Some students depend on sizing charts to find the correct fit. Karate gis usually come in a range of sizes, 00000 (smallest) to 8 (largest). Typically more experienced students, or those who have earned a black belt, wear colored uniforms like blue or red. Most karate schools require beginning students to wear white or black uniforms. Heavyweight gis are mostly used for instruction, demonstration, or competition, and the material offers a long-lasting durability. Mediumweight gis offer a good blend of weight and durability, which makes for a popular choice for everyday training. These are the least expensive uniforms because of the lighter fabric. Typically, lightweight gis are used by beginning students and everyday training due to their ease of movement and body cooling. Often times these gis are left to instruction, demonstration, and competition. Cotton gis should always be washed in cold water and air-dried because the material is prone to shrinkage. The 100% cotton comes in weights from light to heavy. This material makes for a good everyday training uniform for adults, however, the cotton-poly blend gis vary from light to medium weight. The cotton-poly blend uniforms are less likely to shrink than 100% cotton products.
Most children's gis are made with a cotton-poly blend for ease of wear. The first is a blend of cotton and polyester, 55% cotton and 45% polyester. There are two types of fabric that the karate uniform comes in.
To help you make an informed purchase, we at Warrior Emporium have provided this buying guide. Depending on the students' level of experience and the requirements of the teacher, gis are available in different colors. The Karate Uniform or Karategi, gi for short, is available in different fabrics and fabric weights. A uniform is one of the first things needed when training in martial arts.