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[UPDATE 5/13/2008] REVIEW: Vulkan Kimono (comparison to KORAL) **PHOTOS**
Before I continue I’d like to say that I own most of the bigger brand kimonos you can think of. From the Vulkan, Koral, Mkimono, Atama, HCK, Gameness, Storm, and Keiko Raca. I train with the gi 7 times a week so let’s just say that I’ve put all of them to the test for quite some time.
For those of you who don’t know, Gilberto from Jiujitsuprogear.com offered me free shipping. I figure the least I can do is review the Vulkan kimono in comparison to my favorite gi, the Koral classic.
When I first received the Vulkan I was surprised at how heavy the box was. Note that I ordered 2 gi’s from Jiujitsuprogear. 1 for me and 1 for my roommate. I ordered a white Vulkan and he ordered a black one. Even upon taking my gi out of the box I gotta say that it weighed about as much as my Koral (the Koral is about 4 lbs). I was a bit disappointed as I was hoping of using it for next years Pan Ams. I put the gi on the same day I got it in the mail and after washing it and drying it, the gi weighs as much as advertised. The gi weighs 3 lbs, so I was definitely relieved and grateful.
As far as fit goes, this gi is by far the best fitting gi I’ve ever owned. Slightly better fitting then my Koral. Note that I am 5’8” and walk anywhere from 150-165 lbs depending on the season. If you guys check out the size chart on jiujitsuprogear.com you’ll see that according to my measurements I should’ve gone with an A2. Let me tell you that I’m happy I followed my instincts and didn’t get it. There are guys where I train a bit taller and a few weight classes higher than me that wear an Vulkan A2. Plus I tried a few of the Vulkan A2’s at the gym to know it was either the A1 I needed to get or none. Also, the Vulkan gi is VERY identical to the Koral. The only difference I noted is that the Vulkan is (obviously) lighter and the pants don’t feel as “tough” as the Koral’s. My advice is to follow the Koral size-chart when looking at the Vulkan.
The Vulkan impressed me a WHOLE lot. I was expecting just a gi with the only advantage being that it’s light but I was wrong. The gi is well made, I have a feeling it’s made in the same factory as the Koral so expect QUALITY when getting this gi. The pants are very light and very comfortable. Not as tough as the Koral pants, but it’s very comfortable when rolling whereas the Koral feels a little stiff after training for an hour and a half. In other words; I love both but prefer the Vulkan pants.
Also expect the Vulkan gi to be big at first. When I wore it, it was a little on the huge size but now it shrunk to the perfect size. Snug but perfectly legal for Jiu-Jitsu tournaments.
The patch work is perfect as expected except that I hear that the gi-patch by the knee is illegal so expect to get some shit for it by CBJJ/IBJJF officials if you plan on competing in the Worlds or Pan Ams.
Overall, I am unsatisfied with having just one Vulkan kimono. It’s the best gi in the market right now and the affordability of the kimono makes it that much more desirable. The customer service by the guys at Jiujitsuprogear.com is top notch. I’ve ordered 80 percent of my gear from there and they have a loyal customer in me forever. They can expect an order for a Vulkan blue gi in September.
A word of advice for everyone on Sherdog that trains Jiu-Jitsu? Get this gi!
UPDATE: I know I said I'd get the pictures up a few days ago and besides my internet being shutdown my Vulkan gi gave in and ripped after someone grabbed and tried to sweep me. Sucks major ass since I loved the gi and owned it for 9 months. Now I don't know what I'm gonna do for the Mundial since I was planning on using it again :-\
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"Fighting is actually the best thing a man can have in his soul." - Renzo Gracie
Last edited by Soid : 05-12-2008 at 11:45 PM.
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