Questions about hakamas and keikogi

[Che]

My instructor has told me I can get a uniform now so I’d like to ask some questions about hakamas and keikogis. These weren’t answered in the stickied “Bogu Buying FAQ” thread.
Note: I’m probably buying from e-bogu.

1: What size should I get? I am 6ft 1in tall, weigh about 200lb, and most pants I wear have a waist size around 34. I am tall and big but actually fairly slim. E-bogu says I'm a 5 but a veteran from my dojo says I’m a 4. Who should I listen to?

2: Should I get a hidritex keikogi? Is it cooler and more comfortable than other keikogi?
I think other stores have this fabric but call it something else. Mugendo Budogu calls it techno fine, BoguZen calls it Deluxe Souken Cool, and AOI Budogu calls it Max Dry Sweat-Less.

3: Can I get a seamstress to stitch the pleats into a cotton hakama?

Thank you!

[Fonsz]

http://www.kendo-world.com/forum/showpost.php?p=233895&postcount=25
Here are some thoughts about the stitched pleated hakama. Maybe it will answer your questions. I still have to find out about them.:happy:

[Pan-Chan]

1. I'm about the same size as you, 6'1" and 180lbs, and I wear a size 4 because I have fairly broad shoulders. I think a five might be a little too big for you, but I guess it depends on your build and where you get your keiko-gi. The stores should have a sizing guide for you to consult.

2. What type of keiko-gi you get should pretty much be dependent on where you live, IMHO. If you are in a warmer place, I'd go with a thinner, lighter gi. And a heavier, thicker one for cooler places. But whichever way you go, I would recommend getting a gi with a sweat lining inside of it; they cut washing needs down considerably.

[Che]

I think I’m gonna go with a cotton hakama and the hidritex gi but sizing is still an issue.

According to e-bogu I should be a size 5 for gi but as I already said someone else, who I think has bought from e-bogu, told me I should be a size 4.

Additionally the FAQ here says it may be better to get the smaller size if you’re on a threshold of sizes which I am.

Those things seem to suggest that I should get a size 4 gi and a hakama for 6ft tall people. (Instead of the one for 6’1” - 6’3” people.) What do you guys think?

[neko]

why not decide on a keikogi and have someone at ebogu take some measurements of the particular keikogi? have them measure from tie to tie across the front and measure length down the back. then compare those measurements agaist yourself. my first keikogi was a 2 and it was a bit small, so i got a 3. the 3 was a bit big and i had to shorten it some. but it is also big around, but it doesn't matter much, and i find it more comfortable.

maybe you could try on someones 4 keikogi (before practice! haha) and see what you think.

as far as the hakama goes, i like to get them a bit longer and shorten them. it is better to have them a little long than have them too short. too short hakama are silly looking in my opinion.

[euclid]

I think I’m gonna go with a cotton hakama and the hidritex gi but sizing is still an issue.

According to e-bogu I should be a size 5 for gi but as I already said someone else, who I think has bought from e-bogu, told me I should be a size 4.

Additionally the FAQ here says it may be better to get the smaller size if you’re on a threshold of sizes which I am.

Those things seem to suggest that I should get a size 4 gi and a hakama for 6ft tall people. (Instead of the one for 6’1” - 6’3” people.) What do you guys think?

Don't forget that when you have to wash your hakama and gi, to expect a little shrinkage. I personally would recommend sizing up, there are ways to shrink a hakama and gi a little...but no way to add on to them

;)

[Rularn]

i find that the size charts from ebogu or bogubag or whoever tend to be a bit bigger than what you expect. for me, I know I have to buy a size down from what the chart says for my height and weight. i also recommend my kohais do the same as I've seem many that get what they are on the chart and find it is too long or big for them. but it may be something you have to deal with until you find a supplier you like and can 'calibrate' their sizes to your actual build.

[pepo]

I bough mine from Tozando and in fact it came alittle bit big. But
I took it to a japanese tailorer and he cut it down an inch or so, you'd never notice the difference, no it looks good.

[kim]

i have to turn up my hakama every time i buy a new one as most stockists rarely keep in my size 150 . My sensi says i wear sneaky feet hiding hakama otherwise. I also turn up the sleeves of my gi so they dont cover my kote. Both jobs can be done quite easly so if you do get a kit thats a little to large its not the end of the world.

[Neil Gendzwill]

Additionally the FAQ here says it may be better to get the smaller size if you’re on a threshold of sizes which I am.That's for hakama. For keikogi, I'd tend to go up if you're heavy and down if you're skinny. But at 6'1" and 200 lbs, you are a size 5 from most suppliers and will probably find a 4 too short. If you can get a 4L you might be OK.

[Jiyoui]

Better safe then sorry.
A smaller size might make you unable to move your arms
A larger size may be unfashionable but will ensure that you will have full range of motion when practicing. Plus, you can always find someway to modify it a little, you know, be a girl, make your own cloth.

[hunnysan]

i agree with neko that why don't you try one on? and see for yourself..

and if you are not far from e-bogu you can definitely go there and they'll be more then glad to help you. i always pick up stuff, saves me on shipping since i'm not far from them.

