[jura123]

DATSUSARA MMA Bag In-Depth Review:

Official webpage: Datsusara MMA bags

My bag, which I used till now, was falling apart and I needed a new one so when I saw Datsusara bag i gave it some thought. I admit, $120 seemed really expensive (especially where I live) and review that Fozzy made (REVIEW: Datsusara MMA bag) seemed a bit superficial and sugarcoated but I decided to bite the bullet and ordered it. First of all, Chris (Chris Odell, President of Datsusara MMA) was so kind to give me a $30 discount (in form of shipping by USPS which was $40 since I live in Europe). He was also so kind to split the bill in two (and include only one in the package) so I could evade customs tax. The bag got to me in 8 days (a record since I usally wait for about 3-4 weeks). The bag was in an airtight package and managed to bypass phytosanitary inspection (made of hemp). Chris answered all my boring questions and met all my requests (he even made a new dsmma.com webpage just for me ) in just a few hours so the custumer service gets A+.

OK, opening the package…


First, I was surprised how fine is the material to the touch. I have a few hemp products and they are much rougher (unpleasantly rougher). Don't get me wrong, I don't think it is any less stronger because of it.


There is a nice velcro handle which is comfortable and allowes fast assembly.

[jura123]

Zippers are just the best I have ever seen – big, sturdy and they slide really smooth, they don't get stuck no matter how you pull them if you use both hands (if you just pull the cover then it has a tendency to get stuck).



Shoulder strap has pivoting hinges, two elongators and a rubber pad to hold the bag comfortably on your shoulder (too bad it ain't just a bit more soft because this one tends to slide down the shoulder if you hang it on the same side where the bag is).



Interesting thing is that junctions of the bag and the strap are asymmetrical so it is much easier if you carry the bag with the pockets turned to the outside (away from you).

[jura123]

There are also four rubber pads on the outside bottom of the bag which protect it from damage when you put (slide) the bag on the floor (bench). Maybe a rubber pad on the middle of the bottom would be nice since the bag tends to bend a little so the middle is the first to touch the surface but I don't think it's much of an issue.


The bag came with a nice coated board which goes to the inside bottom of the bag and helps it to retain its form but it is flexible enough not to cut into your leg when carried.


Main compartment is really big and fits all my gear – 14oz gloves, bag gloves, shin guards, two shorts, rashguards, timer, T-shirts, towel, a lot of small equipment and it is still half empty (or half full for pessimists ).


Side pockets also have those amazing zippers and are quite roomy so one of them fits two skip ropes, three sets of wraps, tapes and still a lot of room.

[jura123]

Each side pocket has a mesh on the outside which is divided into two compartments. Those are ideal for water bottle.


Front pockets have velcro closure.


Two big pockets on the side of the front each fit two MMA gloves (they do but then you really have to put some time and effort into putting them in so I rather put one glove in one pocket, but if you have the nerve to push them in every time then you really can fit two pairs).


Mouthguard pocket is just as big as it should be (it is NOT pushed in all the way in the picture).

[jura123]

Cellphone pocket is made for a really small phone (just like written) so my nokia 6131 (92 x 48 x 20 mm) fits in perfectly but SE T630 (102 x 43 x 17 mm) sticks out and the pocket cannot be closed (pushed all the way down in the picture).


On the other hand, I found the wallet pocket to be way too small. It definitely cannot fit a normal sized wallet – the whole pocket is smaller than my wallet and the additional problem is that a zipper, which is on this pocket, is quite short so I barely put my wallet in upright (but then it sticks out). I don't mind that cause I just put my wallet in a side pocket and use this one for glucose snacks.



The bag also has an impressive ability to repel water. I was going to practice in the rain and the water was just sliding off the bag like it's made of nylon. I really expected my gear to be a bit damp when i got to practice but it was completely dry. Amazing since it is made of hemp. (In the picture I poured out some water from the glass.)


I should also mention the "WOW factor" of the bag because almost every single person in the gym and training commented the bag and how cool it looks.

It's been almost a month now since I got the bag and I've been using it every day so I think I was able to make a good and objective review.

Anyway, except for a few minor imperfections (which might be just my spoiled opinion ) this bag was well worth the money and I give it 9.5 out of 10 score because there is still some room for improvement but nothing major.

[crossdx]

Awesome review! Thank you very much.

Man, I can't wait to get my Datsusara bag now after reading this. I ordered it just over a week ago, so it should be getting to me very soon. I get the feeling either customs or the holiday + weekends delayed it a bit.

[codell23]

Jura123 thanks for the great review, very detailed.

As for the MMA Glove pockets try putting them in the pocket in a sort of yin/yang style with one facing up and one facing down, like that they should fit no problem as I sized them for standard MMA gloves.

The "wallet" pocket is a bit small although fits most standard wallets and really I made it more for just valuables like rings that you have to take off for practice since generally i leave my wallet in my pants folded up in the bag.


Crossdx, you should get that package soon, and you should be getting email tracking updates

[jura123]

Originally Posted by codell23

Jura123 thanks for the great review, very detailed.

You are welcome! I owed it to you for a great service!

Originally Posted by codell23

As for the MMA Glove pockets try putting them in the pocket in a sort of yin/yang style with one facing up and one facing down, like that they should fit no problem as I sized them for standard MMA gloves.

Heheheh, yeap, I tried it but then it is actually harder to put them in (at least for me).

Originally Posted by codell23

The "wallet" pocket is a bit small although fits most standard wallets and really I made it more for just valuables like rings that you have to take off for practice since generally i leave my wallet in my pants folded up in the bag.

Well, I don't know what you mean by "standard" but my wallet easily goes to jeans back pocket and I think that would be a good "reference measure". But I also keep my wallet in my pants or in a side pocket so it's no biggy.

[codell23]

Originally Posted by jura123

You are welcome! I owed it to you for a great service!



Heheheh, yeap, I tried it but then it is actually harder to put them in (at least for me).



Well, I don't know what you mean by "standard" but my wallet easily goes to jeans back pocket and I think that would be a good "reference measure". But I also keep my wallet in my pants or in a side pocket so it's no biggy.

I just checked with my new wallet and you are right, my old wallet no prob (4.5 x 3.2), oh well, so it's now going to be a valuables pocket and not a wallet pocket I guess

As for the gloves that is very odd, are those gloves you are using extra stuffed or something? I have tried Fairtex and ringside and they both fit no prob.

[Fozzy]

good review.

looks like they're were changes to the bag since I got mine hey?

~Foz