Judo Gi Opinions

MadMardegan

My girlfriend wants to buy me a new gi for Xmas (I realise Xmas is over but she was away with her family).

Anyway, I have 3 in mind and I just wanted to hear your opinions.

Mizuno Shiai - Blue
Essimo Ippon - Blue
Fighting Films Master Gi - Blue

Anyone have anything to say about them or could you recommend me another well known gi with good reviews?
Looking for something comp legal also.
Price would be around 160 sterling. Anymore expensive is fine as I'm willing to split the cost.

Thanks guys

just-joe

I would buy Fighting Films just because of all the cool judoka that use there judogis.

MadMardegan

just-joe wrote: »

I would buy Fighting Films just because of all the cool judoka that use there judogis.

Not really into that. Only reason I choose those 3 particular ones is because they seem to have really good reviews. I've seen the Essimo on one guy and it looked super nice.

Also, is there any advantage/disadvantage for choosing a white over blue?

arybvtcw0eolkf

MadMardegan wrote: »

My girlfriend wants to buy me a new gi for Xmas (I realise Xmas is over but she was away with her family).

Anyway, I have 3 in mind and I just wanted to hear your opinions.

Mizuno Shiai - Blue
Essimo Ippon - Blue
Fighting Films Master Gi - Blue

I had two Mizuno Shiai and both shrank very badly, in fact I got very little wear of of them.

I currently use two FF Master Gi, and honestly they're head shoulders above anything else I've worn.. An absolutely sublime Gi.

I've never used an Essimo so can't comment on one.

Also, is there any advantage/disadvantage for choosing a white over blue?

None what so ever.

MadMardegan

Jude Plain Rehearsal wrote: »

I had two Mizuno Shiai and both shrank very badly, in fact I got very little wear of of them.

I currently use two FF Master Gi, and honestly they're head shoulders above anything else I've worn.. An absolutely sublime Gi.

I've never used an Essimo so can't comment on one.



None what so ever.

Can you comment on the cut of the FF MG? Wat size are you and what size do you take?
Any shrinkage?

I've read that if you want to rank and compete you need a white gi, didn't really believe it either but just thought I'd ask. Only reason is I want a blue one is cause I think it would suit me more :P

arybvtcw0eolkf

MadMardegan wrote: »

Can you comment on the cut of the FF MG? Wat size are you and what size do you take?
Any shrinkage?

I've read that if you want to rank and compete you need a white gi, didn't really believe it either but just thought I'd ask. Only reason is I want a blue one is cause I think it would suit me more :P

I'm 6'2'' and 120kgs, I wear a 185 Gi and in the FF there's been no shrinkage. If you're buying from Alan Martin he won't put you wrong.

I've a blue and a white FF gi, and unless you're fighting at a high level international level the color of your Gi won't matter.

Usually the blue Gi is a little more expensive (by about a tenner), but beginners like the blue ~ go for which ever color you'd like to show up training in.

You should be washing your gear after every practice so worries about blood and other staines shouldn't be a matter of consideration.

MadMardegan

Jude Plain Rehearsal wrote: »

I'm 6'2'' and 120kgs, I wear a 185 Gi and in the FF there's been no shrinkage. If you're buying from Alan Martin he won't put you wrong.

I've a blue and a white FF gi, and unless you're fighting at a high level international level the color of your Gi won't matter.

Usually the blue Gi is a little more expensive (by about a tenner), but beginners like the blue ~ go for which ever color you'd like to show up training in.

You should be washing your gear after every practice so worries about blood and other staines shouldn't be a matter of consideration.

Thanks for the help man.

Don't suppose you could put me in touch with anyone (or is there even anyone) in Dublin who sells ff or mizuno or essimo gi's, so I could try them on?

arybvtcw0eolkf

MadMardegan wrote: »

Thanks for the help man.

Don't suppose you could put me in touch with anyone (or is there even anyone) in Dublin who sells ff or mizuno or essimo gi's, so I could try them on?

Sure, call Alan Martin @ 0862703220.. Alan might recommend a DanRo Gi, he has them fairly cheap and they're a fine judogi and much cheaper than the other's you've mentioned.

I'm getting the impression you're beginning Judo, in which case I'd advise you go to for a Danro Gi.

If you want PM me what club you're training with, your coach might have access to good gear ~ or we may be crossing paths soon enough.

Btw I train with Portmarnock Judo Club, and occasionally with the Garda Judo Club ~ but my 'home' club is Portmarnock.

A plug ~ if by chance you're a member of the defence forces we have a club too :P

Doug Cartel

MadMardegan wrote: »

Also, is there any advantage/disadvantage for choosing a white over blue?

If you're a beginner, get a white one. I don't think that there's anywhere around that explicitly makes people use white, but I have seen seminars where this was the case. Also some people consider blue a competition colour, so if you turn up wearing blue they could think you're a bit cocky, or at least looking for a more competitive randori session, so that's something you should look out for.

My first suit was blue, btw.

arybvtcw0eolkf

Doug Cartel wrote: »

If you're a beginner, get a white one. I don't think that there's anywhere around that explicitly makes people use white, but I have seen seminars where this was the case. Also some people consider blue a competition colour, so if you turn up wearing blue they could think you're a bit cocky, or at least looking for a more competitive randori session, so that's something you should look out for.

