Review: 93 Brand ‘Tales from the Grips Rashguard’

Hello, guard players and takedown artists!

This review will scare you, shock you and improve your cross choke game with vice like grip. We once again review the American based brand 93 Brand and another rashguard. The brand is slowly becoming one of the best dollar for dollar brands through continued successful releases.

The brand is really growing with the jiu jitsu gi lines with drops such as Hooks, 100Kilos and the Tau. If you were smart and followed their Facebook and Instagram pages, you’d see much more creative ideas coming along as well.

This rashguard was done with artwork from famed BJJ artist, Gawakoto. This isn’t the first time they have collaborated together as they have also done “The Chief” rashguard that was very popular through BJJhq. His artwork is heavily inspired by the comic book realms and his creations range from animals to this one that features more of a look to an X-Men comic.

Fit: (I am 5’8 and 175lbs)

The rashguard is short sleeved and fits true to size, if you wear a medium shirt then you’d get a medium. I really liked the length of the sleeves and that the waistline trim didn’t ride up or was loose. I really enjoyed their “Anvil” rash guard but, I found that the head hole was way too tight and with this one, it is perfect. I really feel if you owned either “The Rosie” or “Anvil” or even both that you’d say that “Tales from the Grips” is the perfect child of both.

I cannot post a size chart but, the amazing part is that http://www.rollmore.com has a calculator to find the best fit for you. This is a huge help when you have had a size vary for you.

The next thing that makes this rashguard feel so nice is that size tag is printed on the collar and not sewn in.

Performance:

I have used this rash guard about 8-10 times now over the past month, I have used it under the gi, no-gi and during mma class.

The rashguards I have had have two major issues; one being the waist line trim riding up and your tummy being exposed and or the sleeves are too baggy. This rashguard is now a staple in my rotation due to the quality it was made with. The sleeves stay on the arm, the waist line doesn’t ride up and the collar doesn’t choke your ass out.

This rashguard breathes very well and I never feel like I am overheating. I know that lots of people who do not like rashguards usually say that the reason is that it makes them feel’ hot’, this rashguard may be a suitable change for those who are loyal to the t-shirt.

Artwork:

The artist is Gawakoto who is known for the ‘Kalibaw’ rashguard, ‘Chief’ rashguard, ‘Save The Earth’ shorts, spats and rashguard series. He also had a very successful gi that was done alongside David Mack called “The Kabuki”.

The artists drew what is a comic book cover with a masked executioner who also is wearing a gi top that is tied up with a black belt. The masked man is just about to drop the guillotine on some scum bag white belt who thought he could teach him a thing or two. The back features the art work appearing to be a pile of the same cover art being layed upon one another.

The arms feature a very cool wordmark of 93 Brand, the comic book issue is labeled ‘NO. 93 Brand March’

The rashguard also features a very cool orange and white colorway which I have not scene on any other brands. I really like how the orange looks like creamsicle almost.

Where To Buy:

http://www.rollmore.com/93-grips-rg.html
$59.99

I hope you enjoyed this review!

 

Review: 93 Brand ‘Rosie’ Rashguard

93 Brand has once again released a killer concept based upon the famous 1940’s iconic image of “Rosie’ flexing her bicep and the words “We Can Do It’ above her. That image is a piece of Americana history and something most people can identify with, it’s also a very unusual piece for that time as it gave women a strong female figure. 93 Brand took this image and added one of the best looking techniques of the Arm Drag. This rash guard follows up to their ‘Anvil’ rash guard I actually got to review prior and this was a nice improvement.

Specs:  – 15% Spandex, 85% polyester
– Made in Pakistan – Wash/treat as delicate construction: This rashguard like most, features flatlock stitching as to avoid causing an irritation or scratching on the skin. The stitching has a unique panel for the torso to avoid any stitching under the armpit. The Fit (I am 5’8 and 180lbs): I really enjoyed the “Anvil” rashguard and found that head hole was far too tight. They must’ve listened to me form the last review because, this one has no issues in term of fit. I ran tthis through a pretty anaerobic workout and the torso did ride a bit. I also used it during my jiu jitsu class fater and can’r recall finding any issues then. I always like to see how a rash guard, shorts or spats holds up during strength and conditioning workouts to prove they hold up under all sorts of stress – this did. Artwork:
Front: The rashguard is featured in the original posters colours of yellow, blue and white accents.The  front is highlighted by Rosie in a GI with a ripped off arm due to a highly lethal armdrag. It also says “ARM DRAGS!” above itw here “We Can Do It!” was in the poster. Below the image of Rosie in fine print it reads, “A PRODUCTION OF THE NATIONAL GRAPPLING ADVISORY BOARD”. We also see a 93 Brand logo and the words “Position/Submission”.

