I have had a few people ask me where they can get a good uniform from. And what is a good uniform?

Well the good new is you don’t have to pay hundreds of dollars to get a usable uniform.

For about $50 you can get a Karate style Gi, these are normally thin and made of canvas, light weight and easy to move in. However as a down side they are not as resilient to throws and hard ware. Great for beginners.

For about $80-$90 you can get a “Single Weave” Judo style Gi, these are cotton and a bit thicker and stronger than the Karate Gi, the down side is they are heavier and until they are worn in can also be a little stiff, these are a good investment because for the extra $20-$30 you have a much tougher and longer lasting Gi.

Now on the upper end of the scale you have “Double Weave” Judo style Gi for about $160-$200 depending on size and quality. These use a different weaving patten but are still cotton, these are a lot stronger and will last a much longer time. Maybe not the best option for your first Gi due to the cost, but is your looking for a good strong long lasting Gi this style is certainly a good option.

As a side note any cotton uniform should be bought about 1 or 2 sizes to big as they will shrink a lot after the first wash. I find a quick was to get a good size is to try it on over the top of your normal clothing, but if you are unsure just ask the guys behind the counter and I’m sure they will help you out!

You can also look at the Brazilian Jujitsu uniforms, I have never uses one for Aikido however they are very comfortable and can take a good beating, however they are a little more expensive.

If you want to have a look around I would suggest dropping into Giri or Rayhanas or even Cobra

There are many uniforms available for Aikido ka.

Light - for beginner
Medium for Summer
'Traditional'
Heavy duty
Super heavy duty

Dependson the style of Aikido you do and how traitional you are.

then there's the obi, keiko gi and hakama

and then there's colours !