[icy_flame]

I bought the hidritex keikogi from e-bogu, I'm very pleased with it. The cotton hakama I bought from e-bogu was pleated as well.

Haha, I sound like a spam bot.

[dwez]

I'm going mental over this too, I've looked at the

eiko budogu - airfine dogi [cheapest]
e-mudo - single layer with lining [cheap, but looks well made and I don't know what the lining is]
e-bogu - hidritex [postage is a bit much but I'll get a WKC T-shirt too ;)]
eguchi.net - fieldsensor fumitake [that lining looks cool and I think it's my personal fave] still need to know postage though.

Doing the research is kinda fun but it's difficult to get enough info on the performance fabrics used, I used to design a sports activewear magazine so I love this merging of materials.

The size issue is a worry too, but my current gi is oversized so maybe I'll be OK I'm sure whichever I choose a quick email to say I'm 5'11" with a slim build will result in the right one. That's if I'm allowed to wear blue, our dojo aims for blue jackets for dan grades only

[Bucho]

I'm 6ft 190lbs and my keiko-gi/hakama are size 4 from ebogu

[Hai_hai]

I would say if you get the #10000 weight hakama, it won't shrink if you take care of it properly.

Hemming the pleats, just leave it unhemmed and iron it.

[Kapplow]

What about those those keiko gi that have that cross-stiching on the bottom? Anyone know where I can find a low priced one?

[dwez]

What about those those keiko gi that have that cross-stiching on the bottom? Anyone know where I can find a low priced one?

Kentore has a Superior single layer [which looks like it has a tech fabric inside so is in fact double layer] with the cross stitching for $48, seems cheap tp me. E-mudo has one too, but...

I've contacted two online vendors for information regarding their gi's and not received a reply. Should I take it that they do not want my business and go elsewhere? If they can't answer an email what hope have I that they will send out the goods on payment? Any advice?

Thanks to Bucho I may now have confidence to order a size 4 gi. My current gi is 5/180 and is way too big but all the charts [and advice on shrinkage] were saying to go with a 5 [I am 5'11" with a slim build so I think it's the right choice].

[Anonymous]

I'm 5'9 200 lbs and a size 5 from e-bogu is a *little* small for me, while the sleeves are kinda long...if I were the OP I'd just ask my sensei what they think about it.

[dwez]

My fumitake keikogi finally arrived yesterday. Sadly customs had slapped £12.50 on top so it's turned out nearly £70 [that's $140 US sheckles]. But it looks the business and size 4 was spot on. I also found a little tie on the inside left. It actually fits properly as my current cheapo effort doesn't have this. Who knows when I wil get to use it and give a proper going over, probably grading but it's a thing of rare beauty.

[Neil Gendzwill]

I also found a little tie on the inside left. Most keikogi have this.

[Che]

I ended up getting the size 4 kendogi and size 28 hakama. My kendogi fits fine as far as I can tell but my hakama was a little long until I washed it.

I didn’t get the hi-dritex kendogi because a sensei told me he felt it was hotter than a normal kendogi. I got the cotton hakama rather than tetron because the same sensei told me properly taking care of your equipment and folding your hakama is a part of kendo.

For the pleats, I haven’t really had a problem with keeping them. I fold my hakama after practice, making sure to thoroughly crease the pleats, and then hang it up when I get home. But it's still fairly new so I may have to iron it eventually.

I’ve actually had my hakama and kendogi for a while now. Right now I’m waiting for my bogu to arrive in the mail! :silly:

[Kapplow]

What do you guys think about this one in terms of quality and shrinkage? I'm 5ft11in 165lbs, I guess I should go with the 4?
http://www.e-bogu.com/Shoaizome_Single_Layer_Kendo_Keikogi_Size_All_p/tak-ken-kei-1layer-shoai-all.htm

see I accidentally shrunk the crap out of my current keikogi(sz4) by putting it in the dryer. I've had it for a little over a year now. Its' this one.
http://www.e-bogu.com/Navy_Blue_Single_Layer_Kendo_Kendogi_Size_All_p/tak-ken-kei-hqlite-navy-all.htm

So I've had to wear a pair of crappy basketball shorts all this time to cover up exposed leg. I just want a low-priced keikogi with the groovy cross stitching. I"ll get some more quality stuff after shodan.

[joekc6nlx]

That's the one I use.....same height as you, so I bought the size 4 from e-bogu. Fits just fine....except for that little bulge in the front where I should have a six-pack, not look like I just drank a six-pack.
:rolleyes:

[Kapplow]

That's the one I use.....same height as you, so I bought the size 4 from e-bogu. Fits just fine....except for that little bulge in the front where I should have a six-pack, not look like I just drank a six-pack.
:rolleyes:


What about 5000 hakama? chart says I need a 27 but I have a tetron 26 now that fits me perfect. But won't the 5000 shrink? This sizing crap aggravates me :mad:

[dwez]

Most keikogi have this.

I guessed as much, but for me it was a revelation, my gi fits!!

On a downside I did notice that there is no field sensor material in the sleeves which the equivalent from aoi budogu clearly has [but is infinitely more expensive], couldn't see whether the other vendors followed suit but with hindsight I may have just gone with e-bogu's hi-dri tex.