The other day, while perusing eBay, I noticed a few old Shoyoroll gis for sale. I wondered what all of the old Shoyoroll gis looked like. I didn’t really know about Shoyoroll prior to 2006 (when I started training) and only learned about them through Budovideos.com. (affiliate link)
So, diligently, I went through batch by batch and noticed that I actually really like some of their older designs. But, I also really like some of their current stuff.
Without further ado, here are my top 5 Shoyoroll Gis (Plus 2 Bonus gis!).
Top 5 Shoyoroll Gis
5. Shoyoroll Superlite 2
The Shoyoroll Superlite 2 has always stood out to me. My instructor has had one for a long time and I’ve always really liked the look of it. It’s still a very rich shade of blue and I’m a huge fan of the lion patch. Very clean design.
4. Shoyoroll Yang
The black on black of the Shoyoroll Yang is awesome. Despite being the most expensive SYR gi ever sold ($185), I totally dig all of the black embroidery on a solid black gi.
3. Shoyoroll The Ring
This is coming out soon, and you bet I’ll be ordering 2. One for me, and one for our Shoyoroll contest winner. I’m glad they went with white in the embroidery instead of just purple (as seen on the prototype). This is going to look excellent and continue Shoyoroll’s clean look that they’ve pursued as of late. Click here and bookmark this link to make sure you get one on 7/23/12!
2. Shoyoroll Blackstar
The Shoyoroll Blackstar was one of the gis that really started everything for SYR. It had the ‘in guard we trust’ tag and a bunch of cool, small things that people hadn’t seen before (like the rasta seam tape).
Very innovative for the time! Really would love to own one of these, but I’d probably have to pay a lot for it and end up not wanting to wear it haha.
1. Shoyoroll Grey Skies
Hands down, my favorite Shoyoroll gi is the Shoyoroll Grey Skies. And many other people’s favorite as well. They’re hard to find and, like the Blackstar, if you do find them, expect to pay a lot.
I REALLY hope that Shoyoroll starts making more gis that throw caution to the wind and aren’t IBJJF legal. Who cares as long as they look cool!
Bonus 1 – Charles Lew
This gi isn’t out yet, and to be honest, I’m not even sure I’m allowed to post the picture. But just like the Grey skies and other early SYR gis, this gi is going to have a colored gusset (turquoise). And who doesn’t want a turquise crotch? AM I RITE?It’s black with turquoise stitching, has a pearl weave jacket and ripstop pants and looks freaking SHARP. Definitely grabbing a Shoyoroll Charles Lew gi (ETA July/Aug 2012).
Bonus 2 – Shoyoroll Batch 1
Just an awesome picture. So cool to see how far Shoyoroll has come from that first batch WAY back in the day.
{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
Man, I wish the Charles Lew was white and not black! That’s the only color combo I’ve ever actually wanted from SYR, but I don’t wear black gis…man, so close to perfect!
I’d like it in white too! Doesn’t predator/predadora make a white gi with turquoise contrast?
Yes. One of my teammates has it and it’s a pretty nice looking gi, but for some reason it doesn’t interest me. Probably because it’s almost baby blue and I’m imagining SYR will have a little more pop to it. I’m just kinda stoked the stole the Nike AF1xTiffany’s colorway. It’s really gorgeous. Is this release a GUMA thing, or is it for all the people?
No Americana?!?! And the ring is not my speed, I don’t care for black w/ purple. I agree on the super lite though, wish i could’ve gotten one…
What about the 7th son or the Yank?
Is the Charles Lew gi a GUMA members only gi?? My interest is piqued, want to see what it looks like, sounds interesting at the very least.
no, but the version we’ve seen is.
Tell them to make it in white!!!!! They’ll totally listen to you. You’re GUMA…plus, you review all the gis.
I’ m definitely a huge fan of the americana. Can’t compare it to the Gi’s mentionned above, though. Only to my other Shoyoroll Gis and it beats the Mamba, Compadre and I like it marginally better than The Count which I also find a great Gi!
I totally agree with the Yang. That is my battle gi. It’s heavy, durable, and all blacked out! As far as daily training goes I stick with my Golden State.
I have GOT to find a Yang in my size (A3 in case anybody has one!)
If you really want one and can squeeze into an A2!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Shoyoroll-Black-Yang-Jui-Jitsu-Gi-/120950378976?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c293451e0&_uhb=1#ht_500wt_1388
Brendan, Just bought a brand new Yin (white) in A3 about ten minutes ago on Ebay. The same seller has the Yang (black) for sale! Better hurry before I go back and get it! It’s $350 by the way.
yikes! i just can’t pay that much for it haha. but thanks so much for checking it Bob! since we’re the same size, let me know if you’re looking for any other old SYR gis as I have a few
No problem Brendan, will do!
are you willing to sell your older ones ?
“Definitely grabbing a Shoyoroll Charles Lew gi (ETA July/Aug 2012).”
Is thew Charles Lew really coming out in the next couple of weeks?
I talked to Bear the other day and he’s pretty pumped about it. I haven’t gotten any official word about when it’s coming out though. It has a feature that I’ve been waiting for a company to do for a while now!
I was looking for the Lew in July/August. Maybe we will see the Lew in November or the new year?
i hope we’ll see it before year’s end!
I hope we see the Lew before the end of the year as well.
I was pumped for a July/ August release!
I guess it is all part of thew hype machine.
sure! shoot me an email when you get a chance!
Awesome ! What’s your email ?
brendan.gireviews@gmail.com
I agree. We’re seeing photos of the Rolls and Navy skies and whatnot, but no word of these others, yet.