Showing posts with label gi review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gi review. Show all posts

BJJ gi review: ES BJJ GI Product Review Post

ES BJJ GI Product Review Post

As a grappler, I feel you’re your GI says a lot about your work. It is a way you recognize a fighter in the crowd. Most people say that being a grappler your options are limited, you get to choose between very limited colors and there is no way you can customize your GI without feeling the strain on your pocket. All these things are true in my opinion.

In most cases, if you come across a good BJJ GI, the options are limited. However, if you get past the options and you like something, the overall fitting process and finding the perfect size means you have to give up eventually. Apart from this, price and delivery charges can get pretty hefty as well. As an expert, if you have been buying GI for a long time, you will know your way around things. However, if you are not familiar and you are just a beginner this will drain your energy.


I recently tried elite sport GI for one of my grappling sessions. I liked the packing and the material but I was not sure if it was going to work for me since I am a fierce grappler who likes a lot of room. Most of the time, size is pretty limited so there is no way to tell that the medium you ordered will offer you enough room that you can perform a maneuver without feeling restricted.

I first heard about the elite sport through a friend who is also a fellow grappler. The GI he was wearing was very different. I had seen people wearing white, black, and blue GIs but he was wearing a camouflage GI. To be honest, I have not seen people wearing a camouflage GI yet. When asked about the brand, he told me it was a good purchase and people have been asking him about the other options as well. This is when I thought I should try their GI.



Features

Their GI is pretty comfortable so far. I have used it at least three times and I have washed it as well. Even after washing, I see no difference in quality or size.

·        The fabric of this GI is very lightweight and made of antibacterial, pre-shrink material.

·        The design is very adjustable, especially the side slit design. It offers enough movement room and you get to see the color pattern as well. It offers an ergonomic function and there is no restriction in the range of motion as well.

·        Even if you don’t want to wash the GI, it is made of anti-odor fabric lined with sweat-wicking so even when you sweat it doesn’t stay or smell.

·        It is a multipurpose GI and is suitable for all kinds of martial arts tournaments.

·        The drawstrings on the trousers offer you to easily tighten and adjust the trouser according to your fitting, ease, and comfort.

·        It also comes with a free white belt so you don’t have to buy it separately.


Material

This GI is made of CVC with 60% cotton and 40% polyester. It is pretty comfortable and can be worn in all sorts of weather. The cotton offers softness and flexibility while the polyester offers strength to the fabric.

Fit and Comfort

When looking for a good GI, most people complain that although they have invested too much money they were not able to get good value for their money because it didn’t fit them right. The best part of getting an elite sport GI is that the size chart is pretty simple to understand. You just need to know about your height and your weight and then get to the size chart where you can easily pick the size that is appropriate for you. A simple example is that if you are 5.8’ and 125lbs you can choose A3.


Variations and Options

If you are a design freak and you like to experiment with the designs you are in for a treat. Elite sport range offers some of the best and most unique designs that you can try. They have three different variations and each variation comes with its perks and color options.

Ultimate BJJ GI

If you just want to stay simple and rock the logo of elite sport, you can choose this GI. It comes with a simple logo near the chest area and also a color slide near the slit.

Essential GI

Ideal for the academies and people on the budget. This is the simplest GI because you get to customize it, add your academy logo, or just write your name. Since it is simple, you can buy it in bulk because it is pretty economical. 

Customized GI

This is a little expensive and mostly used by experts who are going to take part in an official fight. You will get to have two variations mainly for American and Mexican.

As a professional who doesn’t want to go through hassle or styling, you can get Ultimate GI. This comes with a white belt and you will have so many different colors to choose from.

 


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ZHOO ZHITSU IS FOR EVERYONE!

Check for more resources on Amazon.com:

BJJ Gi Review: Alavanca Combat Gi


The AV COMBAT GI is the flagship product from Alavanca (transl. Leverage), a recent addition to the ever-growing jiujitsu scene. Alavanca.com is the 2017 brainchild of the two head instructors at the world famous Gracie University HQ, Rener and Ryron Gracie out of Torrance, California where I recently spent a week training.

BJJ gi review: NVM: Non Violent Movement - Order & Progress and Death of the ego

NVMJJ or Non Violent Movement Jiujitsu - A Gi review.


I met Nathan, the man behind NVM at a seminar by my friend and EGJJF co-founder Mr Michel Verhoeven down in Kent. He came across very genuine and passionate about Jiujitsu so when the opportunity presented itself to interview him and share his story plus review a couple of their products I welcomed it. As it is often the case with Jiujitsu, when a gi brand is founded by a practitioner of the art, you see models of that gi all around the founder's parent academy and so was the case down at Fluxo BJJ. I liked the general look and feel of the gis and was excited to get started. 



