As most martial arts enthusiasts know, a uniform is an important part of training. While beginning karate students may think one uniform is identical to another, this couldn't be further from the truth. The karate gi, or gi for short (pronounced ghee), comes in different fabrics and varying fabric weights. Gis also come in different colors depending on the student's level of experience and the requirements of the teacher. Learning about the different types of karate uniforms helps shoppers make an informed purchase. Karate students looking for a high quality gi for sale often turn to ProForce, an AWMA brand and reliable source for martial arts and boxing products.
Fabric Types
Karate uniforms come in two types of fabric: a cotton-poly blend featuring 55% cotton and 45% polyester, and a 100% cotton fabric. Many cotton-poly uniforms are light or medium weight (5-8oz) and re less likely to shrink than 100% cotton fabrics. The cotton-poly material makes a solid everyday training uniform for adults. Most children's gis are made with a cotton-poly blend for ease of wear.
Karate Gis made from 100% cotton come in many weights from light to heavy. Because this material is prone to shrinkage, cotton gis must be washed in cold water and air-dried. Use of these uniforms is often limited to instruction, demonstration and competition.
Uniform Stitching
Naturally, karate involves very active movement and uniforms must be stitched carefully. Students looking for long-lasting gis should search for products with triple stitching.
Fabric Weights
Karate gi come in three different weights:
Lightweight: 5-6oz
Medium weight: 7-8.5oz
Heavyweight:10-14oz
Lightweight uniforms are used by beginning students and everyday training. They offer ease of movement and tend to keep the body cooler. However, with lighter fabric comes lower quality, which makes lightweight uniforms the least expensive. We carry lightweight karate gi in 5oz and 6oz.
Because they offer a good blend of weight and durability, medium weight uniforms make a popular choice for everyday karate training. We offer a wider selection of sizes and colors in the medium weight range. We carry karate uniforms in the 100% cotton fabric and cotton-polyester blend fabric, and in 7.5oz or 8oz.
Heavyweight gi are most often used for instruction, competition or demonstration. The canvas-like material delivers long-lasting durability and features a snapping sound during movement. This adds to the drama of a demonstration or performance. Usually, heavyweight gi are crafted solely from 100% cotton. We carry heavyweight karate uniforms in 10oz, 12oz, 13oz, and 14oz.
Karate Uniform Colors
Typically, karate schools require beginning students to wear white or black karate gear. Colored uniforms like red and blue are worn by more experienced students or those who have earned a black belt. Buy the color that aligns with your skill level.
Karate Gi Size Chart
Karate students rely on sizing charts to find a uniform with the proper fit. Uniform sizes range from 0000 to 8, going from smallest to largest. To begin, shoppers look on a sizing chart for their height range and then find the corresponding weight range. We include size charts for all karate gi on our product pages; see an example of our size charts here under the 'Size Chart' tab.
Occasionally, a uniform that accommodates a student's weight will need to be tailored to attain the proper length. Karate students find ProForce® lightweight, medium weight and heavyweight karate uniforms in a variety of sizes and colors here at ProForceMA.com. We ensure good quality and comfortable fit.
Karate Belts
Karate belts are fashioned for double wrapping, which means the belt wraps twice around the waist before it is tied off. One exception is a child's belt, which features hook and loop closure and only wraps once around the waist. Parents and instructors looking for adult and children's belts can find a variety of ProForce® belts in our karate belts collection.
Finding the Proper Belt Size
Generally, the size of a karate belt matches the uniform size. Occasionally, students require a larger or smaller belt. Karate belts range from size 00 at 72 inches to size 7 at slightly more than 131 inches. To achieve the proper size for a karate belt, wrap a string or a measuring tape around the part of the waist where the belt is worn. Multiply this length by three, and select the size that measures closest to that length.
When shopping for gis, karate students, instructors and competitors should consider the size of the uniform, its weight, the desired color and the purpose of the uniform, whether for competition or training. Reading reviews of ProForce® here, or at AWMA.com helps ensure a high-quality product as well as features like triple stitching.
