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Review for Fuji Suparaito

The new Fuji Suparaito gi is the newest addition to the Fuji gi line. It is designed as the ideal lightweight kimono. It’s built to be both an everyday training gi for the warmer months, and as a true competition gi for when you really need those extra lbs for weigh-in’s. They currently come in two design schemes: white/navy and blue/neon green. Without further ado, my Fuji Suparaito gi review…

Info for the Fuji gi review

As Fuji sponsored athletes, Jena and I received brand new Suparaito gi’s right before they were released to the market. We have both been very big fans of the Fuji Sekai gi’s, and have talked about that at length on the podcast and in interviews. So to be quite honest, when we first got the gi’s we weren’t sure they could ever become our favorite; as neither of us have to worry much about weight for competition and we don’t mind the heat in the summer. We have both appreciated the durability, utility, and build of the Sekai’s so we weren’t that excited about a new lightweight gi.

First impressions of Fuji Suparaito

Fortunately for us, and credit to Fuji, the Supariato gi encompasses all of the great features that we love about the Sekai in a lightweight model of the gi. There are subtle differences in the gi’s that we will discuss below; however, if you’d like to hear first hand our impressions of the gi – plus the opinion of US Olympian Travis Stevens – check out our latest podcast; as we discuss the gi at length.

The look of the Fuji Suparaito:

The Suparaito gives you two completely different color schemes to choose from. Those interested in a more traditional appeal will likely gravitate towards the white w/ navy stitching. Those with an eye for flash and pop will likely have a greater interest in the blue w/ neon green stitching. Both offer tapering around the skirt, sleeves, and pant legs that add bonus utility while also keeping the gi slim fitting and functional.
The tapering makes playing lapel guard against someone with this gi very difficult, as the gi does not lose form. It is a very pratical gi for guard passers in my opinion. Training partners that want to drill worm guard with you will rue this gi.
The gi offers a suberb mix of traditional Fuji style with a modern splash of color and design. The Suparaito – like the Sekai – finds that proper balance between style and functionality without going over the top.

Feel of the Fuji Suparaito:

The obvious difference between the Suparaito and the Sekai is the weight of the gi. Both offer what is in my opinion, the most flexible and secure fit available on the market today. Depending on what you like, the Suparaito may offer even more comfort when rolling. The lightweight feel, combined with the tapered fit, provides a very nice fit of the gi.
This means that the gi doesn’t slide around on you. Many gi’s will leave you with that sensation that you’re “swiming” in it once it gets wet and worn. The Sekai and Suparaito both are designed well enough that this is never a problem.

Many gi’s will leave you with that sensation that you’re “swiming” in it once it gets wet and worn.

What’s more, Fuji has utilized a familiar material for the top and pants of the Suparaito. Our favorite feature of the Sekai has long been the design that prevented the gi from stretching (even when soaking wet). This helps with grip-breaking, prevents the gi from moving around on you, and help maintain proper fit despite wear.
The Suparirato maintains these same beneficial features; even in a lightweight form. This is very impressive. You would be hard-pressed to find another lightweight gi on the market that doesn’t stretch in the sleeves when wet. We have yet to encounter one.
Additionally, the Suparaito utilizes the same rip stop/cotton blend pants as the Sekai. These are some of my favorite pants. They feel very light, and offer a smooth fit without restriction.

Utility of the Fuji Suparaito lightweight gi:

Much like the Sekai, the Suparaito comes with a tapered and shortened skirt. This may be one of the best features available in modern gi’s. If you hate passing the lapel guards as much as I do, the Sekai and Suparaito are must haves. There are actually escapes/transitions that I won’t use unless I’m wearing one of these new Fuji’s.
Another great feature that we’ve mentioned above is the lack of stretching in the material. This is such a necessary function. When you’re passing the guard the last thing you want is your opponent being able to pull added dexterity from your gi material. The Suparaito material does not stretch. This makes breaking grips and controlling grips much easier; as any give in the gi only strengthens your opponents grips.
Ultimately, the utility in this gi comes primarily from the shortened skirt and stretch-less material. Both features have become a luxury I would hate to live without. If you like to pass the guard, you can use this gi as a weapon.