BJJ Interview: NVM Jiujitsu Founder Nathan Spain

I recently had the chance to have a conversation with Mr Nathan Spain, founder of one of the youngest and most exciting brands on the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gi market: NVM Jiujitsu. I met Nathan a few times at my friend Michel Verhoeven's seminars down in Kent and I could really sense his dedication to the art, the community and was so impressed by his uncompromising attitude towards quality, I thought it'd be cool to have a chat about his background and how the Non-Violent-Movement Brand came about (how cool is that name?!)

Nathan was kind enough to answer my interview questions and I'm currently in the process of reviewing two of his lines: "Death of the Ego" & "Order & Progress" so keep your eyes peeled for upcoming reviews. In the meantime, Mr Nathan Spain.




Hello. Why don’t we start by you telling us a little about yourself?

BJJ Gi review: Flow Kimonos Pro Series


Flow Kimonos is an innovative Jiujitsu gi manufacturer based out of Chicago, USA. Their slick, clean and well marketed products caught my eye on https://www.instagram.com/flowkimonos/. The management behind the company is very friendly and their product is of a high quality with some nice and unique ideas. They sent me the Pro Model to road test.

BJJ Gi Review: Globetrotters Competition Gi - New Release!

Short BJJ Gi Review



BJJ Globetrotters is a world spanning, yet accidental, Brazilian jiujitsu team. I say accidental because the founder Christian Graugart describes it like that and while indeed you can register for IBJJF and UAEJJF competitions through the BJJ Globetrotters, they represent far more than just another BJJ team. They’re a movement:



I reviewed the BJJ Globetrotter’s travel gi not too long ago and it’s still one of my favourite gis to train in. Understandably, the super light, ripstop gi is not competition legal so when I heard that they’d released a competition legal one, I jumped at the opportunity to review it. 




They real seem to have done their homework as the gi is both beautiful, aesthetically designed and tailored to the tooth. It's light enough to train in regularly and do local, national and international comps in.

 
Simple and aesthetically pleasing reminders of the general ethos of the BJJ Globetrotters are strewn throughout this project.

Disclosure and cost:

Christian sent me this gi to review. BJJ Globetrotters normally sell the BJJ Globetrotters Competition gi for $199 which works out to around £150 (€180) but they're currently offering it for $175 (£132 / €158). Did I mention free shipping worldwide?!

BJJ Interview: Valor Kimono Founder Kevin Adshead



I recently ordered a beautiful gi-material brown belt from Valor Fightwear after a very positive review from my friend Seymour at Meerkatsu. I was so impressed with the quality and aesthetics of the belt I contacted the company for an interview and got through to Mr Kevin Adshead, the founder. He was very generous with his time. I hope you enjoy it.



Hello. Why don’t we start by you telling us a little about yourself?

My name is Kevin, I am 34 years old and I am originally from London and now live in Essex. I am the owner of Valor Fightwear and I also own/run a couple of gi stores as well.

BJJ gi review: Scramble - The Godfather



The Godfather BJJ Kimono from Scramble.

Officially licensed, this gi features a 550gsm pearl weave top and 12oz cotton twill pants. Prints of The Godfather himself, Don Vito Corleone, adorn the inside of the gi.



BJJ Gi review: White Progress M6 Jiujitsu

Progress Jiujitsu is a relative newcomer on the UK gi scene. Here you will find a nice interview by Meerkatsu's Seymour Yang with the founder of Progress Jiujitsu Mr James Tighe. While you're at it, check my interview with the man with the usual Part Time Grappler twist.

Having lived in the Northwest (Manchester) of England for over 10 years, I came in contact with Progress BJJ sponsored athletes regularly and they all seemed very happy with the products. Here's a nice "Progress BJJ introduces" promo video with my friend David Minto:



Considering the plethora of companies out there, I was intrigued and after my interview with James, we decided that I should review his white gi for the blog.

BJJ competition gi review: Fuji vs Tatami - Suparaito vs Sub Zero



 

In this review, I will be looking at two popular white, IBJJF legal gis by one American and one British brand: Fuji and Tatami Fightwear respectively. The gi models I reviewed were the Suparaito by Fuji and Sub-Zero Ultralight by Tatami Fightwear. I asked both companies to send me white A2 models to review and that the gis would be IBJJF legal as I wanted to road test them at the 2015 European Open in Lisbon, Portugal. First, let's look at the Fuji Suparaito gi:


BJJ gi review: Globetrotters Travel Gi

BJJ Globetrotters Travel Gi gets reviewed. Wow!

