Here I am coming at you with a product I know you have never seen before. These gloves are brand new to the market and have tons of innovative features. Everything from specific hammerfist and ridgehand padding to a special closure system. Right now there are two different models. One intended for amateur competition(blue or red) use and one strictly for training(black), although either one can be used in training. I personally use these gloves all the time, and really don’t have enough good things to say about them, not to mention that some national organizations use them and some even mandate them . Here is a list of some of the other features

-Hammerfist and ridgehand padding

-Padding over the punching knuckles and padded mid-knuckles

-Inovative closure system which provides excellent wrist protection for an mma glove

Here is also a video showing them in use.

There is also some headgear that I will feature in a later article(also seen in the video). Be sure and check back for a full review of these gloves that will for sure not disappoint.

There are a lot of mma shorts out there, with all kinds of features and gimmicks. Everything from special clsoure systems to 4-way stretch material. With that said I have always been a fan of Sprawl, and they have now come out with their latest pair of shorts, the Fusion II Stretch Series. I will have a review coming up of these, but I wanted to give you a look at some of the things that have updated. Here is a list straight from Sprawl.

Our latest evolution is another step forward in design and performance.  With a new distinctive look, the Fusion 2 delivers unmatched durability and features:

• A wider waistband for increased comfort and stability.
• A repositioned side slit to reduce ride up when working from the guard.
• Heavier construction for a new standard of durability.

Per Manufacturer- Exclusive Gel Enforced Lining® and multi-layered foam padding form an unbeatable combination of power, performance and protection. GEL® lining delivers a winning layer of custom form fit and impact resistance for champion results. GEL® infused tri-stacked cuff with 360 degree wraparound wrist strap with hook-and-loop closure provides extra support and security. Removable elastic cuff sleeves allow athlete to convert from bag gloves to sparring gloves in seconds. Moisture wicking hand compartment liner helps deliver cool, dry and comfortable training. Crafted from select hides of full grain leather.

First Impression- When I got these gloves out of the box that they came in I was immediately impressed. Just from looks, they are extremely clean looking and you can tell they are made with quality in mind.

Construction- These gloves are absolutely excellent. The stitching is done very well, with very few loose threads, and has double stitching in all the right places. The leather on these is soft, yet durable. One thing that bothered me on the previous title glove I tried was the hook and loop system was almost all made of elastic. Well they have done away with that, and gone to a small piece of elastic and the rest is actual leather. These gloves have a gel lining that goes over the fist and offers more protection for your hand than just normal padding. They also feature a breathable panel in the palm of the glove. In the past I have not been a fan of this but this one is small enough, and feels like it will be durable enough to maintain lots of use. The inner lining of these gloves is extremely soft and does a great job at wicking away moisture. Everything about these gloves screams quality and I am not the only one who thinks it. Check out what Matt M. (@MushiPanda on twitter) has to say as well,

“I can honestly say after 15 plus years of stand up training, there is no better glove out there, period. Title has left nothing to spare with the new Intense, its designed to be an all around glove and surpasses most sparring or bag gloves designed for the one use only, Title is proving why they are being noticed more and more in the gym and in the bags of most elite strikers.”

Fit- Whenever I get a new pair of gloves this is the biggest area of concern to me. I can get over small quality control issues, but fit is just that. It either fits well or it doesn’t. Well these gloves fit perfectly. They are tight where they need to be and feel very secure on my hand. When I first slid my hands into these gloves I was blown away with how comfortable they are. These are a 16oz gloves and feel like it. It is very easy to make a fist in them, and the attached thumb is in the perfect position. With the hook and loop style closure system you can get just the right amount of wrist protection. In the previous version of this glove I had noticed that my hands got very sweaty due to the fact that there was virtually no ventilation, well that s no longer the case with the added mesh panel in the palm. Now my hands don’t get as sweaty and that mesh provides just the right amount of ventilation. Really the only negative thing that I could come up and its small, is that they are not the easiest to open the hand so some clinch work was harder than others.

Mitts/Pads- I really could not find a use where I did not like these gloves. They work great when using pads or mitts. Provide plenty of protection for the hands and the wrist, and feel great while doing it. The gloves don’t feel overly heavy and are actually very well balanced. There was little to no hand fatigue as it was very easy to make a fist.

Heavy Bag- This is just another great use for these gloves. There really isn’t a whole lot I can say that I haven’t already said. They feel great, and do acutely what they are suppose to do. The padding in them does an excellent job at keeping your hand safe and I had no soreness after using these like I have experienced with other gloves after many rounds on the heavy bag.

