keikogi/hakama set

[raba]

I'm having trouble deciding which keikogi/hakama set to buy. It's my first set.

- Dark Navy Shoaizome #8000 Hakama Set (Single Layer Kendogi Free) $149

- Dark Navy Shoaizome #5000 Hakama & Single Layer Set $129

- Light Weight Keikogi & Hakama Set $67

These sets are both from ebogu.com. The first two have the same keikogi but different hakama. The third one has a cotton hakama as well, but with no thread count, and I don't really know if there's a difference in the keikogi. Most of my friends are going for the third set, since it's cheaper, but I'm not sure if that's the best choice. I can pay the extra money for one of the first two sets but...should I?
Any help would be great.

[jjcruiser]

I have the third one you listed. I like it. Better than my heavier more expensive one. The monetary difference is significant; buy the cheaper one.

[ShinKenshi]

I'm having trouble deciding which keikogi/hakama set to buy. It's my first set.

- Dark Navy Shoaizome #8000 Hakama Set (Single Layer Kendogi Free) $149

- Dark Navy Shoaizome #5000 Hakama & Single Layer Set $129

- Light Weight Keikogi & Hakama Set $67

These sets are both from ebogu.com. The first two have the same keikogi but different hakama. The third one has a cotton hakama as well, but with no thread count, and I don't really know if there's a difference in the keikogi. Most of my friends are going for the third set, since it's cheaper, but I'm not sure if that's the best choice. I can pay the extra money for one of the first two sets but...should I?
Any help would be great.For your first set, I'd go with the third option. Spend more money later on when you have a better idea of what you want.

[Toecutter]

Spend more money later on when you have a better idea of what you want.
Save the money and buy nicer bogu.

[ShinKenshi]

Save the money and buy nicer bogu.Second that, gotta save up for 1.5 bu tezashi bogu.

[raba]

Alright, it seems everyone agrees that I should save the money for future equipment. Very well then, I'll get the third set. Thanks you all for your help. The forum is great.

[Grenamier]

Shopping for kendo equipment reminds of drill bits. A hardware guy on TV answered a question on buying a set of pricey good bits vs cheaper bits. The answer was to buy the cheap set of bits. If you end up not doing a lot of drilling, then you lost less money on the investment. If you do drill a lot, then the bits you use a lot will wear out quick - replace those ones with really good bits.

You end up with quality bits for the jobs you do often and still have okay bits for the occasional oddjobs, in which you wouldn't really notice the extra quality anyway.

Maybe this might apply to your choices. I'd agree with getting the cheap set first, and evaluating how they work out for you. Later on you'll have a better idea of where to focus the money.

It might sound a bit silly, but I've been trying to apply this drill bit idea to my first bogu purchase. I've chosen Aoi's FD-5 set, which is 5mm but should do the job well enough for now. I do expect the kote to wear out first, then the men, but when they do, I'm going to replace them with some sweet gear. I hope the do and tare hang around for years and years. If I ever get shodan someday, I might reward myself...a little.

[easye]

some one told me to always buy the best equipment that you can afford, if you are comfortable with it and it works for you then thats great. I do agree that bogu is a more substantial purchase and will have to last you longer so you may want to put more money into that while with hakama and gi I imagine you would replace them every so often anyway. Have fun and keep practicing!

E

[Neil Gendzwill]

Actually, I wouldn't recommend any of those sets. If you're buying e-bogu, get the tetron hakama and whatever keikogi you like. I recommend their single-layer shaoizome (http://www.e-bogu.com/Shoaizome_Single_Layer_Kendo_Keikogi_Size_All_p/tak-ken-kei-1layer-shoai-all.htm) to our new students.

[raba]

I've bought the set already. Thanks anyway.