So exactly how thin is a completely ripstop travel gi from the BJJ Globetrotters, spearheaded by captain Blond-fro Christian Graugart, well thin enough to comfortably wear under my work suit.  

BJJ Gi review: Submission FC Aura pants and assorted hemp TShirts.



These gi pants sold by Submission FC are by far, BY FAR, the softest gi pants I've ever put on. In fact, they just might be the softest thing I've ever worn.

Embroidered logo

– White with Navy Blue Contrast Stitching
– Pre-Shrunk Polyester / Cotton blend Gi Pants
– Rope Draw String
– Heavily Reinforced
– 5 Draw String Loops



BJJ gi review: The Sensation - Submission FC

Hemp Sensation by Submission FC
                                         
Disclaimer: The former Hemp Sensation Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Gi by Submission FightCo is NOT made out of hemp. Unless you've been living under a rock for the past few months, you probably know that.

It is, however, a nice BJJ gi. In short, the gi is a very lovely looking gi made from a super-soft concoction of cotton and polyester. The inside of the gi has multiple reinforcements to handle the toil of jiujitsu and grappling so it's going to be very sturdy without being heavy, but having said that, some BJJ players might not like all the extra pieces and prefer a single piece jacket. Horses for courses I suppose. You can buy the soft and sturdy, re-branded "Sensation" here.

Hemp Sensation by Submission FC by my trusted friend Mr Don Barr: Full Review:

Gi Review: 93 brand - Charlie - BJJ Goes Chocolate!

93 Brand is a relatively new American fight apparel company. They real seem to have done their homework though as the gis are both beautiful, aesthetically designed and seems very sturdy.

The Charlie is light enough to train in and do comps as, currently, black gis are still IBJJF legal.


Disclosure and cost:
The fantastic guys at RollMore.com sent me this gi to review. RollMore.com sell the 93 Brand Charlie gi for $139.99 which works out to around £92. 


Gi Review: 93 Brand - Tau - BJJ's Softest Gi

 93 Brand is a relatively new American fight apparel company. The "TAU" is their latest white model. Super soft. Soft soft soft.

http://www.martialartssupplies.com/93brand-tau.html


 Disclosure and cost:
The fantastic guys at MartialArtsSupplies.com sent me this gi to review. MartialArtsSupplies.com sell the 93 Brand Tau gi for $139.99 which works out to around £92. 


BJJ Gi Review: MKIII by Predator - Black Eagle. The new design


http://www.black-eagle.co.uk/predatormk3competitionbjjgiblue-p-3518.html

Gi Review: MKIII by Black Eagle. The new design
Disclaimer: The Part Time Grappler is sponsored by Black Eagle & Predator Fightwear. Having said that, this did not affect the objectivity of my review for the simple reason that Black Eagle ASKED for a review. They wanted to know what was good and what they could do even better.

Short BJJ gi review: This is a very good competition gi. It's sparsely decorated, even less than before, which allows addition of team and club patches without it becoming too much of the good thing. The gi jacket has been re-designed to offer a wider skirt (for loopin chokes) but maintained the nice collar and sleeves. The gi pants are still ripstop and uber-light. The gi feels very soft and nice to roll in. Take it to a comp and you won't regret it. It is currently priced at £94.99 (approx. $158 or€114) for the blue and £84.99 for the white model on 


BJJ Gi Review - BadBoy Pro Series

BadBoy. Old school brand. One of the first to support the jiujitsu and MMA scene. Last summer, I started a collaboration project with their team here in the UK so when the opportunity came to review their Pro Series BJJ gi, I jumped at it.

Starting back in the day with surf Tshirts, BadBoy sponsored the legend Rickson Gracie for a Rio seminar and their place in jiujitsu history was cemented for ever.



Disclosure and cost:
The fantastic guys at BadBoy - UK sent me this gi to review. BadBoy - UK sell the white BadBoy Pro series gi for £99.99 while the BadBoy USA $155. 

Gi Review:
My first expectation of a BadBoy gi was that it'd have a loud design, or at least too loud for my liking but I was pleasantly surprised. Yes there are patches on the shoulders and pants. Yes there is one on the upper back too but, that's it! It's actually quite a stylish gi.

BJJ Gi Review: Budo Nord - Fighter Gear - Sao Paulo - Blue




Budo Nord, SBI and Fighter Gear are three martial arts brand names that have coloured most of my years in the martial arts. As the official supply to many national teams in a variety of martial arts all over Scandinavia, they have always stood for quality and diversity.

