gi history

Hi Sensei Mattson,

I couldn't agree more with the heavyweight gi thing, i always wanted one...and a black one at that...what a mistake!!! hahaha

in my first dojo black belts were allowed to wear a black gi, and not until. you could wear black pants, but only white tops. they were heavy (the dan grade gi's..around 12 oz) because we grappled alot as well as striking. but i never got that far. but i finally got a VERY heavy black gi and it's the most horrid piece of clothing i've ever worn. not only is it too heavy (18 oz!!) ...you're right it's loud, and binding. it also makes you much hotter (especially black), and light/medium gi's allow better evaporation of sweat as well, so they are cool to the touch very often. imagine an 18 oz gi soaked with sweat...and you thought it was heavy before. on top of all of that, if you do get a heavy gi, make certain that it's not an "off brand"...mine is (kim pacific) and it's just horrible, no matter how often it's washed its thick and rigid..even chafing! but i know alot of people like the iron man uniform from century, as it is brushed cotton. personally as far as heavy gi's go...i greatly prefer judo/jujutsu type material, its quieter and more comfy. and i find that the knee pad helps guys with big legs with kicking because the leg doesn't bind. but i don't think a striking based art has much need for a heavy gi anyway.