1. Karate Uniform: Karategi

The traditional karate uniform is called a karategi, although buyers often search for it as a karate gi. It normally consists of a wrap jacket, straight trousers and a rank belt.

Karate relies on fast strikes, blocks, stances and kicks. The uniform should therefore move cleanly without the bulky grip reinforcement found in judo and BJJ garments. A well-cut karategi gives the shoulders and hips enough room while keeping a neat, disciplined silhouette.

Types of Karate Gi

Cotton canvas and cotton twill provide a traditional feel and absorb moisture well. Cotton-polyester fabric usually dries faster and may show less shrinkage. The right choice depends on climate, price position and intended use.

A custom karate uniform can use reinforced underarms, double-stitched main seams, a trouser gusset and either a drawstring or elasticated waistband. Adult competition styles often use a drawstring waist, while junior and entry-level products may combine elastic with a drawstring for convenience.

2. Judo Uniform: Judogi

The judo uniform is called a judogi. It consists of a jacket, trousers and belt. In Japanese terminology, the jacket is the *uwagi*, the trousers are the *zubon* and the belt is the *obi*.

Judo involves repeated gripping, pulling, throwing and groundwork. This explains why a judogi is generally thicker and more heavily reinforced than a karate gi. The International Judo Federation describes the judogi as a garment built to tolerate gripping and throwing, and it maintains current manufacturing regulations for competition models.

Judogi Construction

A training judogi should balance durability, comfort and price. An international competition judogi needs closer control of fabric, dimensions, stiffness, branding and finished fit. Because regulations change, a manufacturer should never assume that a previous season’s specification remains valid.

Arus Sportswear can develop white or blue judogi in junior and adult sizes. Custom options may include club embroidery, woven shoulder labels, branded drawstrings, reinforced knee panels and retail-ready packaging. Competition claims should only be used after the relevant approval and testing process has been completed.

3. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Uniform: BJJ Gi

A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu uniform is known as a BJJ gi, Jiu-Jitsu gi or Jiu-Jitsu kimono. It includes a reinforced jacket, trousers and rank belt.

BJJ places sustained pressure on the uniform. Opponents grip the collar, sleeves and trousers during takedowns and ground fighting. For that reason, BJJ gis require strong woven fabric, secure reinforcement and carefully controlled sizing.

Common BJJ Gi Weaves and Weights

The GSM ranges above are common product-development categories, not a universal competition rule. A lighter jacket is not automatically weaker, because yarn quality, weave density, seam design and finishing also affect performance.

BJJ trousers are commonly made from cotton ripstop, cotton-blend ripstop, drill, twill or canvas. High-stress features include the crotch gusset, knee panel, side vents and drawstring channel.

Current IBJJF guidance requires a woven cotton or cotton-like gi and permits white, royal blue or black as uniform colours. The jacket and trousers must match. Its published belt guidance specifies a belt approximately 4–5 cm wide, with the tied ends hanging about 20–30 cm. Buyers targeting IBJJF events should still check the complete current rulebook before approving production.

4. Taekwondo Uniform: Dobok

The taekwondo uniform is called a dobok. It may use a wrap-style jacket or a pullover top with a V-neck, depending on the organization and purpose.

Taekwondo includes fast kicks, turns and deep stances. A dobok should be light, breathable and generous through the hip and leg. Heavy grappling fabric would restrict the movement that this sport requires.

Poly-cotton twill, lightweight ribbed polyester and diamond-texture performance fabric are common choices. Mesh ventilation can be added where the buyer’s target rules permit it. Other options include chest embroidery, back print, coloured neck trim and coordinated junior and adult sizing.

5. Aikido Uniform: Aikidogi

An aikido uniform may be called an aikidogi, aikido gi or keikogi. The jacket often resembles a lighter judogi because aikido includes grips, throws and partner practice.

Some practitioners also wear a hakama, a pleated garment tied over the trousers. The rules for who may wear a hakama vary between schools.

6. Kung Fu Uniform

Kung Fu includes many Chinese martial arts systems, so there is no single universal uniform. A common traditional style uses a Mandarin collar, frog-button closures and loose trousers.

Training garments should prioritise breathability and seam strength. Demonstration uniforms can use stronger colour, contrast piping and decorative trims, but they still need enough room for deep stances and kicks.

