E-bogu keikogi/tetron hakama
 

Good morning,

Has anyone experience with the company E-bogu.com and their "Aikido keikogi"? I recently purchased a tetron hakama from them for use in my Iaido training (I'm ikkyu at my Aikido dojo and, consequently, don't wear hakama yet for Aikido). I've heard some positive comments about the tetron hakama: does anyone else have some positive or negative comments about either the hakama or their keikogi supplies?

Thanks,
Jonathan

Re: E-bogu keikogi/tetron hakama
 

I use their hakama and probably always will. I just can't bring myself to pay huge amounts of money for a pair of pants so I can roll around on the floor in them. The hakama are durable, inexpensive and as well made as other more expensive tetron hakama that I've seen. I get the better one with the inner pleats stitched in, I've found that and the other features it sports to make it worth the few extra $$. However, for aikido don't put the little plastic "spoon" in your belt like you will for iaido, it will rip out during ukemi.

As for their gi I give them a solid "meh". They're nothing special and they have a seam that runs down the spine which I don't like. One of my students has one and he says he doesn't even notice the seam, so YMMV. The HiDriTex lining is pretty nifty though. I usually use their white kendo gi with the lining and really like them.

Bronson

Re: E-bogu keikogi/tetron hakama
 

I'll second Bronson's "meh," but in my case it is because the fit is just plain wrong. Changing sizes wouldn't help, the gi is just not designed with a mesomorph in mind. In fact, I would welcome suggestions for suppliers of any gis which are thusly designed. I haven't found my holy grail as of yet.

Re: E-bogu keikogi/tetron hakama
 

Jonathan: I swear by their customer service; had some questions before purchase, and they stood by their promise to exchange items (and not charge me shipping a second time). Stellar. +1.
Also not a fan of the seam down the back on the gi w. the drytex. You want snazy liner on the jacket, stick with bujin.

Avery: Iwata was what I was going to recommend to you, if I understand mesomorph to mean "an average non-fat-ass". I am neither big (about 170 lbs, 34in waist) nor tall (6ft when I dont slouch) and their size 4L, after I shorten the sleeves about 2 inchs, fits me with that ideal combination of trim but not restrictive, ample but not baggy....then I found Jukado here in Montreal. Wow.

The Jukado gi is out of the bag the best bang for the buck I have found yet (and i have Iwatas, bujins, ebogus, etc): http://www.jukado.com/dynamic/sectio...wList=0&page=1 note price changes with size. More of an overall trim fit, perfect balance of thick enough cotton but not too thick; it can be a year-rounf gi.
If you like, I can get one for you and ship it to you with "gift" declared on the customs form so you dont get hit with duties and/or customs brokerage fees. Let me know. I can provide pics if you (all) want to see more details.

Re: E-bogu keikogi/tetron hakama
 

My experience with their service has also been very good, but one person in our dojo didn't get what he considered a good customer experience. Of course everyone raves about Bujin's good service but I didn't see it the last time I dealt with them.

Bronson

Re: E-bogu keikogi/tetron hakama
 

Bronson, thanks for your reply on the E-bogu hakama. I did purchase the tetron with stitched-in pleats. It doesn't fit as well as my teacher's well-used Iwata hakama, but perhaps in time?

Cheers,
Jonathan