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.  

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.

Per Manufacturer-

First Impression- I have tried out many white shorts and still have yet to find a pair that does not become transparent during and after and intense workout. This particular pair of shorts seems to be thicker than than other shorts that I have tried so hopefully it can pass the test. Looking forward to seeing what these can do.

Construction- Like other products that I have tried from Hayabusa the construction of these shorts is excellent. There was not loose stitching and like I have previously mentioned the material of the shorts themselves is thick and very durable. The logos on these shorts are sublaminated so they will stand up to all of your toughest training. For those of you who have read some of my previous articles you know that I prefer shorts that do not have a split seam. For me it is something that is just not necessary as I have rarely had that effect and sort of performance or technique. Well these shorts do have a spilt seam, and I would say one that is slightly longer than most. They also feature a stretch panel  Now, for one of my favorite things about these shorts, the closure system. The closure system on these is unlike any other system out there. Yes, it has standard hook and loop style Velcro, but that is where any kind of similarities end. It features a very different kind of drawstring system which allows for the tightest fit possible and if that is not enough it has a rubber running along the inside of the waist band which Hayabusa calls their “Guardlock” system. There is also some elastic in the waistband just to get that perfect fit.  These shorts are made out of  100% polyester(90% Mechanical 10% Performance)and are manufactured in Taiwan.

Fit- This where we get to see if all those features these shorts have actually work. I am here to tell you that they do. I ordered a 32 in these shorts and that was prefect for me. With so much room for adjustment it was hard to make these fit wrong. The length of them is mid to just below the knee. The material of the shorts feels nice, but they do feel a little heavier than other shorts. The waistband system works just as advertised. Once you have these shorts on there is no way that they are coming off. The only real negative thing that I can say about the fit is that the drawstring almost always get tangled up in the Velcro, and it does pull the treads part.

Stand Up- For stand up these are easily in my top 3 favorites to use. They feel extremely comfortable while doing any sort of stand up. I did not have any problems with any sort of technique and did not feel restricted at all. While the split seam could be helpful for some, for me it was not necessary. One thing that really bothers me about mma shorts in general is a lot of them require adjustments in between rounds. These are one of the only pairs I have ever used that required ZERO adjustments not only between rounds, but for my entire workouts. With the way the closure system works and the “guardlock” once these shorts are tied, they are not moving. Keep in mind that you can feel these shorts on you as they are heavier than others, but once you get going it is not as noticeable. These do however absorb a fair of amount of sweat so they can take a little while to dry out.

Ground- When using these for ground I would rate this as good. It is not that they do anything wrong, I just think it might be because they are so good during stand up that its hard to match that performance. Once again they stay very tight around the waist and there is no shifting or rid up from them. Since the material is thicker there is less riding up on the legs, but because the split seams are longer, when they do rid up it is very noticeable. These shorts are not restricting at all and found them to be very comfortable.

Pros-

*Excellent construction

*Great closure system

*Sublaminated logos

Cons-

*Material a little heavy

*Ride up on the ground

Overall- These really are a great pair of shorts, but not perfect so I could not give them an overall five stars. Oh, I almost forgot, you are probably wondering how they did with them being white and if they became transparent. Well I can report that these are the best shorts that I have test when it comes to that. While they still did absorb a lot of sweat, they are much less transparent then any other short that I have used. With that in mind, if you are looking for a new pair of shorts, then please take a look at the Hayabusa White Shiai Fight Shorts. They are also available in black and gray if white is not your color. I really rate these as one of the best shorts I have ever trained in. They can be purchased for right around $65.

(Highly Recommended)

Click here to buy Hayabusa Competition White Shiai Fight Shorts

Here are some more pictures plus other colors. Enjoy!!

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

This just in. New from Hayabusa will be their Kanpeki series. Here is what I know about it-

The Perfect Fusion of Innovative Design and Ancient Tradition.

Per Manufacturer-

First Impression- This jacket looked great when I pulled it out of the bag. You could see the quality. I could not wait to try it on.