Sparring- Now I thought, typically gloves are good for either bags and mitts, or sparring not both. Either they are too stiff or too soft. Well finally Title brings you a gloves that you will love for both. Not only will you love them but so will your sparring partner. Something that I haven’t really touched on is that these gloves come with a detachable sleeve that goes over the hook and loop closure system to protect both you and your partner. These still provide plenty of support and the padding is soft enough that you will not cause serious injury to your sparring partner.

Pros-

*Fantastic Construction

*Overall Fit

*Multi Use

Cons-

*Not as easy to open the hand for clinch work(I am really digging here guys)

Overall- If there is one review you read of mine and think I might buy this product please let it be this one. These are without a doubt the best gloves I have used and continue to use them almost on a daily basis. With an excellent fit and unbelievable construction you really cant go wrong, so if you are in the market for a new pair of gloves, and maybe if your not, be sure and check out these gloves. You will not be disappointed and be sure and tell them MMA Gear Advice sent you.

Click here to buy TITLE Gel® Intense Bag/Sparring Gloves

**Disclaimer** I received these at no cost for the purpose of review and received no payment from the company to do the review.

Per Manufacturer-

Triple layer foam padding, This gloves provides complete protection for both the fist and wrist, features a unique double strap, safety strap closing system that offers the utmost in security and support. Attached padded thumbs, soft poly/nylon lining for quick drying.

First Impression- Like many things from Ring to Cage I was really looking forward to trying these gloves out. They looked well put together, and had the usual green colors that Ring to Cage is known for.

Construction-I have looked at so many different pairs of gloves and have seen so many levels of construction. I would put these gloves at the higher end of that spectrum. While they are not the best gloves that I have seen or tested they are build very well. There is no loose threading and all of the stitching is done very well. The leather on them is pretty stiff, but these are bag gloves so that was to be expected. Something on these that you wont find on every glove is a dual closure system. In this glove it is done well, but I will get more into that in the “fit” section of this review. The lining on the inside of this glove is soft, and feels good against the hand.

Fit-The fit of these was just okay for me. If you have read some of my previous reviews you know that I have smaller hands, and these gloves were even a little tight on me. The lining on the inside of the gloves did a good job at wicking away the moisture, but at the same time made my hands feel hot. Now onto the closure system. For me I thought that it was just okay. I have tried other gloves with this same style of closure system, and sometimes it works and sometimes it does not. This was one of those times where it was just in the middle. What I mean by that is while it was comfortable I do not know if having the extra strap really made that much difference in the wrist support.

Pad/Mitts- I tried these out just like I would any other glove in the three stand up areas I normally would. First is Pads and Mitts. These gloves are really not designed for this so the be perfectly honest I gave them a little time on the mitts, and moved on. The reason is that there are other gloves that I like so much more for this and really wanted to get to what these gloves were intended on being used for. If someone were to ask me if I like these for using with mitts or pads I would simply tell them,”Ehh.”

Heavy Bag- Here is what these gloves are designed for, the heavy bag. I strapped them on and got to work. They feel pretty good during the workout although like I mentioned before my hands would get hotter then when I have used other gloves. The wrist support was good, but not the best that I have ever used, and the padding did exactly what it is suppose to do when making contact with the bag. Was there anything that I really did not like about these gloves, no they work well at what they are designed to do. They have a good weight to them(12oz) which adds to your workout, but does not make them feel bulky, and found it easy to make a fist without my hand becoming fatigued half way into my workout.

Sparring- Really all I can say is do not use them for this. Not only is the padding to dense to begin with, but with all that work on the heavy bag they are only going to get harder. Do your training partner a favor and leave these for the bag.

Pros-

*Great Construction

*Good Design

Cons-

*Tight hand compartment

*Need better ventilation

Overall-Really what it comes down to is do I recommend these gloves or not. If you are looking for a solid pair of bag gloves then I say yes. If you are looking for a more well rounded glove that you could use in many different types of drills then maybe you should look at something else however you can still look at Ring to Cage as they have many different gloves to choose from. These gloves can be purchased for right around $55.

Click here to buy Ring to Cage Safety Strap Bag Gloves

**Disclaimer** I received these at no cost for the purpose of review and received no payment from the company to do the review.

The Perfect Fusion of Innovative Design and Ancient Tradition.

No detail has been overlooked in the creation of this flawlessly engineered line. Fashioned with the most exquisite full grain leather, and a battle-tested arsenal of technical innovations, each piece in this elite collection offers fighters unmatched functionality, durability and a distinctive classic elegance that will re-define what it means to step into battle equipped for war.

