Gi Review – Black Eagle Predator MKII

Introduction

I was sent this Gi to review by the patient and friendly Steve Turner at Black Eagle who I must also say has been very cool to deal with at all points, the Gi is available to purchase http://www.black-eagle.co.uk/bjjgipredatormkiipearlweavewhite-p-3182.html

How I review

There are other more technical reviews out there on the market or meerkat (some of which you will see linked below) and I do not intend to re invent the wheel, as I have said earlier I will be looking at this from the big man point of view.  How does it fit, how is it when you jog, run, sprawl and roll in it?  Does it stay a good fit, does my extra bulk and torque damage the Gi and also how do my training partners feel?

I stand six foot three inches tall and am 300lbs I am wearing an A5 Gi.

Initial Thoughts

This is a step back into the big man market as Black Eagle had decided the numbers did not add up but thankfully they have decided to start stocking A5 Gi’s and soon even A6 Gi’s I am told and I for one am glad.

Now this is sold as super light and super strong and also that it will NEVER shrink, that’s right never, “what never ever?” that’s right never ever.  So instantly I am a bit worried and skeptical, then I notice ripstop trousers and my worry rises.

First of all ripstop bottoms have always tended to cut into me, it is the big lad, flabby bits, rip stop becomes a ligature and all things hurt problem.  Secondly ultra light Gi’s are always a wee bit scary that soon enough the seam will pop and everyone will be getting a better view of the big man than they wanted.

Finally the never ever shrink thing, well that is a claim I have seen before and ended up with what looked like a tank top and plus fours, as more often than not when I put a Gi on it just fits and no more, so shrinkage is not good.

Were my initial fears well founded, well read on intrepid reader

The Science Part

The make up of the Gi is as follows:

The cost is £69.99 (reduced from 74.99) plus post and packaging 4.90

The Brand New Predator MKII BJJ Gi.
1. Ultra light, ultra strong ripstop trousers
2. Ultra Light Pearl Weave jacket
3. Extra lines of stitching on re-enforced lapel with ripstop overlay
4. Ripstop trimming to sleeve cuffs and jacket trim
5. New patch designs and Predator embroideries
6. Sanforized – Guaranteed never to shrink out of fit
7. Mercerised – Increases the strength of the fibres and further protects from shrinkage
8. Additional loops on trousers for greater comfort fit
9. Improved Competition cut, and fully IBJJF legal

And soon mix and match pants and jacket will be available

Washing

As you can see the Gi did not shrink at all which amazed me, in fact it slightly relaxed and got a bit bigger, which did amaze me, and I will also admit I then gave it a 90 degree wash and it still did not shrink.  This is quite something and is impressive meaning you order the size that you need in safe knowledge that it will keep fitting you.

Rolling, Sparring, Training, Fit and Feedback

The important point how does it look, feel and most of all how does it hold together when rolling.

While it does not look as flashy as some the patches and the design is very nice, well stitched, designed but for those of you who like your Gi very bling it is not so much the one for you, I however like it.

The jacket fit is good if a little shorter than some I have worn, the trousers are very comfortable and the most comfortable ripstop ones I have ever worn.  They are quite long in the reach (from the top of point G to the waist band) which is often an issue for the taller and wider fighter.  However for my liking they are just long enough and no more, I have said before that I like a longer trouser which is hard as I have a 34 inch inside leg.  However they are easily comp legal and for most fighters will be the perfect length.  There is no extra padding at all on this but it is designed to be light.

The jacket is a good fit all over with the sleeves a near perfect length and the cuffs nice and wide so that it is good for both myself and the person I am rolling with, which when training is important.  There are no extra tags round the cuffs as I have seen on other Gis and which provide a tailor made hand hold for opponents which is also a good thing.

Rolling in it feel easy and light and while the weave stays very light and is also quite cool importantly it does not fall out of shape or start to look ragged and twisted.

I as ever went very hard for in this Gi, and the Gi held up brilliantly, it did not lose shape or end up with pull marks all over it.

It is also amazingly light, the whole Gi felt lighter than a Gracie Barra A2 jacket on it’s own yet it still feels substantial enough to roll in it, it does not feel like it will just rip away.

In Conclusion

Well simply I was wrong, the Gi has held up well to some extreme punishment and the trousers are the most comfortable ripstop material I have ever worn, they do not rope up and cut and also do not cling too much when they get sweaty making them hard for training partners.  The whole Gi in fact almost has a wicking effect when you start to sweat which is due to the weave and light nature of it.

If I could change anything I would make the draw strings on the trousers longer and of the bungee cord material which I am a big fan of these days also I would in all honestly have liked a slightly bigger Gi maybe the A6 but that is just because I like a bit more material than some as this would have been perfectly legal for me to wear.

Again like all ultra light Gi’s It is probably not a Gi I would put into my every day rotation as the real strength and robust nature of some others means they are going to be my every day use Gi’s.  However for a competition Gi it is fantastic, it is light so if you have to make weight, apparently some people do , it is ideal.  Also it will stay cool, dries quickly and is durable and strong.

If you are looking for a second Gi or a comp Gi I would definitely add it to your armory and at the currently reduced price it is a very attractive prospect.

I will keep wearing it and revisit in a few months to see how it has continued to hold up.

Book Review – Bloody Revolution A Journey Into UK MMA

So I have just finished reading the new UK MMA book “Bloody Revolution A Journey Into UK MMA” click here for info

I should always mention that the cover picture was taken by my GB Sheffield team mate and recent forge blue belt and all round good guy Martin Rhodes as he can get a wee bit precious if he is not mentioned.

I thought this was a really god read, easy to follow, well researched and shows that this is something Mick has a real passion for.

I have been to a few MMA fights in the UK and frankly Mick captures it perfectly, a world of hard dedicated men who give all they can in cages and rings from tiny leisure centers to large arenas. He also captures beautifully the people who go and watch and this is perhaps the bit that I most associated with and laughed at, the cage side Royce Gracie’s dressed like a Burberry cologne bottle with more bad tattoos than the whole of Sheffield put together.

This then is what makes it so readable so much fun so interesting, it is not just another book about the fights, the fighters et al, as we have all read a lot about this and the events, there are sites galore out there that cover this in depth. This gets under the skin of what makes MMA in the UK so good and also at times so awful to attend and watch. How quickly the mood can swing, swing back and then settle again and how blood feuds as well as long term bonds are formed at these events.

It is a book I would highly recommend to all UK fans as you will associate with it and it will make you both smile and shake your head, for all readers over seas it is a great insight into the world of MMA over here and well worth reading.

Also published on the US websites http://www.mma.humankindpreview.com/book-review-bloody-revolution-a-journey-into-uk-mma

and on the front page of on the mat http://www.onthemat.com/blogs-posts/book-review-%E2%80%93-bloody-revolution-journey-uk-mma

UK MMA – New Book

How cool is this, a new UK MMA book has just come out “Bloody Revolution A Journey Into UK MMA” click here for info

The cover picture was taken by recent forge blue belt and all round good guy Martin Rhodes

and the author’s (Mick Bower) daughter also trains at the forge, now if that is not reason enough for you lot from the forge to get out there and buy it I do not know what is.  However this is not just for forge guys this is a book for all UK MMA fans, I have just started reading it as it was an early birthday gift so I will report back later on but it seems well written and easy to read.

The book is also available in paperback and kindle formats from Amazon UK

So why not give it a go support a UK based and even better (in my opinion) South Yorks based writer as if this ones goes well I am promised there will be more to come.

And anyway what is there not to like about a man who told Jaime Oliver Go Home

Black Eagle Predator II – Arrived

Thanks so much to Steve Turner at Black Eagle the new Predator II has arrived and looks lovely, I will just have to see how I get on with rip stop trousers as I have never been that keen personally on the feel but these do seem softer so we shall see.

So I am looking forward to getting this reviewed along with all the others I have I just need to get rolling again and hopefully the physio I am having on my back along will help with this goal.  Also the Friday April 1st deadline I have set for my new leaf is looming as it will be the start of my 35th year around which is half my 3 score years and 20

Steve also tells me that this Gi will be available in an A6 if there is enough demand and that it has virtually zero shrinkage (we will see )

There is also a plan to try and introduce mix and match pants and jackets come about September but this is very much a thought at the moment.

Gi’s Galore and Reviews ahoy

Well I am almost back to the same lack of physical fitness I was at the end of the year and some consistent training is on the horizon  I am booked for some physio so may be a fully functioning human soon.

Was at a wedding last week which was great and have the big party for it this Friday but not sure the whiskey and beer has helped, though guess it is kill or cure I think it is time for a serious weight loss program and new diet as I turn 34 April 1st and it has gone on too long to quote Cypress Hill “Fat guy on a diet, don’t try it” well think I am gonna have to.

Anyway I now have a stack of Gi reviews due as I have been very lucky and had some great folk help me out so to follow on in teh next few weeks and months are in no particular order.

Black Eagle Predator – the new Gi in the big guy size and initial view is it looks and feels lovely

Tatami Estilo 2 – The next generation from Tatami and as ever it it seems a quality item

Sick Gi – Had some issues with this one as the one I was sent had short arms and some quality issues, however I spoke to Jim who said this was a review Gi issue and he would send a new one, well this has arrived and it fits great and seems a far better Gi

Lucky Gi – Thanks to scotty for what is of course a top Gi

Gorilla Gi – Heavy duty and hard wearing but initial rolls may have highlighted some issues

I also hope to have a app review from a UK black belt and I have some top interviews coming up which is all exciting, so onwards and upwards this year I intend to make April 1st 2011 my turning point and kick on from there.

Tatami Gi Review – 3 month update

As I always said the purpose of this blog was not only to review how the big guy Gi’s fit and react but also how they stand up to the pushing and pulling, the rolling and sparring and the washing and care that generally is put onto a Gi when you are my size. A quick illustration of this is taken form the fact I weigh around 310 lbs and spar in general with the bigger lads who are at about 210 lbs. Therefore (and these are rough calculations): I place 26 pounds of pressure per square inch on my knee when it is down. 155 pounds of pressure per square inch on my elbow when it is down. Around 500 lbs of torque on the sleeve when I stand and lift an opponent who is gripping my sleeve. This is a lot of pressure to put on a garment which costs at the start around £70 and just go up and up from there so how do they stand up to it, is the purchase going to be good for a while but start to come apart quickly and soon become a patchwork quilt or a discolored mess? Thus after the reviews I do I will be going back and looking at the Gi’s after a few months and then after about a year so here is the Tatami look back 3 months down the line.

Well to be honest the Zero G has done a little bit as I expected, it is a very light Gi and while the jacket still looks fairly pristine the trousers have started to scuff a little and show a few broken stitches.  However as I said this is a Gi I would recommend to a larger competitor when they compete or when it is very warm.  It has stood up very well overall it is just starting to  look a little battle worn, but by no means is it looking like it will give up the ghost any time soon.

As for the Estilo I have to say I am amazed it has stood up incredibly well it looks pristine and has had some real hard hammer, especially the half guard session with Fiddy and numerous rolls with Chaz.  It looks as good now as it did and has not a stitch or scuff out of place.  A fabulous effort considering the pressure and tension it has been out under to say the least.

I will be off line for the next week or so with a wedding (not mine) amongst other things in my diary but I for one cannot wait to review the new Estilo 2 along with a couple of other reviews for Gi’s and a new App which will be coming soon.

