16oz Canvas (Not pre-shrunk) – White Gi

Description

If you’ve been training long enough to know what a heavy gi feels like when you move through kata, this is the one. The 16oz canvas gi is a serious uniform for serious practitioners — heavy enough to hold its shape, stiff enough to produce that satisfying snap on a clean technique, and built to last through years of hard training.

This is not a beginner’s gi. If you’re just starting out, a lighter 8oz or 10oz poly-cotton will serve you better while you’re learning the basics. But if you’re an instructor, an experienced student, or someone who simply wants a uniform that will outlast everything else in your kit bag — keep reading.

Why 16oz Canvas?

Canvas gis are heavier and denser than standard cotton or poly-cotton uniforms, and that weight matters. Here’s why experienced practitioners choose them:

• Audible technique feedback. A heavier gi gives you a clear snap when you execute a clean block or strike. You can hear the difference between a tight, focused movement and a sloppy one. That kind of immediate feedback is useful when you’re drilling or teaching.
• Durability. Canvas holds up to the kind of training that chews through lighter gis in a season. Double stitching at every seam means this gi won’t start coming apart the first time you’re pulled by the collar.
• Traditional feel. There’s a reason senior practitioners tend to gravitate toward heavier canvas. It sits and moves differently from a lightweight uniform — more structured, more substantial.
• Resistance to stretching. Canvas doesn’t deform the way lighter fabrics can. After years of training, it still holds its shape.

About the “Not Pre-Shrunk” Fabric

This is important to understand before you order, so pay attention to this section.

The fabric in this gi has not been pre-shrunk, which means it will shrink when you wash it. The gi is cut with a shrinkage allowance built in — so when you try it on before washing, it should feel about one size larger than you’d expect. That’s intentional. After a couple of washes, it will settle into a proper fit.

There’s also a note worth flagging about how this fabric weight is measured: the canvas is measured by the linear yard rather than the square yard (the more common method). In practice, this means the gi feels roughly 1oz lighter than the 16oz label suggests — so closer to a 15oz feel. It’s still a heavy gi. You’ll know the difference the first time you pick it up.

If you want predictable sizing right out of the bag, look at our pre-shrunk options. But many experienced practitioners actually prefer a non-pre-shrunk gi — washing it a couple of times and letting it mould to their body gives a more personalised fit than a pre-shrunk gi ever can.

Construction and Materials

The gi is made from 100% cotton heavy canvas. No synthetic blend — just cotton, which breathes better than poly-cotton during intense training and gets more comfortable with each wash as the fabric softens.

Key construction details:

• Heavy-duty double stitching at all seams — this is where cheaper gis fail. The seams take constant stress, particularly at the collar, shoulders, and crotch. Double stitching means they hold.
• Jacket cut generously through the shoulders and chest — you need room to move. A jacket that’s tight across the back will restrict your blocks and limit your shoulder rotation. This one won’t.
• Full gusset in the pants — essential for any style that involves high kicks, deep stances, or ground work. Without a full gusset, the pants pull at the crotch seam every time you chamber a kick. With one, you have full range of motion without tension.
• Elasticated waist with internal drawstring — the elastic keeps the pants in place, and the drawstring lets you fine-tune the fit. Both together means the pants sit where you put them, even during fast movement.

Who Is This Gi For?

This gi suits:

• Instructors who wear a gi every day and need something that will last
• Intermediate to advanced students in karate, taekwondo, or traditional jiu-jitsu
• Practitioners who prefer the feel and feedback of a heavier canvas uniform
• Anyone who has been through lighter gis and wants to invest in something more substantial

This gi is not ideal for beginners, children, or anyone training in a warm environment where a lighter, more breathable uniform would be more practical. If that sounds like you, our 8oz poly-cotton or 10oz canvas options are better choices.

