How To Wear Martial Arts Uniforms

Martial arts uniforms, also called karategi, are lightweight and loose fitting martial arts uniforms that allow a martial artist to move freely kicking and punching, without feeling restricted or weighed down. Martial arts uniforms are composed of a jacket, belt and pants made from a thick cotton material that can withstand a substantial amount of abuse from repetitive pushing and pulling.

Karategi, called a gi for short, is a lightweight and loose fitting garment used as a martial arts uniform. A karategi is made from a lightweight canvas material and weigh between 12 and 16 ounces. The cloth for making karategis is used because of its durability against vigorous abuse, without restricting the martial artists movement.

The thickness and rigidity of the gi increases ventilation and allows the martial artist to feel cooler. A martial artist should present himself in proper attire before a match and should take great of his uniform and feel a sense of pride when wearing his karategi.

• A karategi or martial arts uniform is washed in cold water except for the belt, the belt is not washed. There should be no marks or unauthorized patches placed on the uniform and when worn, no pieces should be missing.


• Jackets, also known as an uwagi, should be 3/4 sleeved. This keeps the martial artist from becoming snagged. The jacket should be worn with the left lapel over the right lapel and the hip strings on the inside of the jacket should be tied together.


• Pants of a martial arts uniform should be baggy, but the length of the pants are not past the ankles of the martial artist wearing the uniform. Having pants in the proper length and size will minimize injuries from tripping in martial arts.


• Belts, also known as a obi, is extremely important in martial arts. Martial artists will wear belts of different colors as they progress through martial arts. The colored belts serve as a merit system, but displays a student's progress or rank in martial arts. The belt should be tied in a square knot at the naval and both ends of the belt should be even in length when the knot is tied.