Dobok
Taekwondo Training Uniform

Dobok
Uniform
도복
“Doh-Bohg”

A v-neck (pull over jacket) dobok is the most common style used in Kukkiwon Taekwondo. Poomsae (patterns) competitors typically use a y-neck (cross & tie jacket) uniform.

Originally adopted from the Japanese martial arts of Judo and Karate, where it is referred to as a keikogi 稽古着 (“kay-koh-gee”) or dogi 道着 (“doh-gee”), the taekwondo uniform is based on traditional Korean clothing called 한복 hanbok (“hahn-bohg”).

Kukkiwon TKD adopted the v-neck pull over style uniform in in 1978 and re-introduced the y-neck style uniform in 2009 with its official use limited to poomsae competition.

Please do not refer to your Taekwondo uniform as a gi. Try to pronounce it as accurately as possible — remember that it is “doh-bohg” and not “doh-buhck” or “doh-bawk”.

 

  • The belt which goes around a taekwondobok is called a 띠 / Tti, which is pronounced “Tee”.

  • In the first month of practice regular gym clothes are a great substitute for a uniform.

  • After the first month of training has been completed students will be expected to purchase a uniform — ones with another school’s logo on the back will not be permitted.

  • People who have represented their country and competed internationally may wear uniforms with their country’s Olympic designation (three letter abbreviation, CAN or KOR for example) and flag, people who have only competed at local/provincial/national level may not.

  • Uniforms must be of the Kukkiwon / World Taekwondo / World Taekwondo Federation style. No other Taekwondo organization’s (ITF, ATA, TAGB, GTI, etc.) uniforms may be worn. No other martial arts styles’ uniforms (Karate, Hapkido, Jujutsu, etc.) may be worn.

  • Uniforms must not have the name or logo of any other Taekwondo school present anywhere.

  • Colour Belt students (White Belt through Black Stripe Belt) must have a white v-neck style uniform with a white collar. No other type is permitted.

  • Black Belts can have any style of Kukki / WT uniform.

  • Students may have a black collar Dan uniform once they have reached the rank of Cho Dan Bo.

  • Students with a Poom rank should wear a Poom Dobok.

  • Students from White Belt (10th Geup) to Black Stripe Belt (1st Geup) must wear a white collar uniform.

 

Once students begin sparring they should have 2 uniforms in order to ensure that there is always a clean one ready to go. Please make sure that your uniform is clean when you come to class.

Machine wash cold with similar colours and hang dry. Always bring a clean uniform.

 

Colour Belt uniforms must have a white collar, a white top and white pants (the top two uniforms are an example).

 

When purchasing a uniform as a beginner please check the item description to see if it comes with a white belt!

If not you will have to purchase a white belt separately — each site listed below also sells white belts.