Kyoto-Pro Series Bogu Comparison

Working with our trusted manufacturers for more than a year to research, design and exhaustively test the perfect armour solution, the Kyoto-Pro Series Bogu are built upon three core principles: Protection, Quality, Value.

ALL Kyoto-Pro models feature extra-protective Men and the Kote Buton, with 12mm thickness in the target areas, constructed from multiple protective layers, with a dual layer of selected natural felts at its core. These layers of protective material have been carefully selected for their differential densities and tested to best balance weight, comfort and impact management.

Width, pitch and style

The Kyoto-Pro Series sets and parts in stock are all machine stitched and hand assembled.

DEFENDER - 6mm
GUARDIAN - 4mm
TITAN - 3mm
NEXUS - 6mm Cross-Stitch

Wide stitching is less expensive to make and the nature of the Futon is that it will be spongier and softer, making it good at absorbing shock and more comfortable to wear. The wider the stitching the less durable the pad as it will get softer with use and deform more with heavier impacts over time with repetitive strikes to the same place.

Closer stitching increases durability and density of the Futon. The pad has a stronger structure to resist heavy impacts and will be protective for longer. The Bogu will also hold its shape well with time and after an initial breaking in period will be more comfortable and moulded to the practitioner.

Because it requires more labour to make them as the width gets narrower, this also increases the price of the set.

The cross-stitch style mimics the stitching pattern seen in traditional hand-stitched Bogu and results in a softer and easily shaped Futon which balances shock absorption and impact resistance very well.

All of the Kyoto-Pro series also feature a longer stitch pitch; the length of the stitch is longer to prevent over compression of the padding.

The combination of thicker protective cores in target areas, anti-compression stitch pitch and balanced Futon stitching widths make sure you are protected well no matter which Bogu set you opt for.

Materials

The materials used play a large role in the appearance, durability and price of the Bogu set.

Clarino, a type of Synthetic leather, is tough but sacrifices a degree of comfort and fit, whilst Orizashi, a woven cotton textile similar to Keikogi fabric, is a much cheaper lightweight material, fast drying but liable to wear quickly.

Aizome dyed cow leather is a more economical natural material than deerskin that offers a very similar overall appearance and excellent durability. The down side is that this material takes longer to dry.

Aizome dyed deerskin is a highly prized material that is both flexible and durable, that reacts well to moisture and fades naturally over time. Besides also taking longer to dry, deer leather has a higher price that consequently increases the price of the Bogu.

Defender Men

Extra-protective multi-layer padding with natural felts.
Shock-absorbent pitch stitching to manage impact.
Sweat-managing microfibre interior.
Lightweight duralumin Mengane.

Defender Kote

Dual-density padding with extra protection on the right hand.
Shock-absorbent pitch stitching to reduce compression.
Clarino neo-leather palms — durable and fast-drying.
Synthetic wool filling to maintain shape over time.

Defender Do

Reinforced fibre Dodai with glossy black finish.
Natural Kurozan leather upper for durability and tradition.
Stylish dark blue embroidery with low-profile braid design.
Lightweight yet robust construction for daily training.

Defender Tare

Multi-layer shock-absorbing padding.
Comfortable aizome-dyed waistband.
Clarino reinforcements to reduce wear and tear.
Elegant triple-Kazari decoration for a classic finish.

Guardian Men

Multi-layer padding with dual-density natural felts.
4mm shock-absorbent pitch stitching for durability and impact management.
Diagonal Men-Dare stitching for a comfortable fit from day one.
Lightweight duralumin grille and sweat-managing microfibre interior.

Guardian Kote

Dual-layer protective padding with extra shielding on the right hand.
4mm pitch stitching for durability and shock absorption.
White deer leather palms — elastic, comfortable, and form-fitting over time.
Synthetic wool fill to maintain long-term shape and protection.

Guardian Do

Reinforced fibre Dodai with glossy black finish.
Natural Kurozan leather upper for durability and tradition.
Classic Noukon Naname-Zashi embroidered detailing.
Lightweight yet robust construction for daily training.

Guardian Tare

4mm pitch stitching with multi-layer padding.
Comfortable aizome-dyed waistband for a secure fit.
Clarino reinforcements at wear points for added durability.
Traditional five-line Kazari-Ito decoration for a timeless look.

Titan Men

Multi-layer padding with dual-density natural felts for superior impact absorption.
3mm pitch stitching.
Diagonal Men-Dare stitching for a correct, comfortable fit from day one.
IBB duralumin grille with reinforced steel bars — stronger, safer, and better balanced
Sweat-managing microfibre interior for comfort.

Titan Kote

Extra-protective padding with reinforced right-hand coverage.
3mm pitch stitching for increased durability and shock absorption.
Ergonomic profile that naturally aligns the wrist and grip.
Soft, form-fitting tanned deer leather palms.
Hybrid 50:50 deer wool and synthetic fill — combining shock absorption with resilience.

Titan Do

Toughened Shin Yamato 50-piece Dodai.
Classic black gloss finish with bamboo-ridged internal styling.
Traditional kurozan leather Mune.
Stylish Noukon Naname-Zashi embroidered pattern with Oni-Gumo design.

Titan Tare

3mm pitch stitching for shock absorption and comfort.
Indigo-dyed natural leather reinforcements for extra durability.
Comfortable Aizome-dyed waistband for a secure fit.
Traditional six-line Kazari-Ito decoration for a timeless aesthetic.

