- Joined
- Jul 8, 2003
- Messages
- 1,522
- Reaction score
- 0
Ok y'all. As promised. A review of the Combat Sports International, Grappling Shin-Instep Guard.
http://www.combatsports.com/detail_tuf2.aspx?ID=22281
First let me thank Joe at CSI for hooking me up with a pair of these bad boys.
These things are awesome! The first thing you'll notice is that these do not have the conventional straps that go around the back of the leg to keep them strapped to you. These have an entire lycra sheath that your entire lower leg slides into.
This not only gives you a nice comfy fit (with no straps biting into the backs of your legs) but it also makes sure they don't slide around from side to side.
These babies stay put!
The padding looks thin, but does a surprisingly great job!
Here's a pic of the fronts. Not too much different here.
Here's the side view. You can see the covering that your leg slips into. Getting these on is easy, but getting them off is tougher...lol
This is the back. You can see the back of the leg, and the bottom of the foot. Everything is kept in place nicely with this setup.
One of the other different things is a "hook and loop" (velcro for us lawbreakers) secure closure at the top. This sinches it up nice and tight at the top. Here's pics of the closure opened, and closed.
All in all, this is a great shin/instep pad! Good for sparring, AND you can wear them when grappling! They'll stay put just fine. And they're very comfortable to wear.
If I HAD to find anything negative about them, I could only find nitpicky things. Like is seems the lycra on the foot overhangs just a little. I'd maybe trim it back. This doesn't effect performance in the slightest. Just feels like that little bit flips up from time to time.
The only other things is, the features that keep them from sliding around can make them a little difficult to take off when you're done.
Once again, that is nitpicky, and I've even figured out a way to get them off a bit easier. I was afraid of tearing the lycra at first, but then I figured out that the padding is stiff enough that you can use that to push them, as you pull from the bottom. (A little extra tip from me to you
)
If you're even considering getting these, I'd say DON'T HESITATE! This is a great set, and a good price!
The quality on them is great, and I love that they don't slide around on you.
And if you have any questions, Joe is usually around and he really knows his stuff. VERY helpful.
CSI has a lot of great products. Hopefully (if my wallet allows) I'll get some more gear and throw up some more reviews.
I already have my eye on a pair of the MMA Training Gloves.
http://www.combatsports.com/detail_tuf2.aspx?ID=22292
And I know a lot of people have been curious about them.
Joe at CSI was good enough to let me try them (as well as just about every other glove they carry), and I really liked what I saw. Hopefully Santa will give me some CASH this year!
If I n00b'd pics or links or anything let me know and I'll fix 'em ASAP.
http://www.combatsports.com/detail_tuf2.aspx?ID=22281
First let me thank Joe at CSI for hooking me up with a pair of these bad boys.
These things are awesome! The first thing you'll notice is that these do not have the conventional straps that go around the back of the leg to keep them strapped to you. These have an entire lycra sheath that your entire lower leg slides into.
This not only gives you a nice comfy fit (with no straps biting into the backs of your legs) but it also makes sure they don't slide around from side to side.
These babies stay put!
The padding looks thin, but does a surprisingly great job!
Here's a pic of the fronts. Not too much different here.
Here's the side view. You can see the covering that your leg slips into. Getting these on is easy, but getting them off is tougher...lol
This is the back. You can see the back of the leg, and the bottom of the foot. Everything is kept in place nicely with this setup.
One of the other different things is a "hook and loop" (velcro for us lawbreakers) secure closure at the top. This sinches it up nice and tight at the top. Here's pics of the closure opened, and closed.
All in all, this is a great shin/instep pad! Good for sparring, AND you can wear them when grappling! They'll stay put just fine. And they're very comfortable to wear.
If I HAD to find anything negative about them, I could only find nitpicky things. Like is seems the lycra on the foot overhangs just a little. I'd maybe trim it back. This doesn't effect performance in the slightest. Just feels like that little bit flips up from time to time.
The only other things is, the features that keep them from sliding around can make them a little difficult to take off when you're done.
Once again, that is nitpicky, and I've even figured out a way to get them off a bit easier. I was afraid of tearing the lycra at first, but then I figured out that the padding is stiff enough that you can use that to push them, as you pull from the bottom. (A little extra tip from me to you

If you're even considering getting these, I'd say DON'T HESITATE! This is a great set, and a good price!
The quality on them is great, and I love that they don't slide around on you.
And if you have any questions, Joe is usually around and he really knows his stuff. VERY helpful.
CSI has a lot of great products. Hopefully (if my wallet allows) I'll get some more gear and throw up some more reviews.
I already have my eye on a pair of the MMA Training Gloves.
http://www.combatsports.com/detail_tuf2.aspx?ID=22292
And I know a lot of people have been curious about them.
Joe at CSI was good enough to let me try them (as well as just about every other glove they carry), and I really liked what I saw. Hopefully Santa will give me some CASH this year!
If I n00b'd pics or links or anything let me know and I'll fix 'em ASAP.