Gimono

Sporting Goods - Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

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Gimono Details

Our journey started with a simple idea: to design a judo uniform that would enhance player performance, recovery, and enjoyment. For centuries, traditional martial arts uniforms ('gi') have been made from heavy cotton or canvas-like fabrics. They don't breathe, they're stiff and abrasive, they retain odor and moisture, they rip, shrink, and fade. There was little to love about the old way, so we decided it was time for a new way. We'd bring the concept of performance apparel to the martial arts, and reinvent a category that hasn't seen any major innovation in decades. Armed with deep user and category insights, we set about designing the world's first performance gi. To address the drawbacks of cotton, we invested four years developing a fit-for-purpose textile that combines the remarkable qualities of merino wool with polyester to deliver a fabric that's twenty times more breathable, and is super strong, yet lightweight and comfortable. Branded 'Fortitude', our textile also doesn't shrink, stink, fade, or tear! At the same time, we worked on modernising and simplifying the design and construction of a gi - without changing its basic shape. There is nothing in any Gimono garment - not a single pattern piece or component - that isn't there to enhance its functional performance in some way. This design philosophy has helped us stay true to our purpose of providing customers with products that enhance their performance, recovery, and enjoyment of the martial arts. Gimono gi are now worn by martial arts players all over the world, training and competing in a range of disciplines including judo, jiu jitsu, aikido, karate, ninjutsu, and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).GiMONO. Different by design.