Reviewed herein:
INSPIRIT SPEC 1 FIGHT SHORTS
Price:$59-$65
where to get 'em:
Inspirit.jp,(also,
International site) or
MMA Clothing, UFC T-shirts, Tapout & Sprawl Fight Shorts, MMA Gear at MMA stop. (go John!)
Colour: This is the CAMO version.
WAIST:
Inspirit has it down with the hook and loop system they use with the waits in their shorts. As long as you get a size that fits (kinda tricky with the Japanese versions of our sizes) you are pretty much guaranteed not to get pants'd.
CONSTRUCTION:
The stitching is top notch on these shorts, much like the rest of Inspirit's offerings. Very clean looking, in white to contrast the dark camo colour. There is a little extra padding in the crotch flap area (much like paintball pants if you've ever worn them) but it goes without saying to still rock a cup, lol.
MATERIALS:
The shorts are made of a lightweight polyester (100%!). Very breathable and comfortable. Besides the YOROI embroidery on the front right bottom of the shorts, the rest of the logos and designs are a sort of plastic-like silkscreen. It's alot thicker than normal silkscreen, I have never seen this on any other clothing before. It get's a bit tacky/stick when it comes into contact with sweaty arms and legs, just a warning. The evil empire logos (?) on the back of mine are starting to give way a little, but I have had these shorts for over a year, and train in them full time (well, I switch between shorts, but I use them ALOT). The velcro in the crotch area is like industrial strength, so make sure you get it lined up, because it takes some effort to pull them apart, and you don't want to mess these up, they're too expensive, lol.
CARE:
It says on their site not to machine dry. DON'T DO IT. These are too expensive to ruin by drying them the easy way. I run them through the washer on cold/cold, then hang them to dry. Keeps them nice and neat. The tags inside also say not to iron, especially the decals. As long as you hang them to dry after they are right out of the washer, you should be fine, and you shouldn't need to iron them. I don't. Also says not to dry clean, but who can afford that anyways? I spend too much money on gear and supplements to afford anything else.
TRAINING:
I love these shorts. I train in these (and the SPEC 2's) all the time. While these don't have the split seam like the SPEC 2's have, the legs are still roomy enough to get some standing high knees in there without too much resistance. The only thing I can really con about is that I find myself "hiking" the legs up sometimes before I put out a kick or knee, thus making me sort of telegraph my intentions. I taught myself to stray away from it, but it's just something you are either comfortable with, or not. Other than that, they offer total freedom, and I have never had any other issues with them than listed above. Like I said earlier, the logos on the back are starting to give out, but that's only after a year of serious punishment. Believe me when I say that these things are built to last. Worth every penny imho. as it goes, I started using the SPEC1 here for bag training, and conditioning sessions, and I sues the SPEC 2's more in sparring and fighting. Not a bg thing, you can still rock these in the ring with ease.
Overall, I give these a
9/10, because of the minute issue with the legs.
^^^The awesome YOROI embroidery^^^
^^^Hook and loop waist system^^^
^^^starting to wear a little bit, but only after a year^^^