BJJ Sweeps – iPhone App Review

I just got a copy of this app with the aim of reviewing it and hopefully some others out there on the market. I am reviewing on an iPhone 4 running IOS 4.2.1 (8C148). The app version is the latest version 1.0.0

This is a fledgling market and really only the Machado Brothers, Stephen Kesting, Darculino and Roy Dean have embraced it fully, with only Roy and Draculino going for a full course offering. But there are more and more apps coming out offering some BJJ instruction.

As with all new apps and technologies there are bound to be teething problems and issues so I have taken this into account in this review. It is not the same as reviewing DVD’s, Gi’s or belts as these are all established and should be at that point of perfection, or at least nearing it.

Overview

BJJ Sweeps is headed by Black Belt Marcos Torregrosa and covers Deep Half Guard and Leg Wrap positions. It is produced by Handcrafted Web Solutions and the main man is Dan Munk who I hope to be dealing with again soon.

There is the standard disclaimer at the start of the app, about the risk of the sport and the fact that you take this on yourself and should always be aware of the risk but this varies from app to app.

It has a nice logo which is a good branding point.

There is no loading screen you are just presented with the app and the bottom task bar menu which is very basic but does all it needs. It has videos and an about button which has an extensive and impressive bio of Marcos.

Then inside each section there are move broken down by position in quite a basic but very easy to use style

 

For example:

Deep Half Guard
- Fundamentals
- Entries
- Rocking Chair Sweep
- Dump Sweep
- Scoop Sweep
- Multiple transitions to the back
- Multiple Gi Grip Sweeps
- Omoplata
- Transition to Leg Wrap

Leg Wrap
- Fundamentals
- Entries
- Single leg
- Taking the back
- Standing Sweeps
- Transition to Ankle Lock

Extras
- 50/50 Entry
- Ankle Lock Details

There is a nice shot of Marcos on the front screen and a fairly sparse menu no favourite section or such but this is something which could easily be added as the app is updated.

The menus then take you straight to a set of moves without the small icon previews but have a good explanation.

Content

Now this is slightly different from the standard video app and I must say the presentation is lovely. You first get the move at full speed with a good music track behind it (suitably rock) and then you get an in depth breackdown by Marcos. Finally you get the steps which are highlighted by some very nice concise on screen bullet points. The video, is smooth, close enough and just looks great one of the best video offerings I have seen.

The sound, my old high horse, nemesis, chagrin call it what you will, well what can I say but awesome guys. It does not sound like it was recorded in a cave more that you are just listening to a teacher telling you what to do in the gym.

I guess you could say that it is relatively advanced techniques and not the for some looking for true basics and maybe not all moves are actual sweeps, there are some for taking the back, but that would be just looking for flaws.

Details

So what do you get:

BJJ Sweeps App £2.39 / $3.99
21 techniques
Full explanation of all moves

Conclusion

This is a good app it looks and sounds great and does all you would need, but it really is for folk who are looking for these specific techniques and not a basics app however you will not find a better show or sounding app at this price range in my experience.

iBJJ V 3.0 Update – iPhone Review

The excellent iBJJ app just got better with the version 3 update which brings a number of new things and a brand new module which can be bought.

First, there are 9 new drills bundled in for free which are the same high quality and innovative approach that iBJJ have already shown capable of.

But the bulk of the work with 3.0 went into some design changes to make navigating easier and this is something they have really done. The app now looks great and the arrangement is broken down into categories which are simple and easy to use. The whole design of this belies the fact that this amazing app still only costs £2.39.

Also enabled is the iBJJ Store which has one module for sale at the moment Wrestling for iBJJ – Vol. #1 (review to follow shortly) Jimmy Quinlan teaches wrestling techniques and drills important for every Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner.
He has used these very same techniques in his own arsenal to take multiple Gold and Silver medals in the NoGi Pan Ams and Mundial tournaments as well as defeating Bruno Bastos Black Belt and 10 time Brazilian champion when Jimmy was a purple belt.

