Fenom Lotus now with ripstop pants

Fenom Kimonos continues to refine their product range. This has included the introduction of ripstop trousers which are now available with the Lotus lightweight gi and the Royal Blue uniform. Fenom shared a set of the new Lotus ripstop trousers for comparison with the original canvas pants, which include an updated use of embroidered patches and tailoring.

Read the full review

Fenom Lotus A1/A2

UPDATE: So Triin offered to send me a once-washed A2 for free, as a replacement (I would only have to pay for shipping). Can you say awesome!?!? It just arrived today, and it seems to fit much much better. I'll do a full review (see below) once I roll in it a few times and wash it. But regardless of how it fits, she totally made a customer for life (I'm definitely going to be rocking a Fenom t-shirt soon if the gis don't fit).

So as a welcome back present from summer break at home, my boyfriend (in Tennessee, where I go to school) got me a Fenom Lotus A1. SQUEEEEEEEEE!!! I had only wanted it for months, and I was excited to finally get one. Since my second gi didn't really fit me so well, I was hoping this one would.

Unfortunately, it was not to be. I'm ~110 lb, 5"4', with long limbs and a short torso. The pants were rather short, as were the sleeves. Asides from that, though, the gi was very nice. The material was light and yet felt strong, and I loved the F design. I wore it (and competed in it once) for about four months, but I just sold gave it last week to a 14-year old girl, who fit into it better than I did. This will give you an idea of why:

I e-mailed Triin about any difference in pant sizes for the black and the white gi, since I really like Fenom but can't get another gi that fits this short on me. She responded promptly (less than an hour), telling me that the first batch of Lotus gis were inconsistent in shrinkage--some shrank a lot while other didn't shrink at all. The Classic (black) gis are cut longer to begin with, so I'm waiting to hear back from her about the return policy. If all goes well, I'll likely get the Fenom Classic and post here when I do!

Updated review: The A2 fits much, much better. The length is just about right, although it is a tiny bit...busty for me (I can totally deal with that). It came washed once, so I don't know the original lengths, but I washed it in cold water and hang dried it and it didn't shrink any more (if at all).  Rolling in it was wonderful--it was as light as the A1, the drawstring was actually better (I really like this one!), and it will probably be my go-to gi, especially now that spring is coming.
Measurements:
Pant length: 33.5"
Inseam: 23.5"
Waist: 40"
Jacket length (as measured down the midline of the back): 28.5"
Sleeve length from collar to cuff: 25.5"

And pictures:

The sleeves are just about the perfect length for me.  Pants are a tad on the short side, but that's probably better just as long as they're tournament-legal.  I would definitely recommend this gi to anyone who is thinking about it.

Buy Women's BJJ Gi as Separates

Fenom Lotus at the
WJJ Championships 2010

Fenom Kimonos is the latest manufacturer to offer jackets and trousers as separates. In my review of the OTM Supa Star I suggested the wisdom of this approach as a means of allowing women of all shapes and sizes to get the best fit; I noted in my review of the Atama Leticia Ribeiro Limited Edition that being able to chose the F3 top and F2 bottoms allowed me to get a much better fit than women's gi normally provide for my shape. Fenom was listening. You can now order a gi as separates through their site. Hope this helps some of you find a better fitting kimono.

Read more BJJ gi reviews

Fenom Kimonos Lotus series review

Fenom Kimonos, a dedicated women's BJJ gi producer, has expanded their range to include a lighter weight white gi called Lotus to complement their Classic black kimono. The Lotus is a beautiful new gi with an impeccably soft weave and subtle feminine styling; a great addition to any BJJ woman's wardrobe.

Read the full review after the jump! http://www.megjitsu.com/fenom-lotus-womens-bjj-gi-review/

Fenom and Catfight

This message comes from Korean jiu jitsu player Julia:

Hello from Korea! I joined BJJ a month ago and have jumped in with both feet first. I have decided to get a women's gi and so I looked at both Catfight and Fenom. I sent both of them emails. Fenom I emailed with my measurements to find out if the A3 size would fit (I weight 205 but their sizing says it fits up to 190) and they emailed me back within 2 days. Catfight, however, still has yet to email me back. I'm fairly disappointed with their website, as their only selling points seem to be "look at our cool colors and embroidery." This irritates me because they don't list ANY information about their gis. Their claim is:

* Gear that fits
* Gear that lasts
* Gear that works

And yet, no specific information. This is incredibly frustrating because as someone who tries to be a wise consumer I want more than just color choices.

So I'm choosing Fenom--they list specific information about their products, including weave, reinforcement, etc. AND they emailed me back.

As someone who is short and fat :) I'll be happy to send a review along of my new Fenom gi once it arrives.


--
Julia

Thanks for your message, Julia! I look forward to hearing the results of your purchase.

Fenom Kimono

Hey All -

Here is an excellent review sent to me by Meg Smitley over at MegLog.

Just adding to our growing library :D!

