Help keeping my dogi pants up

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[Sam Turnage]

Ok not sure if anyone can help me on this or not but, you know how the saying goes, “If you don’t ask, you won’t receive”. For instance years ago I learned a different way to tie my belt that will not come undone. So just maybe there’s a trick for this.

I need help keeping my Dogi pants up or tight. I have dealt with this problem for years but lately it’s been driving me nuts or I’m just pain feed up with it.

First off it’s not a physique issue, meaning I’m not a fat bastard, or it’s not the fact that I have a beer gut and a flat ass or something like that. I have an average build, thin and athletic etc.

This is what I do and what I see happening:
I suck my gut in a bit and tie the pants as tight as I can like you would tie your shoes. Later after training for a bit it becomes annoyingly very loose. When I look at it to retie the knot, the knot itself is still in tacked but the string has stretched like 2” or more and is now very loose; my son has the same problem. Many other people seem to have this problem but mine seems worse.

[Marc Abrams]

Overlap the cords TWICE, not once, like in tying a shoelace and then tied the bow or other not. The increased surface area of overlapping the cords twice usually does the trick.

marc abrams

[Sam Turnage]

Overlap the cords TWICE, not once, like in tying a shoelace and then tied the bow or other not. The increased surface area of overlapping the cords twice usually does the trick.

marc abrams

I think I understand, I will try it today.

Thanks for trying to help Marc

[akiy]

Hi Sam,

If you are talking about drawstring pants, have you tried replacing the drawstring with a non-stretchable (but still tie-able) drawstring?

-- Jun

[Adam Huss]

Maybe try a different brand....sometimes you can order just the pants or top.

[lbb]

If you are talking about drawstring pants, have you tried replacing the drawstring with a non-stretchable (but still tie-able) drawstring?

This. Whatever material your current drawstring is, clearly it's got a lot of stretch. Simple solution: switch to something less stretchy. Nylon is very stretchy, cotton can be stretchy when wet, braided polyester or polypropylene can be a lot less stretchy. Go to the hardware store and look around for a better material -- it's a cheap solution.

[Sam Turnage]

Yes, I have thought of trying a different drawstring of some kind (don't know what) that might be less stretchy. I have two gi sets, different brands / makers but both are all cotton I think.

[phitruong]

Yes, I have thought of trying a different drawstring of some kind (don't know what) that might be less stretchy. I have two gi sets, different brands / makers but both are all cotton I think.

how's about 3/4" or 5/8" ballistic nylon webbing? http://www.acw1.com/webbing.html

i have a bujin gi pant that has that sort of thing and it works great.

[Sam Turnage]

how's about 3/4" or 5/8" ballistic nylon webbing? http://www.acw1.com/webbing.html

i have a bujin gi pant that has that sort of thing and it works great.

Ok, this is good but then you would need a buckle of some kind right and his could hurt or dig into you when grappaling or not, never tried it, what do I know. What does the bujin pant use or look like?

Anyway I like where this is going, simply make a small belt and get rid of the damn cotton strings; it is 2010 you know.

[sakumeikan]

Ok not sure if anyone can help me on this or not but, you know how the saying goes, "If you don't ask, you won't receive". For instance years ago I learned a different way to tie my belt that will not come undone. So just maybe there's a trick for this.

I need help keeping my Dogi pants up or tight. I have dealt with this problem for years but lately it's been driving me nuts or I'm just pain feed up with it.

First off it's not a physique issue, meaning I'm not a fat bastard, or it's not the fact that I have a beer gut and a flat ass or something like that. I have an average build, thin and athletic etc.

This is what I do and what I see happening:
I suck my gut in a bit and tie the pants as tight as I can like you would tie your shoes. Later after training for a bit it becomes annoyingly very loose. When I look at it to retie the knot, the knot itself is still in tacked but the string has stretched like 2" or more and is now very loose; my son has the same problem. Many other people seem to have this problem but mine seems worse.

Dear Sam,
Why not have a chat with Ramos Sensei about the problem?I am sure she will give you good info.
While you hopefully speak to her tell Ramos Sensei [Cecilia] I send her my best regards,
Cheers, Joe.

[phitruong]

Ok, this is good but then you would need a buckle of some kind right and his could hurt or dig into you when grappaling or not, never tried it, what do I know. What does the bujin pant use or look like?

Anyway I like where this is going, simply make a small belt and get rid of the damn cotton strings; it is 2010 you know.

the bujin pant has a little brass clip buckle which i don't even noticed. worked good as far as i could tell.

[ninjaqutie]

I have found that the best way to keep my pants tied is to first tighten them on the sides (where the front and back part meets and assuming your pants have this gap as well). Then, I pull the strings tight again in the front. Seems to work for me. I just do a regular bow knot.

[lbb]

Yes, I have thought of trying a different drawstring of some kind (don't know what) that might be less stretchy. I have two gi sets, different brands / makers but both are all cotton I think.

