Aengus Ryan of Patches O'Toole Interview GiCritic 11:38 AM

Artists who happened to practice BJJ give life to the gis we wear. But unlike other artists that have made beautiful rashguards and gis, Patches O'Toole focused on patches over anything else.

Gi bling  happened to have a soft spot to us. Aside from our team patch, we love to make our gis stand out with other BJJ related patches. For those who followed Patches O'Toole in recent years, they've accomplished a job well done making some of the best patches around.

We recently interviewed Aengus of Patches O'Toole and learned a lot about their products and the company in general.

When was Patches O'Toole founded?

The company is a few years old now, I think maybe 3, though I can’t remember exactly. I’ve never been particularly good with numbers, or remembering things for that matter.

What was your inspiration making the brand?

That BJJ people like patches is obvious to any onlooker (why is another matter) but most of the patches out there were pretty shit. It was all this tap or snap nonsense or just nasty looking graphics. I wanted to tie in what I did for a living (graphic design) with what I did for pleasure (Jiu Jitsu) and patch design fit nicely. I also wanted to create art pieces that looked great, and lasted. These days the quality of products can be really poor, so I wanted to make something that would last. Kind of the old Krugans gi I have, it’s years old, but still keeps on going when a bunch of others have come and gone. Quality lasts.

Do you have products aside from patches?

Yea a few, a couple of sweaters and some funky mugs, but my main focus is the patches. I didn’t want to become another brand banding out the usual shite, I think it’s important to specialise. BJJ patches is a micro niche, already in a nice sport. So if I can defend my little corner, I will be happy with that. It’s always cool to walk into a gym and see someone wearing one of my patches.

Do you design the patches on your own or do you have your team of designers?

A bit of both really. If I see an artist that is drawing really cool stuff, I think let’s get them designing some stuff for BJJ. I like the variety using loads of artists can bring, and there are so many talented artists out there, I would like to work with as many as I can. Lately I have been coming up with the concepts behind the patches then having one of the illustrators draw them up. I’m a big fan of employing people who are better than me, in whatever skill set.

Have you ever thought of collaborating with other brands/schools to design gis/academy logos etc?

Yea I’ve done a few collaborations so far. Some stuff with Caio Terra Online, The grapplers gift, some work with Duane Ludwig and Lagarto, so there have been a few projects in the past like that. I get approached on occasion by BJJ schools looking for a cool new logo, so that is always fun to work on. A lot of the club designs out there aren’t great, so it’s always nice to give them a bit of a facelift.

Where can we find Patches O'Toole? Social Media accounts, website?
The website is the main port of call, www.patchesotoole.com, you can check us out on Instagram or Facebook too, we are easy to find.

https://www.facebook.com/PatchesOToole/
https://www.instagram.com/patchesotoole/

With popularity of different designers such as Meerkatsu and Gawakoto, what are your plans with your brand?

Those guys produce some really nice stuff. Seymour (Meerkatsu) has been at the forefront of art & BJJ a long time, so we owe him a dept for his perseverance and creating such cool stuff. They do their thing, I do mine. I don’t think they delve in to patches too often, and I don’t really do tshirts and stuff, so all good. My plans are to keep on creating patches with as high quality design and quality as I can. I really need to make a patch for women as I have been asked a bunch of times, that and one specifically for kids are at the top of my to do list.

VHTS G3 Kimono Review: Ridiculously Classy, Durable and Very Hard to Resist GiCritic 9:42 AM

VHTS is a New York based brand that started relatively new in the gi market. However, if you’ve seen their products, perhaps they have your attention. Gi Critic wanted to grab hold of their gi for quite some time now, and we are fortunate enough to get our hands on one of the very first VHTS G3 gi latter part of 2014!

How did we review this gi? 

Team Gi Critic reviewed the gi extensively for almost three months. The gi was used by 2-3 reviewers (with bodytypes within the size chart provided by the company) every week. It was used for around 2-3 times every week, then passed around from one reviewer to the next.

