Gi Review: VHTS G4

I did not purchase this Gi. It is a loaner Gi, an A1, my size, at the gym where I teach the kids program. That being said, I've used it to roll and train in frequently over the past few months when I didn't have time to get all my gear washed due to work and training et cetera.

Some disclaimers before I review any/all Gis: I don't like ripstop as a material on Gis. I dislike it even more as material for pants. Most of the times, if not all, that my fingers have been hurt or sprained or whatever in training it is from gripping ripstop pants. In addition, I don't like the soggy wet t-shirt feel ripstop pants give me during long training sessions. Secondly, I, for the most part, prefer heavier Gi tops. I played Judo for quite awhile before moving into Jiu-Jitsu and other than the dead of summer, I prefer heavier Gi Tops. This dislike for ripstop Gi pants is part of the reason I selected this Gi for purchase, that and the weight of the Gi top.

Those things being said, let's begin.
"480 GSM Pearl Weave" and ripstop pants. 

The cut is slim, the pants are also a slim fit. I tend to like slimmer fit/tailored Gis because I am 5'8/5'9 and 145 lbs. I have relatively broad shoulders and a narrow waist. This Gi top feels more tailored/slim than the Tatami Estilo 5.0 Gi which I own but slightly less slim than the Maeda Kaiyo Gi which I also own.

A small comment about the belt loops. It has a single belt loop in the front which is fine for tying the pants securely with the elastic drawstring, but I prefer the belt loops in pairs for a more comfortable fit/knot, but anyway, my personal two cents/opinion no one really asked for.

On to another:
I'm not quite sure if it's a chemical or something in the finishing process or perhaps the production of the weave, but something about the Gi tops by VHTS is abrasive to my knuckles. I first noticed it rolling with a guy regularly who wore VHTS Gis. I would assume it's my hands at deficient in some capacity, but after 11 years of Judo and coming up on 7 years of Jiu-Jitsu, I find it hard to believe that's the case. Something about either the weave or the fabric from the spool itself from which the weave is constructed feels very abrasive to my knuckles. Anyhow, the Gis seem very popular around NYC as I see them on IG and on competitors and athletes from a variety of gyms in the area.

Gi Review: Tatami Estilo 5.0

Some disclaimers before I review any/all Gis: I don't like ripstop as a material on Gis. I dislike it even more as material for pants. Most of the times, if not all, that my fingers have been hurt or sprained or whatever in training it is from gripping ripstop pants. In addition, I don't like the soggy wet t-shirt feel ripstop pants give me during long training sessions. Secondly, I, for the most part, prefer heavier Gi tops. I played Judo for quite awhile before moving into Jiu-Jitsu and other than the dead of summer, I prefer heavier Gi Tops. This dislike for ripstop Gi pants is part of the reason I selected this Gi for purchase, that and the weight of the Gi top.

Those things being said, let's begin.
I bought this Gi HERE for $159.95
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• 550 GSM Pearl Weave jacket
• 12 oz canvas pants

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This Gi is popular. Each time I've been to tournaments to compete since purchasing this Gi at least one guy in my bracket and a number of guys in other brackets are wearing this Gi. For the price, the Gi looks good and feels and looks like a competition Gi. Personally, I'm not a big fan of the broad, bold, big letters on the shoulders. That being said, due to my dislike of ripstop pants, and my desire for Gi tops on the heavier side in weight, this Gi ended up in my digital shopping cart. That and because the other Gi, I ended up buying was on the same website and I wanted to go ahead and just have both sent at the same time.

But I digress.....The Gi top is on the heavier end of Jiu-Jitsu Gis (at least nowadays, being 550 GSM, but honestly, doesn't feel much heavier than some of the other Jiu-Jitsu Gis. The cut is also not as lean as some of my other Gis, not that it feels box-like or like a parachute around me, but it's not as tailored through the midsection as per my frame (which my torso is very V-shaped from shoulders narrowing down to the waist). It has some cool sketch/line art patched inside the Gi up around the shoulders which is a nice touch, the overall aesthetic of the Gi is clean cut and the Blue color they used for the stitching I think works really well for it's overall look. One small nitpick negative nancy detail, there is a patch on the left hand side of the Gi pants near the waist/thigh intersection that results in one less belt loop on that side. I doubt it makes much of a difference in wear/usage, but I could've done without a patch and done with another belt loop. That being said, if that's the only thing negative I have to say about a Gi, so far so good.

Gi Review: Maeda Kaiyo

Some disclaimers before I review any/all Gis: I don't like ripstop as a material on Gis. I dislike it even more as material for pants. Most of the times, if not all, that my fingers have been hurt or sprained or whatever in training it is from gripping ripstop pants. In addition, I don't like the soggy wet t-shirt feel ripstop pants give me during long training sessions. Secondly, I, for the most part, prefer heavier Gi tops. I played Judo for quite awhile before moving into Jiu-Jitsu and other than the dead of summer, I prefer heavier Gi Tops. This dislike for ripstop Gi pants is part of the reason I selected this Gi for purchase, that and the weight of the Gi top.

Those things being said, let's begin.
I bought this Gi HERE for $149.95. At this price, I am very happy thus far with my purchase. The slimmer fit, the weight of the Gi, how it feels in training, I am very happy with it for what I paid. It's not an amazing Gi in terms of the patching or design aesthetic but as a Gi to throw on, stretch out and do competition class early at my gym, it feels great every time I put it on.
Schematics and details:
I'm 5'8/5'9, 145 lbs or so. I wear an A1.
I like the heavier (than ripstop) Gi pants and the reinforced pad that sits mid thigh to mid shin. I also like the extra belt loops. I personally don't like elastic/stretch cords for drawstring (once again, my Judo background bias showing through), but the addition of belt loops and the thickness of the draw string feels appropriate. I've tried some Gis on where the circumference of the drawstring is laughably large.
I've had this Gi for going on two months. I train in it at least once week, normally at competition class, and have yet to notice any tearing or lose stitching. I mention this because I have bought Gis in the past that after the first wash or within a week of training, I've noticed loose threads or portions where the stitching has failed. This Gi, thus far shows no signs of such failures in stitching and/or construction. Of the not super high end Gi's like the Oniwakamaru or 5 Rings Gi I bought by Muae, this is my favorite daily training Gi in terms of fit and feel.

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• 475 GSM Pearl Weave Plus jacket
• 10 oz drill cotton pants

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