Uniforms - your most important piece of equipment
And probably the most overlooked. We cover some uniform history and, hopefully, everything you need to know about choosing the right uniform to enhance your martial arts journey.
A rainbow of colours
Traditionally, most martial arts styles used plain white uniforms. This was because white was the only colour available when these styles developed.
Later on, black and blue uniforms started to appear. Black was originally identified with Ninjitsu and some Karate styles and blue with Judo.
As the traditional styles developed, various sub-styles of these, as well as new styles of non-traditional martial arts, appeared.
Many of them chose uniforms in different styles and colours to differentiate themselves.
Nowadays, you can go to any multi-style martial arts event in Australia or New Zealand and see a wide range of uniforms of different types and colours.
A uniform size for everyone
Most martial arts uniforms come in a range of sizes based on the wearer's height.
The cut of the uniform is loose, so 90% of men will be able to fit a uniform size in their height range. Unfortunately, the same percentage does not apply to women. If you are not in the 90% range, you may have to get a split uniform—for example, a pair of Size 4 pants and a Size 6 jacket. Buying two uniforms adds to the cost, but we can provide separate pants and jackets for some of our uniforms. Then there is also the custom-made option.
To complicate things further, there is no standard sizing convention, so you can have a Size 5 uniform from one manufacturer and another that is entirely different. Some manufacturers also compound this by using imperial measurements and other metrics.
Fabrics - what is best?
Another significant change over the years is the range of uniform fabric types and weights that are now available.
Traditionally, martial arts uniforms were made from cotton. Cotton's greatest advantage is its breathability, which is great for keeping one's body cool in hot weather.
Even though it may hold moisture longer than a polycotton fabric, it can keep your body cool in hot weather. It can feel more comfortable than all other fabrics but tends to be more expensive.
Uniforms made 100% from polyester, an artificial fabric, are also available. They are lightweight, durable, and cheaper than cotton uniforms. The main disadvantage is that 100% polyester garments trap heat and stick to the skin when you sweat, making martial arts training sticky and uncomfortable. Because of this, 100% polyester uniforms are not practical for most martial artists, so we don’t stock them.
Nowadays, most uniforms are made from a blend of cotton and polyester fabrics called polycotton. Polycotton gives you the best of both worlds. The cotton allows the uniform to breathe, retain its shape better, and not shrink when washed. The polyester component adds durability and is much more tear-resistant.
We stock 100% cotton and polycotton uniforms (usually 65% cotton and 35% polyester).
Lightweight or heavier fabric?
Fabric weight is the weight of one square meter or yard of fabric measured in ounces. Originally, most uniforms were made from lighter fabrics (5-ounce to 8-ounce), which were great for striking-only arts but not so good for grappling arts as they tore and ripped too easily.
Because of this, heavier fabric weights in the 12-ounce to 14-ounce range became the norm for grappling arts like Judo and Ju-Jitsu. These offer excellent durability, but the heavier weight can lead to overheating, especially in the warmer months. Uniforms made from fabrics in the 8-ounce to 12-ounce range offer the best of both worlds and are ideal for styles that practice both striking and grappling.
There is a practical upper and lower limit to the fabric weight range that can be used for martial arts uniforms. Five ounces is as low as you can go, as 5 ounces, while very light is like a cotton business shirt, it is not robust enough for martial arts training. However, uniforms of this fabric weight are excellent for very young children. At the other end of the scale, 14-ounces is as heavy as you would want to go as, from a practical point of view, anything heavier starts to affect mobility and would also become very hot to wear.
What about style?
In addition to colour and weight, there is now a wide range of different styles of uniforms and their construction methods. The most basic style of uniform has a simple cut and double stitching only on the stress points. These are good entry-level uniforms and are used by most people as they can last for quite a while, especially if they are washed regularly and looked after properly. They are also popular with martial arts schools that want to maintain a small stock of uniforms for their members.
From this simple style, there are many more uniforms with different cuts and styles to suit particular martial arts better. These are of higher quality, so they cost more, but they last longer and can provide great ease of movement.
Some also have cross-stitching on the jacket. This is not only decorative but also strengthens the fabric, giving the garment the durability of a heavier-weight fabric without the potential issues of heat and loss of some mobility.
Custom-made uniforms
Arguably, we now stock the widest range of martial arts uniforms in Australasia, so we should be able to meet most of your needs.
But what if you can’t get what you want from us or another supplier? This is where custom-made uniforms come in. You can choose your fabric colour, fabric type, and fabric weight, along with a particular style of uniform tailored to your own measurements and body type.
Many companies worldwide provide custom-made uniforms, and we can access some of them. If you want a one-of-a-kind custom-made uniform, we can help you obtain it.