By: Jaxon Lee

I remember the day I decided to get back into training. I was excited. I had my gym bag packed. I had my water bottle. The only thing missing? A uniform. I thought it would be easy. I figured I would just hop online, click a few buttons, and be done in five minutes.

I was wrong.

Trying to buy a Gi online is a nightmare. The sizes make no sense. The descriptions are full of nonsense I didn’t understand. And the photos? They all look identical.I eventually located a shirt that didn’t make me look like a small child who had just stolen his older brother’s pajamas. It was really humbling. Therefore, if this is the pain you are going through, I would be the one to spare you some ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌time. Here is the raw truth about buying gear without losing your mind.

1. The “One Size Fits None” Problem

Here is the thing nobody warns you about. Martial arts sizing is broken.

If you wear a “Large” t-shirt? That means absolutely nothing here. In this world, sizes are weird numbers like 3, 4, or 5. And every brand just makes it up as they go. A size 4 in one brand might fit me perfectly. But in another brand? I can’t even get the pants past my knees. It is a total gamble.

It is frustrating. You have to ignore your ego. Do not guess. You actually have to get a tape measure and check the charts. And when you are browsing through listings of martial arts uniforms for sale, always look for reviews that mention shrinking because cotton shrinks. A lot. If you are on the borderline between two sizes, always go bigger. It is better to have sleeves that are too long than pants that turn into shorts after one wash.

2. Weight Matters More Than You Think

When I bought my first uniform, I just bought the cheapest one. Big mistake.

It was paper-thin. It felt like wearing a bedsheet. The first time I got grabbed in grappling practice, I heard a ripping sound. That was the end of that uniform.

You need to look at the “weight” of the fabric. It is usually measured in ounces. If you see something labeled “lightweight” or “student weight,” just know that it is going to be thin.That​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ may work during the summer, but it will not last for long. If you want that “snap” sound, which is very satisfying when you punch, you need to use something heavier, like 10oz or 12oz. When it comes to high-quality martial arts uniforms for sale, what you are really paying for is the durability. You definitely want fabric that is able to give a tough fight and still come out looking as if it were new.

3. Style and Cut: Don’t Be That Guy

Not every uniform is equal.

There was once an instance where I saw a guy coming to a Judo class wearing a Karate Gi. He had to spend the entire class fixing his jacket because it kept sliding off.

The cut of a Karate uniform is different from that of Judo or Jiu-Jitsu uniforms. The former ones are more loose and lighter. The latter ones are thick and look like a kind of armor because people are going to be dragging you around by your collar. If you are wearing the wrong gear, not only will you look ridiculous, but your gear will also let you down. Be sure that you know exactly what style your school works with before you go ahead and hit the “buy” button.

4. The “White vs. Black” Debate

It looks like a very straightforward thing, but people still get it wrong.

Most traditional schools are very strict in their rules. They want white. Only white. It is a way of showing cleanliness and equality. But at the same time, you come across these nice black or blue uniforms online, and you think, “Wow, that is really cool.”

Don’t do it. Unless your instructor gives you a green light and tells you that you can wear colors, white is what you have to stick to. I know that it is not ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌exciting.

 I know it gets dirty easily. But showing up to your first day in a “Cobra Kai” black uniform is a great way to make everyone roll their eyes at you. Save the cool colors for when you actually have the skills to back them up.

5. Where to Actually Buy One?

So, where do you go? You could try Amazon, but half the stuff there is cheap knockoffs from random factories. You never know what you are actually going to get.

I prefer specialized shops. I want to buy from people who actually train. Places like KarateMart are usually your best bet because they curate their stuff. They don’t sell junk because they know their customers will call them out on it. So, stop overthinking it. Just verify your size, check the fabric weight, and get your martial arts gi here from a place that knows what they are doing. Trust me, spending a few extra dollars now is better than having your pants rip open in the middle of a high kick next week.