7. Wushu Uniform

Modern wushu uniforms are made for forms, jumps, kicks and acrobatic movement. They normally use a Mandarin-collar top, wide trousers and a sash.

Lightweight satin or performance polyester creates fluid motion and visual impact. The cut must allow a deep stance without pulling across the hips or crotch. Custom wushu uniforms can use academy colours, contrast piping, embroidery and printed detail.

8. Kendo Uniform: Keikogi and Hakama

Kendo practitioners normally wear a woven keikogi jacket and pleated hakama beneath protective armour. Navy, indigo and white are common colours.

Traditional indigo fabrics may release colour during early washes. Brands should therefore agree on dyeing, colourfastness targets and care labelling during development.

9. Hapkido Uniform: Dobok

Hapkido also uses a dobok, although its construction varies between schools. Some versions resemble a taekwondo uniform, while others use a stronger wrap jacket for throws and joint techniques.

The correct style should be based on the academy’s training system. Diamond fabric, coloured lapels, instructor colourways, Korean lettering and embroidered back logos are common custom options.

10. Japanese Jiu-Jitsu Uniform

Traditional Japanese Jiu-Jitsu includes grips, throws, joint locks and groundwork. Many schools therefore use a medium- or heavyweight gi with a reinforced collar, knees and crotch.

Some academies prefer a judo-style construction. Others choose a lighter karate-style uniform. A reference sample or approved technical specification is important because the term “Jiu-Jitsu gi” does not define one universal construction.

11. Sambo Uniform: Kurtka and Shorts

A sambo uniform differs clearly from a standard gi. It normally combines a grip jacket called a kurtka, a belt, fitted shorts and sambo shoes. Red and blue are the recognised competition colour families.

The kurtka needs a strong collar, reinforced shoulders and secure belt-guiding openings. The shorts need a stable close fit with enough stretch for wrestling movement. Competition products must follow the requirements of the target federation or event.

12. Mixed Martial Arts Uniform: MMA Fightwear

MMA athletes generally wear performance fight wear rather than a traditional gi. A typical kit combines a rash guard with flexible fight shorts or compression shorts.

Full sublimation is popular for MMA rash guards because the artwork is transferred into the fabric rather than placed as a raised surface print. Good pattern development is essential: overly loose garments can twist, while an excessively tight product can restrict breathing and movement.

13. No-Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Uniform

No-gi BJJ uses a rash guard with grappling shorts, vale tudo shorts or compression leggings. The close fit reduces loose material during ground fighting.

A complete private-label no-gi collection can include men’s, women’s and youth rash guards, rank-color versions, grappling shorts and spats. The manufacturer should test stretch recovery, colorfastness, seam comfort and sublimation clarity before bulk production.

14. Muay Thai Uniform

Muay Thai athletes are recognized by their short, wide-waisted fight shorts. The design provides room for kicks, knees and hip rotation.

Strong waistband attachment, a comfortable crotch, reinforced side openings and lightweight fabric are more important than decoration alone.

15. Boxing Uniform

A boxing kit normally includes a sleeveless vest and loose trunks. Lightweight satin, mesh and performance interlock are common materials.

The vest should allow shoulder rotation, while the trunks need a stable waistband and enough room for footwork. Club colours, athlete names, national motifs and coordinated robes can be added through sublimation, embroidery or appliqué.

16. Wrestling Singlet

A wrestling singlet is a one-piece stretch uniform. Its close fit allows free movement and limits loose fabric during contact.

Polyester-spandex and nylon-spandex blends are common. Key development points include four-way stretch, flat seams, leg-opening recovery, coverage and a pattern created specifically for men, women or youth athletes. Competition cuts should follow the target organisation’s current requirements.

17. Kickboxing Uniform

Kickboxing apparel varies by style and governing body. Some athletes use long satin trousers and a sleeveless top. Others use boxing-style shorts or modern performance fightwear.

The product brief must therefore name the exact kickboxing format. Long trousers need enough width and crotch depth for high kicks without twisting around the knee.

18. Other Traditional Martial Arts Uniforms

Taido, ninjutsu, kempo, kenpo, iaido, kyudo, kobudo and Krav Maga may use specialised traditional or modern training apparel. Requirements often differ between schools, even within the same discipline.

For these products, an approved reference sample, measurement chart or technical pack is safer than manufacturing from a general product name.

How the Main Martial Arts Uniforms Differ