Belt shop · 帯店

The belt you tie around your waist matters.

Belts are not all the same. A 12oz cotton sashiko belt behaves differently to a 10oz polyester one. A satin black belt is for ceremony only — never for training. The Belt Shop is curated by sensei reviews from across the platform, not by sponsored placement. Below: every belt type with use, sizing, durability, and price band.

10 BELT TYPES · 8 COLOUR GRADES · 8 SIZING BRACKETS · 8 VERIFIED SUPPLIERS · 8 RULES OF CARE
Belt catalogue

Every belt type, explained.

10 belts shown
Recommended
KYU
Cotton sashiko 12oz · classic
FABRIC 100% cotton, double-stitchedWEIGHT 12oz · 40mmLENGTH 260–300cmUSE Daily training, kyu and lower dan gradesLIFE 3–5 years of 4× weekly use
The default. Knots well, develops character, replaces affordably.
CHF 18–28
KYU
Cotton sashiko 12oz · heavy weave
FABRIC Heavy single-stitch cottonWEIGHT 12oz · 45mmLENGTH 280–320cmUSE Brown-belt + dan training. Holds knots under hard kumite.LIFE 5–7 years
Slightly stiffer break-in. Pre-soak in cold water for 30 min before first wear.
CHF 32–48
Recommended
SENIOR
Cotton sashiko 14oz · silk-edged
FABRIC Cotton core with silk-thread borderWEIGHT 14oz · 45mmLENGTH 290–320cmUSE Senior dan training and demonstration.LIFE 8–10 years
Common at international embu (demonstration) events. Edge thread visible up close.
CHF 75–120
CEREMONIAL
Satin ceremonial
FABRIC Satin-finish polyester blendWEIGHT 8oz · 50mmLENGTH 300cmUSE Display, photographs, promotion ceremonies only.LIFE Indefinite if not worn for training
NEVER tie this for training. The finish slips, splits, and bleeds colour.
CHF 22–60
Recommended
DAN
Embroidered Shodan + name
FABRIC Cotton sashiko 12oz with embroideryWEIGHT 12oz · 45mmLENGTH 280–310cmUSE Awarded at Shodan grading. Personalised.LIFE 8–12 years (treated well)
Usually purchased by the dojo, not the student. Sensei coordinates the embroidery.
CHF 55–110
SENIOR
Kohaku (red/white panel)
FABRIC Cotton with alternating red/white panelsWEIGHT 12oz · 45mmLENGTH 290–310cmUSE Federation senior dan recognition (6th–8th dan typical).LIFE Lifetime
Not for casual purchase. Federation-issued or formally presented. Wearing without entitlement is a serious cultural breach.
CHF 95–180
SENIOR
Aka (red) recognition belt
FABRIC Cotton, deep red dyeWEIGHT 12oz · 45mmLENGTH 290–310cmUSE Recognition for 9th–10th dan in some lineages.LIFE Lifetime
Equivalent in status to kohaku in certain Okinawan styles. Lineage-specific.
CHF 120–240
Recommended
JUNIOR
Junior cotton 10oz · sized
FABRIC Light cotton, single-stitchedWEIGHT 10oz · 35mmLENGTH 200–260cmUSE Junior students under 14.LIFE 2–3 years before sizing-up
Buy length matching child + 60cm. Children grow; do not over-buy in width.
CHF 12–22
JUNIOR
Striped junior belt
FABRIC Cotton 10oz with stitched stripeWEIGHT 10oz · 35mmLENGTH 200–260cmUSE Some children's syllabuses (post-1980s convention).LIFE 2–3 years
Stripes are a commercial convention, not classical. Many traditional dojos do not use them. Check with your sensei.
CHF 14–26
KYU
Polyester "easy-care" belt
FABRIC Synthetic polyesterWEIGHT 10oz · 40mmLENGTH 260cmUSE Marketed to beginners. Do not buy.LIFE 1–2 years before slip-failure
Slips out of knots during kumite. Avoid regardless of price.
CHF 8–14
Belt colour grades

The kyu ladder, in colour.

