Handogi - The Old-Style Karate Gi

I have received my second gi from Handogi, and I can't say enough about how pleased I am with the quality .. I have had the privilege of exchanging emails with Cheyne from Handogi, and she has been not only accommodating, but very personal, and very versed in her study and journey in Karate .. I love this company and their warm approach to me as a client ..I will be ordering more in the future .. Good Luck To All Of You At Handogi !!! Much love and respect from Bowling Green, Kentucky !!!

I've been wearing it pretty much non-stop since receiving it in December and I'm stoked with the quality, the moveability and how cool it is in the North QLD heat.

We train karate jutsu, meaning it routinely gets used for throwing and grappling, and I can't fault it. It hold up favourably to some 15Oz gis I own and better than the *insert expensive brand here* gi which ripped after less than 12 months of use.

The Handogi is a genuinely excellent training uniform and I will definitely buy another when the time comes.

I absolutely love this Gi! It allows great movement and is super comfortable. The old school look is awesome and folks at the dojo thought it was smart looking.
Everyone should have (at least one) in their gi collection. I’m going to be purchasing another!

I just received the new Handogi from Australia – put it on – and I’ll say it right away: I’m impressed.

And I’ll tell you why.

📦 Ordering & Delivery

The whole process was absolutely straightforward.

I briefly coordinated sizing with Cheyne beforehand. He asked for my measurements, and we checked the different size charts together – US, EU, Asia, Australia.

That was sorted out quickly. We agreed: “Alright, let’s go with this and try it.”

And what can I say?

It fits like a glove.

Shipping included tracking – Australia Air or something similar – in any case fully traceable. I could see exactly where the package was and when it would arrive. For international shipping I had to provide my email address and phone number, which is standard and also adds a level of security.

So: transparent, reliable, no issues.

🥋 First Impression & Fit

I put it on immediately – and was happy right away.

The Handogi is a very lightweight gi.

It comes with shorter pants that still extend past the knees – so the knees are covered.

The jacket has a comfortable length.

The fabric is thin and breathable – perfect for summer.

And very important:

This is not a judo jacket. This is a true karate gi.

Light. Free-moving. Functional.

What I especially like:

The sleeves and pant legs are intentionally shorter.

That means roughly four-fifths of the forearm are exposed –

and about four-fifths of the lower leg as well.

That’s excellent.

I know this from personal experience:

I often buy a gi larger than my actual height would require – and then end up rolling up the sleeves and pant legs to make it fit properly.

That problem simply disappears here.

And:

It is very well suited to Western body proportions.

No need for a tailor, no adjustments required – it just fits.

🧵 Design & Details

The packaging was neat and secure.

Inside, the gi was packed again in its own zipper bag, printed with:

Handogi – Tradition meets Innovation

Alongside the Japanese characters.

“Han” means “half.”

“Dogi” is the training uniform.

So: a half-length gi.

Simple, clear, well chosen – and easy to remember.

There is also a certificate included, designed in the style of a traditional Japanese diploma.

It features a phoenix motif, ornamentally framed, the Handogi emblem at the top, and Japanese text with an individual number underneath.

Mine is number 96.

Very nicely done.

If you hang it on the wall, a non-Japanese viewer probably wouldn’t even know what it is.

You could jokingly claim it’s your original Menkyo Kaiden – your full teaching license and complete transmission certificate.

Of course, that’s nonsense.

But as a little joke, it’s quite amusing.

There’s also a small sticker included.

✅ Conclusion

The Handogi is:

- lightweight

- functional

- perfect for summer

- movement-friendly

- well cut for Western body proportions

- ready to use without any alterations

What I particularly appreciate are the shortened sleeves and pant legs, as well as the breathable fabric.

For me, this is a well-thought-out concept that balances tradition and modern functionality.

Have a great day.

I was sceptical at first. Not because short pants and a short sleeve keikogi AREN'T traditional. Nah, I just wasn't sure I'd love it as much as I did. It's light weight, a great cut, and sturdy, offering the durability needed in martial arts, coupled with the breathable performance required in our tropical Queensland climate. Well done, Cheyne - nailed it.

We would definitely recommend our members consider adding a handogi to their ensemble.

Wednesday saw us expand the adoption of the Handogi.
(For those having a cerebral meltdown over the shorts because they are not traditional, do a bit of research and you’ll see shorts were a thing before the universal adoption of the judogi for use in karate)

Obvious benefits of the shorter cut is that it’s ideal for tropical climates such as those experienced in places like Okinawa and Cairns.
We tested our new dogis with kicking, grappling, throwing, kata and ground work.

Whilst weighing significantly less than our usual 14oz dogis no degradation in durability was evident. Jacket length is excellent, preventing the need to constantly re-tuck it under the belt every few minutes. Overall the cut facilitates free unrestricted movement.

More of our members have purchased these locally designed products and we’ll be looking forward to their experiences also.
We would definitely recommend our members consider adding a handogi to their ensemble.

Living in a tropical area where dojo temperatures are routinely in the high 30s (95+ f) and humidity is 95% for 4 months of the year, I have routinely had my keiko-gi shortened, or rolled up for training. I've also had a stash of cheap 8oz gis for home training. When I heard rumours about the handogi, I was cautiously optimistic.

The Handogi gi is noticeably lighter than what I’m used to wearing at the dojo (I'm guessing 10oz), but it still feels strong and well constructed. While I haven’t yet tested it in a heavy grappling context, my confidence in its durability is high based on overall fit and finish.

The cut is excellent. The pants allow full freedom of movement through deep stances, and the jacket is well balanced and unobtrusive. Kata, kihon, and kobudo all feel completely unrestricted.

Where this gi really stands out is comfort in extreme conditions. The lighter weight combined with shorter sleeves and pants made training in the humidity far more manageable.

For North Queensland, where summer training can be brutal from November to March, this is a game changer.

For those who are interested in such things, there is a trade-off in terms of “snap” due to the lighter fabric and shorter cut, but this is clearly a keiko-gi built for daily training rather than performance or demonstration.

Early impressions are very positive, and I can see this becoming my staple training gi for the long term.

I'm loving my Handog! Great fit, quality material. Im thinking about getting one in black too!

I love the handogi the fit and movement are outstanding. I do wish it was a little heavier as I am use to toyo and shureido.

Amazing Thank You I love it the material looks heavy but its light the seller went above and beyond fir me because it took longer to get to me because they were away they are great people and a great company Thank You so much will buy again !

Love it.

A lot of heads turned, but everyone liked it.

Great gi going to need another one

I loved mine so much that I turned right around and ordered another one just to have a backup !!! I have never felt more mobile and free in a traditional dogi .. Also, communicating Cheyne by email and comparing our Karate background was another added touch that really makes it feel that much more personal, and tied to the old path .. Thanks for everything, guys .. It will be put to good use in the dojo ..

Travis McIntosh
Bowling Green Kentucky ..