Karate gi
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Karategi (空手着 or 空手衣) is the Japanese name for the karate training uniform.
A karategi is somewhat similar to a judogi (柔道着 or 柔道衣, Judo uniform) as it shares a common origin, however the material and cut of the uniform is generally much lighter and looser fitting. Due to the nature of Karate training which emphasizes striking, kicking and a more limited range of standing throws compared to Judo the karategi has evolved in a manner that maximizes mobility and speed without the extremely coarse and strong fabric required for grappling and throwing found in Judo.
Indeed cheaper karategi are often cut from a light fabric similar to a summer shirt. These karategi are easily ripped, and tend to adhere to the practitioner's skin, creating some discomfort after any extensive perspiration is experienced. Such karategi material is no heavier than the 8 oz weight fabric.
Most quality karategi are cut from a light canvas style cloth which will stand up to a considerable amount of abuse without restricting the mobility of the karateka. Typically, such karategi use at least a 10 oz cotton canvas, and can stand up to more rigorous applications.
The advanced practitioners seem to favor the use of a heavier fabric. 12 or 14 oz cotton canvas is usually the norm, although some manufacturers offer 16 oz materials, and some karategi manufacturers will use another processing step to brush the cotton canvas, creating a more comfortable feel. Despite the extra weight of the heavier fabrics, most experienced practitioners prefer them due to their durability, and the ability of the thicker fabric to wick away perspiration. It is not unusual for a martial artist to feel better cooled when using a heavier karategi, compared to the cheaper karategi (often referred to as paperthin gis).
Different styles of Karate have slightly different uniforms though all share the same basic design, differing only in the lengths of sleeves, legs and the skirt of the uwagi (jacket). Many karateka tend to wear their obi (belt) much longer than judoka and other martial artists.
Karategi are sometimes worn to practice other arts, such as jujutsu, when the practitioners are young and can expect to grow out of the gi in a few years; in this case, their reduced durability in comparison to judogi is less of a factor, and buying karategi until the practitioner stops growing is more cost-effective.
[edit] History
The karate gi appears to have been developed from the Judo uniform. When Gichin Funakoshi demonstrated karate in Japan at the Kodokan, he still wore a traditional judo gi.
