Keiko USA Kimono Gi Review (Overall 8/10)

I am 5'7.5 and I weight around 137-144 lbs.

Keiko USA Kimono (AKA The Keenan Cornelius Gi)

I give this Gi an overall score of 8.  The Jacket itself to me is a perfect 10.  But the pants… eh. 

Ok so unless you are a complete “noob” to Brazilian jiu-jitsu, you know Keiko Sports rings bells.  It’s an awesome brand (made in Brazil), that has a reputation for making good looking, tough, durable, double weave gis.  Keiko gis are known for their very thick lapels, and their fit which a lot of people say are meant for lanky/tall athletes.

My first Keiko gi was the “Limited Series” gi, and I agreed that the fit was for longer limbed athletes.  I bought a size A2, and thought to myself hmm.. I could easily fit in an A1.  And I was right, A1 was PERFECT! Now recently Keiko has updated their sizing charts on their main store Keikousa.com.  So an A1 in this gi might be too long! Other sites still have their old sizing charts!!! So be careful when buying a Keiko gi!!

Here is the sizing chart from their store:

Ok on to the gi:

I saw Keenan wearing this on his Concepts DVD and was instantly draaawnnn to it. 

The GOOD:

This gi is definitely built to last, and is made for a lot of rolling. 

I bought a size A1 and the gi jacket and the pants fit PERFECTLY!
(AGAIN! Keiko's size chart has changed, and they are pretty accurate so be careful.)

The inside of the gi feels nice and soft.

There are no hard tapings on the sleeves, so it is very comfortable on the wrists. (No scratchiness).

The Lapel is VERY THICK! And is annoying for your opponent to control.  This thickness also helps you choke out your partner/opponent.

The lapel is long.  This also helps my lapel chokes.

The gi is said to be 650gms Double Weave, but feels VERY LIGHT! Matter of fact it is .10 pounds lighter than their “Summer Gi”.

Of course the American Flag embroidered on the arm is super cool! As well as the patches.

Re-enforced stitching on the armpits and stress areas.

The overall simplicity of the Keiko design is very good.

And lastly, the cotton drawstring!!!.. ITS GOOD! The more it gets wet, the harder it is to come loose.

Rip stop pants, they breathe and are light.

Knee re-enforcement goes all the way down.

Good for competition weight ins.

The BAD:

The gi only comes in white.

The long lapels are good offensively, but terrible defensively also, and can be used against you.  Especially by guys that have been infected by the “WORM” and “LAPEL” guards. 

It doesn’t come with the USA patch on the back. The patches were sold separately. :(

  

And lastly, WHY DOES IT ONLY COME IN WHITE?

The UGLY:

THE PANTS!

SMH. I do like that it is rip stop.  But the design is TOTALLY OUTDATED!

Too baggy.

They are flimsy.  Not at all like the Atama Mundials 9 or CTRL ripstop.

The pants are just boring and need to be updated.

Rolling in the Gi:

I love it.  It’s very light and fits good. Feels kind of slim cut, but does not constrict my body movements.

This is one of my go tos for training and competition.

Here is a sexy guard pass for you :)

Overall I love this gi and would have gave it a perfect 10 if the pants weren’t so “eh”.

This gi will not let you down.  After a year of competing and rolling in it, the only thing to come apart was the patch on the pants, 

THAT’S IT! No other complaints.  Very well made gi.

If you like this Gi, you can purchase this here: KEIKO USA KIMONO