Why should you spend upwards of 200 euros on a Karategi?

I’m Gui, and today we’re looking at the legendary Shureido K10.

I’ve been training since I was four, and I’ve seen many Karate Gis, but this one? It’s like the “Porsche 911” of Karate Gis.

Comfort & Build – 9 out of 10

First impressions: it’s 100% cotton. It’s heavy, it’s stiff, and the first time you wear it, you feel like you’re inside a cardboard box. But here’s the thing: it breathes. Unlike those polyester 'plastic bags' some brands sell, this actually respects your skin. It will shrink, but don’t buy one size up from your actual height – it comes already sized up. I’m 172 cm and I made that mistake by ordering the 175 and here I am, with a bit of an oversized pair of pants. And this is almosr 2 years of intensive wear.

Aesthetic & Fit – 8 out of 10

I’m 80 kg, around 15 kg of guilty pleasure. I struggle with buying shirts as I have broad shoulders and chest but this feel nice. The fit is traditional. It’s not a slim-fit, modern look. It’s boxy, it’s baggy. It’s old school. It doesn’t say “I’m built different”. It says, “I’ll show you what I can do”.

If you want to look like a Power Ranger, look elsewhere. If you want to look like you just came out of a 1970s Okinawan dojo, this is it.

The Snap Test  – 7 out of 10

Listen to this. That’s not just fabric moving; that’s the sound of Shureido’s history. For Kata practitioners, this is pure dopamine. It makes your movements sound 10% faster and stronger. It’s really a Marketing gimmick, but it sure works. You don’t want to feel like a card box or even look like one but you don’t want to lose that snap also. This one, after so many washing, lost that initial bright and loud snap. Yet Shureido’s K10 is the perfect balance between looking humble and hardworking, but still snap.

To Be and to Last Test  – 10 out of 10

My karate training is not just kata or kihon. A big part of my training is also calisthenics. My Parkour background has ingrained the motto “Être et Durer”, which means to “To Be and to Last”. I don’t usually do this type of training with a karate Gi on, but it sure helps me understand and test if it sits and moves as it should – if it gives me freedom of movement and still provides protection and comfort during hard training sessions where we’ll be dropping sweat. And if by the end, it still looks good.

How will we test this? Well, by running, rowing, pulling and doing some groundwork. If it still looks cool – it’s a Karate Gi that will probably last for a long time.

For Whom

Is it worth more than 200 euros? Well, let’s be honest – it depends. Unlike a motorcycle helmet that it just doesn’t make sense to buy cheap – my head is worth way more than a hundred euros – Karate Gis are not meant to protect your life. But they rather do the opposite – they are meant for you to test your limits. This is not a Karate Gi to show off in a tournament. It’s something that will endure your hardest training sessions and keep up with you throughout the years. It’s an investment for those that know they’ll still be training in 5 years’ time.

Alternatives

Tokaido Kata Master

Tokaido Kata Master is the alternative for those that seek a more Japanese cut, a slimmer and shorter version of a traditional Karate Gi like the Shureido K10.

Shureido New Wave 3

Full disclosure: This is my favourite Karate Gi. It’s not as boxy as the Shureido K10 and it’s not 100% cotton (it will not shrink as much). It also has a fitter waist, but it’s roomy as the K10 and certainly looks as durable.

Conclusion

Is it worth it? To me? In one word – Yes, I bought it. Would I buy it again? Yes.

It’s an investment in your 'Percurso' - your journey. It’ll last you more than half a decade if you don't wash it above 20 degrees (Celsius). I got mine at Hajime Karate, because they actually know what they’re talking about. Link is in the description and no, they didn't pay me to say this, I actually bought this one with my own money.