The Hayabusa Kanpeki Elite line MMA Gloves showcase an exceptional combination of stunning craftsmanship, superior combat technology and stunning design that truly lives up to the reputation that has made Hayabusa the #1 trusted brand in MMA. Hayabusa – the true spirit of a fighter.

• Exclusive Y-shape volar design to keep gloves tight to the palm whether fists are clenched or when hands are open.
• Dual cross directional strap system for ultimate wrist support and striking performance.
• 4oz. regulation weight, professional MMA gloves.  

Per manufacturer-

Intimidation Clothing makes clothes for MMA and boxing fans and fighters, inspired by the lifestyle and the attitude of the industry. We’re not afraid to be bold and edgy, and we know that you’re not either. Our goal is to make our products affordable and accessible so that everyone can enjoy them. Looking good and feeling great in our t-shirts won’t set you and your budget back, and that’s a promise we plan to keep.

First Impression- When I first pulled these shirts out I really liked the difference in styles of the shirts. One of them was closer to your Affliction style of shirt, while another was a much more conservative and toned down look. Let see how they stack up.

Construction- The construction of these shirts is great. There is no loose threads and all of the stitching is done very well. They use different types printing on the shirts, some use a , where as others are a discharge style ink for that super soft feel that only a premium shirt has. Intimidation uses a 4.3oz 100% ring spun cotton in their shirts, but recently in some shirts are using a 5.5oz cotton for an ultra premium feel.

Fit- I received three different shirts from them all in a medium size, and while they all fit me there are some differences. The “Authority” t-shirt that they sent me seems to be the one that has the fit which is like most other medium shirts that I wear. The other two shirts are just a little bit smaller. Now one thing that really bothers me about shirts is after you wash them for the first time and they shrink. Intimidation does use different blanks for different shirts, which is something that is pretty normal so I found that there was some shrinkage, but not to all the shirts. The “Authority” t-shirt had zero shrinkage, but the other two shirts there was some, so just read which blank they are using an order accordingly. I am sure that you can always ask them for sizing tips as their customer service is top notch.

Design- Just from my stand point I like most of their designs. They are well done and cover a large amount of styles, so most people should be able to find something that they like. Yeah, there are some in your face styles, but there are also some more subtle styles just depends on what you are into.

Pros-

*Solid construction

*Lots of different styles

Cons-

*Shrinkage in some shirts

Overall- What can I say? Intimidation clothing for the most part makes a great shirt. The construction is excellent and they have some solid designs and styles. Really the only negative that I could find is that some of the shirts shrink and some of them do not. Be sure that if you are in the market for some new t-shirts and want to wear something that you are not going to see every two minutes while walking down the street, check out Intimidation Clothing. I do not think that you are going to be disappointed.

Click here to buy Intimidation Clothing T-shirts

**Disclaimer** I received these at no cost for the purpose of review and received no payment from the company to do the review.

Per Manufacturer-

This Loose Compression Rashguards ultra breathable Bamboo/Spandex blend provides a cashmere-like feel and comfortable formed fit that protects the skin during grappling and rolling.

• 95% Rayon from Bamboo, 5% Spandex construction naturally effectively wicks moisture
• 4-way stretch and ergonomic cut ensures an athletic contoured fit that forms to the body without limiting movement
• Strategically placed mesh panels help regulate body temperature
• Flat-lock stitching for long-lasting durability
• Hidden mouth guard pocket

First Impression- When I first saw this rashguard I was impressed by the quality. I however prefer a tight rashguard over a loose fitting style, but with the bamboo construction and the overall look of this rashguard lets see if this one can convince me otherwise.

Construction- While looking over this rashguard you will see how well it is made. All of the stitching is done very well with no loose ends or torn fabric. This is easily the softest rashguard I have ever come across. The combination of the bamboo and spandex fabrics make it feel incredibly durable. It does have screen printed logos, but it has been through quite a few washes already and they look good as new. Jaco really tried to innovate new features into this rashguard and I think they pulled it off. You will notice that there is an internal mouthguard pocket which is located towards the bottom of the rashguard on the inside. Another thing to point out is the mesh panels. Up until about a month ago this is the only rashguard that I have seen that features something like this and I really enjoy having these built in. It is manufactured in Vietnam.

Per Manufacturer-

This life is but a season and when it is over all we have is our legacy, what we have left behind for the greater good of others.  It is not what we have but what we do with what we have to inspire, uplift and serve those around us.  It is these core values that drive our company.
We at Driven are dedicated to giving you the clothes, gear and accessories to fuel your driven lifestyle. We know that you are driven in your pursuit of your career, sport and passions. Whether it is driving, surfing, saving lives, serving our country, keeping the streets safe or working with those in need, we have the gear for you. 

