Gi quality comparison

[gary6dan]

In considering purchasing a Shureido Gi, I note that the price is considerably more than most brands. Having worn many differerent brand Gi's over the decades, I have seen many who feel that the Shureido is best in quality as the extra expense being a value in itself.

Possibly, some my opinionate from their own experience in comparison if in fact the cost difference is worth the reach ?
The K-10 Gi being of good quality 100% cotton vs. the KC (Shihan) Gi being of Polyester and Rayon which is said to wash and wear better. Is the material mix as duarble as the cotton ? Does anyone have the Shihan Gi that can shed some opinion on it ?

Gary

[f.Channell]

You can pick up a JUKA gold for $80.00. Shureido is better bur $120 better?
No.
I forgot my sailcloth gi one day and broke open a cheap student weight gi I had in my storage closet. Been wearing those every since. The dirt even washes out of the knees from grappling. Shureido that stain is there forever.

f.

[f.Channell]

Of course for $120 you can have one of these.
http://www.80stees.com/products/Authent ... Kai-Gi.asp

F.

[chef]

What, no red, Fred?

Vicki

[gmattson]

are packed away in the closet. Its like working out wearing a tent.
Give me the light weight cottton gi bottoms and a t-shirt!

[MikeK]

What we did back in my Silkisondan karate days was to buy a gi that went for about $50-60 and then have it tailored. Best fitting gi I ever had.

[MikeK]

are packed away in the closet. Its like working out wearing a tent.
Give me the light weight cottton gi bottoms and a t-shirt!

GEM, These days I pick up some cheap Wrangle relaxed fit jeans for about $14 at Target. Plenty of leg room and you can wear them when not doing karate.

[f.Channell]

Wranglers like Chuck Norris in a Force of one.
I like it!


I actually wanted to buy these when I was 15.......

[f.Channell]

No red Vicki yet......

I do have a yellow/black gi for open tournaments.
I look like a bumble bee in it though.
Too bad because it's real comfortable and has some snap.

F.

[Rising Star]

Gary,

I still have and wear my original Shureido shihan gi - 12 years now. I wash it in hot water, dry it on high and it comes out of the dryer like it came back from the dry cleaners. Wears great, and no disrespect George, doesnt feel like a tent at all.

Personally, I think it is worth the $$

John

[mikemurphy]

Personally, nothing but JUKA for me. I've been buying them (all calligraphied) for over 10 years for myself and anyone that wants a quality gi and I still have them all. They come in different weights and different cuts which makes them very appealling. I love my Shureido gis, but would never pay that kind of money again for a gi that does wear down.

mike

[gary6dan]

Quote:

"I still have and wear my original Shureido shihan gi - 12 years now. I wash it in hot water, dry it on high and it comes out of the dryer like it came back from the dry cleaners. Wears great, and no disrespect George, doesnt feel like a tent at all.

Personally, I think it is worth the $$ "

Then "Shihan" Gi is a different blend of material. As I only know of one instructor who wears it. All that he wears now. As it is high $$$ , even the other students who wear the K-10 cotton Gi's feel very soft. Thanks John for the reply on the Shihan Gi. I actually was looking for a second opinion on that

Certainly there are many Gi's available out there for "much" less and comfortable. Having last went with a Meijin Gi, being 100% brushed cotton for $120.00 was the most comfortable and best fit of many.

I also find it hard to see the Shureido feeling like a tent. Maybe some "downy" and would soften it up. Drying cotton Gi's by hanging them out, would also leave them stiff. Thanks for the feedback...........


Gary

[Bill Glasheen]

A couple of thoughts...

I love having people share their opinions on such matters. Particularly in this economy, we're all looking for value.

I have learned that it pays (in general) for an athletic guy to spend just a little more for clothing (and gis) on the front end. You don't need deluxe. But you do want something that lasts.

In my case I have two problems. One, I have a slightly unusual build. I've had girlfriends tell me that they think my father was the mailman. I have difficulty getting things to fit me because of my waist-to-booty ratio and my longer legs. And I tend to tear things up over time with the way I move.

For clothing, I tend to buy high quality and have it tailored. And then I do my level best to make it last for years. When I take this approach, it's actually much cheaper for me in the long run than buying from JC Penny and then having to replace the things every time I split the seams in my butt.

My favorite pair of pants by the way is Bill's Khakis. They have history. But I do need to have them tailored.

For gis, my approach has been to buy self-defense attire that has extra material in the crotches, arm pits, etc. It's kind of a cross between a jiujitsu gi that Mike Murphy would wear vs. a traditional karate gi that an Okinawa master would wear on the test board.

As for George and John's comment about a gi feeling like "a tent", well I think they are both right. It reminds me a bit of when I was a younger lad and running cross country. Back then I could get a pair of Levis to fit me. Back then a good-old-fashioned pair of Levis jeans was indeed stiff like a tent. But you'd wash the hell out of it and wear the hell out of it. Somewhere around your 50th wash or so, you had the pair of jeans that you really wanted.

Some enterprising vendors later got the idea, and started selling pre-washed, softer jeans. But in my book, that just ain't right.

I hear what you are saying, John. A good stiff gi - bought a bit large - can be washed to hell and dried to hell and eventually come out soft and strong like a perfect pair of Levis.

- Bill

[gary6dan]

Certainly as Bill states, "we are all looking for a good value" as in this economy, many are more cost conscious. As to our individual fits and body size, it often does play into what Gi's we feel are best. One size does not fit all.

As for the financial cost, the "comfort" of a gi as well as the fit may well justify the extra expense. In many cases, the average person can wear most brands. The Material is usually 100% cotton, yet the cotton in itself is not always equal. As I have found the "brushed cotton" is generally softer than most. Many Judo Gi's are extremely soft and comfortable.

It is mostly in the summer months that we find Gi's being heavy and "tent like" as we sweat and Gi's absorb the water. As few dojo's go to the expense of running A.C. all summer, if they have it all. (who could afford to ?)

Shureido has come out with a Shihan Gi made of "Polyester and Rayon". Certainly, it does not become stiff when wet, is easier to launder, and is softer than canvas like cotton Gi's. Yet, it is at a high premium at cost.

Having worn nothing but "cotton: Gi's for decades, it feels like a Gi should be made of cotton......... Probably a mental thing. The problem with considering changing brands is that one usually does not have opportunity to know how a Gi will fit, feel, wear, wash etc. until they buy one or go by anothers opinions. Probably why most of us stay with what we know to fit our body and pockets ..........


Gary

[gmattson]

I do have a number of expensive gi from many manufacturers. My "dress" gi is actually a Shureido special edition 1986 WinterFest Gi made especially for the gang who went to Okinawa that year by the Shureido company. It was a polyester blend that made the gi soft and very comfortable to wear and workout in. (It had lots of caligraphy that came with the gi. Mine is a bit worn in places, but still in good condition. I only wear it for special occasions.

I tried to buy another from Shureido years ago without success.