Short answer. Beginners and children should start with a light 6 to 7oz polycotton or cotton gi; Blitz's Lightweight, Student and Cotton Student include a white belt. Move to a 10 to 12oz cotton canvas gi when you train several times a week. For kata, pick a heavy 14oz gi in a Japanese cut (shorter sleeves and legs); for kumite, a light gi such as Blitz's 3oz Hokori or one cut for kumite such as its 14oz Silver Tournament. Size by height (Blitz 4/170cm fits 170 to 179 cm) and size up for cotton that is not pre-shrunk.
The short version
- Beginner or child: a 6 to 7oz polycotton or cotton student gi. Blitz's come with a white belt.
- Training several times a week, gradings: a 10 to 12oz cotton canvas middleweight.
- Kata: a heavy 14oz gi in a Japanese cut, which keeps the wrists and ankles clear.
- Kumite: a light gi that lets you move fast, or a heavier one cut for kumite. Blitz makes both: the 3oz Hokori and the 14oz Silver Tournament.
- Size: by height. Check our chart and size check, and allow for shrinkage in cotton that is not pre-shrunk.
Gi weight, fabric and cut, side by side
Weight is given in ounces and goes with the fabric: thin polycotton student gis sit at 6 to 8.5oz, cotton canvas middleweights at 10 to 12oz, and heavyweights at 14oz. Heavier canvas is stiffer and lasts longer; lighter gis are cooler and dry faster (Blitz). Microfibre kumite gis are lighter still.
| Blitz gi | Fabric | Cut | Waist | Made for | Comes with |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lightweight | 65/35 polycotton, 6oz | Wrap-over | Elasticated with drawstring | Beginners, first gradings | White belt |
| Student | 65/35 polycotton, 7oz | Wrap-over | Elasticated with drawstring | Beginners; a range of colours | White belt |
| Cotton Student | 100% cotton, 7oz | Wrap-over, extra gusset room | Elasticated with drawstring | Beginners who prefer cotton | White belt |
| Shinzou | 65/35 polycotton, 8.5oz | European | Elasticated with drawstring | Training and competition, warm dojos | No belt |
| Hokori Kumite | Microfibre, 3oz, vented panels | Kumite cut, three-section gusset | Elasticated with drawstring | Kumite, warm climates | Gi bag, no belt |
| Kokoro | Cotton canvas, 10oz | European or Japanese | Elasticated or tie | Training, gradings, competition | Gi bag, no belt |
| Zanshin | Woven cotton canvas, 12oz, pre-shrunk | European | Tie | Regular training and gradings | Gi bag, no belt |
| Silver Tournament Kumite | Cotton canvas, 14oz, pre-shrunk | European | Tie | Kumite | Gi bag, no belt |
| Diamond Kata | Brushed cotton, 14oz | Japanese, smaller lapel | Tie | Kata; advanced students and instructors | Gi bag, no belt |
| Odachi Kata | Brushed cotton canvas, 14oz | Japanese, longer jacket, ¾ sleeve and leg | Tie | Kata; advanced students and instructors | Gi bag, no belt |
From the Blitz product pages. Polycotton is 65% polyester and 35% cotton.
European or Japanese cut
A European cut has full-length sleeves and trousers. A Japanese cut is shorter in the sleeve and leg, leaving the wrists and ankles clear, and is the usual choice for kata gis (Blitz). For competition the WKF also sets the fit: the jacket sleeves must reach at least halfway down the forearm but not past the bend of the wrist, the trousers must cover at least two-thirds of the shin but not go below the ankle bone, and sleeves and legs may not be rolled up. WKF gis are plain white, with no stripes or piping (WKF Kumite Rules 2026, Article 2.2.1). Clubs often have their own colour or badge, so check before you order.
Kata gi or kumite gi
Kata gis are heavy (Blitz's are 14oz brushed cotton) and cut short, and Blitz says the brushed cotton gives the crisp snap expected from a kata gi. Kumite gis put speed first: Blitz's Hokori is 3oz microfibre with vented panels, and its Silver Tournament is a 14oz canvas gi in a European cut that Blitz designs for kumite. If you do both and only want one gi, a 10 to 12oz middleweight such as the Kokoro or Zanshin is made for training, gradings and competition (Blitz). For the rest of the kumite kit, see karate sparring gear.