Construction- This jacket is very well constructed like you would expect from Hayabusa. There was no loose stitching, and all of the logo’s on the jacket are embroidered. There is a zipper down the front which operates very smoothly and like the gear bag there is their falcon logo actually on the zipper. The embroidery on the back is absolutely amazing. All of the Kanji characters are done well, there are also other designs on the back. The jacket is made of 100% cotton and is manufactured in china. There is also a drawstring at the bottom of the jacket so that you can tighten it if you like, plus elastic around not only the waist but also the cuffs of the sleeves. The lining on the inside is comfortable and is red, which complements the jacket well. There is also two pockets on the front which are huge and can carry everything from your wallet to a beanie.

Fit- I was a little bit unsure of the sizing of this jacket so I let Hayabusa know my weight and height and they were able to pick the size they thought would fit me best. They sent me a small which to be honest I thought was going to be way to small. I was wrong. The small actually fit quite well. It was the perfect length with falling slightly around my waist. One thing I did notice is the sleeves were just a little longer than I am use to, but nothing that is annoying or causes a problem. Another thing to mention is that if you have a huge back you might want to order a size up. My back is average for my size and this fit just right, but if your back is big or wide this might be tight on you. While wearing this jacket it kept me nice and warm, but due to the 100% cotton I probably would not wear it in the rain. It is also like the name implies, light weight. For a jacket that kept me as warm as it did I was impressed by how light weight it feels.

Pros-

*Great Construction

*Light Weight

Cons-

*Sizing can be difficult to figure out

*Long sleeves

Overall- Well it comes down to one thing. I really like this jacket. From the first time that I wore it I not only loved it, but got nothing but compliments from others. This jacket does exactly what it is suppose to do. It fits well, keeps me warm, and looks badass. If you are in the market for a new jacket and want something a little different, be sure and check this jacket out. Just keep in mind it is not an all weather jacket. It can be purchased for right around $135.

(Highly Recommended)

Click here to buy Hayabusa Lightweight Uwagi Jacket

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

Per Manufacture- Everyone needs a good gym bag to cart their equipment around. Hayabusa designed this bag with a tough puncture and abrasion resistant mesh exterior to let damp and sweaty gear dry quickly. Equipped with a water resistant inner pocket for keeping dry or really wet items separate from the main compartment. This bag is Hayabusa quality, with a beefy main zipper, durable hardware and high quality fabrics throughout. Perfect for every mma athlete, and a great buy along with Hayabusa gloves, shinguards and other gear!

First Impression- I got this bag and once I removed the plastic I saw that it was unlike any bag I have ever used or seen. Almost the entire bag was made out of a mesh. It seemed to be very durable feeling and was quite large I could not wait to try it out and see how much of my gear I could get in it.

Construction- This bag is very well constructed. There were no loose threads and everything had an amazing quality feel to it. This bag is manufactured in China.  All of the logos on it are very well done right down to the zipper with the Peregrine Falcon on it. Everything about this bag screams quality just like Hayabusa is known for.

Usage- This bag is huge. I can easily fit all the gear I need in it (3pairs of gloves, gi, extra shorts, mouth guard, hand wraps, 2 rash guards, and thai pads) and I still have more room. The mesh is holding up very well and has no rips but I am curious on if the mesh can take a beating over and extended time. This bag has many pockets in it so you can keep all of the stuff you need separated away from other items. This bag also keeps everything very well ventilated. You don’t have to worry about throwing sweaty gear in your bag and it not drying out. The shoulder strap is a must as with this much stuff in it, it can get heavy. You can also use a small lock if you need to on the main zipper which is a nice feature if training at an unfamiliar gym or leaving it in a locker room.

Pros-

*Huge size

*Great Construction

*Full Ventilation

Cons-

*Longevity of mesh?

*Weight with gear

Overall- This is a great bag that I can definitely recommend. It is large and the quality is great not to mention it comes from a company that brings a lot of quality gear. This bag cost around $60. If you are in the market for a new gear bag make sure and take a look at this one.

Click here to buy Hayabusa Gear Bag Mesh Pro

**Disclaimer** I received this at no cost for the purpose of review

Per Manufacture- Developed to highest gold standard possible, Hayabusa’s Mizuchi ™ rashguards are the only rashguard to perfectly combine ultimate performance enhancement with extreme comfort. This rashguard engulfs your body with unmatched thermoregulation, muscle support and advanced antimicrobial defense. Engineered with the exclusive Thermawick™ technology, the Mizuchi ™ Rashguard rapidly diffuses sweat to effectively control your body’s core temperature. As a result, you’ll notice a dramatic increase in performance as your warm muscles are capable of achieving an even higher degree of flexibility, power and speed. Intricately knitted with only the best fabrics with specialized tensile properties, these uniquely engineered rashguards easily outperform all other rashguards on the market.

First Impression- I pulled this rashguard out of the box and was immediately impressed by how it looked. I took it out of the plastic that it came in and the material is very soft and seemed thicker than other rashguards that I have. Looks great and I cant wait to try it. I also really enjoyed the japanese theme throughtout this rashguard.

Fit and Finish- I wear a shirt size medium so that is the size of the rashguard that I got and either my body is sized weird or the rashguard is. I found it to be quite tight on my arms and upper body but looser around my waist and stomach. However the quality and finish of this rashguard are top notch. No threads out of place or loose and the stitching is very high quality. I also noticed this rashguard is longer then most that I have which I think is a good thing as you could get a good tuck into your shorts with out it rolling or creeping up on you. All of the graphics are sub laminated but they seem to be even deeper in to material then most so I highly doubt that they are going to crack or peel.

Stand up- For stand up this rashguard works excellent. Not only did it stay where it is suppose to it did a very good job of wicking away moisture. I also found that it kept my body just the right temperature as some rashguards I have used in the past have caused me to over heat due to either thickness or how breathable the material is. The more I use this rash guard the more I like it.

Ground- This rashguard also works very well on the ground. Once again does an excellent job of wicking away moisture. On the ground it did creep up a little but nothing that I could not deal with and I did not ever have to re-tuck it. I also decided to wear this under a gi and for the most part kept me from getting gi burn. While under the gi it did an excellent job of keeping me just the right temperature.

Pros-

High Quality

Very Breathable material

Good moisture wicking

Sub laminated graphics 

Cons-

Weird Sizing

Overall- I really liked this rashguard and other than the odd sizing it is an excellent product. If you are looking for a rashguard at the top of food chain then I would give this one a try. This is definitely a product I would recommend. The price for this is around $60.

Click here to buy Hayabusa Mizuchi Rashguard

Also avaliable in a short sleeve version

**Disclaimer** I received these at no cost for the purpose of review

 Per Manufacture-

•Designed with Mechanical PolyDirectional™ stretch fabric.

•Innovative tie system with indestructible webbing for a distinct customized fit.

•Pro Performance stretch panel and split side seams for unrestricted range of motion.

•Contains Hayabusa’s exclusive Guardlock™ inner grip waistband system.

•Reinforced T3 stitching for ultimate strength and durability.

•Extraordinary High-IQ™ odor inhibiting effects.

•Fiber-fused printing technology for lasting style

First Impression- When I first pulled these shorts out of the plastic bag that they came in I could tell that they were going to be a great pair of shorts. The material felt a little heavier then other shorts I have used but seemed to be very durable. All the logos and graphics looked great.

Construction- These shorts are very well constructed. There were only a couple loose threads but everything was either double or triple stitched where it needed to be. These shorts are made out of polyester here is the break down. 90% Mechanical Polyester 10% Performance Polyester. These shorts are manufactured in Taiwan.

Fit- These shorts have an excellent fit. They have a an elastic waistband that works well and and allows them to be very adjustable. They have a very unique closure system. It is hard to describe so I have taken plenty of pictures. The Velcro part is fairly standard but the drawstring part is not like any other pair of shorts out there. It goes through and eyelet of one side of the shorts and then pulls them tight with the other side of the drawstring. Either way keeps the shorts very snug around my waist, and if that wasn’t enough they have a rubber strip going around the inside of the waistband which keeps the shorts from shifting around your waist. Keep in mind that these shorts are a little longer then most shorts falling right at mid to bottom of the knee. They do have a split seam which is also a little longer and have a stretch panel in the inside of the legs.

Stand up- These shorts work great for the stand up. I had no problems with any sort of technique and they felt very comfortable. My only issue is that they did feel a little heavy but seem like they are going to be very durable. The stretch panel and split seam allowed plenty of range of motion and they did not shift around my waist due to the guardlock waist band system.

Ground- On the ground this pair of shorts does a good job. I did not have any problems with preforming any sort of technique. They did not shift around my waist at all. They only issue that I did have with them is that when I had someone in my guard I found that  the legs of these shorts would bunch up. Not a big deal but still something to mention. Otherwise these shorts felt great.

Pros-

Great Fit

Closure System

Quality of Logos

Cons-

Material Feels a Little Heavy

Bunch Up When On Ground

Overall- These are an excellent pair of shorts. With a great closure system and unrestricted movement I can definitely recommend these shorts.

Click here to buy Hayabusa Mizuchi Fight Shorts

Per Manufacture-

•Authentic hand crafted Mexican style design

•Ergonomically-designed for maximum striking power and precision

•100% Premium leather and foam complex construction

•Dual cross closure system for ultimate wrist support and stability

•Suitable for all types of combat training

First Impression- When I first pulled these gloves out of the box they came in I loved the way they looked. The black on white color of these gloves looks great and just sliding them on to my hand they had an excellent fit.

Construction- Here is the breakdown of the components that make up this glove. 65% Cowhide Leather, 18% Nylon/PU Complex, and 17% Latex Foam Composite. There were no loose threads on the gloves and the graphics on the gloves look to be screen printed on. These gloves are manufactured in China.

Fit- I have smaller hands and these gloves have a pretty tight fit without wraps. The lining inside of them feels nice against the hand and the hand compartment is just about the right fit. These gloves have a dual cross closure system that works okay but for someone with smaller wrists it is hard to get the first part of the closure system tight enough without overlapping too much but it still works. The wrist support is pretty good and I like how long the cuff of the glove is. They also felt very balanced when throwing a punch. These gloves do have a smaller grab bar which makes making a fist feel very natural. The gloves contact area is proportioned well and has plenty of padding. Once they are broken in they feel very natural.

Mitts/Pad Work- These worked very well for this. I did not have any issues and the gloves felt very good. They offered plenty of hand protection and absorbed most of the shock from hitting thai pads.They never had to be adjusted and this glove felt comfortable the entire workout. However very tight when used with wraps.

Heavy Bag- At first I found that these gloves were kind of uncomfortable for use on the heavy bag. However after testing out several different gloves in them gym I found myself always going back to these. It may just be that these gloves need to be broken in. They now not only have a nice snug fit but the closure system works exactly like it is suppose to.  They did also work well at absorbing the shock from the heavy bag.

Sparring- I really liked these gloves for sparring but I am not sure that my partners did. These gloves are stiff and the padding is dense. After using them I have noticed that it seems to have soften upped a little, but the padding still seams to be quite dense. They worked well when blocking punches or kicks. During muay thai worked well getting and maintaining the clinch.

Pros-

Overall Construction

Aesthetically Pleasing

Fit and Finish

Multiple uses

Cons-

Stiff Padding

Screen Printing on the gloves has worn off a little

Overall- If you are looking for a high quality pair of gloves that you can use for everything from sparring to bag and pad work then these are for you. If you are looking for just exclusively bag gloves maybe think about picking up Hayabusa’s bag glove. Overall these are an excellent pair of gloves. These gloves can be purchase for around $89.99 at http://www.hayabusafightwear.com/

Also Available in Black and Red

Click here to buy Hayabusa Sparring Gloves

**Disclaimer** I received these at no cost for the purpose of review