Difference between a $200 gi and an All Around gi
To understand something completely, we need to break it down to it's fundamental parts.
We'll approach this from first principles.
What makes a great gi?
It boils down to 3 Fs.
Fabric: What is it made of?
Fabrication: How is it made?
Fitting: How does it fit?
THE FIRST F
Origins of Fabric
For most people, this is the most visceral difference.
They can feel the fabric and touch it, see it's appearance.
The spectrum here is quite wide.
This is why you can find $60 gis in the market and $200 gis as well.
There are a lot of things that influence the quality of the fabric.
Fabric Weight
This is measured in Grams per Square Meter and shows the fabric's density and durability.
Generally, a higher GSM means a heavier, more durable fabric.
This is also why your favorite hoodie is possibly of a higher GSM too.
This is also why you won't see high-end brands do a lighter GSM, it compromises a lot on the quality of the gi.
When we released our 380 GSM in addition to our 450 GSM we were a bit hesitant because people start associating those with a lower quality.
This is why we let people know that if they are in a hotter climate and want something lightweight, 380 will do the trick but they will not be as durable as the 450 ones.
Fabric Weave
Here you have a choice between Pearl Weave, Single Weave, Double Weave and Gold Weaves. All of them have their place but you'll notice that all the high-end luxury brands will lean towards a Pearl Weave formation. The cheaper brands lean more towards a single weave to save costs.
Basically, Pearl Weave has an exceptional strength-to-weight ration.
It feels wonderfully soft against the skin.
And offers the flexibility you need
It's one of the things that our customers mention when they get our gis.
Composition
This is one aspect where an All Around gi might actually be better than a $200+ gi.
We have done a lot of experimentation on the composition of the fabric for our gis.
Traditionally, most higher end gis come up with a 100% cotton composition.
But this comes with a problem that you definitely have come across: shrinking.
With our special belnd of Cotton and Polyester, here is what Coach Stephen had to say about our gis:
THE SECOND F
Fabrication
Let's do a thought experiment.
Which piece of clothing would you like more?
Zara vs. Hermes.
Every single high-end brand outsources their manufacturing.
Another domain where All Around is better than luxury gis.
All they do is the design part of the makery and everything else is outsourced for other people to make. Because it has hard to make gis.
All these higher end gis are made in our hometown of Sialkot.
And while I immigrated to Germany and live here now, my father still takes of our production in Sialkot.
We know every nitty gritty detail of the process.
We continuously experiment around with things.
THE THIRD F
Fitting
This is one of the core things to look out for when you are getting your gi.
Apart from the fabric quality we have written about above, if the gi doesn't fit you properly, then it defeats it purpose.
Quite literally.
Other brands can't tackle this because of two reasons:
1. To cater for different body types, they will have to offer a huge variety of sizes. They can't do this to a complete extent because that would mean excess inventory for them (if they actually do offer those speciual sizes)
2. There are still a lot of cases where a practitioner still might not fall in the bucket that those companies offer.
The only way you can truly appreciate our gis is in-person. We can describe how soft the fabric feels but that only make senses when you touch it.
All those tiny details we have worked out will stand out even more as you train in it. And once you train in it, and the fit is right, you'll make space for our gis in your wardrobe. Anyways, that's what most of our customers do.
Can't wait to see you train in an All Around gi.
Check out All Around Fundamentals