Back: The back is blue and says in yellow “Taking Arms Since The 40’s” in yellow and a 93 Brand logo above it as well.

The Left/Right Side Panels: The left and right side panels are completely white. The left side has “93 Brand” in blue writing and the right features no artwork.

If you’re interested a unique rashguard that can be used by men and women then I’d highly recommend this rash guard for you!

Where to buy?: http://www.martialartssupplies.com/93-brand-rosie.html Cost: $54.99

Review: Combat Skin ‘Warrior’ Rash Guard

Year of the Qilin!
I just got the Combat Skin dragon rash guard and spats and my joy meter is through the roof. Combat Skin is brand spankin’ new to the MMA apparel game and has invested heavily into quality and customer service.

They brought in famed BJJ / MMA artist MEERKATSU and released some beautifully designed gear. They really went all out to succeed and I can visualize a new player in the NO-GI and eventually GI scene as long as they keep the affordable costs and quality.

Without further a due, I’ll delve into this masterpiece, yes MASTERPIECE!

Here is the awesome packing:

Specs:
-80% Polyester
-20% Lycra
-Prewashed
-Flat-lock sewing
– The sewing is done with a flat lock seam to avoid scratching or irritation. The armpit features no seam running against it and this was raised as an issue regarding the MANTO ‘Beast’ rash guard but, most companies have avoided this for good reason.

The Fit: (I am 5’9ft and 175lbs)

I found this rash guard to be one of my favourite long sleeve rash guards. It doesn’t feel baggy in the sleeves and the torso’s reinforced band makes this ideal for those who roll NO-GI and hate when it rolls up. I didn’t need to readjust it once and I even wore under my sweater and shirt to the gym. It kept me warm to and back and I didn’t even notice it in a good way.

Front:

This rash guard features a bold colour base that consists of yellows, red, oranges and vibrant white accents. It features a large  Qilin (ancient Chinese creature) that is surrounded by a fire-like sunburst and has a very nice glossy print. It doesn’t feel too slick and is smooth. The rash guard’s feel is akin to Gawakoto’s  ‘Kalibaw’ and KINGZ dragon/koi rash guards which are ironically designed by MEERKATSU as well.

The rash guard torso has a reinforced elastic band which keeps this tight and in place, STRIKE FIGHTWEAR has a similar detail on their Kantaopus rash guard and it is one of my go-to rashies

 

Side:

(Right Sleeve): The right sleeve is mostly just a black and a nice detail. It is a secondary word mark that says ‘Combat Skin’ in solid yellow. I enjoy the plainness as it keeps the intended attraction to the front/back artwork.

(Left Sleeve): The left sleeve like the black sleeve is a black base and features another word mark. The right sleeve says ‘CS’ in solid yellow. It gets right to the point,gets the name across and keeps your intended view on the dragon.

Back:

The back features the same head as the Qilin on the front but, in a much larger scale and no torso. Above the head is the CS logo from the sleeve but, has combat skin written under it. Below the Qilin  is ‘Combat Skin from the sleeve and has “Artwork by Meerkatsu” underneath.

I love how much Combat Skin tips its hat to MEERKATSU. The vibrant sunburst around the head is done so nicely and is really a very clean artwork/designed rash guard.

Price: $55.00 USD (Free U.S. shipping on orders over $75USD
Combat Skin Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CombatSkin?ref=br_tf (they are running a promotion for a FREE rash guard right now)

Combat Skin website: www.combatskin.com

Review: Inverted Gear ‘Mark Ramos 2013 ADCC’ Rash Guard

Panda Nation!

I, one again was fortunate enough to make a new friend in BJJ black belt, Mark Ramos.
In this friendship, I was afforded the opportunity to review his 2013 ADCC rash guard for
a review for the site

I am so lucky!

The rashguard was created by Inverted Gear who had this amazing line on their ‘About Us’ page
“We are a Brazilian JiuJitsu lifestyle brand and our products will reflect this.  We are not for the tough guys, our logo is a clear indication of what we are about.  We are for the guys and girls that want to be on the mat, and when they are not they are thinking of new armbar set ups and ways to take the back.”. It’s a very nice sentiment and by the panda theme, you’d agree.

Specs:
I could not find the material specifics but here is a size chart

The Fit: (I am 5’9ft and 180lbs for this one)

The rashguard is a longsleeve and it fitted me very nicely. I have now had a few training and rolling sessions with it on. It isn’t too tight in any section, breathable and was a pleasure on the skin. It didn’t cling to my body and I am sure I could have managed a small. NOTE: A problem I’d like to note isn’t with this rashguard exactly. I find that the size charts arent’t great, you buy a medium and the legs are too long (spats) or in rash guards the sleeves. This Inverted Rashguard though, was near perfect in what I seek.

