Monthly Archives: March 2011

Kauai Kimono Gi Review

Now that I’ve got my no-gi gear out of the way with the reviews of Rupture’s Signature Fight Shorts and Kikskin’s grappling leggings, let’s switch over to gi.

The guys at Kauai Kimonos sent me a Royal Blue Ripstop BJJ gi and I’ve been using it for much of the past year. Here’s my review.

Like with all gear, the most important factors to consider are durability and if it delivers what it promises. Here Kauai wins with tiger blood and Adonis DNA. This gi hasn’t torn, frayed, faded, shrunk or gotten a stinky “funk” like other brands have. They guarantee it will never rip or they’re replace it if it does. It is super lightweight so it stays cool in the summer (I train in Florida in a warehouse without A/C so that’s important) and it dries off quickly.

To be balanced, I will answer “So who wouldn’t like this gi?” That comes down to personal preference. Some people want to feel like they’re wearing Kevlar armor like HCK double weave judo gi. Some people like a luxurious gi with little bonuses like built-in kneepads and softer cotton fabric like a Shoyoroll. If you’re used to gold or platinum (or whatever precious metal they are naming it after now) weave, you may feel a little naked in just ripstop fabric. It took me a little to get used to the feel after wearing thicker gis like Gameness and Shoyoroll, but now I prefer it.

Another hitch is their questionable legality in competition. Here’s what they had to say about it:

Our ripstop gi pants are definitely legal, but the jacket is unfortunately not allowed for IBJJF comps. Other organizations may vary. We’ve had a ton of reports of people competing in their ripstop gi’s all over the world. Most recently NAGA and Gracie Nationals.

So that’s a bummer, but if you plan on wearing it to your academy most of the time then it’s not a deal breaker.

Despite any of those issues, my Kauai kimono is my favorite gi based on its durability and comfort when training gets hot, beating out even Shoyoroll (which is a great gi in itself.) Contact the Kauai Kimonos guys when you need your next gi.

Pros

Cons

  • Maybe too lightweight if you have a preference.
  • Not IBJJF tournament legal.

Rupture MMA Fight Shorts Review

After reviewing the Kikskin grappling spats, I figure I should review the no-gi shorts I wear over them to keep from looking like a creeper in a nuthugging leotard.

Nick, the head guy at Rupture Clothing, sent me a pair of their Signature blue/white MMA fight shorts to try out and review. Here’s that review.

First up is durability, the most important point to consider in any gear review. I have been wearing my shorts 2-3 times per week for the past 1½-2 years and machine washing and drying them between classes. And despite that constant abuse, they still look almost brand new. So big points here.

The shorts are thicker and softer than the Sprawls I have worn, making them feel more natural and comfortable. Everything is heavy-duty triple stitched and reinforced. They have a little pocket for a mouthguard and the split-seams so your legs can move freely for Muay Thai and flexible guard work, so they hit all the bells and whistles you get with the bigger MMA short brands.

Aesthetically, the design is a little plain but talking with the guy who created them, he admits that he purposefully steered away from the SO YOU WANNA BE A FIGHTA!!! style you get with brands like Tapout (spoiler: no camo and barbed wire) so you would be less embarrassed if you had to wear them outside the gym.

So far the only wear on the shorts is cosmetic and minor compared to the gaping holes I’ve had ripped in other shorts. For example, I washed them without closing the velcro fly and found out the rough side of velcro sticks to the stretch fabric inseam and it roughed up the elastic material when I yanked it off. But aside from that, all of the seams are still 100% intact and nothing is tearing or fraying.

What I really respect about Nick and Rupture are the lengths they have gone to keep their gear American-made and not use cheap, foreign labor. It is easy to get your logo slapped on generic gear coming out of Pakistan or China (I get spam about it all the time) so it’s impressive that Rupture has managed to keep their fight short price down at a fair $30 without resorting to sweatshops. Talking with Nick, he’s told me about all the trouble he goes through to find American suppliers and manufacturers for all their t-shirts, fight shorts and rashguards (the best I’ve even worn by the way, and that’s before their newest version, but that’s another review.) You’ve got to respect a company that puts principles above profit, especially these days.

Overall, Rupture’s fight shorts are top of the line and the best price-to-quality you can buy. I’ve been recommending them to people at my gym for a while now and I’m sure anyone reading this would be happy with them too. Support a good company and buy a pair.

Pros

  • Awesome fight shorts that aren’t made in sweatshops.
  • They’re half the price of Sprawls.
  • You don’t look like a Tapout douche bag.

Cons

  • Nothing really… I guess I wish they came in more colors and patterns.

TL;DR: Great fight shorts, get a pair, they are cheap and the company is cool.

Kikskin No-gi Grappling Leggings/Spats Review

A long time ago, the guys at MMAOutlet.com sent me a pair of Kikskin grappling pants to try out and review. After about 2 years of regular use, I figure it’s time to weigh in.

No-gi grappling leggings (AKA spats) are marketed as helping with high/rubber guard by adding friction so you can cling to your opponent better. Honestly, I’ve never really noticed that much of a difference once things get sweaty, but I suppose there is truth to the claim if you measure it against the lengths Eddie Bravo goes to look like a scuba diver when he trains.

The biggest benefit I have enjoyed from wearing the spats is not getting mat burn on my knees and being protected from the little cuts and scratches that come from sparring. I have an old scar in my knee shaped like the front tooth of the white belt that tripped and fell and bit my leg, and while I doubt there is an epidemic of white belt vampirism, protection like these leggings would have prevented it.

Examined for wear and tear, the only noticeable change is that the knees have gotten a little “nubby,” i.e. rough and bumpy. I think I’ve made this worse by wearing the leggings under gi pants and washing them in the same load as my gis. (It could be that I just made the wear more apparent when the white lint got rubbed into the material.) This is minor though, and otherwise they have retained their elasticity and have not faded from washing and they have no tears or runs. High marks here.

People have wondered if they make no-gi training too hot, and the answer is no. Gi pants are much worse if you are worried about overheating. I’ve noticed an opposite effect since the leggings are so quick to dry off and don’t hold any heat, so they can actually become chilly if there’s a breeze (I do train in a warehouse with two bay doors and no A/C.)

Overall, I am happy with the leggings: they do what they are supposed to do and they haven’t fallen apart despite a lot of use. You can’t ask for more than that. The $40 price tag is a little steep for me personally (but I am very stingy) and wish they were closer to $20-30, but to be fair you’re going to be paying $50-70 if you buy Under Armor compression leggings, so all things considered it is a fair price for a specialty sports item that will withstand constant use.

Pros

  • You feel like a ninja.
  • No more mat burn or ingrown hairs on knees.
  • They dry off quickly.

Cons

  • You look like an interpretive dance instructor.
  • You’re paying $40 for tights.