A Guide to Martial Arts Uniforms

Every martial art has its own distinct set of techniques, philosophy, and grading scale. To address and accommodate these requirements, each martial art has developed its own signature uniform and accessories. This guide will give you a basic overview of the look, function, and evolution of five of the most popular uniforms in martial arts today, whether you’re a new martial artist conducting your research before buying a judo uniform wholesale or just a curious spectator wanting to read up on the variations in gear.

Boxing

Boxing clothing should be comfortable, and breathable, and allow boxers to move freely in the ring. Anyone who has seen a boxing match will tell you that there aren’t many components of clothing involved, so this section of this list will be brief. Fight shorts and t-shirts/tank tops are the most common pieces of boxing clothing.

Boxers wear the staple fight shorts and trunks primarily for professional training and during boxing matches. Trunks are a fashion statement as well as a necessary piece of boxing equipment. Boxers try to express their personalities by embroidering words, symbols, or patterns on their shorts and using specific colours that say something about them.

For the most part, fighting shorts have a drawstring waistband, a slit in the back, and can flare out at the end. This particular design offers a lot of freedom in mobility and allows boxers to execute their signature moves with ease. The drawstring waistband also ensures that the shorts stay in place and won’t ride up during vigorous movements.

As for materials, most models are made of polyester and nylon blends. They provide flexibility, durability, and excellent water resistance. The mesh lining used in trunks also helps keep boxers cool, even during intense matches. With each sudden move, this mesh fabric allows breathability and dissipates sweat quickly.

The way they’re designed allows for maximum movement in the ring, and also makes boxers look their best. After all, boxing matches are more than physical activities – they’re also visual spectacles. Each set of trunks is unique and serves as an expression of the wearer’s identity. With every jab, hook, and uppercut that boxers make, their personality shines through as they fight in the ring.

Judo

The judo gi, like all gis, is a two-piece uniform consisting of pants and a jacket that wraps around the torso. The jacket is then fastened with a coloured belt that represents your rank in the martial art. Judo gis is made of cotton and is available in a variety of colours (most commonly white and blue). The specific demands of Judo begin to become apparent in the Judo gi from there. The Judo gi features reinforced stitching at key grip focuses like the shoulders, sleeves, and torso to withstand that extra wear and tear. 

Most Judo pants have reinforced knees to withstand the pressure of throws, takedowns, and grappling. The collar of a Judo gi is also much thicker, for both durability and to accommodate the martial art’s grip-based techniques. If you’re not sure which options are best for you, talk to your coaches about what your school prefers and what uniform regulations or other essential MMA fight equipment you’ll need to follow in competition.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu 

The Judo gi and the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gi are the most similar in nature of all martial arts uniforms, most likely due to BJJ’s Judo roots. Many BJJ gyms, in fact, allow beginners or casual participants to train in a Judo gi. However, as you become more serious about BJJ, you will see how a traditional Judo gi can put you at a disadvantage and why the BJJ uniform has evolved the way it has.

Judo gi tops are typically long and have wide sleeves, which is ideal for Judo but leaves a martial artist vulnerable to submission-based attacks in BJJ that use your own uniform against you. This is why the jacket on a BJJ gi is more fitted to the body and has a shorter skirt. It also has shorter and narrower sleeves. Jiu-Jitsu tournaments also have their own set of rules regarding sleeve and pant dimensions to ensure fairness. Again, before making any decisions about gi purchase and decoration, consult with your instructors.

Karate

Karate uniforms, like BJJ and Judo gis, are made up of fairly loose-fitting pants and a top that is fixed in place with a coloured belt that denotes the wearer’s rank. The top of a Karate uniform, on the other hand, comes in a few more variations than its counterparts. While a jacket top is the most common type of Karate gi top, pull-over tops are also available for convenience.

Karate uniforms are available in cotton and polyester blends (the less expensive option for beginners) or 100% cotton known for its durability. They are available in light, medium, and heavy weights, as well as a variety of colours, with white being the most popular. The best combination of top style, fabric, weight, and colour for you as a martial artist is determined by your training, goals, and preferences. However, as always, check with your coaches and tournament regulations to ensure that your uniform choice is appropriate for your fitness centre and any competitions in which you want to participate.

Dobok

The Tae Kwon Do uniform, also known as the dobok, evolved from the Karate gi, just as Tae Kwon Do evolved from its Karate influences. Consider the top portion of the do bok. Unlike most other martial arts, TKD has embraced a more shirt-like top with a v-neck as the top of the uniform. This allows TKD practitioners to execute the discipline’s rapid and precise strikes without having to worry about their jackets slipping or falling open at any time. V-neck Tae Kwon Do uniforms, like BJJ, Karate, and Judo gis, come in a variety of styles, weights, and colours.

While most of these options will be determined by the individual martial artist’s preferences and goals, there is one TKD-specific rule that must be followed when selecting your uniform: black v-neck collars are reserved for black belts and should only be worn by those who have achieved that rank in Tae Kwon Do.