Question about Lucky Gi Sizing and Shrinking

[Penguino5]

Hi, I'm thinking of getting a Lucky Gi, maybe even two of them. If I grab one I think I am going to get the White/Green one, if I grab another it would be either the Lovato or the Garcia, haven't decided yet. Anyway I have some questions you might be able to help answer:

1) Sizing: What size would be good for me in the white/green? I am 5'5" and usually hover between 170-180. Right now I am 178. My upper body is bigger than my lower body, I have broad upper back/chest/shoulders, and a bit of a gut but thats slowly disappearing.. I wear a size 38 pants, XL or L shirt, 16 - 16 1/2" neck with 32/33" sleeves or shorter, and in a suit I am a 44 Short. I have been told to go by weight because I could always shrink it in the wash if the pants are too long, but I'd rather ask someone who has owned these types of gis.

2) Locking in the color: Retayne or vinegar to lock in the color? If I color-fast it the first wash, do I only wash it on cold? Do I remove the rope-string for the pants and do that separately?

3) Shrinking it: Do I wash Cold then dry hot? Or do I wash Cold/Hot and dry hot? etc. How much will it shrink? I know these are a lot of questions, but I don't want to end up dropping $250 on a gi just to have it end up not fitting me.


I'm planning on ordering one either this Friday or next week.. any help/info is greatly appreciated.. thanks for all the help!

P.S. - Yes I am a noob. I know I will probably get some responses asking me why I want to get a nice gi like this so early on, and the answer is because I'm not paying for it, just picking it out as a gift, and while I could sit here and say that it's because I think it will last and be flexible/comfortable (which I do), the truth is I really think it looks sweet.

 

[nykayfabe]

My Lucky is from the older batch with different sizing but FWIW: I'm your height, about 15 lbs. lighter and rock an A2. The top is very, very snug and could actually stand to be a bit looser. I had to remove the kneepads from the pants to make them comfortable because they're cut so narrow. Honestly, I don't think the Lucky is made for your build (or mine, for that matter) as it's cut more for a lanky player. I really don't think you'll be comfortable in this gi, regardless of the size you get.

If you want to maximize your gift and get an expensive gi, I suggest you look at almost any other top-of-the-line brand (Atama, Koral, Isami, Lutador). Even the Keiko Raca--with its reputations as being a gi for a tall, thin player--would fit you better than the Lucky.

 

[ohmalley]

hey penguin,

typically, i'd tend to agree with nyk -- many earlier reports of the lucky cut and fit seemed to support the idea that it was built for a very lanky player. the size chart off the OTM site seems to confirm this. however, there seem to be two different size charts for the white lucky gi, and they support very different body types. the link to the lucky gi off the san francisco OTM fight shop has a very different size chart, and one that would support you fitting into an A2 (perhaps with A1 pants).

according to the link off the sf site, i'd fit into an a1 (5'4", 160lbs, very compact and muscular build). when i was in SF a few weeks ago i popped in and tried one on, and sure enough the A1 fit like a glove. cutting off at 130lbs, there is NO WAY i'd fit the A1 off the general OTM site. hell, i'd fall at the very top of the A2, and would probably get an awkward fit that accommodated my shoulders but was silly-long in the skirt and sleeves. the pants would be huge as well.

if you're dead set on a lucky, i would call the OTM fight shop in SF and talk to them. maybe there are two different sizing schemes? perhaps the newer models are cut different? it's a small shop and they guys there are very nice. if it's a slow day you might even be able to get them to give you actual measurements of the gi.

and yeah, it is a sexy kimono. i'd like one, but i need to sell my atama ultralite first.

good luck!

edit: i just realized it looks as tho the only difference in the two sizing charts is that the original A0 no longer exists, and they just shifted the sizing brackets. ie, the old A2 is now and A1, etc. i dunno if they actually changed the cut or not, so it could be that an A2 from SF would fit the same as an A3 from the original OTM shop. ??

 

[Penguino5]

Thank you for the responses everyone.. so much great info that I've received already, I don't even know where to start!

OhMalley - So on the sizing chart, is the weight next to each size the min or max weight for that size? Like for example, A2 says 5'8"-5'11" 185 lbs, and A3 says 5'11"-6'1" 210 lbs... does that mean an A2 will fit anyone between 185-210 lbs? or does it mean that it will fit someone up to 185 lbs? I am going to try to call the SF store tonight for clarification.

 

[ohmalley]

nah, the weight listed is the max weight. as in, up to 185lbs.

edit: at least, that's always been my assumption. probably wouldn't hurt to ask, but i'm pretty sure that's the max weight. altho, if i'm in the height category and over the max weight by 10lbs or less, i'll just go for it. depends on your body composition and where you hold weight. 10lbs of chubb all in your belly can certainly make a gi fit poorly (10lbs of fat takes up a lot more space in your body than 10lbs of muscle). but if you're mostly muscle, and your weight distribution (including fat) is pretty even, then that 10lbs shouldn't make too big a difference. make sense?