——————————————————————————————-

I just got a copy of this app with the aim of reviewing it and hopefully some others out there on the market. I am reviewing on an iPhone 4 running IOS 4.2.1 (8C148). The app version is the latest version 2.0.1

This is a fledgling market and really only the Machado Brothers, Stephen Kesting, Darculino and Roy Dean have embraced it fully, with only Roy and Draculino going for a full course offering.

As with all new apps and technologies there are bound to be teething problems and issues so I have taken this into account in this review. It is not the same as reviewing DVD’s, Gi’s or belts as these are all established and should be at that point of perfection, or at least nearing it.

Overview

BJJ volume one is instructed by Nate Ryan, 1st degree black belt from Gracie Barra Boston and owner/head instructor at Mass BJJ more details can be found at their website

There is a nice clean logo for the app which says all it needs too.

There no standard disclaimer at the start of the app, about the risk of the sport and the fact that you take this on yourself and should always be aware of the risk but this varies.

There is no loading screen you are just presented with the app and the bottom task bar menu

Menu
The menu system is excellent offering Gi, No-Gi moves, then inside each section there are move broken down by position.

For example:

Gi

Back attacking

Lapel Choke

Lapel Choke Variation

Reverse Ezekiel

Each move has a star next to it so you can make it a favourite and then easily select it which I like.

You then can use the task bar menu which offers Gi, No-Gi, Favorites and Info

These do what they suggest with the info tab explaining tapping as well as the standard offerings such as links to the app on facebook.

There is no branding on this screen just a sparse menu but this is something which could easily be added as the app is updated.

The menus then take you straight to a set of moves without the small icon previews but have a good explanation.

Content

Now this is where it differs from all of the other apps, the videos have been shot and recorded but are not presented in video format. Instead you get a move system broken down in a series of still slides, which can then be ‘played’ at a selection of speeds much like a flick book.

You then have the option to change the angle of the move from front to reverse to give you a different perspective and also you can add text to the screen which explains what is happening.

Each screen has a help tab to explain how to work it but to be honest it is totally self explanatory.

The reason for the change from video to the flip book style I was told was to allow as much as possible to fitted into a light weight app and with over 90 moves this is certainly achieved. You also get techniques such as shrimping and bucking which I have not seen explained in an app like this before but are essential.

The only tiny complaint I would have is that sometimes for upper body moves such as rear chokes the text can slightly obscure the people doing the move however you can change the opacity of the text which does help alot.

Details

So what do you get:

iBJJ App £2.39 / $3.99
Over 90 moves
Full explanation of all moves
Flick book format
Web site support

Conclusion

I have to admit when I first saw the app format I was convinced I would not like it but I was wrong I love this app. It is portable compact and quick to load, it is packed with moves and explanations and it just works beautifully.

It allows you to have a look at each component of the move in detail which sometimes you could miss in a video. I would suggest that they could back this up with a small subscription or price rise to which then allowed you to maybe access the videos of the moves on line it would be very hard to better but I always want to shoot for the moon

I would suggest that of all the lower priced apps this is the one to buy and if you are not convinced there is a free trial version of the app available too which I am sure will convince you.

Exclusive News

A wrestling for BJJ app will be coming soon from these guys soon which I am looking forward to reviewing.

In news you will only see here an MMA app is being shot with none other than Kenny Florian who earned his black belt alongside Nate from Roberto Maia so I also hope to get my hands on that soon.

I am not sponsored or endorsed by any app programmer and my reviews are based on my opinion and nothing else, like it, hate it, respect it, all your choice but it is what it is.

Gi Review: Tatami Fightwear Zero G Gi

Introduction

(Pics to follow, blame the snow )

I was sent this Gi to review by the folks at Tatami who I must also say have been a pleasure to deal with at all points, the Gi is available to purchase HERE

How I review

There are other more technical reviews out there on the market or meerkat (some of which you will see linked below) and I do not intend to re invent the wheel, as I have said earlier I will be looking at this from the big man point of view. How does it fit, how is it when you jog, run, sprawl and roll in it? Does it stay a good fit, does my extra bulk and torque damage the Gi and also how do my training partners feel?