Artwork:

Inverted Gear did an amazing job of getting their brand across while featuring it as a Mark Ramos one-off. The rashguard is very unique and something I’ll cherish for a long time.

Front:

The base is black and the front keeps the focus basic, the Inverted Gear word mark adorns the front.

Side:

The side features the ‘Panda Nation’ slogan and a panda going inverted on the right sleeve. The side also features a V cut that is raised as you can feel the seam. I have never had a rashguard that featured this but, I have to say it felt cool and added depth. It is sort like the side vents on the new Reebok NHL jerseys. The left side feature marks Mark’s nickname ‘Lobinho’ which means ‘wolf cub’ or cub’ according to google.

Back:

The back features the large panda going inverted and Mark Ramos in broken stone like font and in bright yellow. The brightness and boldness hold up very nicely.

Performance:
I ran this rashguard like every review through open mats, classes and even in the weight room. It held up and has been great in my rotation. It’s durable, doesn’t fold up on you, doesn’t get drenched/soaked and is just a great piece of clothing.

Pros:
-Great fit
-Great and unique artwork
-Something new in rashguards (side v-cut vents)
-one of a kind

Cons:
-Not released publicly

Check out the following links
http://www.invertedgear.com/
Mark Ramos’ BJJHeros page: http://www.bjjheroes.com/bjj-fighters/mark-ramos
Mark Ramos’ sponsor: http://www.seegerweiss.com/
Mark Ramos’ academy: https://www.facebook.com/MarkRamosJiuJitsu

 

Review: On The Mat ‘Team Lovato/USA’ Rash Guard (worn at ADCC 2013)

‘Merica F – yeah!

I bring you the official rashguard worn by members sponsored by On The Mat at this years past Abu Dhabi Combat Club tournament held in China. The rashguard was worn by Rafael Lovato Jr., Justin Rader and Jared Dopp. The team did extremely Lovato Jr (Silver, -88kg) and  Rader (Bronze, -6KG).

On The Mat has been around forever and is often confused with Built To Fight and Lucky GI as ambassador to GI making in America, Scott Nelson seems to have ties within all of them. I aquired this awesome piece from Built To Fight and On The Mat.

Specs:
Specs:
-moisture wicking
-83% poly and 17% spandex
-Anti Microbial

The Fit ( I am 5’9, 175lbs)
I have come to the conclusion that most brands have a very high standard of quality but, like everyone – we’re bias. I found the OTM rash guard to be extremely comfortable, breathable and durable. I didn’t have to adjust my torso down to my waist or my sleeves back down. I literally enjoyed every second of this rashguard.

Not one point of it was too tight, cut weird or a seam ran in an awkward place. I really enjoyed wrestling/grappling in this rash guard. I also had a good workout in this rash guard, caught some eyes and I loved working out in this rashguard too.

Artwork:
OTM’s design team did a bad ass job in dressing the guys up. The flag features a much darker blue (almost black) on this rashie. The placement of the OTM logo on the back, chest and sleeves is rather tasteful and doesn’t feel like you’re over patched.

The entire artwork is sublimated and just looks very catchy. I may be Canadian but, this was such a cool concept. It is clean, simple and makes it’s point without too many bells and whistles.

Front:

Side:

Back:

Performance:

I have rolled, drilled, wrestled and lifted in this rashguard. It doesn’t snag, roll up or cause any distractions. Once I put it on – it stayed right in place. It was very comfy, didn’t log any moisture and kept me feeling fresh throughout hours of working out.

Pros:
-Feels awesome
-Great design
-Artwork isn’t too uber-patriotic and makes a bold statement
-great customer service

Cons:
-Not sure they’ll release it long term but, this speaks to their quality control.

If you want any custom rashguards for your gym, yourself and any On The Mat Products check out http://builttofight.com/ and http://www.onthemat.com/

Review: ’93 Brand ‘The Anvil’ Rash guard

“So many guard pullers, so little time”

From the brand which brought you the ever popular ‘Goose’ JiuJitsu GI comes one of the coolest rash guards I have came across in quite some time.

’93 brand is a smaller company which is putting out some neat and clean ideas. When I say ‘clean’ I mean that these would be accepted at most gyms and tournaments.

