybe, buy it via internet.

Any recommendation in brand or style?
please respond to alfredoavila@hotmail.com

[akiy]

Welcome to the Forums, Alfredo. I'm going to answer here rather than to your e-mail address since others may be interested in this, too.

I think this depends on how much you want to spend. Dogi range from the flimsy kind (that some people like) that around around US$20 for both top and bottom all the way up to the nice Mizuno judogi that can run upwards of hundreds of dollars just for the top alone.

I've bought dogi from Mugendo Budogu (http://www.budogu.com) (judogi) and Bu Jin Design (http://www.bujindesign.com) (canvas uwagi) and found both companies reliable and their products durable and good. I've heard good things about Hsu's (http://www.hsujudo.com/) double-weave uwagi which I'm thinking about getting, too.

Hope that helps,

-- Jun

[Turru]

So, would you highly recomend a Mizuno gi? I've seen a gi for about $40. Is this a good price for this product?

[akiy]

The only Mizuno dogi that I've seen were the ones that ran for over US$100. I don't know the quality of their less expensive line.

Anyone else?

-- Jun

[Shipley]

I'll second the vote for the Bujin design gi top. I find it incredibly comfortable, and I'm training in southern Arizona right now where just about nothing is all that comfortable.

Paul

[Nick]

Going to the other end of the Totem Pole:

I've been using a Century (shudder) judogi for the past seven months. Although at times it can be uncomfortable (when you sweat a lot, the top sticks to you and rustles against your skin) it has served its purpose, and is pretty cheap.

-Nick

[adriangan]

I'd recommend the Mizuno, it fits and feels good and is pretty tough, great for those grabs. I saved up for mine and was lucky enough to get it for approx US$58 (a friend of mine knew a Mizuno supplier here)

[Nick]

Yeah, I get the Century ones wholesale (my dad's karate dojo has a membership) so I have to use em...

-Nick

[djleyva]

I would recomend thi Mizuno gi. I have a Mizuno single weave Gi, and I love it. It is the best gi I have had in my 12 years of training. try Golden Tiger. They sell the single weave for $75.00 (top and bottom)here is their website. http://www.goldentiger.com/tokun.html

[MikeE]

If you can afford it. Tozando puts out a phenomenal aikido gi that will probably outlive you. They even do hand stitched gis!:)

[Nick]

$500 for a dogi is a bit out there, in my opinion. However, I did just get a new Mizuno for $42 (shihan special ;)) and I love it. I didn't realize how superior it was to the Century ones... compared to the Century dogi, it feels like a nice warm blanket (especially once you start working out).

[Turru]

Thanks everybody for answering.

I finally bought my gi from Hatashita Ent. in Canada via internet. Customer serice by contact was excelent. I must confess I was a little affraid, becuase it's kind of difficult to buy by internet and then get your orders to mexico, because of shipping costs, etc.

I got a Mizuno single weave and a fuji white gi. Both are excelent uniforms, but I felt the Mizuno a little softer than the other. With this buy, I don't think I'll need another gi until both get broken.

[O-Ren]

If price is no object try budostuff.com. Haven't received mine just yet, patently waiting though.

[Matthew White]

Now that you've got them, please, please, please don't tumble dry them!!! Nuthin' ruins a good gi like a dryer. Hang it up and let it drip! In fact, hang it up after each practice and let it air out.

[Jory Boling]

I just got my wife a Bujin doji on ebay and i've gotten other brands for myself there. They have all been used but relatively new. Better than paying full price.

[giriasis]

If you overdry your gi it will shrink. I tend to dry mine until slightly damp then hang them up. Also the amount of shrinkage depends on the brand of gi you own. The Cheetah brand shrinks a lot, then I'd put Tiger Claw then Century behind that in that order. It's my impression the "cheaper" the gi, the "cheaper" the fabric and the more wear you will have. No matter, if you buy cheap you buy twice.

I have the bugin dogi and have been very satisfied and haven't had problems with drying it in a dryer. Also I don't have a problem with using non-liquid fabric softeners.

[pezalinski]

I want my gi's to be CLEAN and DRY -- no funky bacteria :eek: is gonna take root in MY gi's. Been doing it this way for 20 years, and have currently 3 different pairs of pants and 7 tops to show for it*.

Here's my rules for gi maintenance for sweaty aikidoka:

1) Always wash and dry gi's in HOT using normal detergent and use the dryer and dryer-sheets (if you're not allergic) to roast 'em until they're warm and soft. (Happiness is a dryer-warmed gi on a cold day.)
2) Gi's shrink -- so buy a larger size. And always wash it before you wear it for the first time. (Some shrink more than others - so, ask around.)
3) Avoid bleach -- I've shredded a few gi's early on, they virtually fell apart on the mat after a few bleach/hot-water washings.
4) Use at least one clean gi jacket per day, if possible -- let the sweat dry in them and reuse them in emergencies ONLY, please. Recycling the gi pants is usually OK - they don't get as wet and sweaty. Bring a spare jacket to seminars, please.
5) * If the knees shred - It's OK to turn them around as an emergency fix (not a permanent one). Knee-walking is hell on pants, and patching the knees is more work than it's worth -- as you usually end up with uncomfortable shreds and bits under the patch that makes for uneven pressure points on the knee. Buy another gi, and you'll have a spare jacket to swap out on a really active day. Or buy a set of Bujin pants - virtually canvas, the knees wear like iron.


:ai: :ki: :do: