Ouano Lightweight
The Ouano lightweight is made from 100% cotton and has a pretty thick lapel for a lightweight gi. The collar is made of EVA foam. The cotton is mercerized and sunforized which gives it a slight sheen. It also holds the color and it probably won't shrink too much so make sure you order the size that is right for you.
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Guest Review by Niko
OUANO LIGHTWEIGHT GI (black)
*Please note, this review is for the Ouano Lightweight Gi (aka Ouano 99) and NOT the Premium Competition Gi.
After getting promoted to blue belt I wanted a new, good quality gi that was not too pricy and, in all honesty, looked good with my new colored belt. I was also concerned with the quality of the gi as I wanted my next gi to be the gi I compete in. The first gi I ever bought was the white Ouano Lightweight, and I felt it would suit my purposes. I decided the black color with the blue trim would really stand out.
I am 5’6 and at the time of purchase I was about 185-190 lbs (ice cream om nom nom nom). So I would consider myself a “tweener” when it comes to gi sizing: a bit on the short side but also heavy and stocky. I wanted the gi to have a good fit and provide enough leeway for me to shrink it if necessary but not be super tight and be nothing more than a “hashguard” jacket.
When I first received the Ouano Lightweight I was very impressed with how the black really made the blue trim stick out. I always wash my gis on cold and hang dry. The first wash I did soak it in vinegar to preserve the color, and after about 8 months of training it still looks great, has not faded at all, and still fits. I’ve had some experiences with gis from smaller companies where the sleeves shrunk almost to halfway to my elbows even with only washing on cold and hang drying. This is a non issue with the Ouano.
I recently took third place in the IBJJF Chicago Open and competed in my black Ouano lightweight gi. I dieted and trained hard for this tournament and weighed it 175 lbs with the gi on fight day. You can see that even with the loss in weight the Ouano lightweight still fit me pretty well and met the IBJJF competition standards.
The only drawback I have with the Ouano Lightweight is that it is not as light as the current trend of gis such as the Ouano Competition Premium Gi or the Subculture Wasabi. However the durability and fit of the gi more than makes up for it. From my experience I would definitely recommend the Ouano Lightweight for someone to spend a little more for a quality kimono that can be used for teaching, sparring, and competition. I give it 4 armbars out of 5.
“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take”
Purchase
Update (3/24/2017): This gi is no longer available for purchase.
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