I stand six foot three inches tall and am 300lbs I am wearing an A5 Gi.

Initial Thoughts
This is sold as a super light competition Gi and one of the lightest on the world which it undoubtedly is. Now I admit I had a worry with this Gi, the jacket feels very strong yet very light but the trousers did worry me they felt very light and I was worried they may pop stitching or perhaps not live up to the abuse they would get.

The Science Part

The make up of the Gi is as follows:
The cost is £68 plus post and packaging

For a discount code Join my facebook group HERE

Made from 450gsm pearl weave reinforced GI canvas which has stood up very well to the rigours of rolling, a rubberised collar to stop moisture absorbtion during training and competition. Single piece jacket, 8oz heavy cotton stitching on ALL areas of the jacket and pants, 8oz double reinforced drill pants.

The trousers also have a 4 Drawstring loop system and a bungee style cord for fastening which works as well as any Gi trousers I have ever worn and the cord fasteners I can now state are far superior to some other brands.
A big draw for some taller and slimmer fighters is that all Estilio Gi comes with mix and match pants option as well when ordering.

This is of course not me

Washing

As you can see the Gi shrank very little indeed during washing which was great as it came very well fitting and comfortable indeed, so order the size you are expect to wear when you are ordering and allow for a small amount of shrinkage.

Rolling, Sparring, Training, Fit and Feedback

The important point how does it look, feel and most of all how does it hold together when rolling.
While it does not look as good as the amazing estilo this Gi still looks very good indeed the black version that I wore has very impressive looking blue feature panels and the same excellent Tatami patch panel.

The jacket fit is excellent as good as any I have worn, the trousers are very comfortable, long in the reach (from the top of point G to the waist band) which is often an issue for the taller and wider fighter. However for my liking they are just long enough and no more, I perversely like a longer trouser which is hard as I have a 34 inch inside leg. However they are easily comp legal and for most fighters will be the perfect length. The zero G does not have the extra padding on the knee which does make a small difference and does of course help with the main area of wear and tear but you would add weight so I can see why it is not there.

The jacket is a great fit all over with the sleeves a perfect length and the cuffs nice and wide so that it is good for both myself and the person I am rolling with, which when training is important. There are no extra tags round the cuffs as I have seen on other Gis and which provide a tailor made hand hold for opponents which is also a good thing.
Rolling in it feel easy and light and while the weave stays very light and is also quite cool importantly it does not fall out of shape or start to look ragged and twisted.

My sparring partners who I asked for feedback Gregg and Chaz also pointed out that the Gi has good hand holds and feels good to roll against but the collar does not loop or bag out which would make getting a choke too easy. I also noticed that unlike some Gi’s the collar is not too sharp at the start of wearing it as this can also cause issues.
I went very hard for in this Gi especially in a roll with ,Sheffield’s own GSP, Chaz, and the Gi held up brilliantly, it did not lose shape or end up with pull marks all over it. I admit there were a couple of scuffs in the trousers but these washed out and it looked almost as good as new.

In Conclusion

Well simply I was wrong, the Gi has held up well to some extreme punishment and the trousers which scared me so, admittedly they creaked a little more than that of the estilo and do not return to quite box fresh state but they are astoundingly strong for a light Gi.

It is probably not a Gi I would put into my every day rotation as the real strength and robust nature of the likes of the estilo and my old faithful Keiko Raca means they are going to be my every day use Gi’s. However for a competition Gi it is fantastic, it is light so if you have to make weight, apparently some people do , it is ideal. Also it will stay cool, dries quickly and is durable and strong.

If you are looking for a second Gi or a comp Gi I would definitely add it to your armory and at the price it is a very attractive prospect.

I will keep wearing it and revisit in a few months to see how it has continued to hold up.