I'll be honest and say I don't attend seminars so I can't comment on a seminar preferring a white Gi over blue ~ but;

Also some people consider blue a competition colour, so if you turn up wearing blue they could think you're a bit cocky, or at least looking for a more competitive randori session

Seriously?.

Kimura

Generally its easier for people running a competition if you are in a white Judogi rather then a blue,

But generally white is not preferred over blue.

But Competition thing is true about a blue suit, but not in this country, its mainly in Europe. Mainly France. Go to a french training camp in a blue suit and see how you get on.

As far as brands go

Mizuno is a nice suit, very strong well made but there is a lot of shrinkage over time.
Fighting Films make some nice Judogi either the Fighting Films brand or The tagoya brand, Both made by same company.
Never had a Essimo but have trained with some who have had, felt nice and strong.

All good brands Just pick the one you like the look of.

Jonah42

MadMardegan wrote: »

Also, is there any advantage/disadvantage for choosing a white over blue?

I've heard that blue gi's shrink less because of the dying process they went through, not sure how true that is though.

just-joe

Not that it matters much for doing judo in Ireland but no one in Japan wears a blue suit for training and it would probably look a bit strange/funny if you wore one.

Also, white looks cooler so you should get white!

MadMardegan

just-joe wrote: »

Not that it matters much for doing judo in Ireland but no one in Japan wears a blue suit for training and it would probably look a bit strange/funny if you wore one.

Also, white looks cooler so you should get white!

I think blue looks much better but it seems like white's the safer option.

Now I just have to decide on a brand!

Oh, are the FF's pre shrunk?

arybvtcw0eolkf

MadMardegan wrote: »

I think blue looks much better but it seems like white's the safer option.

Now I just have to decide on a brand!

Oh, are the FF's pre shrunk?

I'm not sure if FF gi's are pre-shrunk, it'll say so on their website I guess ~ or Alan Martin might be able to tell you.

As regards the color, unless you're a judo purist and training in a club which insists on a white gi ~ then its your money and you're the one who has to show up to training in it, so get which ever one makes you happiest to train in.

I'm finding with the increased popularity of BJJ that more and more people are showing up to judo training wearing BJJ Gi's ~ tbh I don't particularly like people doing it, its harder to grip for starts but in the last ten years I've only seen one comment to a lad who showed up in a black Gi. He was simply asked not to wear it to training again.

If you buy the blue gi ~ to maintain its color turn it inside out when you wash it otherwise it'll fade, and regardless what color or make you buy DON'T use fabric softer in the wash

Other Gi which was very popular for awhile is Norris available from Jen in Blanchardstown @ 0876897814.. Her family go back to the very first Judoka training in Ireland.

the Norris gi is heavy and tough as old boots.

MadMardegan

Jude Plain Rehearsal wrote: »

I'm not sure if FF gi's are pre-shrunk, it'll say so on their website I guess ~ or Alan Martin might be able to tell you.

As regards the color, unless you're a judo purist and training in a club which insists on a white gi ~ then its your money and you're the one who has to show up to training in it, so get which ever one makes you happiest to train in.

I'm finding with the increased popularity of BJJ that more and more people are showing up to judo training wearing BJJ Gi's ~ tbh I don't particularly like people doing it, its harder to grip for starts but in the last ten years I've only seen one comment to a lad who showed up in a black Gi. He was simply asked not to wear it to training again.

If you buy the blue gi ~ to maintain its color turn it inside out when you wash it otherwise it'll fade, and regardless what color or make you buy DON'T use fabric softer in the wash

Other Gi which was very popular for awhile is Norris available from Jen in Blanchardstown @ 0876897814.. Her family go back to the very first Judoka training in Ireland.

the Norris gi is heavy and tough as old boots.

Ha, I train in a black bjj gi too but the instructor told me I was better off like that, because I train in the two styles. I don't feel really comfortable going training in it though, feels pretentious for some reason.

I think I'm gonna buy a white one for now and probably go blue for my next one.

Do you have any more contact numbers for people selling imported brands?

arybvtcw0eolkf

MadMardegan wrote: »

Do you have any more contact numbers for people selling imported brands?

Nope, and if you find anyone chances are they're being supplied by one or the other of the above.

Doug Cartel

Jude Plain Rehearsal wrote: »

Seriously?.

Yeah I've had people mention it to me before, especially when I was new.

I don't think anyone would be looking to **** you up for wearing the wrong colour, but in randori, you adapt your intensity to suit your partner and gi colour might - subconsciously at least - make you think that the person you were with was a bit more experienced.

arybvtcw0eolkf

Doug Cartel wrote: »

Yeah I've had people mention it to me before, especially when I was new.

I don't think anyone would be looking to **** you up for wearing the wrong colour, but in randori, you adapt your intensity to suit your partner and gi colour might - subconsciously at least - make you think that the person you were with was a bit more experienced.

Just speaking personally and from experience of training in a few Dublin clubs I've never experienced that.

Gi colour wouldn't influence me, getting thrown on my ass would