There are several revisions in design between the 05 and 06 models of sprawl shorts. Do these changes warrant purchase of the new model? Herein I'll describe the various revisions and how they affect various aspects of mma from stand-up, takedown defense, guard work, etc.
Design Revisions
The first and most apparent difference between the two models is the inclusion of an elastic waistband in the 06 model. It allows for more of a custom fit. My waist is around 31 inches and in the 05 model the 32 is a bit snug so a 34 required. I also tend to wear my shorts closer if not right above the hips. With the 06 design the 32 fit perfectly while the 34 are a tad loose.
The second design change involves the drawstring. The 06 does away with the metal loop design and follows other board short designs of a drawstring in the waistband. Unlike other manufacturers the drawstrings are only a few inches apart as opposed to 6-8" in others. This keeps them from bunching for lack of a better term. If I had a better camera and lighting conditions I could better illustrate the condition. The 05 and 06 drawstring designs are both sufficient so I can't give an edge ot either one.
The thrid major difference is that the 06 is baggier than the 05 model. There is more room in the legs and hips. Wearing a cup is no longer a problem. Even with the 34 in the 05 the cup would cause the shorts to be restrictive through the hips thus limiting range of motion. The 06 model has more room and coupled with the elastic band even the 32 while wearing a cup isn't restrictive.
Footwork.
While wearing a cup with the 05 model the shorts had a tendancy to be tight in the hips thus hindering circling and footwork even with the XTs though to a lesser degree. The 05 had a tendancy to ride up when circling, kicking or sprawling whereas with the 06 this isn't an issue. Throwing leg or body kicks wasn't much of an issue but high kicks were a different story. Because of the way I wore my shorts, so low to the hips, and the inclusion of a cup it was impossible to throw high kicks like a roundhouse to the head because of the restriction. With the 05 XT model it was possible to throw high kicks but the shorts would ride up past belly button level. The 06 it's possible to throw high kicks with the standard FlexFighter model due to the waistband and more room in the hips. I don't have XTs in the 06 but I don't imagine there would be any restriction at all.
Groundwork
Like with the standup portion the 05 ride up on you when someone is in your guard. It doesn't tend to restrict movement though and is only a minor annoyance. The 06 model the shorts move with you not against you so they don't ride up, shift or bunch like with the previous design.
FlexFighter Standard vs XT
In the past the XTs have been pushed towards those who have a muay thai background and utilize high kicks and knees. With the 06 model it's possible to throw high kicks and knees with ease while wearing the standard version. Perhaps if you have realy big thighs the Xt would be better suited to you. The only advantage I can see with the XTs is when you're in the clinch and trying to throw knees. If you're opponent grabs onto your the leg of your shorts it can be difficult to throw a knee but with the XTs this isn't a problem.
If you work from your guard a lot then the standard version is a better option. XTs have a tendancy to fall away from your legs and down to your hips especially in a high guard. With the standard version this doesn't happen and because of this you get more traction and a better grip on your opponent. I've noticed that it's a bit harder for an opponent to slip out or a triangle choke or armbar as a result.
Conclusion
The revisions with the 06 design result in a vast improvment eliminating many of the issues with prior designs. This isn't to say that the 06 design isn't without flaws though. The Sprawl logo on the front of the waistband is made of plastic and can be quite abrasive. While rolling in class I got someone in a triangle and in trying to escape it they complained about the the logo. There was a noticeable abrasion on his forehead but perhaps he was just miffed at being caught in the resultant armbar, lol. All in all if you experience any of the problems with the older design that I've mentioned the 06 will alleviate most of them and that alone should warrant purchase. If these aren't an issue for you though then there's probably little reason to but the newer model.
Design Revisions
The first and most apparent difference between the two models is the inclusion of an elastic waistband in the 06 model. It allows for more of a custom fit. My waist is around 31 inches and in the 05 model the 32 is a bit snug so a 34 required. I also tend to wear my shorts closer if not right above the hips. With the 06 design the 32 fit perfectly while the 34 are a tad loose.
The second design change involves the drawstring. The 06 does away with the metal loop design and follows other board short designs of a drawstring in the waistband. Unlike other manufacturers the drawstrings are only a few inches apart as opposed to 6-8" in others. This keeps them from bunching for lack of a better term. If I had a better camera and lighting conditions I could better illustrate the condition. The 05 and 06 drawstring designs are both sufficient so I can't give an edge ot either one.
The thrid major difference is that the 06 is baggier than the 05 model. There is more room in the legs and hips. Wearing a cup is no longer a problem. Even with the 34 in the 05 the cup would cause the shorts to be restrictive through the hips thus limiting range of motion. The 06 model has more room and coupled with the elastic band even the 32 while wearing a cup isn't restrictive.
Footwork.
While wearing a cup with the 05 model the shorts had a tendancy to be tight in the hips thus hindering circling and footwork even with the XTs though to a lesser degree. The 05 had a tendancy to ride up when circling, kicking or sprawling whereas with the 06 this isn't an issue. Throwing leg or body kicks wasn't much of an issue but high kicks were a different story. Because of the way I wore my shorts, so low to the hips, and the inclusion of a cup it was impossible to throw high kicks like a roundhouse to the head because of the restriction. With the 05 XT model it was possible to throw high kicks but the shorts would ride up past belly button level. The 06 it's possible to throw high kicks with the standard FlexFighter model due to the waistband and more room in the hips. I don't have XTs in the 06 but I don't imagine there would be any restriction at all.
Groundwork
Like with the standup portion the 05 ride up on you when someone is in your guard. It doesn't tend to restrict movement though and is only a minor annoyance. The 06 model the shorts move with you not against you so they don't ride up, shift or bunch like with the previous design.
FlexFighter Standard vs XT
In the past the XTs have been pushed towards those who have a muay thai background and utilize high kicks and knees. With the 06 model it's possible to throw high kicks and knees with ease while wearing the standard version. Perhaps if you have realy big thighs the Xt would be better suited to you. The only advantage I can see with the XTs is when you're in the clinch and trying to throw knees. If you're opponent grabs onto your the leg of your shorts it can be difficult to throw a knee but with the XTs this isn't a problem.
If you work from your guard a lot then the standard version is a better option. XTs have a tendancy to fall away from your legs and down to your hips especially in a high guard. With the standard version this doesn't happen and because of this you get more traction and a better grip on your opponent. I've noticed that it's a bit harder for an opponent to slip out or a triangle choke or armbar as a result.
Conclusion
The revisions with the 06 design result in a vast improvment eliminating many of the issues with prior designs. This isn't to say that the 06 design isn't without flaws though. The Sprawl logo on the front of the waistband is made of plastic and can be quite abrasive. While rolling in class I got someone in a triangle and in trying to escape it they complained about the the logo. There was a noticeable abrasion on his forehead but perhaps he was just miffed at being caught in the resultant armbar, lol. All in all if you experience any of the problems with the older design that I've mentioned the 06 will alleviate most of them and that alone should warrant purchase. If these aren't an issue for you though then there's probably little reason to but the newer model.
