Whether you are a novice who has just stepped into the gym or a professional athlete preparing for an event, a suitable martial arts uniform is not only a “dress”, but also a partner in training and confidence on the field. However, in the face of a wide range of categories such as karate gi and tai chi suits, as well as professional fabrics such as breathable cotton and linen, quick-drying polyester, many people will be stuck in a dilemma. This guide will take you from core products, fabric technology to maintenance techniques, and unlock the secrets of buying and using martial arts clothing in an all-round way.
1. Understand first: different martial arts projects, corresponding to exclusive “battle suits”
The movement characteristics of each martial art are different, which determines the design differences of its clothing. Choosing the wrong clothing not only affects the performance of the movement, but may also increase the risk of injury. Combined with my years of experience assisting gyms with procurement, this table can help you quickly match your needs:
Martial arts program | The core features of clothing | Applicable scenario recommendation |
|---|---|---|
Karate | The fit is crisp, the cuffs are tightened, and the fabric is heavily weighted (usually 8oz-12oz twill) and tear-resistant | Choose 10oz twill for daily training, IKF certified for the event |
Taekwondo | The neckline is V-shaped, the fabric is light and breathable, and the waist is secure, making it compatible with electronic protective gear | The WT certified model meets the Olympic standards, and the children’s model is preferentially designed without a metal buckle |
Tai Chi | Loose and flowing, with a good drape, mostly made of cotton and linen blend or silk, which is easy to stretch | Breathable cotton and linen are used for outdoor morning exercise, and moisture-wicking mesh fabrics are used for high-temperature yoga Tai Chi clothing |
Jiu-Jitsu | The fabric is thick and wear-resistant, the trouser legs are elongated and anti-channel, and the stitching density is high (more than 8 stitches per inch) | IBJJF competition uniforms must meet the weight requirements, and the ripstop pearl fabric is selected for the ground wrapper |
For example, when purchasing for a children’s gym last year, I specially chose children’s martial arts clothing without metal buckles for children aged 6-8, and also required the fabric to be pre-shrunk – because the child’s skin is delicate and active, the metal buckle is easy to scratch, and the pre-shrink treatment can avoid the problem of “shrinking and becoming smaller” of the clothes after washing.
2. The core key: the fabric determines the wearing experience, don’t just look at the “appearance”
The fabric of martial arts clothing directly affects breathability, durability and movement stretch, especially for long-term training or high-intensity actual combat, choosing the right fabric can get twice the result with half the effort. The following is a comparative analysis of mainstream fabrics, with suggestions for specific usage scenarios:
- Breathable cotton and linen blend: The ratio of 70% cotton + 30% hemp is the best, breathable and sweat-absorbing but not easy to wrinkle, suitable for slow-paced projects such as Tai Chi and Qigong. The disadvantage is that the wear resistance is average, and it is recommended as a daily morning exercise outfit, which is not suitable for actual combat confrontation.
- 8oz-12oz twill: “golden fabric” for karate and taekwondo. 8oz thin and light suitable for summer training, 12oz thick and resistant to construction, can withstand repeated scratching, competition-level gis are mostly made of this fabric, and will be treated with anti-shrinkage and pre-shrinkage, and the shrinkage rate can be controlled within 3%.
- Quick-drying polyester: The style with antibacterial silver ion coating is the best choice, which can quickly wick away sweat after high-intensity training, and can also inhibit the growth of bacteria and avoid odors in clothes. I once recommended it to Sanda athletes, and the feedback was that “3 hours in a row, the clothes will not stick to the body”.
- Ripstop pearl fabric: Exclusive fabric for Jiu-Jitsu training, with pearl pattern on the surface, not easy to slip when gripping, and tear resistance 5 times higher than ordinary cotton fabric, so you don’t have to worry about your knees and elbows wearing clothes when fighting on the ground.
Professional tips: When purchasing, you can use the “pull test” to judge the quality of the fabric – grab both sides of the clothes with both hands and pull gently, and can rebound quickly after letting go, without obvious deformation, it is a high-quality fabric; If folds accumulate, it means poor elasticity and is not suitable for long-term training.
3. Necessary for the event: Identify the certification standards, and the details determine success or failure
In participating in regular events, the “compliance” of martial arts clothing is more important than comfort, and once the clothing does not meet the standards, it may directly lose the qualification for the competition. Here are the core requirements of the three major events, all of which I have compiled from the event manual:
- Karate (IKF certified): The gi must be pure white, and the left chest can be embroidered with the sect logo, but the area cannot exceed 10cm×10cm; The length of the cuff should not exceed 2cm from the wrist, and the trouser hem should not exceed the ankle; The color of the belt must match the rank, and it must be a sewing embroidered rank logo, and the pasted logo is not recognized.
- Taekwondo (WT certification): the inside of the collar of the gi must have a WT certification label, and the weight of the fabric must be between 6oz-8oz, which meets the weight requirements of the Olympic level gi; The length of the waist strap should be enough to wrap around the waist twice, and the end can still be left 15-20cm; The electronic protective gear compatible design is the key, and there must be invisible openings under the armpits and waist of the gi to facilitate putting on and taking off the protective gear.
- Jiu-Jitsu (IBJJF certification): The colors of the competition uniform are limited to white, blue, and black, and light gray is allowed in the children’s group; There must be anti-abrasion patches on the inside of the trouser legs, and the stitching must be double-threaded seam, with a stitch density of not less than 8 stitches per inch; There are strict rules on the length of the gi, and the trousers must cover the knees when standing, and the calves should not be exposed when sitting.
