I found this neat banner while searching around on the internet.
Disclaimer
I am not affiliated with any Gi company, I am expressing my own opinion to the best of my ability in this hopefully comprehensive Gi review.
Introduction
I have been practicing BJJ for nearly a year and a half, with a majority of my time spent with the gi on. Ever since my first gi, a crappy Kondyo gi provided by my first BJJ academy, was torn up within 3 months of use (6 in gash near/on side vent), I have been trying to find a good gi that is durable, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing. I have owned a total of 4 gi's so far, a Kondyo Single Weave, a Toraki Personal Gold, a Gameness Pearl, and the X-Guard gi. With my latest gi being the X-Guard gi, I feel that I found the gi that is almost the perfect match with me, although some minor changes would make it the perfect gi.
I was going to post a review as soon as I got this gi several months ago, but I forgot to. But the good part about posting a review several months after you get a gi is that the gi becomes battle tested and becomes less biased as the majority of people usually focus highly on the pro's of a new gi rather than the con's.
I found the X-Guard website while I was doing some online shopping for a new BJJ gi after I decided that I wanted a 2nd gi to go easy on the laundry machine. I immediately pre-ordered it as I loved the looks and I wanted a light, but durable gi (pearl weave). The Series 2 is X-Guard's first public batch I believe, as the Series 1 was only for sponsored athletes.
The gi came with a Gi bag, an x-guard patch, and the uniform itself.
*Please do note that this gi review is for a used gi, not a brand new gi, I apologize for "ruffled up" gi.*
*Pictures were either taken off the X-guard website, or were taken with a terrible 6.0 MP camera*
Gi Bag
I instantly liked the Gi bag, the design was alright, I wasn't too fond of the of how the two men looked in the logo. However, the construction and durability of this gi bag is great, this is my go to sports backpack. The material of the bag is thick and strong and the ropes too, but the ropes are also soft, so that it doesn't bite into your shoulders when carrying heavier loads. It is important to note that the front pocketof the bag is waterproof, but the main compartment is NOT WATERPROOF, the bag is made with breathability in mind, which I guess is to air out the sweat soaked gi when you put it back in the bag after a training session. The gi bag has a very large zippable pocket and is waterproof however.
Sizing/Shrinkage
Size Height Weight
A0 5'2" - 5'5" 110 - 140
A1 5'5" - 5'8" 140 - 170
A2 5'8" - 6'1" 170 - 200
A3 6'1" - 6'4" 200 - 230
A4 6'4" - 6'6" 230 - 260
A5 6'6" - 6'9" 260 - 290
I bought an A2 as I was on the bottom end of the A2 scale, but didn't want the A3 as it may have been too big. The sizing of the gi fits me 100% perfectly, I could not have asked for a better gi fit. I am 5'9 and 165 pounds and the fit is perfect. If there is one negative thing that I have to mention, it would be that the gi skirt is a bit short, but then again, I am an inch over the suggested height and a short gi skirt isn't exactly a negative thing for other people.
The gi top when I first got it was fit very well, the small amount of shrinkage made it a perfect fit (of course washed in cold water and dryed with minimal heat). As for the gi pants, they were too long, but after several hot water washes and drying it in heat, it fits me very well now. For an idea of the gi pants's waist/height, I am a perfect 31-30 jean size, and this gi is basically a 3x-30 (x being a different number as there is a drawstring which allows you to adjust your waist size).
Colors
There are 3 designs in the Series 2 gis. There is the Xena, a White gi with pink stitching, and the Inferno, a white gi with either Red or Black stitching. In the Series 3 Gi, I believe the Killa Bee has a Black and Yellow stitching contrast and Tsunami, a White gi with Blue stitching contrast. I am reviewing the Series 2 Inferno with Black stitching, which contrasts quite well with the gi, although I would have liked red stitching as it would have stood out a bit more than black stitching.
Style and Design
The design is obviously based off the X-Guard in BJJ. The gi is not over-blinged but is not bland either. It is a decent mix of both to create a tasteful uniform. There are 4 major patches, the Series 2 patch, the X-Guard shoulder logo, The X-Guard trademark logo, and the Design logo, which depends on which gi you order (Xena, Inferno, Killa Bee, or Tsunami). The X-Guard shoulder logo and Inferno Logo appears to be not stitched on too well, and seems like it would rub off in a year or two.
The Contrast stitching looks great and seems consistent with that of Shoyoroll's and Ouano's.
Jacket
Back of the Gi Top, my camera could not detect the bottom right logo, but it’s the "inferno" design logo, the exact same on the pants.
The Gi Top is a 550 gsm pearl weave as advertised. The gi top is very comfortable and is quite soft. The arm cuffs appear to be cut a little bit shorter than normal, but not to the point that it is illegal, which is great for competition as it is more difficult for your sleeves to be grabbed. The Gi top fits me, 5'8 - 5'9 165 pounds perfectly.
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