Initial Impression

Upon receiving the package, we were impressed by the contrast and the overall aesthetics. This time around, VHTS dabbled once again with darker tones, as they made a black gi this time around. Made of a tough 550 gsm pearl weave jacket, together with a pre-shrunk ripstop cotton for the pants, the VHTS G3 looks superb with its black and gold contrast.

We received an A1 in our mailbox. We decided to narrow down the reviewers to guys that weigh around 70kg, with height between 5’6” to 5’8”. We did this in order to thoroughly test the gi and give our readers a wider perspective regarding the fit, durability and overall rolling experience of the VHTS G3.
One of the most common observations that we gathered is the fact that the G3 is a lightweight gi, which weighs around 1.5kg (give or take).  It has an athletic cut that we prefer. Snug, but still IBJJF legal if you choose to compete with this baby. In terms of length, the gi was perfect given the average height and weight that we used for this particular gi.

Details

VHTS, since they made their presence in the gi industry, played with minimalist designs. If you are a fan of high fashion brands such as BAPE, Comme De Garcons or Stussy, perhaps, VHTS is the perfect BJJ counterpart. VHTS G3 played with gold contrast stitch, as well.

It also made use of a grey lapel tubing on its jacket which makes this gi standout. This lapel tubing fits well, and blends in unison with its classy and high fashion theme.

On the jacket, you’ll notice embroideries of the brand’s logo by the arms. Right arm has a gold circular embroidery with the letters V.H.T.S on it. On the left, you have an inverted triangle that says NYC and VHTS. Also, you also see a script fontype embroidered that says “very hard to submit” located on the left bicep. On the skirt of the jacket, it has a thick embroidery of “VHTS”.

Opening the jacket is a surprise. You’ll see a woven label embroidered on the inside that says “awake the best within!”. This is a subtle addition that is worth mentioning.

For the pants, it made use of a five loop system together with a cotton rope. For our taste, we’d love to see it as an 8 loop system in the future, but then, this is just a minor thing that you won’t notice eventually when you roll. You also see a Bruce Lee quote by the thigh which is a great mantra to live by for any jiujietero.

VHTS provided additional support for the pants by having pearlweave gusset especially for those who love to play spider guard, or those who also do squats in between their BJJ sessions.

Rolling Impressions

For the last three months, passed around from one guy to the next, the VHTS G3 can hold its own. Probably, if you want to invest on an affordable but ridiculously classy gi, this is highly suggested. It costs around $140 according to their site, but this is all worth it based from what we all experienced with the gi.

The 2 of the 3 reviewers were constantly on the mats preparing for competition when this gi arrived. It didn’t escape the long and hard grind. The color of the gi stayed intact despite almost everyday use, and after all the washing and drying. Stitches, as well as the embroideries and woven labels did not have a slight sign of damage. For the pants, the pants have a great fit. It provided both mobility, but you don’t give too much material for opponents to grip on.

Final Impressions

VHTS made one of the most comfortable and durable gis in the market. A member of our reviewer team mentioned that he always had trouble with jackets particularly on the lat region. Built heavy and on his upper body, Bull Terrier, Manto, Gameness and Manila Kimonos, eventually all gave up on the same spot. For the VHTS G3 though, things were a bit different. Or maybe they made use of reinforcement that weren’t present in other top brands? Or perhaps, it is the 550gsm construction of the jacket.

To purchase VHTS G3, you can check out these sites:
www.vhtsny.com for more information. You can also visit their Facebook page.

Manila Kimonos Thrilla 2 Review GiCritic 11:35 AM

I first noticed Manila Kimonos right after the first version of the Thrilla gi last year. The first release came with two kimono tops: a pearl weave and a rip stop variant. The “Thrilla in Manila” was brought back by Manila Kimonos. In its second coming, according to the owner, the black version is only the first among many color ways and designs.

The 2014 model, is a black gi accented with white contrast stitching. Unlike the 2013 version of the Thrilla, this year’s kimono only sports a 450gsm pearl weave top. This makes the kimono completely IBJJF competition legal.

