Help me make up my mind!

[Henrik]

I'm having trouble deciding what hakama and gi to buy from nine circles, so I was thinking that maybe you guys could help me with some opinions?

First, with the hakama... I'm chosing between the 55£ deluxe tetron hakama ( http://www.ninecircles.co.uk/product_details.asp?ProdID=188&CatID=29 )and the 47£ cotton hakama ( http://www.ninecircles.co.uk/product_details.asp?ProdID=280&CatID=29 ). Any experience with these particular items?

And for gi, I'm deciding between the 41£ kendogi ( http://www.ninecircles.co.uk/product_details.asp?ProdID=18&CatID=26 ) and the 49£ deluxe kendogi ( http://www.ninecircles.co.uk/product_details.asp?ProdID=229&CatID=26 ). From what I can see on the photos, I like the lighter blue on the slightly cheaper kendogi.. but as for quality, that's hard to tell. Anyone tried one of these (or maybe even both..?)?

Oh, and this is my first hak/gi.. I'm new to kendo (less than 10 lessons), but I already know I won't quit. I know that some dojos don't allow their newbies to have hak/gi straight away, but we've been told that it's okay to get it now, if we want to, and that it helps with the posture.

[Shiro7]

if you dont care much for the colour of hakama (if its darker or not) then i say go with the cotton one. its more comfortable unless you sweat alot go with the tetron.
for the kendogi i think the deluxe looks pretty good, well depending on what colour you like best. the lighter or darker... well its just a ten dollar difference right? i think its all about taste..

[Lloromannic]

Why don't you try eurobogu? Nine Circles has a bad reputation around here.

[piggy]

Definately check out this thread before you purchase.

http://www.kendo-world.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7898

[LarsCW]

http://www.kendo24.com/index.php?id=390&L=2

kendo24 has a summer special

The all-inclusive-package
This set contains all the neccessary equipment for your start in kendo practise:

o Uniformset with keiko gi (100% cotton) and hakama (T/C)
o Shinai KENSHIN
o Bokken whiteoak standard
o Shinaibag for two shinai in lotus patterns

Might be interesting for you for 99 euro.

[dotnet]

And for gi, I'm deciding between the 41£ kendogi ( http://www.ninecircles.co.uk/product_details.asp?ProdID=18&CatID=26 ) and the 49£ deluxe kendogi ( http://www.ninecircles.co.uk/product_details.asp?ProdID=229&CatID=26 ). From what I can see on the photos, I like the lighter blue on the slightly cheaper kendogi.. but as for quality, that's hard to tell. Anyone tried one of these (or maybe even both..?)?

The deluxe Keiko-Gi looks like the one from Kendoshop.com (NC-supplier). I like it. It is not as soft as a Fuji Daruma (japanese made) but comes VERY close. It is much better than a $ 15 Keiko-Gi. If you can afford it, get the better one. It is going to turn into a lighter blue anyway - as long as you train a lot and wash it ;).

Hakama: Hmm. If you are lazy and you don't mind the polyester content, get the tetron hakama - but a cotton hakama matches the deluxe keiko-gi much better:cool: .

Cheers,
dotnet