Overall Impression of Fuji Suparaito vs. Sekai:

This will quickly become one of the most sought after gi’s for competition BJJ. The lightweight mix of style and utility make this a top tier gi on the market. It also is currently has a very affordable price tag. There are instances in which I would prefer the Sekai, and instances in which I would prefer the Suparaito. The best solution is to own one of both. This gi get’s my strongest recommendation.
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Note: I am sponsored by Fuji. I only wear Fuji gi’s now; however you guys know me, I am going to give my honest opinion always. If you listen to the podcast, you know this 🙂

Comparing the 2013 Fuji Kassen and Fuji Summerweight Kimono’s

By: Tyler and Jena Bishop

Our Approach:

We try to take a scientific approach in everything we do. So we will try our best to maintain those same ideals when evaluating gi’s. Unfortunately, part of reviewing a gi is evaluating personal feel, touch, and preference. Between the two of us, we have probably owned 30+ gi’s including just about every popular brand you could imagine, so we will do our best to pass along both our empirical and preferential attitudes as we review these two fine kimonos.

The Run-Down (Prior Experiences and Personal Perspectives)

Having both owned and experienced Fuji Sports gi’s in the past (Our association RGDA – RoylerGracie/David Adiv uses them as their official kimono), we both came into this review with a wealth of experience and positive impressions of Fuji kimono’s. Why, you might ask? Over the course of the last 7 years we have watched the technology, fit, style, and comfort of gi’s improve significantly every year. This is likely due to the tremendous growth of the sport, and the growing field of gi companies in the United States. Unfortunately, we have also watched an equal correlation persist with the life expectancy of these gi’s during this same time period. Over the past 4 years, there is only one gi that we have owned that didn’t have to go into the “repair shop” after at least one year of use. That is the Fuji gi.
We both average two jiu jitsu training sessions a day, so most of our gi’s take a pretty serious beating. Not just on the mats, but in the washing machine. We have always maintained a very positive outlook on the Fuji products durability and long-term viability in training and competition. Practically speaking, this is one of the most important elements to us in a kimono to begin with. No matter how perfect a gi might fit, feel, and look, if it tears or is ruined within a year it has been a poor investment for us overall. This is why we generally have a very strong and positive outlook of Fuji Sports Jiu Jitsu products.
Intro To Both Gi’s

Kassen (2013 Edition): The Kassen is Fuji Sport’s premium heavy duty pearl weave gi. It retails for $139.00. Our first impression of the gi was that it was built to last. It was a tad heavier than most of our other gi’s, but incredibly soft (more on this later). The gi has a strong but flexible collar, and contains obviously strong reinforcements in all the delicate areas. It is the kind of gi you would love to wear in competition if you can spare the weight. Why? Strong gi’s with added support are harder to maintain grips on, and the lack of “give” in the sleeves make spider-guard and leg-lasso techniques harder to apply. As tough as this gi looks and feels on the outside, it feels like a luxury vehicle on the inside. It is very form fitting, and allows for flexible movement. It combines a lot of the best of both worlds in terms of durability and “wearability”.

Summerweight (2013 Edition): The Summerweight is Fuji Sport’s premium light weight gi. It retails for $109.00-119.00 (depending on color). The rise of the light weight gi has been pretty rapid in the last few years – as competitors race to save every ounce of weight for IBJJF tournaments. Fuji brings this gi to the market in a very responsible way. It is not the lightest of light weight gi’s – it weighs approximately 3lbs 5 oz. -but this is ultimately why it is one of the best on the market. Where most lightweight gi’s fall short is there ability to keep a fitting style and practical functionality to their design. Often gi’s that are light weight feature a flimsy collar that will have opponents licking their collar-choking chops. In the case of the Fuji Summerweight gi, that is certainly not the case. It features a very strong – yet flexible – collar, and a beautifully textured and soft pair of pants. The gi fit us both like a glove, and was very comfortable to roll in. Our first impression was that it provides everything we look for in a competition gi.

