Reviewer: Erica Osborne & Brett Meehan
Subject Item: Ground Fighter Grappling Gear's Northern Lights Gi
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| Northern Lights Gi by Ground Fighter Grappling Gear |
Basic Information
Website: http://groundfighter.net/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GroundFighter.Net
Instagram: https://instagram.com/ground_fighter/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ground_fighter
Price: $155 Adult, $125 Kids
Sizes: Adult sizes A0, A1, A2, A3, A4 & A5
Kid sizes: M0, M1, M2, M3 & M4
Release: June 19, 2015
Specifics:
- IBJJF Legal
- 420 GM pearl weave top (single piece)
- Sublimated, moisture-wicking shoulder/vent liners
- EVA foam collar
- Woven taping inside of jacket skirt
- Reinforced stitching in high wear/stress areas
- Green contrast stitching
- 10 OZ drill pants
- Pearl weave gusset
- Reinforced knee padding
- Green rope drawstring with 6 belt loops
Summary
Northern Lights, the Inaugural gi from Ground Fighter has hit the mats hard! Their first time out and they have accomplished what many others are still trying to do! Excellent fit and a comfortable roll is what you will get here!This lightweight gi is perfect for the summer months....looks fantastic..cleans up well and is not overly made up. Did I mention it's IBJJF legal?
The company offers free shipping within the US, free return/exchange of unworn/unwashed items and the customer service is amazing!
Initial Observations
You will notice that Ground Fighter takes an extra step to send their Gi to the world. I was pleasantly surprised to see a white delivery box ordained with the Northern Lights logo on one side.
Upon opening the package and removing the gi in its vibrant bag, I was surprised with a bar of Iron Lion, One One 7 Soap. Per the site, this was included in the first 30 orders. It was a pleasant experience opening the box to a scent not the norm of a newly delivered gi! Shortly after, I also found the Certificate of Authenticity tacked to the inside of the box – glad I looked! I think the delivery presentation was a step above. My only suggestion would be to have the Certificate inside the Gi bag, attached to the inside bag.
My next mission was to see how the gi measure up to their size chart. I received an A2 and it was right on point! The model for my review is 5’10” and 165 lbs.
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| 5'10", 165 lbs - A2 Gi |
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| Notice pants length |
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| Notice skirt length |
Inspection
Northern Lights is a super light, bright white gi with Purple and Green accents. The contrast stitching, done in green, provides a subtle accent complementing this gi. Weighing in at just about 3lbs, it’s almost like it isn’t even there.
Jacket
The jacket is one piece pearl weave adorned with minimal decor. (I think just the right amount). It has a comfortable EVA foam collar. On each arm is the Ground Fighter emblem embroidered in Purple.
On the back, is the embroidered Northern Lights logo – the triangular mountain that identifies this as NORTHERN LIGHTS.
The inside of the gi is dressed in a sublimated, moisture wicking shoulder and vent liner. The colors on the inside liner are as vivid as those in the real Northern Lights; Green, purple blue and a hint of fushia.
Woven taping in the skirt says “keep your eyes on the stars and your feet on the ground Ground Fighter.” Could this be one of the BJJ Wonders of the World?
The Pants
The pants are a 10oz drill pant with a pearl weave gusset. The green contrast stitching is consistent thru the pants also. I have to say, these are pretty nice! They seem to fit a bit better than most of the pants that I’ve come across. Not a tailored fit, but relaxed and hang very nicely. The high wear areas are reinforced with a bit of padding (additional material) in the knee area. The proper fit of the pants does help prevent them from bunching up.
Final Comments
Direct out of the box,
this Gi fit almost perfectly. The first wash – before use, was a cold water
wash and air dry. After the first trip to they gym – and having a short turn
around time it went for another cold
wash, and a light toss in the dryer....this gi was perfect!
Yes, I did do a tumble dry ex-low heat, (Note – heat not suggested unless you are looking to shrink in any capacity). I know the dryer can be a no-no – but it helps to give the perfect fit.
Ground Fighter has a care guide linked on their site:
http://groundfighter.net/blogs/news/34190785-size-care-and-shrinkage-guide-for-your-new-gi
Yes, I did do a tumble dry ex-low heat, (Note – heat not suggested unless you are looking to shrink in any capacity). I know the dryer can be a no-no – but it helps to give the perfect fit.
Ground Fighter has a care guide linked on their site:
http://groundfighter.net/blogs/news/34190785-size-care-and-shrinkage-guide-for-your-new-gi
Ultimately, we lost less than 1 cm in the arms and even less in the pants! We had an incident at the gym – and the gi had some blood on it....pretty good amount too. I was shocked to see that it went in a cold water wash...and came out sparkling white! (no additive, no bleach alternative, nada) I think that the laundering of the gi is very important; not just for the aesthetics, but definitely for hygiene too!
More Photos
People seem to like photos...more photos and photos. So here are some we have that were not used in the body of the review.
Disclaimer
Some photos were taken by the reviewers associated with BJJ New Gear, others were provided from Ground Fighter or hijacked from their website. The opinions, observations and experiences contained within this review are those of the reviewer(s) only, and not of Ground Fighter or BJJ New Gear. Yours may be different. Hell, let's just say that yours WILL be different.
The purpose of this review is simply to provide the reader with some basic observations of this gi, and not to provide any warranty or guaranty of the product and how it will fit you or the intended party, or how it will perform on the mat. That all depends if you purchase the correct size, know how to wash and dry it, and actually know some basic jiu jitsu.
Purchase this gi, hell purchase any gi at your own risk. The real risk comes into play when you put it on and hit the mat. And that, you do at your own risk. If this gi shrinks, tears, catches your toes or fingers in a hole or orifice, or bursts into flames, don't come back to BJJ New Gear and blame us.
By breathing while you read this review you have thereby waived all rights to sue or to hold BJJ New Gear or it's affiliated people responsible for anything related to this product, with the exception of being fully protected in the event you are hit by a meteorite while drilling berimbolos. That one aspect is covered by our insurance policy. Other than that, you are an adult and responsible for your purchase decisions. Oss.
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