T
tdog
Guest
Hello everyone,
This is my first post and gi review, although I’ve been a lurker for some time. Actually, this site has been very helpful in regards to choosing a gi and buying the right size. At one point I’ve owned about 12 gis at a time (currently have 5), so I figured it would help the BJJ community if I began sharing what I know. Like many people, I’m a gi fanatic – constantly searching for the perfect fit. What can I say? I love gis.
About myself: I’m about 5’7” and 170 lbs with a slight muscular, stocky build. Currently, I’m a BJJ purple belt under no one in particular. I work as a marketing specialist, but teach BJJ at a local club as charity work. Originally I started training BJJ under a Rickson Gracie Assoc. gym that was very traditional and strict. We couldn’t wear anything outside of the school’s uniform and all uniforms had to be white. As such, I’m a bit of a traditionalist myself and prefer white gis over colored gis; however, I don’t mind colored gis at all. Frankly, I’m beginning to branch out myself and get colored gis. This review is about my first colored gi: Black Venum Gold Weave A2.
Gis I’ve owned in the past (all gis are white and size A2 unless otherwise specified).
Apeman (Gorilla Fight Co.)
Atama Mundial #9
Atama Gold
Atama Single
Atama Ultra Lite
Fuji Single
HCK Single Comp
Isami
Koral MKM Comp
Koral High Tech Lite
Krugans Tribal
MKimonos Hybrid (A3)
Sirius Ultra Lite Gold
Toraki BJJ Gi
Venum Power Gi
Venum Power Gi (black)
Now, on with the review!
Venum Power Gi Black A2
Top: The construction is a one-piece, gold weave material. Although many people have commented that this gi is somewhat heavy, I find it rather light for a gold weave gi (the black one seems slightly heavier than the white). All the seams and reinforcements are very well constructed and sewn (as expected for a gi ranging up to $250). It wears very snug in the body and I like that the sleeves are slimmer. For those who like loose, baggy gis, this one isn’t your type. For a size A2, it’s slightly smaller than many other brands, so keep that in mind. The collar is fairly stiff and made of rubber. If I had to rate the top alone, I would give it a 5/5.
Bottom: The pants are another story. They’re very stiff and ride high up the crotch area. In fact, they feel like low-rise jeans that you’re trying to pull up. Also, even though they’re supposed to be pre-shrunk, they shrink considerably if you dry them on high heat. Therefore, if you like the length straight from the factory, don’t dry them! About the only thing I like about the pants is that they’re not too long (I have shorter legs). I give these a 2/5.
In conclusion, this gi is pretty badass but perhaps a bit over-priced. If you’re a gi fanatic like myself, then it’s probably worth it, but if you’re simply looking for functionality then maybe look somewhere else. Hope this helps.
This is my first post and gi review, although I’ve been a lurker for some time. Actually, this site has been very helpful in regards to choosing a gi and buying the right size. At one point I’ve owned about 12 gis at a time (currently have 5), so I figured it would help the BJJ community if I began sharing what I know. Like many people, I’m a gi fanatic – constantly searching for the perfect fit. What can I say? I love gis.
About myself: I’m about 5’7” and 170 lbs with a slight muscular, stocky build. Currently, I’m a BJJ purple belt under no one in particular. I work as a marketing specialist, but teach BJJ at a local club as charity work. Originally I started training BJJ under a Rickson Gracie Assoc. gym that was very traditional and strict. We couldn’t wear anything outside of the school’s uniform and all uniforms had to be white. As such, I’m a bit of a traditionalist myself and prefer white gis over colored gis; however, I don’t mind colored gis at all. Frankly, I’m beginning to branch out myself and get colored gis. This review is about my first colored gi: Black Venum Gold Weave A2.
Gis I’ve owned in the past (all gis are white and size A2 unless otherwise specified).
Apeman (Gorilla Fight Co.)
Atama Mundial #9
Atama Gold
Atama Single
Atama Ultra Lite
Fuji Single
HCK Single Comp
Isami
Koral MKM Comp
Koral High Tech Lite
Krugans Tribal
MKimonos Hybrid (A3)
Sirius Ultra Lite Gold
Toraki BJJ Gi
Venum Power Gi
Venum Power Gi (black)
Now, on with the review!
Venum Power Gi Black A2
Top: The construction is a one-piece, gold weave material. Although many people have commented that this gi is somewhat heavy, I find it rather light for a gold weave gi (the black one seems slightly heavier than the white). All the seams and reinforcements are very well constructed and sewn (as expected for a gi ranging up to $250). It wears very snug in the body and I like that the sleeves are slimmer. For those who like loose, baggy gis, this one isn’t your type. For a size A2, it’s slightly smaller than many other brands, so keep that in mind. The collar is fairly stiff and made of rubber. If I had to rate the top alone, I would give it a 5/5.
Bottom: The pants are another story. They’re very stiff and ride high up the crotch area. In fact, they feel like low-rise jeans that you’re trying to pull up. Also, even though they’re supposed to be pre-shrunk, they shrink considerably if you dry them on high heat. Therefore, if you like the length straight from the factory, don’t dry them! About the only thing I like about the pants is that they’re not too long (I have shorter legs). I give these a 2/5.
In conclusion, this gi is pretty badass but perhaps a bit over-priced. If you’re a gi fanatic like myself, then it’s probably worth it, but if you’re simply looking for functionality then maybe look somewhere else. Hope this helps.
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