| Fighters of contact sports need special kind of | | | | The trousers are made of cotton (of medium |
| non-restrictive clothes to ensure that they can move | | | | thickness). There are two varieties available, with either |
| freely and execute their combat maneuvers with full | | | | drawstring or elastic band on the waist. The drawstring |
| efficiency. Be it judo, taekwondo, karate or even muay | | | | is preferable for long hours of practice. This is because |
| thai boxing, wearing proper clothing is of prime | | | | the wearer has complete control over how much |
| importance. The kind of uniforms, however, vary | | | | pressure there will be on his abdomen. In case of |
| between different sports, from the karategi and judogi | | | | elastic band, he/she has no control over the pressure it |
| (of karate and judo respectively) to the half-sleeved | | | | exerts on the waist. Besides, elastic bands can snap |
| t-shirts and shorts of muay thai. Wearing proper | | | | anytime. |
| clothing is of paramount importance in contact sports. | | | | The belt, usually called the "obi", is made of thick cotton |
| Many trainers will refuse to train you if you do not | | | | and worn around the waist to hold the jacket in place. |
| wear proper clothing to the "dojo". | | | | The belt is usually wide and made of thick cotton. The |
| Judo, karate and their derivatives, like taekwondo, | | | | belt holds a special position in martial arts as its color |
| wufundo, kufundo, etc. rely on special robes, trousers | | | | denotes the skill rank of the wearer. It is usually made |
| and belts for unrestricted movement during combat. | | | | of thick cotton and is double stitched to make it |
| The uniforms not only protect the student from | | | | durable. |
| abrasions, but also keep them cool during long hours of | | | | In muay thai boxing, the boxers wear half sleeved |
| rigorous practice. | | | | t-shirts and shorts to ensure free movement of the |
| The robes are usually made of thick cotton canvas for | | | | hands and legs. This is because unrestricted |
| high durability and better soaking of perspiration. The | | | | movement is very important in muay thai, which |
| robes vary slightly in quality though. In judo, the robes | | | | requires full use of one's hands and legs. |
| are gripped by hand to throw the opponent off | | | | Clothes usually do not affect a person's skill level. But |
| balance. So, the robes have to be coarse and rough in | | | | proper clothing is important for fighters who need free |
| texture. In karate and taekwondo, gripping robes is not | | | | movement of their hands and feet. Proper choice of |
| a necessity. Hence the robes are often smoothened | | | | clothes is thus very important to fighters for obtaining |
| by brushing, to ensure comfort during long hours of | | | | success in contact sports. |
| training. | | | | |