 

[Quasi14]

I've had two for about a year, the green and white and the lovato signature. They have shrunken considerable within a year (no drying, warm wash) enough that I would say get a size up.

 

[QueensBJJ]

Well the two lucky gis you are thinking about buying are actually two different cuts. I own 4 Lucky Gis total, One original White one, One original Black, Lovato jr and the new blue one. My friend also owns 4 other Lucky gis so I am pretty experienced with lucky gis.

If you are buying it brand new, the sizing has changed in comparison to the older sizes. It is roughly 1 size down. My original White Lucky Gi is an A2 where as my blue one is an A1. They fit virtually the same however I have noticed that the sleeves on the original white one has shrunken a bit more than the blue and black gi.

The lovato and marcelo gi however are a different sizing chart. In the Lovato and Marcelo I believe they are going with the OTM sizing/Older version sizing so I wear an A2. I would say that the gi top fits better in my opinion in comparison to the regular lucky gis.

I am about 5'8" 155lbs but have a rather wide build so the normal lucky gis do fit as far as my waist etc, but I find that since the Lovato one seems to be cut a bit looser, more or less closer to a Koral gi, it fits better for my build.

No offense but for someone with your height and weight, I cannot say I would recommend a Lucky Gi as they are geared towards a slimmer body shape. They aren't as slim as the Shoyoroll gis, however they are much slimmer than my Koral gi.

I hope that helps you a bit in your search. If you need more information you can always call up one of the OTM shops or email Scotty@OTM.

 

[Penguino5]

I e-mailed Scotty but he hasn't e-mailed me back yet. I talked to an OTM web guy and a couple of OTM fight shops and they kept trying to push the OTM Medieval Gi on me, which I don't want; finally, the next shop told me the same thing you just did - that Lucky isn't really right for my build.

Anyone know of another Gi that is good quality/durable/comfortable/cool-looking that would fit my build better? Someone recommended Atama Mundial 9 which looked pretty cool but I'm open to any and all suggestions; I don't care if it's loose around the collar or sleeves or easy to grab, as I figure that could just make me learn better anyway. Just as long as it's a good, durable, comfortable gi.

 

[ohmalley]

the one thing i will tell you, penguino, is that if you've really got your heart set on a gi, then order it and try it. just be prepared to have to ship it back for a refund. it sounds like you're *really* into this gi, and if i were in your shoes, i'd just sock away an extra $20 for shipping in case it really doesn't fit.

i've been trolling this forum for a while now and ppl will swear up and down that X gi will not fit you, yadda yadda. they mean well, they're just trying to help. and sometimes they're right. but ... a perfect example is the keiko. everybody and their mother swore this gi wouldn't fit my build. everyone says it's built for a tall skinny guy. but i tried one on in the shop and not only was the A1 HUGE on me, once i shrank the bejeezus out of it it fits PERFECTLY. i'm 5'4" and 160, detailed stats are in my photo albums. short, thick, muscular. NOT tall, not lanky. folks told me the same thing with the lucky. sure enough, i tried it on in the store and BAM. fit great. i'd have to have the sleeves tailored a bit, but that's par for the course. but i'll bet you anything that if i called them up on the phone and gave them my height and weight, they'd try to sell me the medieval as well!

anyway, point is, don't listen too much to what other ppl say will or won't fit you. not even the manufacturer. sizing charts are built upon estimates, and give no indication toward body types, body weight composition, or proportion. diving in and experimenting with gi fit FIRST HAND is the best and ONLY way to develop a sense of what will or won't fit you. and since this is a gift, you've got nothing to lose except the shipping.

 

[dcfella]

I've had my Lovato lucky gi for about 3 weeks, and washed it several times. I got an A2, which fit me just about perfect out the bag. The top shrank just a bit and the pants maybe haven't even shrunk at all. My wash routine has been to cold wash, hang dry, then tumble on air in the dryer for about 15-20 minutes. I vinegar soaked it before the first wash and the colors seem to be fine too.

If you're thinking about the Lovato, I would recommend it. It's a high quality gi that's really comfortable.

 

[Arguemaniac]

hey by the way, not to highjack the thread, but has anyone else noticed that combat sports is now selling lucky gis? Lucky Kimono Gi-Combatsports.com

I thought you could get them at onthemat.com?

Or is all this old news to everyone else?

 

[QueensBJJ]

To be honest I think if you are dead set on a Lucky Gi, it would have to be either the Lovato or the Marcelo gi. They are cut a bit baggier than the standard Lucky Gi's. They fit much closer to that of a Koral gi. Again you may need to have them altered. For your height, I think the pants would be too long if you get an A2 which should fit your size. I am 5'8" with rather short legs and I had to have the pants taken up by half an inch. I also like my pants to sit above my ankles.

Like Ohmalley has stated, get whatever gi makes you happy. But just be warned that it may not fit you as well as you would be hoping for. And with an investment of 249, it is rather steep to take that chance.

 

[LongVN]

Good luck finding a Lovato's, they're very limited on those now since they're going to make a different version...oh shit...you didnt hear it from me! *runs away