Dobok: taekwondo uniform types, fabric and sizing
“Dobok” covers several different garments. Buying the wrong one is the most common mistake — a WT dobok and an ITF dobok are not interchangeable at a graded event.
Combatwear Factory manufactures custom taekwondo doboks for schools, teams and brands. Buyers define collar style, fabric, cut, size grading, embroidery/printing, labels and packing; competition uniforms should be checked against the current rules of the relevant federation before production.
WT dobok, ITF dobok and club dobok
The WT dobok is a pullover with a V-neck. The collar colour carries rank: white for most grades, black for black belt, and red-and-black for poom (junior black belt). It is the uniform used in Olympic-style taekwondo.
The ITF dobok is an open-front jacket held closed by the belt, with trim at the hem and usually a jacket that sits longer. The two are not interchangeable at a graded event or tournament.
Club doboks are plain white uniforms used for general training and for schools that do not follow either federation strictly. They are the easiest to customise, because they carry no federation collar or trim requirements.
Fabric weight and what it changes
A light dobok around 160–180 GSM is cooler, dries faster and suits kids, hot climates and high-volume kicking drills. It also creases more and looks softer.
A heavier dobok at 220–250 GSM and above hangs straighter, makes a sharper snap on technique, and lasts longer under belt friction. The trade-off is heat.
Ribbed and textured weaves sit at the heavy end and are usually chosen for competition and demonstration rather than daily class.
Shrinkage is the sizing problem
Cotton and cotton-blend doboks shrink in the first few hot washes, mostly in length. This is why doboks are sized by height with overlap between bands — a size that fits perfectly out of the bag is often too short by month three.
Pre-shrunk and poly-cotton doboks move much less. If you are kitting out a club with mixed ages, pre-shrunk fabric removes most of the replacement problem.
Producing doboks for a club or brand
The decisions are: form (WT, ITF or club), fabric weight, collar construction, and where your branding goes. Club name on the back of the jacket and a small chest mark is the standard layout; embroidery outlasts print on a garment washed this often.
For a club order, the useful thing to settle early is the size mix. A junior-heavy club and an adult club need completely different quantities per band, and getting that wrong leaves you with stock nobody can wear.
Dobok sizing (by height)
Dobok sizes are numbered by wearer height, not by chest. Check the maker’s own chart before ordering.
| 000 / 100 cm | Up to about 3’3″ (100 cm) |
|---|---|
| 00 / 110 cm | About 3’3″–3’7″ (100–110 cm) |
| 0 / 120 cm | About 3’7″–3’11″ (110–120 cm) |
| 1 / 130 cm | About 3’11″–4’3″ (120–130 cm) |
| 2 / 140 cm | About 4’3″–4’7″ (130–140 cm) |
| 3 / 150 cm | About 4’7″–4’11″ (140–150 cm) |
| 4 / 160 cm | About 4’11″–5’3″ (150–160 cm) |
| 5 / 170 cm | About 5’3″–5’7″ (160–170 cm) |
| 6 / 180 cm | About 5’7″–5’11″ (170–180 cm) |
| 7 / 190 cm | About 5’11″–6’3″ (180–190 cm) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a dobok?
A dobok is the uniform worn in taekwondo — jacket, trousers and belt. The main forms are the WT dobok (V-neck pullover, collar colour shows rank) and the ITF dobok (open jacket closed by the belt).
What is the difference between a WT and ITF dobok?
The WT dobok is a V-neck pullover with a rank-coloured collar. The ITF dobok is an open-front jacket with trim at the hem, closed by the belt. They are not interchangeable at a graded event.
What size dobok do I need?
Doboks are sized by wearer height in centimetres, not S/M/L — a 170 size suits roughly 160–170 cm. Check the maker’s chart and allow for shrinkage if the fabric is not pre-shrunk.
What does the collar colour on a dobok mean?
On a WT dobok the collar shows rank: white for most grades, black for black belt, red-and-black for poom (junior black belt).
Do doboks shrink?
Cotton and cotton-blend doboks shrink in the first few hot washes, mostly in length. Pre-shrunk and poly-cotton doboks move much less.
Can I get doboks with my club name?
Yes. Club name across the jacket back with a small chest mark is the standard layout, and embroidery lasts longer than print on a uniform washed this often.
Product views
Individual product and manufacturing views. Tap any image to enlarge.
From fabric to finished order
Photographs from our own unit in Sialkot: cutting, stitching, finishing and storage.
Custom doboks for your club
Tell us the form (WT, ITF or club), fabric weight, your size mix and where your branding goes. We confirm the specification and MOQ for your actual order.
Manufacturing specification & terms
| Minimum order (per design) | 30 pieces |
|---|---|
| Starting price | From US$50 per piece. The final price depends on specification and quantity and is confirmed in your written quotation. |
| Mixed sizes | Yes, across sizes |
| Fabric | Poly-cotton |
| GSM / weight | Confirmed for the selected fabric and product in your written quotation / approved sample |
| Sample time | 7-10 working days |
| Bulk lead time | 20-30 working days |
| Branding | Woven / printed labels, embroidery, sublimation and patches |
| Packaging | Brand/size/care labels and individual packing to the approved order instructions |
| Sample fee | The sample fee is typically USD 100-200 per sample depending on the product and specification, and is credited against your bulk order. |
| Payment / delivery | 100% advance payment with order confirmation. We accept Western Union, PayPal and Alibaba. DDP - Delivered Duty Paid. We arrange export documentation, freight and import duty to your delivery address. |
Quality control: every order passes Fabric, GSM and weight, Sizing and measurements, Stitching and construction, Print and embroidery, Final inspection checks. See our full QC process →