Initial Impressions

First thing you’ll notice is the flashy bag. The superb styling to the drawstring bag is definitely eye candy for any grappler. With a keen eye you’ll notice a highlight scene from a vale tudo match.

I received an A1 and which was a perfect fit for my 5’5”, 155 pound frame. Both jacket and the pants weighed at an astonishingly light 1.4kg – in line with the model’s claim to an athletic and lightweight cut.

The front lapel-side of the gi has the woven label patch of the word “Thrilla” in all its AC-DC-ish glory. I spoke to one of the owners about this aspect of the design. The text was originally tested out as embroidery however the high grain embroidery they use would add weight to the gi. In the current competition scene, a few ounces can spell the difference between disqualification and a chance to winning gold.

The lapel is made with an interior EVA foam material that’s a good balance of firmness and lightness, again a testament to the gi’s competition-ready theme. Apart from the rock and roll inspired stylings, the other aspect of the design that caught my attention was the shield patch. The design could use a bit more definition linking the shield to the overall look of the design. 

The rip-stop gi pants are straightforward in nature: lightweight and easy to move around in. It uses an eight-loop belt system while bungee drawstring helps you keep the pants up.
 
One detail I found, rather a bit late in the inspection of the gi, was the inside taping used inside the kimono top and pants. People who are knowledgeable of the Filipino culture will identify this as the jeepney – a popular means of transportation in the Philippines.

Rolling impressions

What I love about this gi is that it’s a perfect fit for me, and I can’t stretch that enough. I’m an avid competitor and since I train a lot, a solid pair of pants that won’t rip are essential to me. My mobility was not hindered in any way throughout my use of the gi. My teammate and I each trained in our Thrilla gis on an average 2-3 times a week in a span of a little over 2 months. The black dye stayed intact and showed no signs of bleeding. The construction was superb, we didn’t see any of the stitching or embroidery coming undone.

Shrinkage

I washed the gi in cold water and never used a dryer. There wasn’t any noticeable shrinkage with the pants or gi top.

Final verdict

Priced at only $130, the Thrilla 2 by Manila Kimonos is a good all around, mid-range gi that offers superb quality at very affordable price. Having given my Thrilla an excruciating 2 months of hard rolling, it has held up quite nicely, without any major signs of wear and tear. Overall, the build quality and stylings on this gi are as good as they come in a heavily saturated jiu-jitsu gi market. I would have preferred if they stuck to the original concept of providing two gi tops, a riptop gi top for hot weather and a year-round pearl weave gi.

You can check out the Thrilla at their online store. It is available both locally in the Philippines and the US and internationally through their US warehouse.

Gameness Platinum Gi Review GiCritic 1:04 PM

If there is a solid brand that I’ll choose over a great number of companies out there, there is a chance that I will be picking Gameness. I had a couple of Gameness products in the past, from the Gameness Air to Gameness feather. Of all the products from Gameness that I used through the years so far, I have to admit that I am impressed how the Gameness Platinum gi was constructed.

The Platinum gi was a gift from my brother in law who came in for a visit. So as far as the price goes, I don’t have an idea how much he bought it. Doing a little search online, this gi costs between $150-$175, depending on which store you go to.

For starters, I am 5’5” around 140 lbs tops. Brother in law bought me an A1, which I usually use for my gis. For the Gameness Platinum weave gi, I should’ve used a size higher. A1 is definitely not competition legal on me. Though I fall an inch below the ceiling of A1s, it still fails on length as well as the allowable space for your arms on IBJJF competitions.

Durability

I’ve been using the gi for the past year. I use it as part of my rotational day to day gis. I typically use this particular gi once or twice a week. The custom weave is definitely something. Platinum weave reminds me of the gold weave gis that I also used in the past.

Compared to the other Gameness gis I bought, the Platinum gi, in my opinion is way more durable than the other weaves I used. Gameness Air and Feather tore around a year of being used and abused both in competition and training. I mean, the A1 gi being 2.6 pounds for the Gameness Air makes it already questionable in terms of durability of the weave. Though I heard of ultra lightweight and sturdy rip stop materials, I believe that Gameness did the right job with the Platinum Weave making it as thick as it possibly could.

