Hakama: Cotton or Polyester ?

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[Carl Simard]

I'm currently checking to buy a hakama. Two types are available: cotton or polyester/rayon. The cotton cost more than the synthetic one. Is there any advantage in getting a cotton one over a polyester one ? Is it worth to pay a bit more to get a cotton hakama ?

I've asked to peoples at the dojo but nobody has a clear answer on this one... Anyway most of them have own use one type or the other and cannot really compare the two..

Thanks!

[Edward]

Cotton hakama look great, untill the first wash. A few washes later, tetron hakama definitely win the contest since they keep their pleats and do not fade unevenly.

[Bronson]

Someone in our dojo just got a Tetron hakama and it fit really nice. He got it from Mugendo Bodugo (http://budogu.com/) for around $100. My next hakama purchase will probably be one of these...especially if the material is as tough as everyone says.

Bronson

[jk]

Get the polyester hakama; costs less and there's less maintenance required. The only time you should be concerned with polyester being "clammy-feeling," or any of the other supposed sins of polyester, is if you wear nothing under your hakama. I doubt that's the case in aikido.

Regards,

[Kent Enfield]

The only time you should be concerned with polyester being "clammy-feeling," or any of the other supposed sins of polyester, is if you wear nothing under your hakama.Hmm. I've never had that problem in kendo or iaido, (during which one does not wear pants under one's hakama).

Cotton hakama do look much nicer though. I've never seen anyone have problems with uneven fading or getting the pleats messed up. You just have to fold them properly to maintain the pleats.

[jk]

That's true, Kent, the hakama certainly doesn't cling to your body. I personally don't like the way polyester feels against bare skin, but I suppose activities such as kendo or iaido preclude concentrating too much on how your buttocks feel rubbing up against polyester... :)

Regards,

[Kent Enfield]

That's true, Kent, the hakama certainly doesn't cling to your body. I personally don't like the way polyester feels against bare skin, but I suppose activities such as kendo or iaido preclude concentrating too much on how your buttocks feel rubbing up against polyester... :)I know it's a joke, but your hakama don't actually touch your buttocks. Your keikogi comes down to mid thigh, so it's only below that the hakama actually touches the skin. If we wore tight pants, that'd be a different story. :freaky:

That said, during kendo, after practicing with one sensei and waiting to go with another, I've had enough sweat dripping down my legs and the inside of my hakama, that I ended up standing in a small puddle. I apologize to anyone who was eating while they read that.

To get back to the original question. Though cotton hakama are nicer, I wouldn't recommend one as someone's first. Go with a permanent-press one, so that you have "trainer pleats."

[Mark Burns]

what about color.

i like black.

black is cool.

IM EATING A TACO!!!!