You’ve heard the saying ‘’clothes make the man’’.
Well, this couldn’t be more true in the world of karate. No matter what your skill level is, you’ll need to find a pair of pants that deliver time and time again.
I’ve been practicing karate for several years and I still regularly look for quality pants to help me refine my skills.
I’ve reviewed some of the best karate pants on the market to help you with your decision. Whilst all of these pants offer serious quality, they all have their respective strengths and target audience.
Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Top Picks!
Best Overall – Ronin Heavyweight karate pants
These karate pants are unique as they’re suitable for every experience level. They’re made from duck canvas material and will last you an age.
Best Value – Tiger Claw 7.5 Oz Pants
These affordable karate pants are perfect for beginners. Their tapered fit and sturdy material will last you well into intermediacy.
Best Performance – Tokyodo Karate Pants
These well-made karate pants are distinctive due to their hybrid material – allowing them to go the extra mile in your training. The drawstring waist is a great bonus, too.
4 Best Karate Pants
1. Ronin Heavyweight karate pants – Best Overall
These karate pants look just as good as they perform.
They were designed with the karate connoisseur in mind due to their traditional drawstring waist (which makes for a great fit) and the 100% cotton material. I love how the material feels as I’m sparring.
Sleek, well-designed, and able to withstand heavy use, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better set of karate pants out there.
Unique Features
The premium material is the unique selling point of these pants – that and the six rows of quality stitching on the bottom hem.
Unlike other products, these karate pants will provide a great snap as you kick. I love the way it sounds! It may be a small detail, but it does not go unnoticed.
Product Specifications
- 100% duck canvas material
- 12 oz weight
- Available in sizes 2-7
Pros
- 100% cotton duck canvas construction
- Gusseted crotch for comfort
- Breathable and durable during karate sessions
- Tapered fit around the lower body (provided you buy the right size, of course)
Cons
- Prone to shrinking after a machine wash.
- These pants can be a little loose-fitting.
2. Tiger Claw 7.5 Oz Pants – Best Value
Due to their cheap price and approachable design, these pants are best suited for those brand new to the world of karate.
The first thing that struck me about these karate pants was just how affordable they are.
This isn’t to say they skimp on quality, however, as these karate pants hold up well and I feel as though I can perform all day in them.
These pants have a lot going for them considering their price. They manage to feel professional and remain affordable. I love the color spectrum these pants come in, too!
Overall, you can’t knock these pants for the price. Their material may not be as high-end as some other brands out there – but they’re great for those entering the world of karate. If you’re an experienced karate master, though, I’d suggest you give these karate pants a miss.
Unique Features
The main selling points of these Tiger Claw pants are the affordable price and array of color options.
ProdProduct Specifications
- 7 oz weight
- Package dimensions – 9.6 x 8.6 x 0.6 inches; 7.2 Ounces
- Poly/cotton hybrid material
Pros
- Versatile pants and suitable for karate novices, enthusiasts, and practitioners
- Available in a wide range of color options
- Durable material
Cons
- Their poly/cotton hybrid material is a little stiff at first and I noticed my flexibility was limited during their first few wears
- Their composite material can feel a little ‘cheap’ for seasoned pros.
3. Tokyodo Karate Pants – Best Performance
These karate pants are best suited for those who have reached an intermediate level in their karate journeys. This is due to their fusion of low cost with respectable quality.
I found these karate pants to be seriously underrated. Whilst wearing, I felt as though I was wearing a much more expensive pair of karate pants due to their quality and comfort.
The material used for these pants is a 65/35 polyester and cotton hybrid – meaning that these pants have comfort as well as longevity.
There’s also a handy drawstring on the waist so I could adjust the tightness to my liking.
I think these maybe some of the most underrated karate pants on the market. I felt as though I was capable of elite-level performances whilst wearing them and never once did I feel like the pants I was wearing weren’t very expensive.
Unique Features
The most unique drawing point these karate pants have is their incredible ability to hold up over time. We can thank the polyester/cotton hybrid fabric for that!
Product Specifications
- 8 oz weight
- 65/35 polyester and cotton material
- 3 rows of stitching at the end
Pros
- Durable material and solid construction
- Ideal for regular karate practitioners and newbies alike
- Breathable design
- Sleek aesthetics
Cons
- Can be a little slim and tight around the waist
4. PROFORCE Gladiator 8oz Combat Karate Pants – Best For Longevity
Best suited for those who are looking to get the most bang for their buck out of their investment. For their low price, these karate pants are seriously robust.
Their sleek, simple design is available in three colors – white, blue, and black, though I prefer to stick with the traditional white color.
Though these pants may not be ideal for seasoned karate lovers, they still have plenty going for them.
Overall, these karate pants are ideal if you’re new to karate and are looking for a pair of pants that’ll last you for the foreseeable future. Though they’re far from the best karate pants on the market, they made for a reasonably priced alternative.
