GI weights?

[opr1945]

I have been looking at different brands of GIs for sale. I have noticed that one brand will list it's 10 oz GI as middle weight while another will list it's 10 oz GI as hea vy weight. How can the same weight be light, medium or heavy weight?

 

[gyoja]

I have been looking at different brands of GIs for sale. I have noticed that one brand will list its 10 oz GI as middle weight while another will list it's 10 oz GI as hea vy weight. How can the same weight be light, medium or heavy weight?

It is up to the manufacturer.

 

[Gyakuto]

I have been looking at different brands of GIs for sale. I have noticed that one brand will list it's 10 oz GI as middle weight while another will list it's 10 oz GI as hea vy weight. How can the same weight be light, medium or heavy weight?

Keikogi weight is yet to be codified and then standardised by the ‘International Bureau of Weights and Measures’ (Bureau international des poids et mesures) but I’m sure it’s on their to do list.

 

[opr1945]

found this.

Lightweight Kyokushin Embroidered Gi​

10 oz triple stitched bleached gi with Kyokushin kanji. 100% cotton canvas with 0% shrinkage. Triple stitched all around. Extra padding in shoulder area to absorb sweat. Extra thick lapel for self defense moves. Easy flow drawstring system. White belt and patches included with purchase.


And immediately next to it this, same brand/seller:

 

[opr1945]

My previous above was posted by accident and is unfinished. I apoligize for my error.

 

[opr1945]

Please me change slightly my question from when I first posted this thread.

I see that many manufactures/sellers advertise light weight GI's as student GI's, 6, 8 or 9 oz. But experienced practitioners seem to think heavier 12 or 14 oz Gi's are more desirable. It would see me, being a new-be and all, That the heavier fabric would require more effort and take more energy than lighter fabric. And also be warmer and less breathable and result in more swearing.

What am I missing?

 

[Hot Lunch]

Go by the weight in ounces. Ignore "medium weight," "heavy weight," etc whenever you're dealing with non-Japanese made gis.

Japanese-made gis are more consistent in this regard. I.e.,

Heavy weight = #10 cotton (which is 12 oz)
Middle weight = #11 cotton (which is 10 oz)

Light weight is the only one among Japanese brands that is not consistent.

Shureido claims that Japanese cotton cannot be measured in ounces, but Tokaido debunks this.

BTW, if you're training in an Okinawan style (i.e., Uechi-ryu), you should probably be wearing a Shureido anyway. It has a unique cut to it that's optimized for Okinawan styles (as opposed to slimmer cut brands, such as Tokaido and Shobu which are optimized for Japanese styles). If you want to save a few bucks, Tokyodo International has a similar cut to Shureido (notable exception being that the jacket is not as long). That's the brand that I wear.

Some may disagree, but I don't recommend training in anything heavier than 12 oz. Anything heavier should be a "special occasion" gi. Just my opinion, though.

Lightweight gis (that are not designed for kumite) should only be worn as a low investment for beginners, unless you don't mind seat-soaked fabric sticking to your skin.

 

[opr1945]

I am studying Uechi ryu as you figured out. When I signed up they gave me a Sun brand Gi. I have noticed that most of the black belts wear Shureido as you suggested.

Thank You for the recommendation of Tokyodo International. I will look into it. (As if I don't already have enough GI's, although most are either used or cheap, as has been pointed out to me.)

 

[isshinryuronin]

BTW, if you're training in an Okinawan style (i.e., Uechi-ryu), you should probably be wearing a Shureido anyway. It has a unique cut to it that's optimized for Okinawan styles (as opposed to slimmer cut brands, such as Tokaido and Shobu which are optimized for Japanese styles).

How does style influence this choice of gi?

 

[Hot Lunch]

How does style influence this choice of gi?

I'm just what it's optimized for. Japanese YouTuber Dojo Waku discussed this one of his videos. This isn't to say that he "has to" choose a particular brand because he's of a certain style.

You'll also find that this is reflected in which brands are more popular in different styles - i.e., Shureido is more popular in Okinawan styles, Tokaido and Hirota are more popular in Shotokan, etc.

BTW, even though I practice Shotokan myself, I wear Tokyodo International (same baggy cut as Shureido) because it's a personal preference. I'm merely throwing things in there to consider.