Welcome to the Driven Nation!

First Impression- When I first received this shirts I noticed one thing right away. How soft they feel. You can tell just from the first touch that these are high quality t-shirts.

Construction- The t-shirts from driven are definitely premium level t-shirts. The cotton is extremely soft to the touch and all of the stitching is very well done. They use a 100% ring spun, 30 single blank for the actual shirt. The printing on these shirts is water based ink similar to the shirts from Affliction and Xtreme Couture.

Fit- When it comes to fit I got both of these shirts in a medium. The fit between the two of them was a little bit different. However I find that to be the case with most shirts is that one never fits like another. Its not that big of a deal to me because they are close in fit, but still something to be noted. As far as comparison they are pretty true to size. When washed they do shrink some like most cotton shirts will, but not to the unwearable point. I noticed the most shrinkage in length, but overall shirts stayed very close to its original size. I would classify these shirts as having a normal fit as opposed to a sport or slim fit, so go with your regular size when ordering.

Design- This is always the hardest part for me to review because this is solely based on opinion. Now that I got that out of the way I like Driven’s style. The designs are unique but still do not scream, “I am a fighter and a badass.” However some of the shirts I would still consider to be loud, just not in the, “Fighter” sense. I know some people are thinking, “Don’t scream mma, that ones says ground and pound” and while that is true the majority of people that I run into do not know that term, but know Tapout is for people who train to be “cagefighters.”(Pardon the Joke) Really, overall solid and well done designs that I like.

Pros-

*Premium level t-shirt

*Not in your face design

Cons-

*Designs may not be to your taste

*Shirts vary a little when it comes to sizing

Overall- These are great shirts that I would recommend to anyone looking for a high qualiy shirt that is not on every streetcorner. While there could be some small sizing issues, as long as you go with your usual size you should be fine. These shirts can be purchased anywhere from $25 to $35. The other thing about Driven as a brand is that each one of their shirts have some sort of meaning behind them. Here are some examples of what I am talking about straight from Driven.

Here it is almost the end of 2010 and I know what you are thinking. I have all this extra cash left over after Christmas and I need to buy some new mma gear. Well what are you waiting for? There is tons of great gear out there and I am going to take you through what I think is some of the best of the year. Whether you are thinking shorts or gloves, mouthguard or gi, or ever just a new hoodie I got you covered. Just sit back, relax, and enjoy a look at what I think are the best of 2010, and with 2011 coming up I can not wait to see what is just around the corner.

I think the best way to do this is I am going to present this in portions… first up shorts.

SHORTS

Every one of us that is a hardcore gear addict knows this is the staple of our addiction. You can never have too many pairs of mma shorts. I know that I can’t, and just continue to get them no matter how many pairs that I have. As new stuff comes out, I must have to have it. These are just a couple examples of the shorts that I have reviewed that I think are ones that you should not live without.

Sprawl Fusion-S Shorts  

These are really some of the best shorts out on the market. With almost every key feature combined into one short this is surely not a pair that you will want to pass up.
Click here to go to my review of Sprawl Fusion S Shorts

Clinch Gear Elite Shorts

I am sure that you have seen these around. They are some of the best shorts out there. With top notch quality and customer service to match these shorts should not be passed up on.
Click here to go to my review of Clinch Gear Elite Shorts

Jaco Resurgence MMA Fight Shorts

One of the most innovative shorts out there. These will be sure to get you through those long workouts, and hey they are Jaco so you really cant go wrong. Speaking of Jaco be sure and check out there vale tudo shorts.
Click here to go to my review of Jaco Resurgence MMA Fight Shorts

Hayabusa Competition White Shiai Fight Shorts

I just finished my review of these and they are a last minute addition just due to how good these shorts are. Really a fantastic pair of shorts that should not be overlooked.
Click here to go to my review of Hayabusa Competition White Shiai Fight Shorts

Now for the underdog pair of shorts….

PrimeTime Ltd Edition Fight Shorts

You know these are really a very quality pair of shorts. With really nothing wrong with them, they are extremely hard to pass us. Be sure if you are looking to get some new shorts you take a look at these.
Click here to go to my review of PrimeTime Ltd Edition Fight Shorts

Feel like there is something that I should add? Maybe you think your shorts should be here. Well do not feel bad. These are just the ones that I really feel like were ahead of the others. Plenty of other sections to go so don’t get your jockstrap in a bind just yet.