So, you are wanting to know a bit about buying a karate uniform. Maybe you or one of you children has just started classes and, of course, you need a uniform.

Some Instructors, including myself, require incoming students to purchase a uniform from the school. We have our Logo and Organization name screenprinted on the back of our Dobok (Korean for Uniform--term used in TaeKwonDo)Tops.

That's great and its easy but is the uniform you are getting of real quality? Does the material seem thin? Are you buying a karate uniform that is 50/50 or even 60/40 Cotton/Polyester Blended material or is it 100% Cotton?

Like anything, when buying a karate uniform, there are all these little tidbits of information that you need to know to make the best decision about what to purchase. This is a list of the main things to look for:

• Fabric Content- 60/40 Cotton/Polyester Uniforms are, in my opinion, the lowest quality. They last maybe 7 months to a year before they tear apart. These are usually sold to beginning child students because the instructor can get these in a 6oz or 7oz fabric weight which is super thin and very cheap wholesale. Fabric this thin is just one step above a Halloween Costume but still suitable for very young (4,5 yr. olds) students.
• Fabric Content (50/50 Cotton/Polyester)These Uniforms seem to be a bit more durable but with a low (6oz or 7oz) Fabric weight, these are still so thin they have a relatively short life if the student is really active and/or plays out in the yard with the uniform on.
• Fabric Content (100% Cotton) When buying a karate uniform, my choice, as a parent and an instructor, would always be a Fabric Content of 100% Cotton. You will not find any 6oz or 7oz uniforms that are 100% Cotton and the reason is that this material weight is so thin that the all natural cotton fiber has a tendency to actually rip very easily even during moderate stress to the material. The Blended materials give added strength to this all natural cotton fiber which allow a lower fabric weight.
• Fabric Weight (Very Important)The beginning student is perfectly fine having a Uniform with a lower fabric weight. I supply my beginners with the 8oz to 8.5oz 100% Cotton Uniforms and we have had a great response by using these. Mind you, these 100% Cotton Uniforms WILL SHRINK so be sure to order or have your instructor order one size larger.

  When buying a karate uniform for an advancing student, green belt, blue belt, red belt, etc. A 10oz or 12oz Fabric Weight Uniform is in order, 100% Cotton, of course. These students have mastery over most techniques and can take full advantage of that great "SNAP" they hear when their instructor demonstrates techniques.

  The 14oz Uniforms are great for those students about to receive their Black Belts but are usually just reserved for Instructors. Tip--at most sites, these heavier uniforms are not sold with a white belt. There is only one site that I have found that does include white belts with all there uniforms, except the 14 oz Instructor's Uniform.

• Basically, when buying a karate uniform, the most important Two things to look for is Fabric Content, I only allow my students to have 100% All Cotton and Fabric Weight. As I mentioned, the lowest fabric weight I use at my school is 8oz. This material is heavy enough to take the stresses of kicks, jumping, and punching we do in class plus, a little playing out in the yard after class! These last much longer than the lower weight Uniforms and we have a great response from our students and parents by using these.

One other aspect to consider when buying a karate uniform is the type or style of the Uniform. There are two main uniform configurations, the Traditional and the PullOver. The difference lies in the way the Top part of the uniform is made.

The Traditional Uniform Top has two folds of fabric that crossover the front of the body. This Top then ties at both hips. See "How to Tie Your Karate Uniform" for more on this.

When buying a karate uniform for just practice, the Pullover Top Uniform is used in TaeKwonDo. This is pretty self descriptive,its just basically a heavy weight shirt with a V-neck and usually some markings of some sort. Many instructors use these but these uniforms are not allowed in all tournament competitions. You need to check with your Instructor on this. I'm just old fashion though. I use the Traditional Style, WarHorse(tm) Brand, exclusively.

Both styles come with either elastic waistbands or drawstring waistbands. The elastic waistbands are ok for younger students but very uncomfortable to older or chubby students. These elastic waistbands are usually so tight that, in some cases, they cause rashes around the students' waist.

Again, being "Old Fashion", I prefer to use the ones with drawstring around the waist. This kind has a very long, piece of fabric strapping looped twice around through the front and back of the pants. When this tie is pulled away from the body at both sides from the hips, the pants draw up around the waist. This allows for midsection growth and very comfortable movement.

There is one drawback to these and this usually happens to me right before I'm suppose to leave for class. That is, in younger students, they tend to just pull from one side and keep pulling and keep pulling until the whole strap comes out of the pants. You then have to fish it back through the front and back loops of the pants. Be sure that strap is doubled on the BACKSIDE of the pants or it will be BACKWARDS.

Having the strap come out of the pants can happen in the washing machine as well. I always tell the parents of my students to be sure to tie the strap before sticking it in the washer to avoid this. This is really no trouble, it just always seems to happen to me when I am in a hurry!