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_Rupture PTSi Rash Guard Review_
Introduction:
Rupture submitted individual PTSi's for ClampXVII and I to review. The head hanco over at Rupture, Nick, is truly a pleasure to work with: easy going, motivated, and an all around nice guy. Additionally, any issues on Sherdog -questions ranging from shipment to sizing-- and team Rupture is there to to quell any issues, promptly offering the customer a quick and satisfying fix. Along with Rupture's classy web layout, they get two thumbs up for customer interaction and care.
Fit, Feel, & Fashion:
But how does the actual product hold up? What if I told you the Rupture PTSi outlines my lovely lady humps? In fact, I feel eyes of all those treadmilled cougars sneaking a peak as I'm make my way towards the yoga class. It's like, "ladies, come on, I'm just here to test out this rashie and get my stretch on: I'm not here to go saber-tooth hunting." And really though, who can blame them? The sleekness of the PTSi adds +20 to charisma, +7 endurance, and +125% handsomeness. It's been proven with science.
I've used Under Armour and really dislike the feeling the material makes when I twist my torso: the UA just grips my obliques and is distractingly funny feeling. Not so with the PTSi! Rupture has created a rashie that feels smooth on the skin and stays with the body when rolling on the mats, regardless of the twisty body motions taking place.
At 5'9 155-160lbs the medium fits true in regards to torso length and waistline. I imagine the rashie would cover me at 140-170 and fit just fine.
Performance & Functionality:
On the mats is where the real test takes place, and after countless shrimps, rolls, chokes, taps, and takedowns, I can safely state that the PTSi holds up well. Your opponent can grab it and not stretch the shirt for miles, but it will still have some give to play with. As stated in the above paragraph this rashie doesn't twist and contort to the point of distraction: the multiple seams along the body's natural contours allow dynamic mobility without scrunching, twisting, or contorting. I brought this to an open mat gymnastics class and it took everything I could throw at it: up the rope, into the foam pit, backwards on the rings, hitting the bounce board, sprinting down the runway, and up in the air --never once did I have to readjust my rashie.
Cross-Training: Additionally, I've done my high intensity workouts in this rashie. Sweat builds up in the hot zones (the armpits, the solar plexus, and the lower trapezius), but also dries quickly. Thus there's no worry of leaving a swamp trail of body sweat behind. However, the PTSi falls short of the smart-sweat-handling technology of the X-Bionic, and also doesn't regulate temperature as smoothly. And while I could easily say that the rashguard is designed to meet the requirements of the grappler and not the gym-goer, I don't see how conditioning on the mat or in the powerrack is any different.
Areas to Improve: I haven't read one bad word against the PTSi: it performs like a champ. But if Rupture wants to continue it's growth, innovation, and market spread then it needs to handle the hot zone sweat buildup more efficiently, and the rash guard needs to regulate temperature more smoothly throughout the torso and back. I would recommend looking to hiking brands like Marmot or Arc'teryx: many hiking brands have dedicated themselves to developing intelligent temperature regulating layers. While hiking isn't Rupture's market, a temperature regulation rashie is another tool in a grappler's tool kit.
Closing Comments:
With strongly woven and slightly stretchy material, a sleek and stylish design, and an overall high level of comfort, Rupture has designed a rashguard that is leaps and bounds above the more mainstream "mandex" tops like Under Armour and Tapout. As a rashguard, the PTSi is a perfect 10 with it's superior stitching and non-slip waistline. However, as a performance top Rupture needs to better develop the PTSi's ability to regulate temperature and sweat for this piece of equipment to rival "smart cloth technology" like X-Bionic. If Rupture decides to go that route then they'll have a dominating high performance top fit for high intensity trainers and elite grapplers alike.
The Quick and the Dirty:
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