Design

I love the printed patch on the back of the jacket as well as its front. It is a bit loud for some people’s taste, but that’s how I want it. If you want to find room for your team’s patch, better try finding some blank space in front instead. It also has another printed patch on the pants. The only different patch was on the shoulders where the brand made use of woven labels. The arms also have embroideries on it which I think add to the appeal of the Gameness Platinum Weave gi. The embroidery over the past year of use, has not shown any sign of tear.

Pants

The pants of the Gameness Platinum Weave are made of thick eight ounce cotton. There were no significant signs of shrinkage on the pants during the washes. Could you imagine if there was some sign of shrinkage? Definitely, I won’t be able to use it if that was the case because of the fit. Fortunately, it wasn’t.
 For the reinforcements, you’ll notice additional reinforcements on stress areas such as the groin area and the knees. As for the pant loops, it comes with 2 loops and a drawstring.  Not really the best in that particular department.

Jacket

*take note that I used an A1 gi. I weigh around 135-140lbs, 5’5”

The jacket of the Platinum Weave is tough but surprisingly soft as well on the inside. It isn’t really abrasive your skin which is really good. As for the cut, I really think it is a bit small and though my height could still fall under A1, I am definitely not an A1 when I wore the gi. As for the collar, I prefer its thickness. Compared to other gis, it is relatively thicker which makes it more difficult for other people to grip.

Conclusion

If you love the gold weave gis, then probably this is the gi for you. Is it worth the price? Unfortunately, if it falls on its regular price of $175 on Budovideos, I’d pass on it for other gis out there. However, on its sale price of $150, I’d say it is a great deal.
As for the style, I believe that the Gameness Platinum Weave is a mix of both clean and loud design. It is clean for the fact that Gameness used the white gi pretty well. It is loud on the aspect of so many areas with patches of either “Gameness” or the pitbull logo.

Aesthetic Aurora IV Review GiCritic 12:14 PM

Intro

We’ve been intrigued by Aesthetic since it first came out. Clean, simple and stylish, those were the impressions that this brand made to us. This isn’t the first time that we mentioned the brand to our readers here on Gi Critic. We also mentioned Aesthetic in our list of top small brands months back. This time around though, we are going to make a review for the Aurora IV.

For a small brand, it surprised us how they have the “No pre-orders, no reissue” strategy. It is a bold move for a small company to come up with fresh designs every now and then.

I had the pleasure to know Andy Chan, the co owner of Aesthetic. According to him, he and his brother Jon started the brand in 2012. We already contacted them in the past about making a possible review of their previous designs, but unfortunately, the supplies ran out quite fast.

Jacket

I opened the box and found the brand new Aurora IV, a clean white gi trimmed with yellow gold accent.
They made use of 425gsm pearl weave fabric on the jacket making this gi perfect for competition and for day to day training.

In terms of the design, the Japanese kanji for Aesthetic easily caught my attention. It is located in front of the left skirt and another one located at the back.

On the right shoulder portion, as well as on the left chest area of the jacket, you’ll see embroidered designs of the brand’s logos and type font.

Of course, just like all the Aurora series, Aesthetic included the signature asymmetrical sunrise stitch coming from the left edge of the jacket all the way to the right side.

 

The jacket feels just like any other 450gsm pearl weave jacket that has the rough exterior. However, it was extremely soft on the inside.

When it comes to the lapel, Aesthetic used EVA foam collar covered with ripstop fabric.

Inspecting the inside of the jacket, I was impressed with the inner tapes located on the sleeves and on the edge of the gi. The areas where the inside tapes were located had reinforced layers of ripstop fabric.

As for the tape, it really never bothered me while rolling. It wasn’t scratchy, and I never noticed it. So yes, forget about me bitching about the “scratchy sleeve tape”.

 Pants

For the pants, you have an option to have another pair for less than £10. Aesthetic made it possible for their customers to choose between cotton twill or Rip stop pants. In fact, why not just get both?

