Karate Uniforms: Do You Research Before you Buy!

Karate Uniforms: Do You Research Before you Buy!

Everybody who has trained karate for a reasonable amount of time knows how important it is to have the right type of karate apparel or karate uniform. Many people think that the reason for wearing a uniform is based in tradition, there are actually quite a few benefits to wearing the right type of uniform for your martial art. Whether you participate in karate recreationally, at home, or at a professional karate dojo, there is a good chance you either wear a karate gi or have been asked to purchase one.

If you ever want to compete in one of the many regional karate tournaments, you will be required to purchase one as well. Unlike most street clothes, the karate gi will allow you the flexibility and mobility to properly learn karate. You can do wheel kicks and axe kicks without having to worry about falling or tearing your clothes. Also, a karate gi is going to be much more durable than street clothing. Due to multiple lines of stitching and stronger canvas material, the gi will last longer through hard training than a t-shirt or shorts will.

There are a lot of great brands that make karate gis such as Adidas, Century, Ronin brand, Shureido, Tokaido, and ProForce. When you go out and shop for a new karate uniform, make sure you buy something light in weight, but strong. Initially, your gi will come with a white belt, but that belt color will change as your increase in rank from further practice and training.

With each belt color repreasenting a different level of training, you can find them in white, yellow, orange, green, blue, purple, brown and black. Depending on your style of karate, you may also find them in red and silver. Many dojos do not mind if you get your belt embroidered and some even use a stripe system within the belts to denote rank.

Whether you are shopping for a karate uniform or a karate belt, make sure you buy from a store that has good customer service. Online shops with solid, storefront locations are often the best so even if you buy it online, you have somewhere to go should you need to return the item for any reason.

In addition to selling items for karate, many martial arts stores will sell gear for Brazilian jiu jitsu, judo, tae kwon do, and hapkido, among other martial arts.