Gi Review: Submission Light Gi Part 2

Caution: Violent Content…

Submission Fight Co.’s Submission Light is a lightweight competition-worthy gi that will appeal to the eye as well as the wallet. Adopting a ripstop trouser and a pearl-weave top, this gi is equipped with the standard reinforcements you would expect on any gi worth its salt. It can take a beating with the best of them, as you will see if you read on.

Stylistically it scores high points, adopting an attractive red and black color scheme with contrast stitching and snazzy taping around the hem and down the pant legs.

At 4lbs 3 oz, it’s not the lightest or the softest gi out there. But it’s still in the light category and wears a lot like other light weight gis I own.
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I asked for an A4 trouser with an A3 jacket, and Shakib at SFC graciously obliged. Both fit very well; I enjoyed the long cut on the trousers and the roominess of the jacket. It’s not shaving the IBJJF competition limits like the Black Eagle Predator MKII, but it fits me well without being restrictive.

Submission Light Gi Specs

Specifications for weight, fabric, etc.

Jacket	550 GSM Pearl Weave Cotton
Trousers	10oz Ripstop Cotton
Collar	Ripstop with Foam Inner
Collar Thickness (outer)	~.48in (12.2mm)
Collar Thickness (inner)	~.27in (6.86mm)
Belt Loops	2
Dry Weight	4lbs 3oz (1.9 kg)
Wet Weight*	6lbs 4oz (2.83 kg)*
Draw String	Rope
*Weight directly out of a spin cycle. The idea is to gauge how much the weight may fluctuate due to sweat absorption during rolling.

Live Rolling

Go easy on my jiu-jitsu, guys. Just trying to show the gi in action

Measurements (in inches)

I took measurements before, during and after testing and washing. All washes were done in warm or cold water (no hot water washes).

	Out-of-Bag	Post-Stress Testing	After Several Washes
Arms	67.5	69.5	68
Chest	23.75	23.75	23.25
Side	18.25	18.25	18.25
Shoulder	12	12	12
Cuff	6.5	6.5	6.5
Vent	6.5	6.5	6.5
Wing	16.5	16.5	16.5
Lower Hem	24.25	24.25	24.25
Waist	59.5	59.5	59.5
Tr. Length	41	42	41
Tr. Hem	10.5	10.5	10.5

Amazingly, the gi didn’t really shrink at all. I occasionally used warm water but mostly just gave it the standard cold water / hang dry treatment. It did stretch a little as a result of stress testing (you’ll see why if you keep reading), but washing it caused it to shrink right back to it’s original shape.

Construction

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This gi is well constructed and reinforced. The trousers have only 2 total belt loops, which I found surprising. But I found equally surprising that the draw string didn’t ride up like I expected it to; I assume this is because the belt loops are placed low enough and at a good location which prevents riding.

Foam collars must be in use because of their lightness and toughness; they are certainly not harder to grab than rubber or cloth; in fact most people I talk to feel the opposite, that they’re more pliable. I don’t really care one way or the other because I think it’s my own fault if I get choked, not my gi’s fault.

STRESS TESTING

Besides wearing the Submission Light to training for several weeks, I also subjected it to the following tests. Keep in mind that in these tests, I’m stressing the gi outside of its intended usage:

Used the collar, sleeves and trousers for pull-ups in my daily workouts
Hung 50lbs of dumbbells from the jacket sleeves for 8 hours
Hung 50lbs of dumbbells from the trouser legs for 8 hours
Used the jacket as a sling to carry and toss people
Used the jacket as a rope to swing people in circles
Tested the drawstring by hanging 50lbs from it overnight

I at least expected some deformity from all the crap I put this gi through. The pants I expected to rip entirely.

Not so. The Submission Light stood up to my onslaught like it was worth $250. No rips, tears or snags in the jacket. The weights I pushed down into the sleeves were starting to cause strain on one of the seams, but it was a triple-stitched seam and didn’t yield.

The pants fared a little worse but still held their own. Still no rips or tears, but there were a few of loose seams after I took it down. I’ll be able to repair them easily. For some reason, all the ripstop trousers I own begin to lose stitching after a while; it doesn’t matter what brand, they all do it. Usually it’s the knees that show signs of wear & tear, though. That’s the case with the Submission Light trousers; the knee stitching has started to rub out a little. But if I hadn’t loaded the weights on them, I’m sure that’s the only problem they would have had.

During Tests (click to view larger image)

collar pull-ups

Pistol grip pull-ups

Conventional grip

Trouser pull-ups, conventional grips (ouch)

Adding weight into the sleeve

Pressure on collar and sleeves

Lots of tension

I expect some stretching...

Stressing the sleeve stitching.

adding the weight to the legs

Testing the pants

50 lbs on the strings of the gi trousers

After Tests

The little damage inflicted was all in the seam and is easily repairable. It looks like I’ll be wearing the submission light for a long time to come.

Take that, luxury brands!

Sleeve retains its shape after pressure

Small seam pop in left arm

Close-up of the same right leg seam

A look at the inside seam of the right leg

The right leg suffered a fairly long seam-popping after 8 hours of stress testing.

Top left thigh came a little loose

Overall, a great performance by the Submission Light

Conclusion

Turns out, Shakib’s interview wasn’t just a bunch of talk. I can’t claim that the Submission Light gave me super submission powers, but it did manage to impress me with it’s looks, fit, durability and quality, and especially the price. An excellent gi for the value, and one I will continue to wear. It can’t compete in comfort with high-end models but unless you’re making a lot more money than I am, it’s tough to shell out over $200 for a gi with rashguard lining. The Submission Light puts the money where it counts; in durability, performance and price. And it looks good to boot.

THE END

UPDATE

Shakib is offering a 5% discount on anything in store for Arcanum readers. Enter Arcanumbjj5 anytime between now and Dec. 31 for the discount.
The online store is located at www.submissionfc.com. Submission Fight Co. also vends at BudoVideos and BJJSports, but the coupon codes only work at the company site. Submission FC is getting a fairly wide presence in the gi-o-sphere. I’m curious to see what their next product will be.