Unique Features
The most unique feature of these pants is their wide color palette and robust nature. If you wish to stand out during your karate lessons, these karate pants are a solid option.
Product Specifications
- 2’’ wide elastic waist with rear
- 8 oz weight
- Polyester hybrid material
Pros
- Comfortable material and wide range of color
- Ideal as a beginner and intermediate set of karate pants
- Robust material consisting of cotton/polyester
- The rear pocket is convenient
- I mentioned earlier that these karate pants were ideal for beginners and intermediates. This is due to the pants having the following drawbacks:
Cons
- The material can quite stiff, even after the ‘breaking-in’ period
- Sizing can be an issue – I ordered mine in my own size and felt that the pants were a little baggy
Karate Pants Buying Guide
Buying karate pants doesn’t have to feel like a chore. If you know where to look and what to look for, you’ll soon be able to find a pair that suits your needs.
First and foremost, you need to gather how serious you are about karate training. If you’re just looking for a new hobby, then consider buying a more rudimentary pair of pants. If, however, you’re in this for the long haul and have years of experience, aim to buy with longevity in mind.
Size
Sizing is essential. You’ll need to feel like your karate pants give you the license to be flexible, powerful, and gracious during karate sessions.
If your pants are ill-fitting and constricting, then it’ll have a massive effect on your overall performance. I’ve made this mistake plenty of times by buying karate pants that were either too big or too small. Nowadays, I always make sure to try on a pair of pants before I buy them.
Material
The best karate pants out there are made from a seriously robust material.
Take a look at what the best karate masters wear. They’ll often be found in gis made from high-quality, hand-stitched fabric that has some weight behind it.
Cotton karate pants are comfortable but do tend to shrink over time (though this isn’t always the case).
Aesthetics aren’t that important. Remember, you wear karate gear to perform and merely to look good. Instead, aim for a material that’ll offer comfort and longevity.
Stitching
High-end stitching is a sign of longevity.
When buying karate pants, you want to make sure that your investment lasts and that you’re not buying a new pair of pants every six months.
Stitching will give you an idea of the overall quality. Of course, hand-stitched pants are expensive and not an absolute necessity (especially if you’re a beginner), but they’re a great indicator of quality.
Be sure to feel the stitching, too. Merely looking at a pair of karate pants isn’t enough to judge whether or not they’re well-made.
Comfort
Comfort is key.
You’ll never be able to produce your best performances if your karate pants irritate you. A pair of uncomfortable pants can make or break your performance in the dojo.
Aim to buy a pair of pants that allow you to express yourself and produce elite performances. It may sound like a small thing, but feeling comfortable in your pants is vital.
Comfort and performance go hand in hand. The more comfortable you feel in your karate pants, the more confident you’ll feel during training. This increased confidence will have a positive effect on your performance and progress.
Comfort may sound like a small facet, but it’s essential if you wish to reach the next level of your karate training. After all, success comes when a lot of little things are done well.
FAQs about Karate Pants
How to Choose the Best Karate Pants?
With all those facets considered, you must purchase a pair of karate pants you’re proud of. Think of them as a long-term investment rather than a fashion choice. I appreciate a sleek-looking pair of karate pants as much as the next man, but I appreciate quality and function a lot more.
What Are the Advantages/Benefits of A Solid Pair of Karate Pants?
You usually get what you pay for in the world of sportswear.
If your karate pants are cheaply made and ill-fitting, then you’ll soon notice their effect on your karate training. Of course, there are karate pants out there that are well-made and affordable (and they can be found in our list), but these are the exception, not the rule.
A good, well-fitting pair of karate pants will give you the edge to take your training to the next level. You wouldn’t go running in an ill-fitting pair of shoes, so why should you train in a pair of pants that don’t fit?
Can Karate Pants be Used for Other Martial Arts Forms?
Of course.
I dabble in other martial arts forms (such as judo and jiu-jitsu) and I often wear my karate pants whilst doing them.
I don’t see much sense in buying multiple pairs of pants for every martial arts sport when one good pair foots the bill in all of them. The best pairs of karate pants are versatile by nature, so don’t stress about thinking you need a pair of pants for every martial art form.
You can use karate pants for kickboxing sessions. The legwork involved in karate will translate to kickboxing wonderfully, and you can wear the same pair of pants to train in both sports.
How Long Should Karate Pants Last?
This entirely depends on how often, and hard, you train.
That being said, a competent pair of karate pants will last you years. You don’t have to worry about them splitting or tearing (provided you treat them well) and they’ll remain comfortable for the duration of their life.
Don’t be put off if a pair of karate pants seem expensive. As I’ve said many times, consider them as an investment.
Final Thoughts
By now, you should be an expert on buying the best pairs of karate pants.
There’s one undisputed winner on our list and it’s Ronin’s heavyweight karate pants. Not only do they offer serious quality, but they’re available for a reasonable price and have a proven track record of happy customers.
Wanna chose the best karate gi, check this article.