Impressively, in 2023, a student wore a self-made dragon pattern embroidered kung fu suit to participate in a martial arts competition, but because the color did not meet the requirements of the “designated color of the event”, he temporarily borrowed someone else’s national standard martial arts competition uniform to participate. Therefore, the clothing for the event must be prepared in advance according to the rules, and do not lose big because of small things.
4. Personalized needs: cultural inheritance and customized services make clothing more warm
Martial arts clothing is not only equipment, but also the carrier of martial arts culture. Nowadays, more and more people choose customization services to make clothing both practical and commemorative. Common customization directions include:
Customization of cultural elements: dragon pattern embroidery and calligraphy Chinese characters are the most popular choices, such as embroidering the words “Wude” and “Jingjin” on the back of the gi uniform, which not only shows the attitude but also has cultural heritage; The traditional buckle design is suitable for Tai Chi suits, with Guochao ink printing, which has a particularly good visual effect during performances.
Commemorative significance customization: Customize the senior brother’s exclusive clothes when the museum opens, embroider the opening date and brother’s name; When upgrading to a rank, make a commemorative graduation uniform, and embroider the rank and upgrade date on the cuffs, which are very valuable commemorations. I once helped a gym customize a uniform for group classes, with the logo of the gym embroidered on the chest and the names of the students behind it, which is particularly cohesive.
5. Accessories matching and maintenance: practical tips to extend the life of clothing
A complete set of martial arts equipment is inseparable from the matching of accessories; And the correct maintenance method can make a martial arts suit of a few hundred yuan wear for 3-5 years.
List of essential accessories
- Road belt/graded color ribbon: choose the same material as the gi, not easy to deform; New belts can be soaked in warm water in advance to avoid staining.
- Protective gear compatible accessories: the inner pocket of the chest guard and the shoulder guard inside the suit can make the protective gear more suitable for the body without affecting the movement; It is recommended to choose shoes with reflective strips for children, which are safer for outdoor training.
- Maintenance gadgets: A special laundry bag for gi clothes can prevent knots after washing, and anti-cross-colored laundry tablets and sterilization spray are essential, especially in gyms where multiple people share training clothes.
Core maintenance skills
Maintenance | Specific operation | Notes: |
|---|---|---|
Wash | Machine wash cold with a water temperature of no more than 30°C, wash inside out with embroidery | Add half a cup of salt to fix the color for the first wash and avoid using bleach |
Dry | Drying on low temperature (temperature ≤ 60°C), or air drying | Avoid sun exposure to prevent the fabric from fading and becoming brittle |
Ironing | Iron at medium temperature (150°C) for cotton and linen, low temperature (110°C) for polyester | Put a thin cloth on the clothes before ironing to avoid damaging the embroidery |
Storage | After folding it flat, put it in a moisture-proof camphor box, or hang it in a ventilated place | Put bamboo charcoal packs to absorb moisture and prevent mold |
6. Procurement perspective: Sourcing Agent’s product selection suggestions (Yigu point of view)
As a Sourcing Agent who has been deeply involved in martial arts equipment procurement for many years, I will focus on the “cost-effective triangle” when selecting products: fabric quality, compliance, and price. When purchasing in bulk for gyms, priority is given to cooperating with factories with IKF, WT and other certification qualifications, such as fabric testing reports are complete, and data such as shrinkage rate and tear strength can be traced, which can avoid subsequent disputes. For individual consumers, it is recommended to avoid “low-priced explosive models” – many low-priced people take inferior cotton cloth that has not been pre-shrunk, which shrinks after washing once, and has no antibacterial treatment, which can easily cause skin problems when worn for a long time. If it is a customized need, it is necessary to confirm the embroidery process with the factory in advance, computer embroidery is stronger than manual embroidery, and the color restoration is high, suitable for mass customization.
7. FAQs of FAQs
- Q: Can I choose the size of children’s martial arts clothing one size larger than the usual clothes? A: No. For example, if a child weighs more than 35kg, it is recommended to choose a size of 140cm, focusing on shoulder width and chest circumference, to avoid being too wide to affect movements and restricting growth if too tight. It is best to let the child try it on, do kicks and lower waist movements to ensure that there is no sense of restraint.
- Q: For winter training, which one is better, plush martial arts uniform or ordinary martial arts uniform + thermal underwear? A: Choose winter fleece martial arts clothes. The high-quality fleece model uses lightweight microfiber to keep warm and not bloated, and the fabric has moisture-wicking functions; Ordinary martial arts clothes plus thermal underwear will look bulky, and may also cause the underwear to be damp after sweating, making it easy to catch a cold.
- Q: Is there a difference between embroidering the rank logo on the gi and finding a manufacturer to embroider? A: Yes. The manufacturer’s embroidery adopts special threads and reinforcement technology, which is not easy to fall off after washing; If the material of your own embroidery does not match the gi, it may wear out the fabric. It is recommended to let the manufacturer embroider the gi uniform for the event to ensure that it meets the specifications of the rank mark.
- Q: Is the performance of martial arts clothing made of environmentally friendly recycled fabrics inferior to ordinary fabrics? A: No. Nowadays, high-quality environmentally friendly recycled fabrics are processed from recycled polyester bottles, and after special treatment, their breathability and tear resistance are comparable to ordinary polyester fibers, or even lighter, and are in line with the trend of environmental protection, suitable for consumers who pay attention to low-carbon life.