Specs:
  85% polyester, 15% spandex
  Flat lock seams
  Accommodating panel construction
  Fully sublimated graphics

The Fit:  (I am 5’9, 175LBS)

I have now worn everything from Under Armour to ’93 Brand and this rash guard was one of the best snug and tight feels. A rash guard is different than a grappling shirt, it shouldn’t be loose. The arms stayed secured, the torso was tight and didn’t ride up and the feel over all was really high quality.

The only snag against this from being maybe the best designed/built rash guard was that the neck was very, very tight. My head feels as if this was going to pop it open and ruin it. It’s not noticeable after you’ve put it on but, it is when you try and squeeze out of it.

Artwork:

The colour choice was very unique in that it seems to be rustic hue that transitions into an ale like beer colour.

The front features an anvil with 100 kilos impression into it.There is a saying in archway and under arch which screams “So Many Guard Pullers/So Little Time”.

The back is plain for the most part but, the ’93 Brand work mark is seen once again near the back of the neck and it’s done in a cool impression stamp version.

The side panels are white and feature the ’93 Brand work mark in a maroon colour near the bottom.

Performance: 

The rash guard moved with me, never caught anyone’s fingers/toes and was very good at wicking sweat away.  Unlike most reviewers, I love to test run these through weight training as well. The rash guard was very comfy during squats and running. This rash guard can be used diversely without being sport specific which for me is key.

Pros:
-Artwork is very unique and stands out
-The fit is amazing and you will never need to re-adjust mid roll/sparring session
-The price; for this quality it is better than most in it’s price range
-’93 Brand has great customer service

Cons:
-The neck being hard to get through after a hard session

Where to buy?: MAS (Martial Art Supplies) www.martialartssupplies.com or the direct link (Costs $54.99) and may reappear on www.bjjhq.com at some point. Also, check out ’93 Brand on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/93brand

Review: Tatami Fightwear ‘The Footlock Tzar’ Rashguard

better pray you get ‘Cankles’ as this Tatami Fight Wear rash guard is worn in your open mat class or competition.

Tatami has hooked up with a rash guard for former UFC and multiple ADCC vet, Dean Lister. As you should now understand; Dean Lister is notorious for taking the lower limbs of folks and creating some new pieces of arts.

This rashguard is kind of old when compared to ‘new’ items but, it has always caught my eye. The great people at Forza Sports happened to have a few left and like a hoarder, I needed this.

This Rashguard was worn at Metamoris one when Lister faced off against Xande Riberio

Artwork:
The front of the rashguard features a mixtures of reds and whites with a proud fist upright. The rashguard features a sun burst much like the rising sun tattoo of Japan. Just don’t let the ‘Korean Zombie’ catch wind of this or I’ll be asked to remove it. Big red and white patterned font has the word Tatami and fightwear underneath it.

The back has the following in big white lettering for all to know ‘Tatami Fightwear Dean Lister The Footlock Tzar’. Red stars adorn it in an arched style along with a giant star. Inside the giant red star is two hands rearranging a foot so, it may never walk again. The Tatami word print from the chest area is seen in smaller print on the rear bottom.

The left sleeve a white star with black outline and the acronym ‘TFW’ inside the star. The right sleeve features one of Lister’s sponsor, Triumph United. I loved the sponsor addition as it gets the rashguard as authentic as you can.

Feel: This rash guard was very comparable to an Under Armour heatgear with better enforced sleeves and torso bands to keep it in place during a roll. The armpits and other stitching areas known to be an issue like Lister’s MANTO ‘Beast’ rash guard are not found here.

It is a very enjoyable and comfortable rashguard to roll within when speaking off comfort. It comes on and off like a glove and is not something you adjust during a roll.

Performance: I have always liked using a rashguard with rolling and working out to see it’s durability. The rashguard is an absolute treat to roll in, I had a good 45 minutes straight and this thing never had to be pulled down or readjusted. It was slick, wicked away the sweat and was just awesome, really.

I did some squatting and push+press with this rashguard on. It stayed in place and it’s very flattering if I may say. It stayed in place and the bar on my GIGANTIC BACK was comfortable and didn’t roll up.

Cons: The only cons I can see are that athlete specific items may limit the sale but, when you have something THIS badass, it shouldn’t matter.

Where to buy?: http://www.forzasports.com/    (sizes and quanitity may be LOW)

Review: KINGZ x Meerkatsu Koi Rash Guard (red stitching)

Finally caught me a KOI, Mama!

As you can tell, I am a huge fan of Meerkatsu art work and he has once again done a very nice sleek and simple design for KINGZ Kimonos. KINGZ Kimonos are usually very by the numbers and plain in contrast to other brands like GAWAKOTO.

