Martial Arts and Their Equipment: A Complete Overview

Judo is trained in a judogi, a reinforced uniform built to withstand repeated gripping and throwing, with competition jackets commonly falling in a range of roughly 450 to 750 gsm fabric weight. International Judo Federation rules set limits on sleeve length, jacket length and belt width, among other dimensions, so a judogi intended for competition follows a stricter specification than a plain training uniform. Our judogi guide explains weave types and how to judge fit.

Brazilian jiu jitsu uses a BJJ gi that looks similar to a judogi at first glance but is generally cut closer to the body to reduce the grips an opponent can find, and it is often built from a pearl weave or similar lightweight fabric rather than the heavier weave common in judo. No gi training in Brazilian jiu jitsu instead uses a rash guard and spats or shorts, without any jacket to grip. Belt progression in both arts follows a kyu and dan style system, though the exact grading pace and requirements differ between organisations. See our BJJ gi guide for more on fabric weaves and IBJJF legal requirements.

Aikido is trained in a keikogi similar to a judogi, and more experienced students, along with all practitioners in some schools, wear a wide pleated hakama over it, historically a mark of advancing rank though conventions vary between organisations. Because aikido technique relies heavily on joint locks, throws and redirection rather than striking, a large part of early training focuses on ukemi, the breakfalls that let a student land safely on the tatami, which makes mat quality and thickness particularly important for this art. Our aikido and hakama guide explains how to choose and fold a hakama correctly.

It is increasingly common to train in more than one art at once, for example judo alongside kickboxing, or karate alongside a weapons class. If your arts share a similar uniform tradition, such as karate and kobudo, a single well fitted karategi and belt combination often covers both, while arts with distinct fabric requirements, such as judo and Brazilian jiu jitsu, usually need their own uniform even though a judogi and a BJJ gi can look similar from across a room. Protective gear is easier to share across striking arts: a well fitted mouthguard, for instance, works equally well for karate sparring, kickboxing and boxing, and decent shin guards will generally serve more than one striking discipline.

When budgeting for a second art, our first gear for beginners guide and our buying guide both cover which pieces are worth buying once and reusing, and which are specific enough to a single style that duplicating them makes sense.

Can I use a judogi for Brazilian jiu jitsu, or the other way around?

In casual training this is often possible, but competition rules under organisations such as the IJF or IBJJF set specific fabric weight, cut and fit requirements, so a uniform built for one sport may not be accepted, or may not hold up as well, in the other.

Do I need armour to start kendo?

Most beginners train for a period in keikogi and hakama with a bokken or bare handed before bogu armour and a shinai are introduced, so full armour is rarely a first purchase. Ask your dojo about the timeline it follows.

Which arts need the least equipment to begin?

Judo, aikido, Wing Chun and capoeira generally need the least separate protective gear to begin, since early training focuses on technique, falls or forms rather than full contact sparring, though a proper uniform or appropriate clothing is still expected from the first class in most schools.

Is one martial art safer than another?

Every contact sport carries some risk, and relative safety depends heavily on the specific club, its supervision and how sparring is managed, rather than on the art alone. Well fitted protective gear and clear supervision matter more than the choice of style itself.

Can children train in the same equipment as adults?

Children generally need uniforms and protective gear sized specifically for them rather than a scaled down adult item, since fit affects both safety and freedom of movement. Our children's equipment guide explains what to look for by age and size.