Tokaido Uniforms

Glenn · Post by **Glenn** » Thu Sep 25, 2003 10:08 pm

I'm looking to invest in quality uniform from Tokaido. I'm curious as to what opinions/experiences there are from y'all regarding differences between the "standard cut" and the "tournament-style cut" options (those options in general, even if you don't have familiarity specifically with Tokaido). Any preferences of one cut over the other...and why? Thanks in advance!

Bill Glasheen · Post by **Bill Glasheen** » Fri Sep 26, 2003 2:24 pm

Methinks the tournament style cut may have features like shorter sleeves so it's more difficult for someone to grab you.

Tokaido is nice, but is expen$ive. I used to purchase Tokaido uniforms from New York back in the seventies, back when you could get a damn nice uniform for about 50 bucks. These days I shop around. There are lots of interesting options. And the "classic" distributors (Tokaido, Shureido, etc.) are starting to take note and diversify their offerings.

- Bill

Glenn · Post by **Glenn** » Fri Sep 26, 2003 5:51 pm

So what are some alternative companies with similar quality but cheaper prices? I'm tired of the poor-quality, poor fitting Century do-gi that I've generally purchased!

Stryke · Post by **Stryke** » Sat Sep 27, 2003 6:15 am

i agree the tournament cut will be shorter legs and arms , and probably longer at the waist to disguise leg/hip movement a little , the shorter legs being a trend to show the foot position to judges clearer in kata .

Karateka · Post by **Karateka** » Mon Sep 29, 2003 12:21 am

I get wholesale prices from BOsE Canada so my dojo orders from there. It's a good gi (better then Cenurty but that's just MO). They sell a heavy gi made from 16oz cotton for about $60 CD. It's a good buy for what your getting and the fit is nice and comfy. I always have my gi's altered for better fitting arms and legs. OSU!

f.Channell · Post by **f.Channell** » Mon Sep 29, 2003 4:50 pm

Buy a Juka Gi.
They are the best I've seen lately and the price is right.
www.gatewaytotheorient.com
Find them here.
Give them a call if the store isn't working. They have been around for 30 years and are dependable.
F.

Bill Glasheen · Post by **Bill Glasheen** » Mon Sep 29, 2003 5:02 pm

Glenn

A lot of this depends on what you want.

I used to be pretty snobbish about this for my own consumption. Tokaido, Shureido, or nothing else. But they got out of control.

And then came the era of mixed martial arts, my foray into aikido, etc.

Now I expect a gi to do and take more than what a standard karate gi can do. These days I go to Kwon and purchase their self defense gis. Here's the main webpage.

KWON USA Catalogue

They sell a LOT of different kinds of martial arts uniforms. Any kind you could dream up (even boxing pants, etc.). I mostly buy this self defense uniform.

KWON Self Defense Uniform

It meets the needs of someone that does mixed martial arts such as myself. Great for EVERYDAY use, as opposed to a pretty gi you wear for tournaments and tests where you don't really expect to get dirty.

The pants even allow for a regular belt to be worn. Frankly, I think all Uechika should give up this idea of a karate gi, and get a uniform like this where you can do REAL Uechi fighting - complete with grabbing, throwing, choking, grappling, etc. But that's me...

I recommend a dark bottom and white top. They used to sell these in green, but now only in black, white, and (don't ask me why) red.

These aren't the best gis finish wise, but they meet every niche and are indestructable.

I probably would still have one really nice - and tailored - Shureido karate gi (instructor quality) for tests, testing boards, and such.

Century equipment is good enough for the 80% of martial artists that aren't going to be around that long, or don't have special needs.

- Bill

f.Channell · Post by **f.Channell** » Mon Sep 29, 2003 5:22 pm

Bill,
Is that woven like a Judo gi?
Hard to tell from the picture.

If any vendors are reading this thread, please make a judo gi pant that doesn't shrink 2 sizes in 2 months

.
F.

Glenn · Post by **Glenn** » Mon Sep 29, 2003 9:35 pm

All I'm looking for is a dogi that is more comfortable (i.e. less scratchy than the typical canvas), has a decent tie system for the pants (I haven't had much luck with the elastic ties Century has been using), and that fits well (yeah, and as f.channell states, minimal shrinkage would be nice...but doubtful!). Basically I'm wanting something better than the typical dogi found in the typical sporting goods stores. In recent years I hardly even wear a dogi any more because they're too darned uncomfortable, just work out in sweats and tees. Nothing wrong with that of course, but there are times when a dogi is useful, particularly when visiting other dojo. So I want a nice practical dogi...well, as practical as any dogi can ever be...that will actually get some use. It's also to the point that I've had my dogi so long that they really should be replaced.

Thanks for the suggestions all. I will check out the links provided.

Glenn · Post by **Glenn** » Mon Sep 29, 2003 10:01 pm

You know, the JUKA and KWON are not that much cheaper in price than the Tokaido, I wonder what the quality difference is, if any. The reinforced knees in the KWON sounds like a good feature.

Karateka · Post by **Karateka** » Mon Sep 29, 2003 11:55 pm

The Kwon does sound good but the elastic waistband would be a draw back for me. I also echo, get a darker colour gi. I recently started to teach and never really had problems with pit stains until now. My next gi will be black.

f.Channell · Post by **f.Channell** » Tue Sep 30, 2003 1:30 am

The Juka gold gi I have I bought 3 years ago. I teach for 7-8 hours a week and it has held up fine. So it's worth the investment and at $120 it's cheaper than the shureido, which was my previous gi.
And it is very soft and comfortable with a great snap.
I highly recommend.

For a Judo gi I recommend HSU.
F.

Bill Glasheen · Post by **Bill Glasheen** » Tue Sep 30, 2003 2:54 pm

Fred

The KWON self defense gi is kind of like a cross between a karate gi and a judo gi. From a distance, it looks like a karate gi. But it's reinforced in all the places that would tear should someone repeatedly attempt to throw you by your clothing.

It isn't "pretty" up close like a nice instructor grade Shureido or Tokaido gi, but much more practical if you add grabbing, groundfighting, and grappling to your art.

Elastic waistband... Not quite the picture. Yes, it is elasticized a bit. But inside it is a very thick shoestring-like tie that keeps it up. It doesn't bind inside the gi when wet the way karate gi ties do. Also, it has wide loops on the outside so you can wear a dress belt as if you were wearing normal pants. This is an excellent feature, as it can give you the opportunity to dress like a "normal" person for reality-based training (the self defense gi bottom and, say, a T-shirt) and yet not get wedgies or rip your pants at the knees or crotch when you start playing rough.

This is a very different gi. It's what you should wear every day when doing self-defense-like Uechi style. It is comfortable, durable, and functional.

KWON isn't cheap, but it's good. Still cheaper than Shureido or Tokaido. And you can get other type uniforms. I haven't tried the other stuff, but KWON does have an international reputation.

- Bill