Groundforce Kimono review

RoyMunson · 10-21-2006, 10:02 PM

i have had the groundforce kimono (availible on ssf gear) for about 6 months now and thought I would write a review. The gi is VERY durable, almost no signs of wear after 6 months and I roll in it at least once or twice a week. The gi is extremely light as well and is a great summer gi. One thing that is either a plus or minus is that the collar is very thin, about half the size of an atama, which makes it very easy to grab and get choked. The plus of this is that I am damn good at defending gi chokes now, but it does make it ten times easier to get caught. The only real problem I have with it is that the cut just doesn't seem to be quite right. The lapels come out really easily because of this. it just seems like the jacket could be a little shorter, but with a little more material laterally. Just my two cents. Overall a good gi especially for the summer

**Fozzy** · 10-21-2006, 10:09 PM

pictures please. hope to see groundforce back and posting here sometime

~Foz

scorcho · 10-26-2006, 05:49 AM

Two of my friends have them and are very satisfied as well. The pants are great. I agree that the cut of the top is a bit strange.

SSF · 10-26-2006, 06:44 PM

I talked to Jim a few weeks back and he is having problems with the lady that makes his gis. They are all hand made and she does other work so I think he is looking for a new place to have them made.

www.SSFgear.com

Shadowdean · 10-28-2006, 10:49 AM

Have they update the design with a thicker lapel?

Perv Griffen · 10-28-2006, 11:38 PM

Thx 4 the great review

RedDog · 10-30-2006, 03:03 PM

I'm really interested in the comp gi. hopefully he can get that lady under control again.

vu · 11-01-2006, 08:20 PM

My training partner has a GF kimono and he loved it so much, he bought another one...they're DAMN strong and surprisingly light. I'm amazed at how well it's held up...even though it feels like it's gonna rip every time we roll (because of the sweat and stuff).

He's only had one minor tear in it on the sleeve that happened after about a month of having it...but I don't really consider that a sign of shoddy manufacturing, I just happen to have a damn strong grip and he's a damn strong guy so with those two forces combined, we don't expect the cloth to hold up; I've ripped 2 pant legs on him already just from trying to hold onto a failed double leg...

Also, one advantage he's mentioned is that because it's so thin, it dries out very quickly...so to keep the fibers strong, he air dries it and it dries up pretty quick, unlike most traditional kimonos...

So yeah...good times...

srserl · 11-03-2006, 06:15 PM

I bought one of these this summer and here are my comments:
This lightweight gi is much cooler than any I have tried. The thin material is holding up well now for 4 months. The thin material will get very wet in hot weather because there is less of it to hold the moisture. It dries quickly.

It doesn't shrink much (I accidentally put it in the drier, and I didn't notice shrinkage in the top, and the pants only shrunk a bit in length). I now regularly run it through the drier on Medium heat.

I LOVE the pants; they are heavy, but still not hot or constrictive. I like the flat pull string because it doesn't feel like I'm lying on a rope, but it is a little harder to pull tight because of the extra friction. The pants are doubled from mid-thigh to cuff.

The lapel is thin and easy to grab, but I don't care because I am wearing this gi to keep cool, not compete. In training, I don't care if I get caught easier...it's just training, and I might actually learn something from the experience.

The material in the top does not stretch at all, so make sure you have enough of the skirt pulled above your obi before you want to raise your arms over your head.

Overall, I like this gi a lot for the hot summer weather we get out here in California (12 days in a row over 100F this summer).

Scott

ground force · 06:31 PM

Hey Guys, I'm back!
Well first I must say thank you to all of my customers who purchased the first of my gis.
And thanks to Roy Munson,srserl and vu for the reviews.
We are still working things out with the issues we had in the first batch.
Do to some problems with the manufacturing of the collars and problems with the canvas weave, I think we're getting things under control. I am now using the same fabric for the entire gi. 55% hemp 45% cotton. The canvas gave us way too many problems.
i should have did it like that from the start, but live and learn I guess.
The skirt is shorter and the sleeves longer. We are adding a 10mm 100% HEMP rope to the inside of the collar. It is thicker than before but still not like Koral.

Colors: Ivory, blue
Sizes: A1-A5

This is the new cut without embroidery. I am 5'10" 158 and I am wearing an A1