The first Panda CS gi I received was an a2. It was the biggest a2 I've ever worn, by a lot, very loose fit for the jacket even after shrinking. The pants were still big but not as over sized as the jacket. I find it relatively very difficult to break grips on the sleeves with this gi, not sure if it's because of larger sleeves or the fabric, which seems to be at least a bit stretchy (but is also very soft and comfortable I must say). The really problem came after I washed it, the purple color bled a TON. Spots all over the gi after one wash, it would make just bleed guy proud. Being pretty pissed over this I e-mailed customer service, they responded very quickly, told me that some gis in the first batch were having color bleed problems and sent me an A1L which would hopefully fit better, as well as specific anti bleed washing instructions.
The A1L fit me much better than the a2, but I would still say it was looser than any other a2 I've tried on. Still had similar difficulties breaking grips, still soft and comfortable just like the a2. Washed it with specific anti color bleeding instructions, (soaking it in vinegar, etc) and color still bled on the gi, though not as bad as the first one. I hoped that this was maybe just a one time thing and that now the color was finally set I used it a few more times, every time I washed the gi I would follow the same anti bleed instructions but it bleeds more every time. I still use them from time to time for repping only sessions, but if I wash them with anything else the other clothes will get purple spots on them so they aren't quite my go tos.
When all is said and done I can't recommend the panda CS, but with the excellent customer service from inverted gear I'll probably purchase another gi from them in the future, one with a simpler color scheme though, sucks when a gi you think is going to look good ends up looking like rubbish because it's got purple spots all over.
EDIT
I should mention again that the gi that bled on me was a Panda CS, unbleached with purple contrast, this gi isn't on the inverted gear official site anymore and I've never tried on their navy blue bamboo gi that they have now, probably won't have the same kind of bleeding problems with that color scheme.
