Want to get a bjj gi for competition and training, any recommendations esp for stocky build? Train in summer conditions all year and willing to spend up to $150.
Atama has a sale now but no gold weave avail for a while, is the double too much for summer training? Thanks, Koga!
Thanks, if the quality is OK, that gi is a relative bargain at $80. The size is hard to figure though - while at 183-186 lbs I fall right in the middle of an A3 Atama, the Ouano A2 goes up to 184 lbs - do they fit so snugly I should go with an A3?
Thanks. Why do you prefer the Ouano over the Atama? Better cut, higher quality? I have the old Ouano mma gloves, they are very well made. I only see MKimonos, Japanese brands and some no name stuff here in Bangkok all of which have very different cuts
DMMA, have you had an Ouano or Atama to compare to? I saw some guys recommend Sirius on Sherdog but only in very general terms. Again, size is an issue - I would get an Ouano in A-2 on HP's recommendation but the Sirius A-2 is perfect for height (5'5-5'9) but only goes to 170lbs when I weigh 185 or so.
Hi Koga
Long time no see. I heard you left Singapore for BKK.
Anyways, if I recall correctly, you have a stocky build so getting a Howards or MKimonos will be a better bet since they are cut for your build. I don't know whether Adam is wearing his Howards in BKK but that's a standard single and tailored for big shoulders/chest and shorter sleeves (after washing and machine drying). I'd daresay the MKimonos is tailored similarly.
The others that I have seen which are similar in design would be Gameness and possibly the old Rednose (which is a lower quality). I have no experience with Ouano or Sirius kimonos.
There is a new Rednose kimono made by Keiko and Keiko are also tailored for a more athletic (slimmer) torso.
In terms of value=$ I'd say Howards as it will last a loooong time but it will eventually succumb to the funk when you train in the lovely BKK weather.
Hope this helps.
If you are ever in KL, drop by www.kdta.com
Thanks V, very helpful - I'll drop you an email.
Sirius, HCK, ATAMA in no particular order. You'll be happy with any of these gi's.
Thanks, as KDTA pointed out I'm kind of a square/box cut myself so it sounds like Ouano or HCK might be the way to go.
Also, given the weather as a major consideration you may also think about Atama / Vulkan and Zillium Summerweave.
I know Atama will be good as I wear it myself (have 3 of them) and Vulkan are made by Koral and are good but a bit too $ for a summerweave. No experience with Zillium yet. No reviews on this kimono but it looks ok.
http://atama-kimonos.com/products/kimonos/Summer/index.htm
http://www.vulkankimonos.com.br/
http://www.kimonoszillium.com/
Thanks, I tried on Adam's HCK Comp Single - fit me like it was custom made so I've ordered it.
Koga,
KDTA let me know about the Atama summer weaves. So I went ahead and I have 3 Atama that I have been using in BKK. In my opinion, the single weaves, etc are too hot to use here.
I have a HCK Hot weather gi, which I heard they will re-introduce sometime soon. I have a spare Vulkan A3 that is too big for me and I never wore, let me know if you want to try it one day. I will trade for Judo lessons :)
hi koga,
i have owned/worn atama, kf, machado, gameness, koral, and some others i can't remember.
sirius is the best without a doubt. best build and fabric quality.
atama is too big through the chest. koral i just didn't like. kf i think are very good but are kinda uncomfortable (fabric wise) compared to others. machado gis were great until the split between us and brazil. haven't worn m kimonos (us machado) but the brazilian ones are shit quality now it seems. same deal with gameness. the brazilian ones suck shit through a straw.
not sure what build you are, but i like a snug, small fit in my gi. a2 in sirius is perfect. if i were one inch taller it would be too small (i am 5'10" and 74kg).
the service alone will impress you.
i run a club here in australia (www.dominance.com.au) and we changed from stocking atama, kf, and machado to sirius only. just ordered 20 more :-)
haven't worn a howard, although my gf (purple belt) has one and the thing is like a bullet proof vest. seem like a great gi. similar to sirius but the sirius is more flexible/comfortable.
hope that helps, lol.
dave
dmma
I have three Ouano gis, and they are all great. My white Ouano is three years old and is just starting to rip on the sleeve after TONS of use and abuse.
Before Ouano I wore Atama gis and I was very unhappy with the quality, fit and feel of the gi. According to their size chart I was an A3 but the gi was much too small, especially the pants, and ripped after 3 months. I e-mailed the guy and he sent me a new one but it began ripping after three months as well.
I have also owned two Machado (Mkimono) gis and they have been good quality but much looser than I prefer.
HCK and Ouano seem to be the best choice for price and quality from all of the gi's I've seen.
Hey Koga,
You made a good choice. HCK is an amazing gi.
what would be a good gi, fit for a slender 5'11, 180lber, with lanky limbs? anyone match up to this and have a perfect fit?
Keiko /Atama A3. Shrink to fit.
thank you good sir
a3 sirius. the end.
dmma
went with the atama gold weave with the flags. nice looking gi.