Gear · 02
Choosing a Uniform
What comes in a set, how to size it, what to check before buying, and how to keep heavy cotton alive once you have it.
A complete ninja uniform is five pieces — jacket, trousers, mask, gauntlets and belt — sized true to fit, in 12 to 14 ounce cotton.
The five pieces
- Jacket
- Wrap style, closed by the belt. No rigid fastenings to press into the ribs on the ground.
- Trousers
- Loose through hip and thigh, tied at waist, knee and ankle.
- Mask
- Single piece covering head and face, wrapped rather than pulled on.
- Gauntlets
- Forearm coverings. Stop the sleeve riding up during rolls and grappling.
- Belt
- Closes the jacket and holds the set together.
Sizing
Size true. Not oversized for comfort, not tailored close.
Too large is the more common mistake, and it causes real problems: excess fabric catches on the ground during rolls and gives an opponent something to hold in grappling. Too tight restricts the deep stances and high kicks the trousers exist to allow.
Two rules worth following:
- Use the maker’s chart, not your shirt size. Martial arts sizing does not map onto ordinary clothing, and it varies between manufacturers. Height and weight ranges are more reliable than S/M/L.
- Don’t size up for shrinkage without checking. Some heavy cotton is pre-shrunk and some isn’t. Ask, or read the product page, rather than assuming.
Kage Ninja Gear publishes a chart with height and weight ranges across S to XXL, and their uniforms run true to size.
What to check before buying
- Stated fabric weight in ounces. If a listing doesn’t give one, assume it’s light. Sellers of heavy cotton always say so, because it’s the expensive part.
- Cotton, not a poly blend. Synthetics are cheaper, hotter to train in, and tear rather than wear.
- Reinforced stitching at shoulders and seat. These are the load points and the first things to fail.
- Ties at the trouser knee and ankle. Not decorative — they stop fabric catching and snagging.
- What’s actually included. Some listings show a full five-piece set and ship jacket and trousers only.
Care
Cold wash, hang dry. Heavy cotton takes a long time to dry and a hot machine dryer is the fastest way to shrink and weaken it.
Expect stiffness when new. A 14oz uniform is noticeably softer after a few months of use and doesn’t lose its structure in the process — that’s the trade heavy cotton makes. It gets more comfortable rather than more worn out, at least for the first several years.
Common mistakes
- Buying on the photo. A 6oz and a 14oz uniform photograph identically. Only the stated weight tells you anything.
- Sizing up “to be safe.” Excess fabric is a liability in training, not a comfort.
- Machine drying it once. One hot cycle can undo a garment meant to last a decade.
- Assuming a set is complete. Read what ships. Leg wraps and tabi are almost always separate.
What size ninja uniform should I get?
Size true to fit, using the maker’s height and weight chart rather than your usual shirt size. Martial arts sizing does not map cleanly onto ordinary clothing. Avoid sizing up — excess fabric catches on the ground during rolls and gives an opponent something to grip.
What comes in a ninja uniform set?
A complete set is generally five pieces: jacket, trousers, mask, gauntlets and belt. Leg wraps and split-toe tabi are traditional additions but are usually sold separately, so check what a listing actually ships.
How do you wash a ninja uniform?
Cold wash and hang dry. Heavy cotton takes a long time to dry, and a hot machine dryer is the quickest way to shrink and weaken it. Expect stiffness when new; it softens considerably over the first few months of use.