Sam, you're making this a lot more complicated than it needs to be. There's a quick and cheap solution. Go to the hardware store -- any hardware store. In most stores they'll have a selection of rope that is sold by the foot. If they can't tell you which is low stretch, test it out yourself by grabbing it with your two hands and giving a tug. Find one that doesn't stretch much, then buy as much as you need. If it's a synthetic, which it probably will be, and their cutter doesn't heat-seal the ends, just use a match or lighter to do the same yourself when you get home, otherwise it will unravel on you. Problem solved!

[Sam Turnage]

the bujin pant has a little brass clip buckle which i don't even noticed. worked good as far as i could tell.

Thanks Phi

[Sam Turnage]

Sam, you're making this a lot more complicated than it needs to be. There's a quick and cheap solution. Go to the hardware store -- any hardware store. In most stores they'll have a selection of rope that is sold by the foot. If they can't tell you which is low stretch, test it out yourself by grabbing it with your two hands and giving a tug. Find one that doesn't stretch much, then buy as much as you need. If it's a synthetic, which it probably will be, and their cutter doesn't heat-seal the ends, just use a match or lighter to do the same yourself when you get home, otherwise it will unravel on you. Problem solved!

LOL, Mary I know that, it’s just how I roll. I often make things more difficult then they are. But I figure that I’ve been lazy and put up with this standard setup that is not working for years so why not take my time, research, lesson to others and what they have done and do it right. And why reinvent the wheel, I mean no one has suggested anything that I haven’t thought of, and I didn’t really expect them too. I knew that I can’t be the only man that has had this problem and I was looking for people to tell me what they have tried or done, and what the pros and cons are so that I, the former carpenter and 8+ year construction superintendent don’t have to go down to the hardware store and waist my time and money experimenting or what I would call “Jerry rigging” something when all I had to do is search or ask. That’s what I like about forums like this, sharing knowledge and ideas. I have a saying that someone taught me long ago and tell all the guys, it’s called the 6 P’s of construction. “Prior planning prevents piss poor performance.”

[phitruong]

LOL, Mary I know that, it's just how I roll. I often make things more difficult then they are. .......... I have a saying that someone taught me long ago and tell all the guys, it's called the 6 P's of construction. "Prior planning prevents piss poor performance."

just ignore her. she just doesn't understand guys need for complex engineering solution to solve problem. if we men hadn't thinking of complex engineering solutions we would still be in the cave grunting ugh ugh and clubbing things with big chunk of woods. with our engineering progress, we have achieved much in order to produce such things as hunting ducks with automatic weapons or fishing with explosive. *i know nothing about those and that's my story which i will stick to it* :)

[Sam Turnage]

Dear Sam,
Why not have a chat with Ramos Sensei about the problem?I am sure she will give you good info.
While you hopefully speak to her tell Ramos Sensei [Cecilia] I send her my best regards,
Cheers, Joe.

Ask my Sensei? Well Joe what a novel idea. Lol…the funny thing is that I asked her last night and after hearing her response, I laughed and said, I should have asked you about this years ago. The reason I didn’t ask Sensei is that I figured that most girls don’t have this problem to the degree that men do anyway because of there hips and body shape. But just because she has not had the problem does not mean that she doesn’t have a solution.
Naturally I am very fond of my Sensei and think very highly of her both as a Martial artist and as a person but having gone to functions like summer camp with her I see that I’m not the only one. She seems to be very popular; seeming knows everyone and has made many friends over the years. I will pass your greeting on to her today but would also encourage you to contact her personally as well. She has been thru a lot in the past year and I think hearing from old friends that care seems to really lift her spirits. She looks great and is recovering well.

Regards,
Sam

[Sam Turnage]

just ignore her. she just doesn't understand guys need for complex engineering solution to solve problem. if we men hadn't thinking of complex engineering solutions we would still be in the cave grunting ugh ugh and clubbing things with big chunk of woods. with our engineering progress, we have achieved much in order to produce such things as hunting ducks with automatic weapons or fishing with explosive. *i know nothing about those and that's my story which i will stick to it* :)

:D thats funny, I don't know what your talking about either;)

[Sam Turnage]

I have found that the best way to keep my pants tied is to first tighten them on the sides (where the front and back part meets and assuming your pants have this gap as well). Then, I pull the strings tight again in the front. Seems to work for me. I just do a regular bow knot.

my strings are not long enough for anything like that unless i'm just not getting what your doing.

I hope to train up there some day I have friends and family in Or.

thanks for your help Ashley cheers

[Keith Larman]

just ignore her. she just doesn't understand guys need for complex engineering solution to solve problem. if we men hadn't thinking of complex engineering solutions we would still be in the cave grunting ugh ugh and clubbing things with big chunk of woods. with our engineering progress, we have achieved much in order to produce such things as hunting ducks with automatic weapons or fishing with explosive. *i know nothing about those and that's my story which i will stick to it* :)

One word. Staplegun. Or is that two... Okay, two words. Staple Gun. There. Problem solved. Next?

