Haechi

I could not be happier with my purchase from Back-Sensei!!! He went above and beyond in communication and quality, and was very knowledgeable and helpful, especially since this was my very first time ever wearing and purchasing bogu.

As a woman, I've heard that it can be difficult to find fits that are both protective and comfortable, since a lot of standard sizing is often oriented towards men. But Back-sensei took the time to carefully take and review my measurements (I was lucky enough to be measured in person :D), answer all of my questions, and make great recommendations to better customize the set and ensure that I would be happy with my purchase.

When my bogu arrived, it was very clear to me that a lot of thought and care had been put into the craftsmanship and detail. Everything fits very comfortably and securely, and was very quick to adjust to my body. The built-in extra protection on the right kote has saved me from bruises numerous times, and the entire set is incredibly light and easy to wear. As a beginner kendoka, I was really worried that wearing bogu in general would feel overwhelming or restrictive, but this bogu set honestly feels very natural and has kept me very safe during practice. I've been wearing this set for about a year now, and am just as happy with it as when it first arrived.

I'm very thankful for the time, expertise, and care that went into the craftsmanship of this bogu, and I'm especially grateful to Back-Sensei for helping make getting my first bogu set so easy and enjoyable. I wholeheartedly recommend this particular set for anyone looking for high-quality bogu, and I equally recommend purchasing from Hokubei Budogu. Their exceptional customer service and genuine care are unmatched, and I would absolutely purchase from them again. :)

couldn’t be happier with this bogu set. The craftsmanship is top-notch—everything from the stitching to the padding feels solid and built to last. The men offers great protection while still giving me a clear field of vision. The tare and do provide excellent coverage without feeling bulky, and the overall balance of the set makes movement fluid and natural.

I got the set last week and so far has been very comfortable. It is super light and does not hurt. Although I need to mold the inner part of the men to my head shape, along with where the men strings go, it looks really nice from the outside. The tare and kote are also super light and way more easy to use than my previous set.

Thank you very much, sensei.🙂‍↕️The armor (Haechi Bogu) is very comfortable. I highly recommend it. The armor adapts well to combat. The purchase includes all Tenugui, Himo, and Chichigawa . I really enjoy buying Hokubei Budogu products because of their high quality.

I was given the opportunity by Yong to test and review this bogu set, so I purchased one for my wife. The bogu arrived in a square box, with each piece carefully packed in protective plastic and foam—an encouraging start that showed attention to detail.

The men (helmet) is well made, with thick and comfortable head padding. What stood out most to me was the grill design. Unlike many mass-produced men, which often suffer from poor alignment between the grill opening and the user’s eye level, this Haechi set uses a clever solution: widening the spacing between the bars at eye height. The result is a noticeably expanded field of vision without compromising safety. I personally plan to use a plastic eye shield behind the grill—something I’ve researched extensively for an upcoming presentation in Okinawa—so I have no concerns about splinters with this design.

The aesthetic details are also a pleasant surprise. The chichikawa is decorated with a subtle sakura flower pattern, which adds elegance to the men. The dō is tastefully designed, with its ribbon accented in a slightly different color that lends a refined, high-class look without being ostentatious.

Functionally, the kote are comfortable, with thoughtful padding. The slightly thicker protection on the right arm is a practical touch that kenshi will appreciate during extended practice or keiko.

Overall, this is an impressive bogu set. While it is mass-produced rather than custom-fitted, Haechi’s design choices—especially in the men—successfully address common limitations and elevate both performance and aesthetics. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a reliable, well-balanced armor set.