Everyone needs a good uniform for training
Think about it. You are going to spend the better part of an hour in class sweating and moving and learning and you don’t need to be distracted by an uncomfortable uniform. Can you make it through with the cheapest one on amazon? Maybe, but if you are planning on making martial arts a large part of your life, you will want to invest in something a little more reliable.
That being said, I am a creature of habit and have been wearing the same brand of uniforms since I began my training almost 20 years ago. I have quite a few of them, and they serve me pretty well, but sometimes you need to step out of your comfort zone to find out what you have been missing. I was a little skeptical when I received an email from Ann at Elite Sports about doing a gear review for them. But she was professional and their website (www.elitesports.com) looked good, so I gave it a try. A few weeks later, my uniform arrived in a neat little shipping bag. I’m going to go ahead and say it… I was surprised and impressed by what I found inside!
Quality from the start
My first thought when opening the bag was WOW! The quality of the materials and construction shines through immediately. The collar was strong and supple with lots of stitching to hold it together. The woven fabric is very sturdy and yet seems unusually light compared to others I have seen. Pants that come with the crossover top are made of a slightly different material. They seem to be a rip-stop nylon or cotton nylon blend. They have re-enforcements installed over the knees that will help prevent tears while working spider guard or fighting from a kneeling position. For me, part of getting any new uniform is about looking sharp on the Dojang floor. I think you will agree, this uniform does the job!
Comfort and function
After seeing how lightweight the material was, I was a little concerned that it wouldn’t hold up to the rigors of grappling or sparring. Of course, I had to put it to the test immediately. During our evening advanced class, I put this uniform through it’s paces all the way from cardio and kicks at the beginning of class to some BJJ guard work at the end. It was so nice to have a uniform that I wasn’t afraid to tear. It is definitely a little sweaty compared to the super light weight TKD uniforms I usually wear, but it is like a feather compared to my old BJJ uniform. I think this uniform makes a great compromise between strength and mobility.
Down sides
Ok, So the sizing is pretty accurate except for one thing. The waistband. I stand at 5’11” and range from 150lbs to 165lbs. The jacket is a great fit and didn’t feel too big or too short in the arms. However, when I put the pants on, I had to tighten and re-tighten the draw cord to make it stay on my smaller waist. Honestly it seems like the waist band was made for someone twice my size. This means that while I am training, I tend to have material that bunches up around my hips and under my belt. I suppose it would make things easier if I were trying to smuggle water melons though, so there’s that. If you are a little thicker, this uniform is going to be great for you! If you are on the slim side, consider adjusting sizing.
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for a new uniform that looks AWESOME, is built well, and isn’t too pricey, I think Elite Sports Lightweight uniform is a great option for you. If you are a smaller person, you may consider ordering a size down from what the charts say to prevent having a boat around your belt. Other than that, I think this is a great uniform for the price and I recommend that you give it a shot.
For more info click here:
https://www.elitesports.com/collections/brazilian-jiu-jitsu-mens-bjj-gis
https://www.elitesports.com/collections/brazilian-jiu-jitsu-womens-bjj-gis
You can also see the fitness products the company offers by checking out their second brand at:
