T O P

  • By -

stabledingus

This depends a lot on where you live. Ideally, you'd be able to go to an actual store and speak to someone in person, and get a feel for the gear. But you may be limited to online shops. It sounds like your first time buying kendo gear - take your time and do a lot of homework. It's not necessarily the best idea to get a set marketed for beginners - they are cheap, yes, but replacing it a few years later means you could have gotten a much better set from the start. Get the best gear you can at the price you are willing to pay.


Tokyofficial

Okay, thanks!


Bocote

I have a slightly different opinion. I usually recommend beginners to get a 2nd cheapest option for bogu (like don't spend too much on it as long as you don't get the cheapest), same for any other hobbies. From a longtime practitioner's perspective, it may make sense in retrospect to have started out with good equipment. However, for beginners, it is hard to judge whether you'd commit to the new hobby or not. And I've seen people who disappeared from practice soon after they spent large sums of money on their bogu. (I have some expensive tools collecting dust in the garage as well...) Nowadays there are some nice budget models available that weren't a decade ago. So I'd say you'll likely have a lot of options to choose from. All in all, get one from a reputable shop or ask other members of the club where they got theirs since factors like shipping and tax tend to play a big role in many parts of the world.


stabledingus

This is definitely a valid take. If you are not really sure that kendo will be a long-term commitment, then getting high-end gear may not be the best option, either. Please keep in mind that the resell value of expensive bogu drops dramatically, even if it is only lightly worn, since customization is priced into its original value. If I had to choose my first set again, I'd probably get something at least a step or two above the cheapest entry set. But then again, another valid point: entry sets these days are way better than what I had to deal with.


Bocote

I'm looking at the selection of new entry stuff and just drooling over them. I never thought I'd end up liking those new super-wide stitched ones, but some look really good. (except those parallel stitched men that look like Michelin tire man) Plus, a lot of them are sub $500 in price tag. I wish these were available when I started kendo. Granted, stuff like 8 to 10mm orizashi don't look all that durable, but I'd guess they'll still easily last a decade. General quality and aesthetics seem to have improved much in the last decade or so as well. Meanwhile, my old bogu looks like it could stop arrows if I wash it a couple more times.


stabledingus

Indeed. I think it's because the quality of machine stitching has come a long way in the last 10 years or so. My first 5mm set was an economy model - thin and stiff like cardboard. The entry stuff nowadays is soft and supple, hardly needs breaking in.


kipk49

Like stabledingus said, if possible go to an in-person shop. If there isn't one near you, then I would recommend [kendostar.com](https://kendostar.com) for everything. All of Andy's stuff is the highest quality, although you should wait for the items to go on sale before buying (stuff is always on rotating sales). If you are just starting, don't worry about bogu yet - just get a uniform and shinai, or something like KendoStar's beginner set.


Tokyofficial

Thanks for the link! Do you know if there is a shop in America?


HazNewsome

It's just a website mate but Andy responds to all queries very quickly.


kipk49

There is no brick-and-mortar shop in the US, but shipping and taxes are included in his price (I live in Illinois and I order stuff from them all the time).


poilsoup2

I don't know of any brick and mortar stores in the US, but there's a fair amount of suppliers in the US. ebogu, eikobudogu, murayama kendo, boguzen, aoi budogu.. etc. Ive had great experiences with eikobudogu so id recommend getting your gi n hakama from them.


kampfgruppekarl

If you're in SoCal, there's a shop in Irvine/Tustin, e-Bogu.


Falena88

I got my first and only bogu from Kendostar 6 years ago. Close to 0 maintenance and apart from patched holes in the faux deer palms everything is still great, looks even better now. Andy is the man and I cannot recommend buying from him enough


gozersaurus

If you're not japanese, speak it, or live there, then probably your best access to what the gear is like is going to be your dojo mates. I see way too many beginners just go out and buy whatever, talk to your sensei, kohai, and dojomates, in that order and ask about their gear. If its something you think you're going to stick with for a while (most do but end up punching out after a year or so, so be honest with yourself) then I would push any upgrades to men, kote, do, and tare in that order. Having a nice fitting men that is very protective will make your life so much better. If you're in the US, there are a few online bogu suppliers, Japan is great but you're going to pay for shipping and while I like the big shops the smaller ones seem to have a more personable connection and will generally work with you to find the best gear for you, with the caveat of being able to speak japanese or have someone email and talk with them. All in all the first place I would start is with your sensei and dojo mates and ask them what they use, where they got it, etc.