Sizing

Kassen:
Tyler is a 5’11 175 lb male competitor: The A3 fit me perfectly. I fluctuate between an A2 and A3 depending on the brand. Very few gi’s fit me correctly. The Kassen fit me very comfortably, and provided the fitted look I enjoy. The sleeve and pant length are exactly how I like them and the gi top is long enough to cover my pant draw strings (surprisingly, one of the hardest things for me to find in a gi).
Jena is a 5’4 130 lb female competitor: The A1 fit me very well. As all women know, finding a gi that fits the right way can be difficult. At first the gi was a little big, but after 2 trips into the dryer it fit me in all the right ways. The sleeve and pant lengths are right on point. I was surprised to find an A1 that fit me the way this gi did.
Summerweight:
Tyler is a 5’11 175 lb male competitor: After washing it once, this gi had a nice fitted look, perfect sleeve length, and trim pants with enough room to move around in. The A3 Fuji gi is obviously a perfect size for someone of my stature.
Jena is a 5’4 130 lb female competitor: Again, after a few washes I found this to fit as well as any other companies A1. I was really happy with the sleeve length being perfect for my arms. Having a lightweight gi that fits my frame is hard to find, and Fuji hit a home run with this gi.
Overall: Both gi’s fit our frames very well. When they come out of the box they feel a little big, but the plus side is that they shrink up into a very nice modern fit.

Rolling performance, fit, and comfort.

Kassen: When rolling in the Kassen you tend to get a very strong feeling. The gi will not be manipulated easily. It maintains it’s form and structure throughout even the most intense rolling sessions. Fortunately, it remains almost unbelievably comfortable throughout its use. It’s very hard to come by such a strong gi that is this comfortable. Many gi’s with this kind of structure and support feel heavy and uncomfortable to roll in. The Kassen has the added benefit of allowing a full range of motion, and would be a great gi to train and compete in. In fact, Tyler competed in the Kassen at the World Pro Trials, and was very happy with the performance.
Summerweight: It cannot be stressed enough how well this gi has blended functionality with a lightweight design. It is truly a perfect hybrid design. We have come to strongly dislike many of the typical lightweight gi’s due to the ease at which they can be manipulated. The Summerweight does not sacrifice the design in the creation of this lightweight gi, and the competitor benefits by receiving a very comfortable, lightweight, and durable product. The downside of this is that it will not win a lightest gi contest. In fact, it’s actual weight is almost 1lb heavier than many other lightweight gi’s. The benefit of this design is it’s fitted style and traditional build. To us, this is about as perfect as a competition gi could be designed. Light enough to keep you from tipping the scales, and designed and built well enough to keep you from having an opponent hanging off you for the entire match.

Conclusions

Both gi’s are among the very best available at any price point, but with both being under $150 they provide a unique value that is nearly unparalleled. So which is best for you? Our impressions were that both could actually be great competition gi’s depending on your specifications. If you fear the scale, then there is no doubt the Summerweight is probably your best bet. If you would like a gi that will help you tire the grips of your opponent, and don’t mind a little added weight, we would recommend the Kassen. The Kassen will also likely become the most durable gi in your portfolio, so if your looking for a gi that can last a very long time the Kassen is probably a good fit. However, if you live in a warm climate, then the feel and weight of the Summerweight might prove to be a better investment.
Honestly you can’t go wrong with either gi. Your best bet is to examine which one fits your goals and specifications the best, as outlined above, and go from there. The Fuji Sports website always sells the gi’s for a fair price, but other stores online often have sales and special offers you may want to take advantage of. We hope this review helps. Any other questions about the gi’s can be directed at [email protected].