I recently reviewed the Coracao (ironically a white gi) and here is my review of the Sao Paolo (blue). I have had my hands full with a whole bunch of projects which meant I have taken my time with these reviews but as we say in Sweden: For he who waits for something good, the wait is never too long.

Here's the Part Time Grappler's review:



Sao Paulo BJJ gi, by Fighter Gear, a sub-brand of Budo Nord.



Disclosure and cost:
The team at Budo Nord sent me this gi to review. Budo Nord sell the Sao Paolo gi for 990 Swedish Kronor which works out to around €1, $152 or £96. Their delivery time from their massive warehouses in Sweden to Manchester, UK was a very impressive 6 days.




BJJ Review: Patch Your Gi

Patch Your Gi

 Pros: Super detailed job, very fast and very reasonably priced (You can get patches for less than $5 per patch!)
 Cons: The website mixes centimetre measurements with American Dollar pricing which confused me a little. Can't really think of anything else really. Then again, I haven't used any other patch printing services :)


I was contacted by Kiril and team behind my sponsor Brutal TShirt about their sister company Patch Your GiTM, asking if I wanted to review their products and services. This was very exciting and I wanted to jump at the opportunity but I didn't have a patch design to produce*. Kiril was eager to get the services reviewed so he volunteered to create a patch for me and then print it to see what I thought of the quality and I tell you I wasn't disappointed!

The patches arrived in a timely manner and the production quality was second to none I have seen. I remember discussing the Patch Your Gi idea with Kiril's instructor and my friend Mr Christian Graugart** when he visited the UK not too long ago and his immediate words were: "These guys are unstoppable! They are very hard working and I really don't think there's a limit to what they can achieve!" and he was right.

Here are a few pictures of the pieces they sent me (plus a few I stole from their portfolio) and a quick link to their pricing page. For the UK based readers, I've translated the prices and sizes into pounds and inches. I hope this helps.








Size: 25x25cm  = 9.8 inches x 9.9 inches

Package
# of patches
Total (inc. p&p)
Cost Per Patch
White
25
£102.00
£4.08
Blue
50
£175.00
£3.50
Black
100
£293.00
£2.93!
 

Once again, I couldn't recommend these guys any more. Very nice product, great prices and very timely delivery.


*Well, that's a small fib. I was in the middle of rebranding. I got my new logo designed by a wonderful Brazilian Jiu Jitsu wizard of the brush. It's ready now and I will be unveiling the final work very soon. So exciting!
**Here's my interview with Christian from that time.

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ZHOO ZHITSU IS FOR EVERYONE!

Liam "The Part Time Grappler" Wandi

Proudly sponsored by Predator Fightwear: Built for the kill and Brutal TShirt: Made By Grapplers For Fighters

BJJ Gi Review: Budo Nord - Fighter Gear - Coracao - white




Budo Nord, SBI and Fighter Gear are three martial arts brand names that have coloured most of my years in the martial arts. As the official supply to many national teams in a variety of martial arts all over Scandinavia, they have always stood for quality and diversity. Whatever you need in the martial arts (modern and traditional) they had it and it was good. My Kung fu kit was from them, my Karate kit was from them, my hand- and leg protectors were all from them. Even my wooden sword (which my wife calls "That Stick") were all purchased either at a Budo & Fitness store (official distributors), ordered thru my instructor at the time or ordered…via mail. (yup. I'm a little older than you!)

I recently contacted the headquarters in Sweden and explained the above and how I'd love to review their BJJ range. At first look, I wasn't sure what to make of the patchwork on some of the gis, but I needed a much closer look to make a fair assessment. Scandinavian efficiency meant I had a reply within 2 working days, from the General Manager Sigurd nonetheless, and within a week I had two gis to review: The Coracao (ironically a white gi) and a Sao Paolo (blue). I have had my hands full with a whole bunch of projects which meant I have taken my time with these reviews but as we say in Sweden: For he who waits for something good, the wait is never too long.

I will start with the white Coracao and later on I will share my review of the blue Sao Paolo.

Here's what the SBI / Budo Nord online catalogue says about the Coracao gi:

"Competition cut MMA uniform ensuring snug but comfortable fit. Top in durable, but lightweight, Pearl Weave grain cloth. Pants in Ripstop. Fighter Coracao: Great looking uniform - Knock out quality. Complete with patches."


Here's the Part Time Grappler's review:



Coracao BJJ gi, by Fighter Gear, a sub-brand of Budo Nord.





Disclosure and cost:
The team at Budo Nord sent me this gi to review. Budo Nord sell the Sao Paolo gi for 990 Swedish Kronor which works out to around €1, $152 or £96. Their delivery time from their massive warehouses in Sweden to Manchester, UK was a very impressive 6 days.