For another view on this Gi see
MMAgearguide
Or my mate Seymour Meerkatsu

Gi Review: Tatami Fightwear Estilo Premier Gi

Introduction

I was sent this Gi to review by the folks at Tatami who I must also say have been a pleasure to deal with at all points, the Gi is available to purchase HERE

How I review

There are other more technical reviews out there on the market or meerkat (some of which you will see linked below) and I do not intend to re invent the wheel, as I have said earlier I will be looking at this from the big man point of view. How does it fit, how is it when you jog, run, sprawl and roll in it? Does it stay a good fit, does my extra bulk and torque damage the Gi and also how do my training partners feel?
I stand six foot three inches tall and am 300lbs I am wearing an A5 Gi.

The Science Part

The make up of the Gi is as follows:

The cost is £77 plus post and packaging

Single Piece Pearl Weave Jacket which is a very good weave and has not twisted or distorted despite some hard use. Canvas rubberized collar, this is in contrast to the oft used twill collar, the idea being that the Canvas BJJ GI collars are harder wearing than traditional twill collars and help to keep the shape of the Gi. A very important point for the bigger BJJ player is that it is triple stitched across all stress points as well as double reinforced knee padding, which while not the same as knee pads does make a difference, triple stitched with over lapped seams.

The trousers also have a 4 Drawstring loop system and a bungee style cord for fastening which works as well as any Gi trousers I have ever worn
A big draw for some taller and slimmer fighters is that all Estilio Gi comes with mix and match pants option as well when ordering.

Washing

As you can see the Gi shrank very little indeed during washing which was great as it came very well fitting and comfortable indeed, so order the size you are expect to wear when you are ordering and allow for a small amount of shrinkage.

Rolling, Sparring, Training, Fit and Feedback

The important point how does it look, feel and most of all how does it hold together when rolling.
The Gi has a bit of a wow factor even when worn by me, so that shows you how good the Gi, looks the black version that I wore has very impressive looking red highlight stitching and the new patches also look very excellent.

The fit is excellent, the trousers are very comfortable, long in the reach (from the top of point G on chart above to the waist band) which is often an issue for the taller and wider fighter. The extra padding on the knee does make a small difference and does of course help with the main area of wear and tear.

The jacket is a great fit all over with the sleeves a perfect length and the cuffs nice and wide so that it is good for both myself and the person I am rolling with, which when training is important. There are no extra tags round the cuffs as I have seen on other Gis and which provide a tailor made hand hold for opponents which is also a good thing.
Rolling in it feel easy and light and while the weave means it does get a bit heavier when it soaks sweat up it does not fall out of shape or start to look ragged and twisted.

My sparring partner who I asked for feedback Gregg also pointed out that the Gi has good hand holds and feels good to roll against but the collar does not loop or bag out which would make getting a choke too easy. I also noticed that unlike some Gi’s the collar is not too sharp at the start of wearing it as this can also cause issues. From the first roll the Gi, did not rub either myself or people I rolled with and proved easy to move in and use while sparring for chokes and tie ups.
This is the first Gi that I have ever rolled in that I checked very carefully after rolling and did not find at least some broken stitching or clear scuff marks which is something very common when you are of a much bigger build. It seems to have held up above and beyond any Gi I have worn so far and has been a pleasure to roll in and test.

In Conclusion

This is quite simply one of the best Gi’s I have ever worn, rolled in and to be honest seen all around the competitions and gyms. It has stood up very well to extremely hard session including a killer session with Gazzy Parman and after a wash it looks brand new still. My very hard wearing weight and height as well as training partners really trying to put it to the test have not changed the look or feel of the Gi from new and that is a first. The other great points are that this is a good price for such an amazing Gi and from a British company who are very good to deal with. Couple that with the fact that one of the other big British brands, Black Eagle, have stated that they will be discontinuing the A5 size in the future and Tatami look like a great bet for the bigger BJJ practitioner.

For a different review style see Meerkatsu

Credit BJJISANINJA for the awesome pics

I am not sponsored or endorsed by any Gi manufacturer and my reviews are based on my opinion and nothing else, like it, hate it, respect it, all your choice but it is what it is.