Cotton Gi for Beginners

So if you're buying your first gi, the easiest thing is just to get a starter pack like this or this. Though the reality is you don't need a bokuto for at least six months and bags are the easiest piece of equipment to make yourself. The downside to a beginners pack is you really have no choice over your clothing. If you are a standard size, this isn't a huge problem. Tetron hakama are extremely easy to care for and truly best for beginners. However, keikogi are different. There is a major comfort difference between the types. Unfortunately I can't review the synthetic ones today, because I don't have any, however, what follows is a review of the three basic cotton types.

The most standard is just a single weave orizashi stitched navy blue or white keikogi. Either color is acceptable. This is what you will get in a starter's pack. White will make you stand out more and in certain circles has a more feminine connotations and in others an association with expertise. Being white, it will more easily look dirty, even sweat will show on it after training. However the navy color will fade over time while the white will not. The single weave gi is my absolute least favorite option. It's heavy, it's hot, it's rough and it is only moderate protection.

My personal recommendation would be a summer weave gi. It is only slightly more expensive than a regular single weave gi and yet it is much cooler, making year round practice in most climates more pleasant. Outside of Japan, I've never heard of an unheated dojo, but in Europe and even the US an air conditioned training hall is an anomaly. If you've only got one gi for the whole year, optimize for summer comfort over winter. You'll be sweating year round anyway. The summer weave gi is very soft, due to the venting that makes it cool and it still has a rice pattern design. You won't stand out and you will be much more comfortable.

However, my personal choice would be a proper indigo double weave like this here . Yes, it can be hot in the summer, but the comfort, protection and beauty are incomparable to the others. Indigo has natural antibacterial properties that mean even if you don't wash it after every practice, you won't stink. I personally wash my gi every time, but if that's not your thing, your dojo mates will thank you for choosing indigo. It fades beautifully over time and actually gains value instead of loosing it. The distinguished look of a decades old gi just can't be imitated. Call it a physical testament to your progress. Moreover the double weave offers the best protection against stray hits and is extremely soft. It's twice the price of a summer weave gi, but in five years, your summer gi is going to look worn and your double weave indigo gi is going to look stunning.

Also if you can wait long enough, a shout out to musashi style gi that can be bought here. They come in both blue and white versions. They are extremely soft and cool in the summer. Protection is minimal and in modern times they are mostly used by children, though I think the old samurai look is ripe for a come back and they tend to be quite affordable, extremely comfortable and are also just really pretty. When I’m not sparring with sloppy beginners, they are my summer gi of choice!