Karate is one of the most widely practiced martial arts in the world, especially in China, Japan and not surprisingly the United States. It is more than just a set of moves used for self defense and combat. Karate embodies a whole philosophy that stress calmness and tranquility in every situation, so anger and other feelings do not cloud the mind and cause improper judgment, especially when it comes to power. A karate master will never display their power for personal gain, and never use it for harm, but getting to that point requires intense practice and specialized karate gear.

Karate gear is designed to protect students and masters while they are practicing and sparring. Common protective gear includes padded head gear that protects the jaw bones and teeth. These are excellent for beginning students who do not have as much control of their movements and power and can accidentally cause unintended harm to other students. Other padded gear includes grappling gloves that are padded on the knuckles, palms and sides protecting hands from hard strikes. Chest protectors are also used in sparring when weapons are employed. These protect students from hits to the abdomen which can be incredibly painful and dangerous.

Elbow pads and knee and shin pads are also commonly used karate gear during sparring practices. The shin is a powerful striking weapon but there is very little natural padding between skin and bone making it effective yet painful. Without shin guards leaning complex kicks and jumps can be excruciatingly painful. Karate gear is not just for protecting the students however. There are many tools that are designed to protect the master while the student is training.

These include kicking and punching pads. A karate master can hold them up while instructing a student how to properly punch and kick. The pad absorbs most of the force of the kick or punch, but it also allows the master to accurately gauge how hard the student it kicking or punching. Similar karate gear is attached to weighted bases so a student can practice these same maneuvers without the aid of another person.

A padded floor mat is another protective feature that is installed in many dojos. It provides more comfort when grappling and wrestling and provides a yielding surface that can lessen the pain of falling. A pad that is too thick results in loss of power for footwork, jumps and kicks but makes for an excellent practice and learning surface.

One of the most important pieces of karate gear is a uniform, called a karategi, and a properly colored belt which denotes the skill of the student or master. The uniform is flexible and loose fitting allowing for uninhibited freedom and range of movement. The belt not only denotes rank, but makes sure the karategi stays on and doesn’t interfere with any movements or strikes. A sports bag is a useful addition for anyone studying karate. It can fit all the necessary gear, including sparring equipment and extra water and snacks.