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DarthPenguin
Brown Belt

Joined: 03 Dec 2021
Posts: 723
Location: Glasgow, Scotland
Styles: Shotokan, Judo, BJJ
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Posted: Mon May 23, 2022 3:18 am Post subject: Isami Karate Gi question |
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Hi All,
I am going to get a new Gi shortly and was wondering what people thought of Isami gi's for Shotokan? I know they have quite a strong Kyokushin following but it looks like their traditional gi is fine for Shotokan.
I have a few of their BJJ gi's that i picked up in Tokyo a decade ago and i really like them - soft and extremely well made, so i thought i might go for one of their karate ones next.
I did also have a question on the sizing : my BJJ gi's are a size '6' and it looks like they only go up to a size 5 on their website - does anyone know if they do a size 6 in the karate gi's? I saw that all of the gi's are made to order, so if the sizing exists i wouldn't see it being a massive issue.
Failing that is there another brand/gi that people would recommend as a similar alternative quality wise (without getting into the realms of £300!)
Thanks! |
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Shojiko
Orange Belt

Joined: 08 Oct 2014
Posts: 163
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Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2022 2:21 pm Post subject: |
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with Isami/reversal brand, its a hit or miss for me. I have personally ordered street clothing from their site and some items I loved, and some I noticed were made of cheap quality. What makes it worst is their return policy, it is very expensive to ship back to Japan. Make sure you order size up because their sizes run small IMO. Their prices are expensive IMO, and you can prob get better quality products here for lower pricing. Mind you, their products are not made in Japan, almost all the products Ive purchased from them has tags "Made in China" (no offense)
I bought a active pants from them a few months ago and was utterly disappointed because if felt like some cheap fabric you can order from amazon, size also ran small. I actually took the item to a alteration place and the measurements were off compared to what was advertised, to make things worst, shipping back for return was almost the same price as the item so I am now stuck with it. |
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Shojiko
Orange Belt

Joined: 08 Oct 2014
Posts: 163
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Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2022 2:25 pm Post subject: |
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Check out Shuriedo or KI international (Ki is cheaper in pricing), Have used their Gis for years and they are excellent! |
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aurik
KF Sempai

Joined: 08 Nov 2016
Posts: 458
Location: Denver, CO
Styles: Shuri-Ryu, Uechi-Ryu
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Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2022 3:44 pm Post subject: |
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Meijin gis are popular among advanced students at my dojo. Quality materials, various embroidery options available, and sizes available for certain styles up to 12. _________________ My Journey (So Far)
Shuri-Ryu 1996-1997 - Gokyu
Judo 1996-1997 - Yonkyu
Uechi-Ryu 2018-Present - Nidan
ABS Bladesmith 2021-Present - Apprentice |
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DarthPenguin
Brown Belt

Joined: 03 Dec 2021
Posts: 723
Location: Glasgow, Scotland
Styles: Shotokan, Judo, BJJ
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2022 5:43 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for the suggestions!
I have a couple of Isami BJJ gi's already that i have had for years so they came to mind straight away as a decent brand, but if there are others that are better (and sized better too) then i will take a look  |
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Zaine
Black Belt

Joined: 31 Aug 2005
Posts: 2243
Location: Dallas, TX
Styles: Matsumura-Seito, Shobayashi-Ryu, Shudokan, Long Fist, American Street Karate, Southern Mantis, HEMA
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2022 6:35 am Post subject: |
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DarthPenguin wrote: |
Thanks for the suggestions!
I have a couple of Isami BJJ gi's already that i have had for years so they came to mind straight away as a decent brand, but if there are others that are better (and sized better too) then i will take a look  |
Honestly if it's a brand you like and are comfortable with already then I would just go with that. Gis can vary so much between manufacturer, so if you've found something that you like then stick with it. _________________ Martial arts training is 30% classroom training, 70% solo training.
https://www.instagram.com/nordic_karate/ |
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smuraix1
Yellow Belt

Joined: 06 Jun 2022
Posts: 31
Styles: Shotokan, Shindo jinen Ryu, C.Gracie Lineage jiu jitsu
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2022 2:05 pm Post subject: |
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Fuji is my go to BJJ gi, their sekai gi is SOLID
for Shotokan-Ive even had Century gis that have held up through wars hehe
but currently, I use Ki and Shureido
don't get me wrong, I like Isami, they just need to work on their consistency with quality and manufacturing (especially for the price they advertise) |
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DarthPenguin
Brown Belt

Joined: 03 Dec 2021
Posts: 723
Location: Glasgow, Scotland
Styles: Shotokan, Judo, BJJ
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Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2022 5:36 am Post subject: |
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smuraix1 wrote: |
Fuji is my go to BJJ gi, their sekai gi is SOLID
for Shotokan-Ive even had Century gis that have held up through wars hehe
but currently, I use Ki and Shureido
don't get me wrong, I like Isami, they just need to work on their consistency with quality and manufacturing (especially for the price they advertise) |
Thanks, that seems like a few votes for Shureido and KI so i think i'll check them both out.
From a quick look at their sites their sizing options look like they might be a bit better anyway - i'm 193cm so the Isami ones might have been a little small.
Thanks for the suggestions  |
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DarthPenguin
Brown Belt

Joined: 03 Dec 2021
Posts: 723
Location: Glasgow, Scotland
Styles: Shotokan, Judo, BJJ
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Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2022 5:37 am Post subject: |
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Zaine wrote: |
DarthPenguin wrote: |
Thanks for the suggestions!
I have a couple of Isami BJJ gi's already that i have had for years so they came to mind straight away as a decent brand, but if there are others that are better (and sized better too) then i will take a look  |
Honestly if it's a brand you like and are comfortable with already then I would just go with that. Gis can vary so much between manufacturer, so if you've found something that you like then stick with it. |
Yeah that's why i was thinking about their karate gi's. But since i have only ever tried their BJJ ones i was curious if there was a difference in quality for their karate ones etc.
Thanks for the input though  |
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stoneheart
Orange Belt

Joined: 06 Apr 2004
Posts: 152
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Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2022 7:37 am Post subject: Re: Isami Karate Gi question |
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DarthPenguin wrote: |
Hi All
Failing that is there another brand/gi that people would recommend as a similar alternative quality wise (without getting into the realms of £300!)
Thanks! |
Tokaido has long been a standard in Shotokan. Go with the ones made in Japan - there is indeed a difference I can see and feel in the fabric and cut despite what some people will say on the internet. |
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