10th–9th KYU · 0–6 MONTHS
White
Beginner. Symbol: the empty cup. No prior knowledge claimed.
8th KYU · 6–12 MONTHS
Yellow
The sun rising. First understanding of basic stances and strikes.
7th KYU · 12–18 MONTHS
Orange
The sun strengthening. Basic combinations and first kata (Heian Shodan).
6th–5th KYU · 18–30 MONTHS
Green
Growth. Heian 2 and 3. Stepping kumite. Defensive vocabulary expanding.
4th KYU · 30–42 MONTHS
Blue
Sky. Heian 4 and 5. Free-style kumite introduced.
3rd KYU · 42–54 MONTHS
Purple
Used in some lineages. Tekki Shodan introduced.
2nd–1st KYU · 4–6 YEARS
Brown
Earth. Senior kyu — Bassai-dai approached. Begins assisting beginner classes.
Shodan + KYU · 5–8 YEARS TO SHODAN
Black
Beginning. Yes — beginning. Shodan means "first step", not arrival.
Sizing chart

Pick the right length.

The right length: after a square reef-knot, both ends fall to mid-thigh. Too short and the ends flap in kumite. Too long and they trip you in stepping kihon.

Age / TierHeightBelt lengthWidth
4–6 years100–115 cm200 cm30 mm
7–9 years115–135 cm220 cm35 mm
10–12 years135–150 cm240 cm35 mm
13–15 years150–170 cm260 cm40 mm
16+ adult S160–175 cm280 cm40 mm
Adult M170–185 cm290 cm40–45 mm
Adult L180–195 cm300 cm45 mm
Adult XL195+ cm320 cm45 mm
Verified suppliers

Where senior students actually buy.

No affiliate revenue, no sponsored placement. Ratings derived from verified-purchase reviews submitted by sensei across the platform.

JAPAN
Kuro (Tokyo)
Heavy sashiko. Federation favourite.
4.8 ratingmid–highGlobal
JAPAN
Seishin (Osaka)
Embroidered Shodan + senior belts.
4.9 ratinghighGlobal
OKINAWA
Okinawa Craft
Classical Okinawan styles. Limited runs.
4.9 ratinghighGlobal
UK
Rapid Sport
Mid-range cotton. Schools and clubs.
4.4 ratinglow–midGlobal
GERMANY
Kobu
European federation-approved. Cadet sizes.
4.5 ratingmidGlobal
INDIA
Bharat Outfitters
Affordable cotton 12oz for school dojos.
4.3 ratinglowLocal
USA
Allied Martial Supply
Wide range. Some house-brand quality varies.
4.2 ratinglow–midGlobal
FRANCE
Noris Sport
French federation circuits. Junior brackets.
4.4 ratingmidGlobal
Belt care · 8 rules

How to treat your belt.

01
Tie your own belt. Even at first grading. The sensei never ties a student's belt.
02
The knot sits centred on your navel. Both ends should be the same length when finished.
03
Wash the belt rarely. Cold water hand-rinse only. Hang to dry. Never machine-wash a sashiko belt.
04
Do not iron a sashiko belt. The stitching is structural, not decorative.
05
Do not lend your belt. It carries your grade and is symbolically personal.
06
When your belt is too short or frayed at the knot point, replace it. Do not push past 5 years on a daily-use 12oz cotton.
07
A black belt is purchased AFTER grading, not before. Some dojos consider buying ahead bad luck. Trust the dojo.
08
Ceremonial belts go on the shelf when not in use, not in the kit bag.
Before you buy
Ask your sensei first.
Every dojo has belt conventions — preferred suppliers, length restrictions, embroidery rules, when (or whether) names are stitched. Buying without asking can mean owning a belt your dojo will ask you not to wear. Five minutes of conversation prevents an awkward conversation later.
Related
Belt historyBelt ceremonyBelt pledgeOpen dashboard