Raptor GI review...

[Freestyler]

Heads up. If anyone has read my reviews, i try to be detail and very descriptive, aka, long. Any-who...
Raptor BJJ Gi | Raptor BJJ Kimono - Black Eagle Martial Arts
I received this from Steve 2 days ago.. I feel very privileged to be brought this opportunity to review this GI for Steve, and Predator BJJ Clothing. First and foremost, I picked the color white/purple for my other 2 are blue and black. I then was going to go with a2, but after Steve sent me the sizing chart and a lot of measuring, I went with an a1. My a2's have always felt me fine with a little slack but I always thought a typical a1 would be too small. I'm 5'10" and walk around anywhere from 163-169 depending on the week. I was going to compete in this GI this coming weekend but I pulled, partial tore, my oblique up to my rib at hockey last weekend so I'm currently in the process of some serious ice and beer healing. I did do some light rolling in it last night at home(matted garage). Here is pictures then review...






After putting this GI on, I immediately liked its fit. It may not be suited for smaller guys however. I'd say anyone that walks under 145, a a1 would be pretty baggy depending on your height. However, I'm not that small and love how it fits. Pants come right above the ankles which is ideal. My other brand a2's stay about pant height, ankle height. The sleeves were a littttle short but not enough to complain. Again, I'm the middle man size, I'm like an A1.5 for real. They still come about wrist length and since they won't shrink, it's fine. The inside rash guard is legit also. I didn't see any true function to it(my buddy has the gameness) while I was light rolling, but it's definitely cool to say it has a "built in" rash guard. I also like the embroidery, obviously picking purple/white, I think the colors looks amazing. I told Steve in the other thread I'd do blank inside the emblems to have them stick out more, but none-the-less I have no complaints on the one I received. It's also not as flashy as the original pictures showed. It put some people off but it's still relatively low key, besides not being known. My Live Love Fight(yes I bought one for 100, with complaints now) I consider flashy. This is definitely a step or two down from that. One big logo on the back and two raptor on the shoulders and that is it. I also liked the shiny purple on the inside of the jacket at the waist line. Aside from it being purple/white, it's just another GI to the non trained eye. The canvas pants make me feel like I'm in the army. I like the corded loops for the drawstring also. Different approach none the less, even confused me initially then I was like, "Okay, don't let the GI be smarter than you..." No complaints here and I'm sure they'll last longer than any rip stops. The collar is about standard. The weave feels legit(even though the released GI will be a diff cut) and light. I hoped to compete in it this weekend and my body has failed on me yet again. I'm getting old. Let me know if anyone has anyone questions that I can follow up on.

Pros:
-One of a kind
-Contrast Stitching
-Canvas pants w/ loop holes
-"Girl" color in "Boy" cut
-No shrinking
-Ripstop overlay on lapel
-Built in rashguard that probably does absorb sweat..
-Fast and CHEAP shipping(seriously)

Cons:
-May not be suited for smaller guys
-Embroidery is off, though will be fixed for production, see this thread(Pics Of A New Gi 'The Raptor')
-Honestly can't think of anymore and I'm just staring at it trying to. lol

None-the-less... a low production, limited time, quality GI? For a cheap price+cheap shipping? Again, if anyone has questions, feel free to ask.
Raptor BJJ Gi | Raptor BJJ Kimono - Black Eagle Martial Arts

[Freestyler]

Just saw on the website they are offering a A0 for the smaller guys.

[AgentFish]

I drool over that gi, especially the black/red/white one. While I think cut would be what really sets a gi apart, visually the black/red/white raptor is as close perfect visually as I've seen so far.

[Meerkatsu]

I am an A1 wearer, the black Raptor (pearl weave model) a1 jacket fits me perfectly! Not baggy at all, in fact, quite snug under the armpits (a good thing).
The trousers are a little short but Steve said I would be better off with an A2 pair. The online ordering system allows folk to mix and match pant sizes to jackets.

[Freestyler]

Makes me think I should have gone a1 with my others! I was just scared they'd be too small.

[Amave]

The white and purple color scheme is sick! Too bad they are only taking orders for a limited number for a limited time . I can see these being huge sellers

[Freestyler]

I finally got around to healing up and rolling in this today... It felt great... Took a minute to get used to because I'm used to my "bigger" fitting a2's even though I love the fit of this one more.. Upon rolling however, we came upon a small problem.. next to the lapel but before the arms, there is a grip formed from the fit. It practically gives your opponent a second grip. My instructor got me with a cross choke that I defended because he had one on the lapel and just grabbed the shoulder instead of fighting with me over the other lapel. Now it may just be mine, it may just be how an a1 fits me... My back might be too broad or my shoulders aren't broad enough(though I'd be a relatively big a1 @ 166lbs). Other than that, the fit is perfect. Arms come right above the wrist. Pants are right above my ankles and the looks/rashguard/drawstring/canvas pants, are all amazing. Here's two pics to explain better...


Here's the jacket fit...

[cowcrappler]

I'm pretty sure that extra fold you see is because of the tight fit around your armpit/shoulder area. The gi top looks too small for you in my opinion, especially when looking at the sleeve length.

This is the pre-production version of the gi correct? It's gold weave and should still shrink according to other accounts. I think it was mentioned that only the finalized versions of the gi will be treated to not shrink.

[Freestyler]

Yea I guess it just depends on who you ask.. My old *** jj instructor likes bigger gi's for "movement".. While my bjj coach likes smaller/shorter.. Some think it is a little short but my a2 is just that much longer.. You know? I personally think the feel of it is perfect just don't like the shoulder crease. But if that's what I have to deal with, especially if no one else has this problem, that's my problem I'll have to deal with. Lol

[Meerkatsu]

Fascinating.
I had no idea of a problem in this area, but looking at my photo, I too have a shoulder crease (albeit to a lesser extent):



I've rolled in this gi dozens of times, I honestly have not had a problem with opponents taking an 'extra' grip on me, but then again, I am smaller than you.