As for the design of the pants, with a small embroidered Aesthetic font on the shin and a kanji on the right leg, Aesthetic rocked with a minimalist approach.

The Aurora IV used bungee rope tied to six loops, and for me, this didn’t give me a hard time during the sparring rounds. It is also easy to take off.

I also like the fact that they provided knee reinforcement (from thighs to ankle).

If there is something I’d recommend for the next Aesthetic gis, hopefully they could add a pearl weave groin gusset to both rip stop and cotton twill pants. For the Aurora IV, you have pearl weave groin gusset reinforcement for the cotton twill pants.

Rolling Impressions

I really love the fit of this new Aurora IV, except for the sleeves. I find it a bit long for my taste which allowed more teammates to grip on my sleeve. I like the fact that the jacket is soft on the inside which made rolling comfortable. Also, it is light which never hampered my mobility regardless if passing or playing guard.

As I mentioned on previous the Mata Leon review, I never wash my gis with hot water. I also don’t put them on dryer. In terms of shrinkage, the jacket’s sleeve shrunk an inch give or take. For the pants, it stayed the same even after 4 consecutive washes.

There was also no sign of discoloration or wear and tear on the embroideries.

PROS

-Very soft inner jacket.
-Very comfy while rolling.
-Extra thick collar EVA foam.
-Outstanding design.
-Possibility of getting an extra pair of pants.

CONS

-Long sleeves for an A2 size.
-No re-runs

Where to buy it?

You can get the Aesthetic Aurora IV for £109.99 (185$) plus shipping. Though it is a bit pricey, I’d stick to this over most premium gis.

European customers can buy this gi in www.fightaesthetic.com
US customers can also buy it in www.martialartssupplies.com or www.rollmore.com

Review by Alejandro Molina, blue belt from Cia Paulista Team Spain. 

How Gis are Made? GiCritic 8:56 AM

The world of gi manufacturing has exploded in the last couple of years thanks to the internet. The internet has taught us how to reach out to areas of the world where original equipment manufacturing is a big industry.The world of outsourcing allowed brand owners to just sit back and relax without worrying about the production issues that might take place.

Though there are people who are becoming obsessed with gi collection, it is still unclear how gis are being made. Do you ever wonder how your Atama, Shoyoroll or your Koral has been constructed? Some companies claim that gis came from unicorn fart, while some gi collectors speculate of Chinese and Pakistani children's tears.

Here in this video, we bring you a glimpse on how your gi is being made. It all starts with the production of a fabric. Is the fabric a double weave, a hemp weave or probably a Submission FC Poly-Cotton-pretending-to-be-hemp weave?In this video, learn more on how different weaves are made.

 

Now that you have your weave, the next thing is to bring it to the factory. When you are interested with BJJ gis, you can expect for some people from Pakistan to leave you a message or an email, asking you if you want to have a gi manufactured under their company. Some of these individuals are third party entities to factories, while some are factory workers themselves performing list building. In the next video, learn how the gis are made in the city of Sialkot, Pakistan.

 

Not too bad right? There are different types of factory owners that you can meet when it comes to outsourcing your production. From the professional to the not-so-professional factory owners, and even the ones out to scam you, starting brand owners should carry out necessary precautions when outsourcing their production.

 For Origin, they thought of making their gis in the United States. Shoyoroll has also been doing the same steps as Origin. Is this better for consumers? In reality,this move may not be too practical. For one, overhead cost can be so much higher when you have your factory in a first world country. There is a reason why sports brands like Nike and Lululemon preferred outsourcing their production to China, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Mexico to name a few.

Is the quality going to be better if they make it in the US? There is a possibility of having better quality if they know what they are doing. However, there is also that chance where the items are sub standard because of the lack of knowledge in the textile industry. I had the experience of buying an Origin bag with zippers that quickly gave up (twice, I might add. The replacement item also sucked). Also, I posted here a about their gi that turned purple when I washed it. If you are curious how their production works in Origins, check this out.

