By Martin Pružinec for BJJ Eastern Europe
‘Wicked One‘ is a French company focused on street-wear as well as on BJJ and MMA gear with a great selection of BJJ Gis. They sent us their newest Gis, the “ Kimono Samurai noir ” and 2 samples of “ Kimono Gold” to try out. I already own some Wicked One street-wear stuff and it belongs among my most favorite leisure time wear. That is why I was impatiently waiting for BJJ gear to have a chance to try it and share the view.
I and my team-mates rolled in these GIs non stop for one month.
There are two things that impressed us first –first one was that GIs have totally cool design – perhaps most distinguishing feature of GIs, with the white stitching and (Gold GI – golden, Samurai GI – grey) embroidery and at the same time it was the light weight of the GIs. The Gold comes in black and Samurai in black and white colors.
Second thing is of course the price – definitely reaches the price of high quality traditional gi producers.
Official statement of Wicked One:
Kimono Samurai noir
– Jacket 100% cotton very strong double-weave, built in one piece, no seams in the back.
– 550g/m2
– Jacket fits snugly providing minimal input option to your opponent.
– Many reinforcements come solidify the jacket including the lateral level, underarm and upper back.
– Col very rigid and reinforced with high density rubber.
– Triple seams
– Reinforced Lightweight pants, 100% cotton, very durable rip-stop with reinforcements at the knees
– Woven label
(we have to add – there is thin very nice inside rashguard material with sublimation printing – very nice picture of Samurai )
Kimono Gold noir
– Jacket 100% cotton very strong double-weave, built in one piece, no seams in the back.
– 550g/m2
– Jacket fits snugly providing minimal input option to your opponent.
– Many reinforcements come solidify the jacket including the lateral level, underarm and upper back.
– Col very rigid and reinforced with high density rubber.
– Triple seams
– Reinforced Lightweight pants, 100% cotton, very durable rip-stop with reinforcements at the knees
– Woven label
Sizing and shrinking:
I am 1m 73, 85kilos (I took A2 Gold), BJJ friend of mine (Martin) is 1m 89 and 90kilos (he took A3 Samurai). Gold fit me almost perfectly out of the box. The same applies to Samurai A3. The GIs have natural shrinkage rate of approx.3-6 % after washing in warm/hot water. Washing in hot water can be used to shrink the GI and adjust it to your body type, this is what we found very useful in the case of another BJJ roller slimmer than us (he uses Gold A2). Wash cold only if you are satisfied with the fit. I washed the GI at 30 degrees everyday second day for the 4 week period and it shrunk just a little by becoming tighter. Martin did the same washing with the Samurai GI. In case of our other friend, he washed GI two times in 90 degrees and than 30 degrees. The GI got tighter precisely to his body. The sleeves have shrunk just a bit to fit even better.
Jacket & pants:
The GI jacket of both GIs have relatively loose cut and if I am to find any similarity it is Atama style ( pre-shrunk) or Moya brand ( shrinks) for sure , in other words I would not recommend these GIs to very slim and skinny people – and basically majority of Eastern Europe BJJ athletes are not slim and skinny J . It features contrast stitching, very original Wicked One patches and embroideries and a strong rubberised lapel.
The pants are made from durable rip-stop material and feature contrast stitching, drawstring loops and drawstring. The drawstring is rope type.
Look:
The design is perhaps the most appealing feature of all Wicked One GIs!!! And also hand in hand with undoubted quality the design stands behind the commercial success of Wicked One GIs. It immediately either catches your eye or you dislike it. If one looks for old fashioned GI or very moderate GI – it is not his choice. If one has the courage to try very progressive design with all aspects BJJ GI needs to have – it is definitely his choice. The main difference is in colors of embroidery and patches (i.e. golden, yellow etc.). There are just enough embroideries and patches. The contrast stitching is original and refreshing. The design is really a big plus of this gi.
Feeling when rolling:
Both types of GIs are very comfortable to train in (all three guys involved in trial agreed unanimously) Both types are very light (despite the fact they are not described as lightweight) but durable and solid.
In Conclusion
The Gold GI retails for 149 € and Samurai noir (black) (also in white) for 199 € on wickedone.fr which makes it relatively pricey, but for very well made GIs. Here comes the moment of decision – if one loves the revolutionary design or not. Definitely Wicked One Gis belong to the best GIs we ever rolled in.
Just my personal view, please do not take it too seriously: I myself love the design ( despite the fact a have a lot of traditional design GIs) and if I loose at the competition ( we do not ´loose´ we learn J ) I look classy and if I win I look classy even more J.
Just hope you find this review helpful
Martin Pružinec ( Martin Rourke on FB) Jungle BJJ