Karate gi size chart
Blitz numbers its gi sizes by height: the number before the slash is the size, the number after it is the bottom of the height band. Kids' sizes run to 2/150cm and adult sizes start at 3/160cm (Blitz).
| Blitz size | Height |
|---|---|
| 0000/100cm | 100–109 cm |
| 000/110cm | 110–119 cm |
| 00/120cm | 120–129 cm |
| 0/130cm | 130–139 cm |
| 1/140cm | 140–149 cm |
| 2/150cm | 150–159 cm |
| 3/160cm | 160–169 cm |
| 4/170cm | 170–179 cm |
| 5/180cm | 180–189 cm |
| 6/190cm | 190–199 cm |
| 7/200cm | 200 cm and up |
From the size guides on the Blitz gi pages. The heavier gis (Zanshin, Silver Tournament, Diamond, Odachi) are also sold in half sizes such as 3.5/165cm and 4.5/175cm, and the Student gi goes up to 8/210cm (Blitz size options).
The chart goes by height only. Some buyers with a heavier build say in Blitz's reviews that their height size felt tight in the body, so if you are broad, look at the half size or next size up.
Gi size check
Will it shrink?
Blitz describes the Zanshin and Silver Tournament as pre-shrunk, so they keep their size after washing. Cotton gis that are not pre-shrunk can shrink: some buyers of the Cotton Student and Diamond gis say in Blitz's reviews that theirs shrank after washing, while polycotton Student gi buyers say theirs did not. If you buy a heavy cotton gi at the top of a height band, size up, wash it cool and wash a white gi on its own.
Kids' gis
Every Blitz gi above is also made in kids' sizes, from 0000/100cm to 2/150cm on the chart; the heavy kata and kumite gis start at 1/140cm (Blitz size options). For a child's first year, a 6 to 7oz gi with an elasticated drawstring waist is the easy choice: it is light, it adjusts as they grow, and Blitz's Lightweight, Student and Cotton Student gis include a white belt. When your child starts sparring, the kit list is in karate sparring gear.
UK picks: Blitz
Blitz is a UK martial arts store and one of our partner stores, and it makes all of these gis under its own name, in adult and kids' sizes. Blitz is not on the WKF's 2025–2029 list of approved brands, so these are for club training, gradings and competitions that accept them. They run from lightest to heaviest within each use. It is not a score.
Blitz Lightweight Karate Gi
Blitz's lightest cotton-mix gi, made as a first uniform for regular training and early gradings.
- 65% polyester / 35% cotton, 6oz; dries quickly (Blitz)
- Elasticated waist with drawstring tie (Blitz)
- White belt included; kids' sizes from 0000/100cm (Blitz)
Blitz Student Karate Gi
A 7oz polycotton wrap-over gi in a range of colours for clubs that do not train in white (Blitz).
- 65% polyester / 35% cotton, 7oz; double-stitched seams (Blitz)
- Elastic/tie waist (Blitz)
- White belt included; adult sizes up to 8/210cm (Blitz size options)
Blitz Cotton Student Karate Gi
The same student cut in 100% cotton, with extra room through the gusset for kicks and stances (Blitz).
- 100% cotton, 7oz (Blitz)
- Elasticated waist with drawstring tie; double-stitched seams (Blitz)
- White belt included (Blitz)
Blitz Shinzou Karate Gi
A breathable 8.5oz polycotton gi in a European cut for training and competition, especially in warmer climates (Blitz).
- 65% polyester / 35% cotton, 8.5oz; reinforced seams (Blitz)
- European cut: full-length sleeves and trousers (Blitz)
- Elasticated waist with drawstring; belt not included (Blitz)
Blitz Hokori Kumite Karate Gi
A 3oz microfibre gi built for kumite, with ventilated panels across the shoulders, underarms, waist, hips and back (Blitz).
- Microfibre, 3oz; moisture-wicking, quick-drying (Blitz)
- Three-section gusset for fast kicks and footwork (Blitz)
- Elasticated waist with drawstring; gi bag included, belt not (Blitz)
Blitz Kokoro Karate Gi
A 10oz cotton canvas middleweight for regular training, gradings and competition, with a choice of cut and waistband (Blitz).
- 100% cotton canvas, 10oz (Blitz)
- European or Japanese cut; elasticated or traditional tie waist (Blitz)
- Gi bag included, belt not (Blitz)
Blitz Zanshin Karate Gi
A 12oz woven cotton canvas gi in a European cut; the fabric is pre-shrunk so it keeps its size after washing (Blitz).