 

Meerkatsu Documentary Trailer GiCritic 12:40 PM

For a BJJ Gi Addict, Meerkatsu is synonymous to the cool and outrageous designs of BJJ gear and street apparel. Personally, Meerkatsu aka Seymour Yang inspired me to look at gis in a different way. Check this cool documentary trailer of the man himself.

Mata Leon: Gentleman GiCritic 11:38 AM

A review by

Alejandro Molina

Blue Belt at Cia Paulista Team. Spain.

Mata Leon Kimonos is a brand based in Turkey. It was created by a couple of friends who met through Jiu Jitsu, and they decided to put up a brand that represents great designs and functional gis. Most of us must’ve heard of Mata Leon because of their commercial. Who else can pull something like that? Origin probably?

I had the chance to meet Emre, one of the owners, and he told me a bit about how he they came up with the gi. According to him, simplicity and clean designs were keys to how they made The Gentleman.

They used a lion for their logo. For those who don’t know, Mata Leon is another name for rear naked choke.

The thing with Mata Leon is that they are still young, and not as big as Atama, Shoyoroll, Storm and other big brands out there. They still produce by small batches.

 Using a 350gsm pearl weave fabric for the jacket, this is a very light gi perfect for summer time which also works well on colder days.

First Impression

I am currently 5´9 and 165lbs. Though I use an A2, Emre sent me an A3 because they ran out of A2s. Because of its size, I had to wash it more than I normally do with other gis in rotation. Normally, I usually wash them in a 30 min cold water program and let them dry under the Spanish sun, the best natural dryer.
The first detail I laid my eyes on were the labels on the inner jacket and pants.

I find it funny how they announce that you can really choke someone, so you better use it with extreme caution.  In my book, it was a subtle, but awesome detail.

This gi can be used as a choking device? Oh really?

In terms of overall design, they managed to minimize the noise by making it a clean white gi with accent of red contrast stitching. They also added some nice grey and gold embroidery on the chest, while having taping on both sleeves and pants.

Made of eva foam and covered in rip stop fabric, they made the lapel thick. I personally love thicker lapels since it is harder to grip on.

The pants were made of rip stop material. They provided decent reinforcement, and throughout the months that I used the gi, there was no sign of wear and tear or shrinkage to the pants.

ROLLING IMPRESSIONS

The great thing about the pants is that it comes with knee pads to support and to make you feel comfy sprawling or being on your knees when playing top etc.

Personally, there are only a few things to improve on the pants. For the loops, I´d prefer to have it at least four instead of just two. Also, they made use of drawstring. I´d prefer to have a bungee rope for that one also.

And finally, I would prefer that they change the reinforcement in the groin part with a single weave fabric.
I´ve been using this gi two hours a day, three days a week, for three months. The rolling sensation is awesome because the gi offers total movement capability, especially for guard players.

I live in a place where 32 degree Celsius is something common when you are rolling. This made the gi perfect for this climate. Also, the gi may look very light and breathable, but it was also durable, at least during the months that I’ve used it. On colder days, I pair it up with a rashguard.

AFTER ROLL IMPRESSIONS

As I´ve mentioned before, pants suffered minimal shrinkage. I noticed the jacket shrunk more after a couple of months. However, in terms of the top’s texture, it´s nice how the gi maintains its softness after every single washing.

CONCLUSIONS & WHERE TO BUY

This is a high quality gi, that I recommend for any one. This gi is perfect for those living in a country with a warm climate. For the price of the gi, you can check them out here or you can like them on their Facebook Page. They are selling the gi for €125 (173$) including world wide shipping.  Also there is a black version of this gi which I truly recommend even though I will always prefer white.

Manila Kimonos Finesse Review GiCritic 8:37 AM

A review by Mr. A-Z

Manila Kimonos released the Finesse early 2014. This is the company's third gi design (after the Tropic Lightweight, and Thrilla Deluxe Gi). Weighing around 1.4 kg for an A1, The Finesse has a 450gsm pearl weave jacket and 10 oz. rip stop pants. The gi top’s sleekness is further highlighted by the black piping used along the lapel. Priced at only $130 plus shipping cost – good buy written all over.