Sizing Guide

Sizes are listed as a number followed by the approximate height in centimetres the gi is designed for:

• 4/170 — suits heights around 160–170cm
• 5/180 — suits heights around 170–180cm
• 6/190 — suits heights around 180–190cm
• 7/200 — suits heights around 190–200cm

Because this gi is not pre-shrunk, it should feel roughly one size large when you first try it on. If you’re between sizes, size up — the gi will shrink to fit, but it won’t grow if you buy too small.

If you’re broad across the shoulders or carry more weight through the chest, the generous cut of the jacket should accommodate you without needing to go up a size just for that. But if you’re unsure, get in touch — we’re happy to help you pick the right size.

Care Instructions

• Wash in cold water to control shrinkage after the initial wash cycle
• Air dry — a tumble dryer will cause uneven shrinkage and can damage the stitching over time
• Wash after every training session — canvas absorbs sweat and bacteria, and a damp gi left in a bag is a recipe for mildew
• Do not use bleach — it weakens cotton fibres over time

The gi will soften noticeably over the first several washes. The stiffness you feel when it’s new is normal for heavy canvas — it breaks in over time, similar to a new pair of heavy cotton work pants.

What’s Not Included

Belt is not included. Canvas uniforms are sold as jacket and pants only. If you need a belt, let us know when you place your order and we can include one in the same parcel. We stock belts in all colours and grades for karate, taekwondo, and jiu-jitsu.

Specifications

• Weight: 16oz canvas (measured by linear yard; feels approx. 15oz)
• Material: 100% cotton heavy canvas
• Colour: White
• Pre-shrunk: No — shrinkage allowance built into sizing
• Includes: Jacket and pants
• Belt: Not included (available separately)
• Sizes: 4/170, 5/180, 6/190, 7/200
• Suitable for: Karate, Taekwondo, Jiu-Jitsu
• Skill level: Intermediate to advanced practitioners

Features Summary

• Heavy-duty 100% cotton canvas construction
• Not pre-shrunk — shrinkage allowance built in for personalised fit
• Double stitching at all stress points
• Generously cut jacket for full shoulder and chest movement
• Full gusset pants for unrestricted kicks and stances
• Elasticated waist with adjustable internal drawstring
• Jacket and pants included — belt sold separately
• Softens with wear and washing

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this gi shrink? How much?

Yes — this gi is not pre-shrunk, so it will shrink when you wash it. The fabric is cut with a shrinkage allowance, which means the gi should feel about one size larger than your normal size when you first try it on. After a couple of washes, it settles into a proper fit. Wash in cold water and air dry to manage how much it shrinks after the first couple of washes.

Is this gi suitable for beginners?

Honestly, no. A 16oz canvas gi is heavy and stiff, which can be uncomfortable and restrictive for someone still learning basic movement. Beginners are better served by an 8oz or 10oz uniform while they’re getting started. Once you’ve got a solid foundation and you want a more substantial gi, come back to this one.

Does the belt come with it?

No — canvas uniforms are sold as jacket and pants only. If you need a belt, just let us know in your order notes or contact us when you purchase and we’ll include one in the same parcel. We stock belts in all colours and sizes.

Can I use this gi for BJJ or judo?

It can be used for traditional jiu-jitsu training. However, if you’re training BJJ with collar-grab grips and regular rolling, you’d be better served by a purpose-built BJJ gi with reinforced collar construction. This gi is designed primarily for karate and taekwondo, and for traditional jiu-jitsu where heavy grappling isn’t the focus.

What’s the sizing system? The numbers are confusing.

The size number corresponds roughly to the practitioner’s height in centimetres divided by 30 — so a size 5 is designed for someone around 180cm tall. The second number (e.g. /180) is the approximate height the gi fits. Because the gi is not pre-shrunk, it should feel a size large on first try. If you’re between sizes, go up.

How does this compare to your pre-shrunk heavyweight gi?

The main difference is that the pre-shrunk version has already been washed down before it reaches you — what you try on is what you get. This non-pre-shrunk version gives you a bit more personalisation in the fit after washing, and some practitioners prefer that. The fabric weight and construction are otherwise very similar. If you’re not sure which to choose, get in touch and we’ll help you decide based on your size and how you prefer your gi to fit.