[ninjaqutie]

my strings are not long enough for anything like that unless i'm just not getting what your doing.

I hope to train up there some day I have friends and family in Or.

thanks for your help Ashley cheers

For our pants, the very top part where the string goes through (our string is actually inside the material and not on the outside), on each side of your hips is a gap (actually like a triangle with the tip pointed down- similar to a gap on a hakama but on a MUCH smaller scale) where you can see the cotton fabric string. I tug it tight there and then I tug it taught again in the front of the pants before tying. It requires no additional string then what is already there.

Our string is also looped inside of our pants. It doesn't just go in one side wrap around the back and come out the other. Ours is wrapped inside of the pants kind of like how a belt is wrapped around your waist so there are actually two layers of strings (instead of two layers of your obi) on each side of our hips instead of one. Does that make any sense at all? HAHA.

Also, we would love to have you at our dojo. We love it when visitors come. :D We actually just had five visitors last week and it was very nice. I think it is great training with different people.

[Janet Rosen]

One word. Staplegun. Or is that two... Okay, two words. Staple Gun. There. Problem solved. Next?

I'm envisioning more the Rube Goldberg approach. Obtain and light a firecracker > scare the neighbor's dog > it jumps fence into next neighbor's yard, gets tangled in laundry drying in the sun > jumps back in a panic and races across his backyard, dragging all the laundry and with it the clothesline > still in a panic he runs into OP's backyard > clothesline snags around the big tree, dog is brought up short as tension is applied, is raised up off ground in a huge circle, and as the clothespins pop off the clothesline, dog is hurled back into his yard, confused but unhurt > OP goes into backyard to do tameshigiri, by pure luck cuts clothesline into perfect length for drawstring > etc....

[Sam Turnage]

LOL.....funny

[ruthmc]

Wear elasticated pants like the kiddies do, rather than drawstring pants :)

I have some and they are great - I just don't fit into them at the moment due to being 6 months pregnant ;)

Ruth

[Pauliina Lievonen]

I think what Ashley is talking about is - in most drawstring pants the string sits inside a seam in the top of the waist kinda thing. And when you think you're tightening the string it bunches up the material of the pants, and some of the string actually isn't able to tighten completely. When you start practice and move around, the bunched up material in the waist of the pants moves as well and lets a bit more of the drawstring straighten as well, result: a loose drawstring.

So the solution to that is make sure that the material of the pants doesn't stay bunched up when you tighten the string, which Ashley does by pulling on the string in the sides.

Whew. Does that make any sense? :D

Oh, one more thing - if you're very slender, it might be that there simply is too much material around your waist to tie the pants tight enough.

kvaak
Pauliina

[Janet Rosen]

Wear elasticated pants like the kiddies do, rather than drawstring pants :)

Ruth, not sure this is a good solution for slim-hipped men who do suwariwaza.... :p

[ruthmc]

Ruth, not sure this is a good solution for slim-hipped men who do suwariwaza.... :p
:D LOL yes I suppose they could end up with the 'Gangsta' look :D

At least they are easy to pull up again though :)

[Sam Turnage]

You see, one must be smarter then the tool they are using. If you simply pull the tie out of the belt loops and cinch it up from the back or side run it back through the belt loops cinch again in front and tie it like it was design to it holds well.

What’s funny and sad is that although I have been in martial arts off and on most of my life, now that I’m 35 it’s taken me like 27 years to learn how to tie my pants. LOL…..However in my defense looking back when I took Judo at age 7 to 9 I was very young so I can’t remember what I did. I took system 5 Karate (old Marine hand to hand combat) for years as a pre-teen and teen but I did not wear a Gi. I wore no Gi in Kali/Jeet June Do class either so when I think about it only in the last 4 to 5 year of starting Aikido and returning to Judo have I really been wearing a Gi; and I never paid much attention to it. I thought it was just a string run through there and you just cinch it up in front and tie it.

Sensei’s first response was,”well you know when you get your Hakama soon, this won’t be a problem”. But I’m thinking that with my luck what would happen is it would loosen under the Hakama, then I would have to take everything off to fix it. LOL.

Thanks for your help though, maybe this thread will help some other poor dumb SOB.

[phitruong]

Sensei’s first response was,”well you know when you get your Hakama soon, this won’t be a problem”. But I’m thinking that with my luck what would happen is it would loosen under the Hakama, then I would have to take everything off to fix it. LOL.
.

shouldn't be a problem once you put on the hakama, especially, if you are a member of the commando hakama wearer association. we have cool members in our association. :D

[aikispike]

a dojo mate swears by hockey skate laces. Long, strong, they don't stretch and they stay tied up.