I had the opportunity to talk to the one of the owners of Manila Kimonos. He mentioned that there are many firsts with The Finesse. It is their first time implementing a new cut and sizing scheme. This is also the first time they opened their doors to the international market while still keeping a good base of operations in the Philippines. From a business standpoint, this appears to be a good move towards expansion and reach. Logistics, according to them was a hurdle in expanding new markets.

Initial impression

The simplistic design and minimalistic color scheme is great. I personally love white gis. The piping around the lapel makes it stand out. Not the first gi that came up with a black piping on white gi, but I still dig it. The pearl weave material of the jacket feels soft on the inside, and isn’t abrasive to the skin when rolling in it. The embroidery is of high quality grain, and makes the lotus-themed logo of Manila Kimonos “shine” through its minimalist design.

"Refinement of Basics" 

Like most kimonos in the market today, the Finesse comes in a sublimated gi bag emblazoned with the Manila Kimonos lotus flower logo. The gi also comes with their logo sticker. Personally, I don’t include the gi bag as part of my ratings for a gi. I barely even use the bags after I start rolling in them. If you are keen on the aesthetics of a gi bag, you’re in for a treat. With high-detailed sublimation on the front with their logo – partnered up with the Finesse’s own branding on the bag, Manila Kimonos has spared no expense in making even the minutest details a priority.

Pre-roll review

Gi Bag. Photo Credit to Manila Kimonos

It is definitely one of my better fitting gis, if not the best with my more athletic frame. I am currently 5’6” and weigh 158lbs. and wear an A1. Another highlight of the Finesse is its lightweight feel. It doesn’t weigh you down even after hours of rolling. I am not a fan of rip stop pants, however the Finesse’ pants made me rethink that stand. The pants are sturdy with ample knee support, for my knees when I shoot for a takedown or just simply landing on the mats. The bungee cord that ties up the pants was of enough length to securely tie the rip stop pants in place. Some of my other gis are short on this aspect thus making it a hassle retying the drawstring after every roll.

During the roll review

My expectations were met when rolling in the Finesse. It’s a snug fit, as you would expect from an athletic cut kimono. I felt as if I was flowing through my passes and the techniques I implement in my game. The rip stop pants give enough room to scoot around your hips. I’ve had rip stop pants in the past that limited my movements. For a guard player like me, that is one important aspect to take note of. The sleeves being somewhat of a narrower fit than most gis, is excellent for keeping your opponents grips to a minimum.

Post-roll review

As I’ve stated in my previous reviews: I always hand wash and air-dry my gis under the sun. I never use washers and dryers. The gi retained its softness even after clean up. Shrinkage was minimal, I estimate a half inch for the sleeves and with the rip stop pants barely noticing a change. It’s good to note that the black dye used in the stitching and in the black lapel piping did not bleed during wash. It would be uncool to have black spots on a very clean kimono like the Finesse.

Overall conclusion

For a $130 price tag, you just won't get a gi this good that often, unless you see it on sale on BJJHQ and other websites. I love the fit, I love the simple design, and I most definitely love the price. If there is anything that I do not like about this gi, is that it only comes in white. Cleaning a white gi is a more tedious task especially after a long day’s training. My school uses blue puzzle mats, and the color rubs on this white gi. The Finesse is a small batch run and from what Manila Kimonos told me, they are running out of sizes quick.

A cleaner finish to a jiu-jitsu kimono is what’s more favored these days. Overly embroidered or patch on gis are but a thing of the past. This saves room for school patches or sponsors’ logos. The Finesse in terms of overall quality and aesthetics can be compared to the best brands out there.

If there is any room for improvement, I think they should come up with more colors like the first gi that they released.  

Where to Buy?

To order if you are in the Philippines, you can contact them through their email: manilakimonos@gmail.com or send them a private message through their Facebook Page. For orders elsewhere, you can check their online store.