Laurence Cousin Fouillat from France is the only European (Male or Female) to ever win a IBJJF world championship at the adult black belt level (in 2007)! I had the privilege to roll with her a few times, and her Jiu-Jitsu is flawless. She wrote a gi review for BJJ Eastern Europe of the Kraken Kimono:
By Laurence Cousin Fouillat
The Kraken kimono: I started wearing it a year ago and have been training every day in them (I have 3 Kraken Gis, two whites and a blue) to teach my classes or to train and I am more than satisfied!
I measure 1m62 for 55 kg and I wear A0.
Just for the look, aesthetically, it quite is simple, not too gaudy without patches everywhere.
Kraken have chosen embroidered logos to brand the gi. The Kraken embroidered logo is in black and red writing.
After one year, the embroideries were not damaged!
When I tried the Gi the first time, it was a perfectly adjusted fit. My students, who went from a adidas judogi which is very wide, to the fitted Kraken gi were amazed with how the gi fitted so well. For me, I went from a Venum to a Kraken so it wasn’t a big change.
The Gi is light and is perfect for competitors cutting weight, when training in hot weather, and has fast drying time in the winter.
I wear the pants low waisted and unlike other kimonos, this is the only brand that does not make saddlebags pants (a girly comment Lol).
Also, when I tighten the cord, it doesn’t fold in the back which is less annoying especially when you spend more than half of your time on the back!
The jacket:
Made from 1 piece of fabric (no seam in the back) for strength, comfort and durability. Thick and soft collar made with 1 piece of vulcanized rubber inside. This helps keep this BJJ gi light (doesn’t get soaked with sweat), allows the gi to dry faster and does not allow bacteria and fungus to remain inside the collar.
Pants:
Fully ripstop pants, bent enough also. 4-Belt Loop system . Full length reinforced knees. Triple stitch reinforced joins. The drawstring is also ripstop and not too long for a kimono A0 size. My blue kimono has two seams at the bottom of each loop for better resistance unlike my two white kimonos. I recommend two seams which is stronger (personally) At the knees, reinforced ripstop (twofold tissue) and this to the bottom of the pants. At the crotch, two triangles (front and back) to reinforce the seams.
As a reminder, there are just two embroideries located below the left knee and the right, which leaves a lot of room for those wishing to sew patches of academies and sponsors. It is possible to buy separate sized jacket and pants. This is a great plus when we know that not everybody has standard dimensions.
Overall, the kimono has slightly shrunk after washing but nothing much. In my opinion it is even better like that I think.
Additional information for competitors, The kimono dimensions are IBJJF approved.
Another plus: The gi comes with its own black gi bag with orange embroidery and orange cord clamping, which is just beautiful!
Price is 172 euros, which in my opinion is not much for a gi of such quality. Usually similar quality gis are sold for more than 200 dollars. You can order here: http://www.krakenwear.com/boutique/
