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**Old-old-Ivy** · 02-07-2010, 12:46 PM

I would go cheaper. You can say that you will follow through, but it's impossible to know such a thing beforehand. Many beginners quit just after getting and wearing bogu, because it's either not what they expected, painful/ uncomfortable, or they don't like having the tables turned on them by their senpai (i.e they're no longer just receiving, they can hit back now).

I spent a ton on my first set of bogu and received a bit of contempt, so I regret it a bit (thought it's been a few years and it's held up nicely...). Buying a cheaper set is not only better for your financial well-being, but sometimes it's also considered vain for a noob to buy a nice kit right off the bat.

Of course, you can still do what you want. But I would just go with what the others in your dojo tell you. So...the best and most common answer to these questions: Ask your Sensei.

Quick question for you Shinsengumi77..... Im looking at the part of your reply that says "I spent a ton on my first set of bogu and received a bit of contempt, so I regret it a bit (thought it's been a few years and it's held up nicely...). Buying a cheaper set is not only better for your financial well-being, but sometimes it's also considered vain for a noob to buy a nice kit right off the bat."

But when I look in bogu facts I see statement 8 of part 2. "What should I budget for a beginner bogu set? I found something a lot cheaper, why should I spend so much?"

"The low end for decent quality bogu is around $US400, and you probably shouldn't spend any more than $US1000.
In the end, you get what you pay for. It's difficult to compare apples and apples when shopping mail order, or even if you see the goods in person. Quality shows up in the use and over the long haul, which is why having a supplier you can trust is important. In the end bogu is protective equipment for your own physical safety, so really think about whether or not you want to skimp on protective gear."

This sounds like sound advice? What do you think? I thought the cheaper sets were $400-$600...? Is $800 really a vain move? What does a middle of the road bogu cost?

02-07-2010, 12:46 PM	#13
Old-old-Ivy Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 513 Senior Member	I would go cheaper. You can say that you will follow through, but it's impossible to know such a thing beforehand. Many beginners quit just after getting and wearing bogu, because it's either not what they expected, painful/ uncomfortable, or they don't like having the tables turned on them by their senpai (i.e they're no longer just receiving, they can hit back now). I spent a ton on my first set of bogu and received a bit of contempt, so I regret it a bit (thought it's been a few years and it's held up nicely...). Buying a cheaper set is not only better for your financial well-being, but sometimes it's also considered vain for a noob to buy a nice kit right off the bat. Of course, you can still do what you want. But I would just go with what the others in your dojo tell you. So...the best and most common answer to these questions: Ask your Sensei. Quick question for you Shinsengumi77..... Im looking at the part of your reply that says "I spent a ton on my first set of bogu and received a bit of contempt, so I regret it a bit (thought it's been a few years and it's held up nicely...). Buying a cheaper set is not only better for your financial well-being, but sometimes it's also considered vain for a noob to buy a nice kit right off the bat." But when I look in bogu facts I see statement 8 of part 2. "What should I budget for a beginner bogu set? I found something a lot cheaper, why should I spend so much?" "The low end for decent quality bogu is around $US400, and you probably shouldn't spend any more than $US1000. In the end, you get what you pay for. It's difficult to compare apples and apples when shopping mail order, or even if you see the goods in person. Quality shows up in the use and over the long haul, which is why having a supplier you can trust is important. In the end bogu is protective equipment for your own physical safety, so really think about whether or not you want to skimp on protective gear." This sounds like sound advice? What do you think? I thought the cheaper sets were $400-$600...? Is $800 really a vain move? What does a middle of the road bogu cost?
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