- 100% woven cotton canvas, 12oz, pre-shrunk (Blitz)
- European cut; traditional tie-waist trousers (Blitz)
- Gi bag included, belt not (Blitz)
Blitz Silver Tournament Kumite Karate Gi
A pre-shrunk 14oz canvas gi that Blitz designs for kumite, where speed and free movement matter.
- 100% cotton canvas, 14oz, pre-shrunk (Blitz)
- Traditional European cut; tie-waist trousers (Blitz)
- Gi bag included, belt not (Blitz)
Blitz Diamond Kata Karate Gi
A 14oz brushed cotton kata gi with a Japanese cut and a smaller lapel, for advanced students and instructors (Blitz).
- 100% brushed cotton, 14oz (Blitz)
- Japanese cut: shorter sleeves and trouser legs; tie waist (Blitz)
- Gi bag included, belt not; a choice of colours (Blitz)
Blitz Odachi Kata Karate Gi
Blitz's heavyweight kata gi: a longer jacket that stays in place, ¾-length sleeves and legs, and a gusset that stops the trousers hitching.
- 100% brushed cotton canvas, 14oz; lined shoulders (Blitz)
- Japanese cut; three-section trouser gusset; tie waist (Blitz)
- Gi bag included, belt not (Blitz)
Moving up a grade? Blitz sells colour belts with a stripe too.
In the US
Our US partner store, Revgear, does not sell karate gis. Its reversible sparring chest guard is covered in karate sparring gear.
On Amazon (US)
Look for the fabric and weight in ounces, the cut and the maker's size chart on the listing, and check that it says WKF Approved if you need it for competition.
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FAQ
What weight karate gi should a beginner get?
A light 6 to 7oz gi in polycotton or cotton. Blitz makes its Lightweight (6oz) and Student and Cotton Student (7oz) gis for beginners, and all three come with a white belt. Move to a 10 to 12oz cotton canvas gi when you train several times a week.
What is the difference between a kata gi and a kumite gi?
A kata gi is heavy and usually has a Japanese cut with shorter sleeves and legs; Blitz's Diamond and Odachi are 14oz brushed cotton. A kumite gi puts speed and free movement first: Blitz's Hokori is 3oz vented microfibre, and its 14oz Silver Tournament has a European cut made for kumite.
What size karate gi do I need?
Go by height. On Blitz's chart, 3/160cm fits 160 to 169 cm, 4/170cm fits 170 to 179 cm and 5/180cm fits 180 to 189 cm; kids' sizes run from 0000/100cm to 2/150cm. If you are broad or the gi is cotton that is not pre-shrunk, consider a half size or the next size up.
Do karate gis shrink?
Cotton gis that are not pre-shrunk can shrink after washing; polycotton gis shrink very little. Blitz's Zanshin and Silver Tournament are pre-shrunk. Wash cool and wash a white gi on its own.
What is the difference between a European and a Japanese cut gi?
A European cut has full-length sleeves and trousers. A Japanese cut is shorter in the sleeve and leg, leaving the wrists and ankles clear. In WKF competition the sleeves must reach halfway down the forearm but not past the wrist, and the trousers must cover two-thirds of the shin but not go below the ankle bone.
Does a karate gi come with a belt?
Student gis often do: Blitz's Lightweight, Student and Cotton Student gis include a white belt. Its middleweight and heavyweight gis come with a gi bag but no belt.
Sources
- WKF, Kumite Competition Rules 2026 (Article 2.2.1)
- WKF, letter on approved protections and karategis 2025–2029 (July 2024)
- Blitz, Adult Lightweight Karate Gi (specs, size guide, reviews)
- Blitz, Adult Student Karate Gi (specs, size guide, reviews)
- Blitz, Adult Cotton Student Karate Gi (specs, size guide, reviews)
- Blitz, Adult Shinzou Karate Gi (specs, size guide, reviews)
- Blitz, Adult Hokori Kumite Karate Gi (specs, size guide, reviews)
- Blitz, Adult Kokoro Karate Gi (specs, size guide, reviews)
- Blitz, Adult Zanshin Karate Gi (specs, size guide, reviews)
- Blitz, Adult Silver Tournament Kumite Karate Gi (specs, size guide, reviews)
- Blitz, Adult Diamond Kata Karate Gi (specs, size guide, reviews)
- Blitz, Adult Odachi Kata Karate Gi (specs, size guide, reviews)
- Blitz, Kids Lightweight Karate Gi (kids' size guide)
- Blitz, Kids Cotton Student Karate Gi
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