Model	Defender	Guardian	Titan	Nexus Cross-Stitch
Average Men Weight*	1303g	1335g	1437g	1415g
Men-Buton Thickness - Strike Zone	12mm	12mm	12mm	12mm
Men-Buton Thickness - Men-Dare	5mm	5mm	5mm	5mm
Men-Padding Material	Dual Density Natural Felt	Dual Density Natural Felt	Dual Density Natural Felt	Dual Density Natural Felt
Men-Buton Fabric	Aizome Dyed Cotton	Aizome Dyed Cotton	Aizome Dyed Cotton	Aizome Dyed Cotton
Men-Dare Style	Naname-Zashi	Naname-Zashi	Naname-Zashi	Hishi-Zashi
Men-Buton Stitch Width	6mm	4mm	3mm	6mm Cross Stitch
Men-Buton Stitch Pitch	4mm	4mm	4mm	3mm on strike zone / 4mm on lower part
Men-Ago Shokko	Cross Kazarai Ito	Noukon Naname-Zashi	Noukon Naname-Zashi	Noukon Naname-Zashi
Men-Ago Material	Kurozan Textured Leather	Aizome Dyed Kongawa Leather	Aizome Dyed Kongawa Leather	Deluxe Aizome Dyed Kongawa Deer Leather
Men-Mimigawa Material	Kurozan Textured Leather	Kurozan Textured Leather	Aizome Dyed Kongawa Leather	Deluxe Aizome Dyed Kongawa Deer Leather
Men-Uragawa Style	None	Kosakura Neo Leather	Kosakura Neo Leather	Inden - Black Tombo
Men-Sumigawa Style	Clarino - Neo Leather	Clarino - Neo Leather	Aizome Dyed Kongawa Leather	Tezashi Styled Edging - No Sumigawa
Men-Gane Style	Duralumin	Duralumin	IBB Duralumin	IBB Duralumin
Men-Uchiwa	Shirurido Microfibre	Shirurido Microfibre	Shirurido Microfibre	Shirurido Microfibre
Average Kote Weight (pair)*	512g	525g	589g	585g
Kote-Buton Strike Zone Thickness	Right 12mm : Left 10mm	Right 12mm : Left 10mm	Right 12mm : Left 10mm	Right 12mm : Left 10mm
Kote-Buton Stitch Width	6mm	4mm	3mm	6mm Cross-Stitch
Kote-Buton Stitch Pitch	4mm	4mm	4mm	4mm
Kote Profile	Standard Style	Standard Style	Eguri Style	Eguri Style
Kote-Kobushi Leather	Clarino - Neo Leather	Clarino - Neo Leather	Aizome Dyed Kongawa Leather	Deluxe Aizome Dyed Kongawa Deer Leather
Kote-Atama Padding	Synthetic Wool Fill	Synthetic Wool Fill	50/50 Hybrid Fill - Deer Wool/Synthetic Wool	50/50 Hybrid Fill - Deer Wool/Synthetic Wool
Kote-Tennouchi Material	Clarino - Neo Leather	White Deer Leather	Tanned Deer Leather	Deluxe Smoked Deer Leather
Average Do Weight*	1290g	1320g	1410g	1390g
Do-Dai Style	Plain Fibre	Plain Fibre	Toughened 50pc Shin Yamato Fibre	Toughened 50pc Shin Yamato Fibre
Do-Mune Material	Kurozan Textured Leather	Kurozan Textured Leather	Kurozan Textured Leather	Kurozan Textured Leather
Do-Mune Kazari Style	Ko-Gumo	Hongumo	Onigumo	Souzashi
Do-Mune Shokko	Noukon Gobanzashi	Noukon Nanamezashi	Noukon Nanamezashi	Noukon Nanamezashi
Ko-Mune Decoration	Single Kazari Ito	Double Kazari Ito	Double Kazari Ito	Triple Kazari Ito
Average Tare Weight*	710g	800g	880g	910g
Tare-Buton Stitch Width	6mm	4mm	3mm	6mm Cross Stitch
Tare-Buton Stitch Pitch	4mm	4mm	4mm	4mm
Tare Ura-Gawa	None	None	Kosakura Neo Leather	Inden - Black Tombo
Tare-Buton Reinforcement	Clarino - Neo Leather	Clarino - Neo Leather	Aizome Dyed Kongawa Leather	Deluxe Aizome Dyed Kongawa Deer Leather
O-Dare Decoration	3 Kazarisen	5 Kazari Ito	6 Kazari Ito	6 Kazari Ito

WHAT MAKES THE KYOTO-PRO SERIES EXTRA PROTECTIVE?

What's the difference between the models?

Kyoto-Pro Defender Bogu Set — the most accessible armour set in the Kyoto-Pro Series. It’s the ideal way to step into extra-protective armour at outstanding value — designed for Kenshi who demand both safety and performance.

A true mid-range option, it bridges the gap between entry-level and top-tier armour, delivering tangible gains in protection and performance while retaining timeless Japanese styling.

This set offers a professional-grade specification that guarantees both performance and longevity, without unnecessary cosmetic extras. The perfect step for those ready to invest in high-level armour at an accessible price point.

Full Specification Comparison Chart