Need help getting a Gi.

I'm about to start training, and want to buy a gi. Can I use a heavyweight karate gi? I have two of them, but it seems like they wouldn't last very long. I was going to get a Shureido karate gi, but now that I'm going to be doing aikido I don't know if that would last.

Any advice about this? And if a karate gi isn't good, what kind of gi should I get? Judo gi, etc.

Cheers,

Sammy

Unless your Sensei objects (and I doubt he will), wear your karate gi for the time being and then buy what your dojo mates recommend. The choices are almost endless and you can spend a lot of money and not find what's right for you.

As a general rule, any gi is fine. You may wish to start off with a lighter karate gi (so your current one could be fine), but a lot of people like heavier Judo gis. I prefer to wear a gi that's made with Aikido in mind (shorter arms, medium-weight, padded knees); the best of all worlds.

Maybe see if they sell a recommended type at the dojo?

Alright, awesome. I'll check at the dojo, and then be prepared to get that, or a judo gi. Thanks so much guys! It's awesome to see that people are nice to aikido noobs.

I would go with a white Judo gi... a guy at our dojo trains with a karate gi because it is lighter and breathes better, but he tears his gi everytime we do hip throws or shoulder grabs. So keep in mind that if you go with a lighter gi, you will have to get a few of them.

It really depends on how much grabbing you will be doing. There are a couple people who wear karate gi's at our dojo, but the majority wear judo uniforms. If you were to get a heavy-weight karate gi, it would probably hold up. Just make sure it has lots of stitches to help keep things together. Good luck!

All great suggestions so far. One thing to warn about (when wearing a karate gi for aikido) is that when uke grabs the uniform, it is much easier for them to grab skin under it as well. A judo gi (single or double weave) offers more material for your partner to grab. I had lots of bruised/pinched skin from wearing a karate gi to aikido class.

Shannon Frye wrote: All great suggestions so far. One thing to warn about (when wearing a karate gi for aikido) is that when uke grabs the uniform, it is much easier for them to grab skin under it as well. A judo gi (single or double weave) offers more material for your partner to grab. I had lots of bruised/pinched skin from wearing a karate gi to aikido class.

Ooh. I may just have to invest in a judo gi. Pinches are lame.

Sammy I wear a Karate gi and it works just fine for me. At our level, in this dojo, you wont have to worry too much about someone grabbing you hard enough to damage a gi and the mat is great. Have not felt the need for extra padding on the knees yet and I have knee problems.

Wear what you have for now. You can always invest in the Judo gi later down the road.

One thing that hasn't been mentioned.. haha... with the padding on the judo uniforms in the knee area.... it does no good if the pants shrink and the padding ends up above your knees when you go down in seiza! That is what happened to my pants anyway.

So, my karate gi's will not work in aikido classes because they have a lot of patches on it... It turns out I do need to get an aikido gi or judo gi. They sell them at the school, but I'm rather weary of gi's which come directly from schools, because in my karate experience they were never great quality. Anyways, because of this I'm going to buy either an aikido gi or a judo gi. I don't know much about brands of either, coming from a karate background. I don't mind spending money on a gi if its really good, but under $120 would be best, and under $100 would be great. So if you guys could tell me about some brands, your experience with them and so on, I'd appreciate it. I do like a heavier weight gi, but with a softer feel. Even so, I know a gi will soften with time so starting off soft is not a huge deal. I'd appreciate any help! Thanks!

Sammy

Sammy,

We do not sell junk gis to unsuspecting members. Nor do we sell gis for a profit. What we do is order gis for our members (at a bit of a group discount) from Kiyota and Company in Baltimore. I have been buying and wearing Mr. Kiyota's gis for about 15 years now. Personally, I prefer judo gis, for the extra padding in the pants and for toughness when grabbed. However, either that or a karate style is fine, and you will see both in most aikido dojos.

You can get top flight aikido related training gear from BuJin Design (www.bujindesign.com). BuJin Design's products are excellent, but are not inexpensive.

Another good source is Jukado (http://www.jukadragon.com/). The sell a variety of weights (and prices) of karate gis as well as affordable judo gis.

Regards,
Garth

You can also try E-Budo in Torrance, California. They have really nice heavyweight Aikido gi for about $80.00. Nice staff, easy to order on line and good service.

Garth Jones wrote: Sammy, We do not sell junk gis to unsuspecting members. Nor do we sell gis for a profit. What we do is order gis for our members (at a bit of a group discount) from Kiyota and Company in Baltimore. I have been buying and wearing Mr. Kiyota's gis for about 15 years now. Personally, I prefer judo gis, for the extra padding in the pants and for toughness when grabbed. However, either that or a karate style is fine, and you will see both in most aikido dojos. You can get top flight aikido related training gear from BuJin Design (www.bujindesign.com). BuJin Design's products are excellent, but are not inexpensive. Another good source is Jukado (http://www.jukadragon.com/). The sell a variety of weights (and prices) of karate gis as well as affordable judo gis. Regards, Garth

Oh, ok, awesome. Well I'll buy mine from you then! I didn't mean to sound like a jerk, just at the karate schools I've trained in they always gave kind of junky gi's to people, so I've become very weary of that. Pavlov's Dog effect maybe!

I really like my Kiyota judo-style gi, FWIW; inexpensive and durable (almost six years of moderate use and barely frayed)...

I have heard great things about Bujin. In fact, I'd love to get a gi and hakama from them. In the meantime though, I bought my gi from my dojo. Mine seems to be holding up well, but the collar is still stiff... yuck.

First, there is nothing wrong with wearing a good quality karate gi. Many Aikido practioners wear them. If you do go the Judo gi route, try www.hatashitasports.com. Excellent reputation and service.

Toraki

knee reinforcement runs from thigh to toe and they come in 1/2 sizes too. For me 6 is too big and 5 is too small but 5 1/2 is just right! Get the premium white ones.