Artwork:

Front: The rash guard features a very nice black torso with silver sleeves. It has KINGZ written down the sleeves and over the shoulders. The KOI is done in black and white and it looks very nicely wrapping up and around the front. The red stitching gives this rash guard amazing contrast and something I can’t recall seeing on many others.

Back:  The back is identical in main layout but, features two KOI fishes and KINGZ written on the top. The red contrast stitching continues down the triceps and over the elbow to the wrist.

Feel: I had just recently purchased the KENKA x MEERKATSU ‘white tiger’ rash guard and this one is comparable in feel. It feels very sleek. It sort slides in a silky manner which is a refreshing kind of sensation when sparring.

Fit: This is where the rash guard sort of lost me in giving it a great review. I found this very loose and fit like grappling shirts I had heard of. Maybe KINGZ sizes their rash guards much differently then most as I found this to be too baggy for a common medium. I’d size down for sure had I know ahead of time of the way this one fits. The sleeves bunched up and didn’t stick tight to the body. The torso also felt long and kind makes you look like you have muffin top regardless of your shape.

The cut of the rash was good; the stitching didn’t create any odd or uncomfortable sports which can happen in the armpit. It was easy to put on and take off after a good practice. The waist section was good and held tight

Would I buy again? I liked everything about this GI in terms of stitching as it was very comfy and the artwork as usually with all MEERKATSU products was really well done. I don’t know if it was KINGZ idea on the artwork but, I didn’t think this was MEERKATSU’s best art work in terms of expression. Seeing as KINGZ design schemes seem to be for the every gym mind set, it didn’t allow the art work to explode. KOI and Dragons are very common and reinventing the wheel is hard for any good artist.

I would size down but, I bet that a smaller size wouldn’t fix all the issues I had with it bunching at certain spots.

Cost:
Option A (Buy the Rashguard itself for $54.99 @ http://www.fightersmarket.com)
Option B (Buy any KINGZ GI and receive a FREE KINGZ rash guard (different designs to chose from) GI’s range from $129.95 – $149.95. Code is KINGZRG and only available at Fighter’s Market.

Where to buy? www.fightersmarket.com, ask for Renee and say I, Aaron Daniels sent you. Not that I get a kickback but we are friends and you may get a deal 😉

Review: Strike FightWear Katanapus rash guard

First off, Meerkatsu absol-freaking-lutely killed it on this awesome art work. It’s an orange octopus wrapping itself in and around a samurai head/helmet.

The color selection is spot with a shiny metallic silver and orange accents throughout. It was definitely one of the first articles in jiu jitsu clothing to feature silver as a main color.  We’ve seen the Kenka ‘White Tiger’ rash guard and ’93 Brand ‘Goose’ GI both do extremely well and I know why. It stands out amongst the rest.

Pros:
–The rash guard borrows from the popular Scramble ‘Bushido’ design that features 3/4 sleeves. I personally tend to like long sleeve ones because they cover more area but, these are great as well.
–The material for which the rash guard is made with is HIGH quality. The collar stayed in place at all times, the feel stayed true and the sleeves didn’t ride up.
–The design is just amazing! In my top three to wear after one session.

Cons:
–NO LONGER AVAILABLE 🙂

Check out Strike Fightwear  for other great products

Review: Kenka x Meerkatsu ‘White Tiger’ Rashguard

Fierce like a tiger!

Here we have one of the coolest designed art pieces in jiu jitsu by my favorite artist MEERKATSU!, The art features a white tiger that is accentuated by cherry blossoms all around him/her.

The rash guard is a silver based colour which very cool as I’ve never seen another rash guard in that color base. The popularity of the 93′ brand goose GI may have spawned the decision that silver’s and grey’s do indeed work.

The rash guard itself is very well constructed and feels as if it should last a long time rolling and all other work outs. The collar is ribbed and reinforced in case you have stewie’s head when pulling it off and putting on.

I never felt restricted and/or constricted while I was wearing it. I started my try-out with some boxing (felt great with punches), I tried then in NO-GI and it rolled amazingly well and made me feel agile. I tried then under my GI for ankle lock night and a roll after, I worked from side-control bottom and it never got snagged or became a problem

The main draw backs have nothing to do with MEERKATSU’s art but rather the cuffing on the waistline and arms. They are not particularly tight but rather quite loose around the waist. I have seen ‘grappling’ shirts that appear to have the same style.

Kenka has some awesome stuff and collaborating with MEERKATSU was an excellent chase as I, like many will buy anything he designs. The rash guard is a great purchase in my eyes and seeing it was a deal on BJJHQ, I don’t see myself being as happy in life without in my rotation, haha

Rating: 9.5/10

To purchase click HERE