Fenom Kimonos is a new line of gi for and by women; as their slogan states, Powered by She!  A fellow grappling grrl and I are proud to be the first two women in the UK to own these gi, which we modelled at a recent Women's Open Mat.  Since beginning BJJ-training in 2005, I've been a committed Koral wearer, gi which I find hard-wearing and nice-fitting.  I was attracted to Fenom's amazing introductory offer and decided to take a chance on my first non preshrunk gi, and I have not been disappointed.  I've put my new gi through the ringer this week - training, washing at different temperatures, ironing and measuring - and I can confirm that Fenom's created a great product backed by excellent customer service and an admirable corporate outlook.

Fenom features
Two things immediately strike anyone encountering a Fenom, the superbly soft weave and the slick branding.  The jacket and trousers are velvety soft and have remained so after two training sessions and two washes (without softener) and air drying.  My Koral are superb, but their burlap texture does not compare with Fenom's impeccable softness.  While soft, the weave is sturdy and has a 'proper' BJJ-gi weight; I'm not a fan of the ultra-light gi.

Fenom's inaugural gi is black with pink gothic-style 'F' Fenom branding; smaller 'F's adorn  the shoulders and a larger emblem is stitched at the foot of the right trouser leg.  Fenom's belts and internal tags also include a pink stylised lotus.  Classy, feminine, but understated and not too saccharine or over the top (I'm not the sort to rock a Kyra Gracie pink kimono and it is nice to have a feminine gi that's not exceedingly 'girlie').

Fenom performance
I've trained in Fenom twice, so while I can't comment on the longevity of the gi (though it looks and feels sturdily constructed), I find it exceedingly comfortable.  The cut and, especially, the fabric really can't be beat.  I think the boys are jealous their gi aren't as baby soft!

Fenom fit
Fenom currently offers three gi sizes and I chose the A1 (5'1" - 5'4" 100 - 130 lbs). My measurements are at the top of the A1 range, but even after several washes I find the A1 a good fit; my measurements are:

• height 163.8cm/5'4.5"
• weight 59-60kgs/130-132lbs
• bust 86.7cm/34.5"
• waist 68.6cm/27"
• hips 92.7cm/36.5"

After minimal shrinkage, I really like the Fenom's fit, especially the trousers.  They've got a slightly roomier rear panel than my Korals to accommodate ladies' 'donk', and while I'm not particularly blessed in this area and have quite a bit of excess cloth at the back once I've tightened the drawstrings, the trousers lay flat rather than gaping and puckering as my Koral MKM A1 trousers (see previous post for full details of Koral fit).  The jacket fits my shoulders well and I am happy with the length of the sleeves, which, though they cut above the wrists, are comparable to my Korals.  The jacket's cut is a bit shorter than what I am used to, and though this is pleasing tailoring and means the jacket is loose over the hips, perhaps a bit more length after shrinkage would allow the jacket to be held together by the belt a bit better.

Fenom size
The Fenom suffered minimal shrinking after washing at 40 degrees with negligible change after a 60 degree wash; I air dry gi, either on a clothes line or on drying racks hung from radiators.[2]

Before washing
Jacket:

• 64.8cm/25.5" shoulder to cuff
• 69.9cm/27.5" back of collar to bottom
• 20.3cm/8" at elbow
• 15.2cm/6" at cuff

Trousers:[1]

• 25.4cm/10" at knee
• 69.9cm/27.5" at inseam (to seam above gusset)

After washing
40 degree wash:
Jacket:

• 61.7cm/24.5" shoulder to cuff
• 63.5cm/25 back of collar to bottom
• 20.3cm/8" at elbow
• 13.9cm/5.5" at cuff

Trousers:

• 25.4cm/10" at knee
• 50.8cm/20" at waistband
• 67.31cm/26.5" at inseam (to seam above gusset)

60 degree wash:
Jacket:

• 61.5cm/24.25" shoulder to cuff
• 62.7cm/24.75" back of collar to bottom
• 19.5cm/7.75" at elbow
• 14.5cm/5.75" at cuff

Trousers:

• 25cm/9.75" at knee
• 49.5cm/19.75" at waistband
• 67.31cm/26.5" at inseam (to seam above gusset)

I heartily recommend Fenom and look forward to additions to their collection over the coming months.  Not only is Fenom bringing a super product to the market, they are really channeling the 'strong-woman vibe' and working hard to bring more women and girls onto the mat.  This is the sort of business I am keen to support, and with such a fine product, it is no hardship.

Addendum: Meerkatsu has published a fine interview with Fenom founder, Triin Seppel, here.

[1] While I measured the waistband, I am sure that I made a mistake and the prewash measurement is not reliable (88.9cm/35")
[2] Accounting for human error, there is no further shrinkage after the first wash.

Fenom gi, size A1

So-- I'm a 1-stripe blue under Relson Gracie, training in central Texas. Been training about 16 months and I train 7 days a week. I'm short and curvy, too curvy right now.. 34-28-39 (ergh) and 5'2" 140 at the moment. Normally I walk around at 130 and when I'm training hard and regularly, 120-125ish.

Fenom Kimonos is run by Triin Seppel near Dallas. I've had this gi a few months and it's one of my favorites. It's designed for women and I think the cut and material are fantastic. I have a size A1, and I washed it with hot water and machine dried it to see how much it would shrink. The pants lost about 2" in length (from ankle bone to about 2" above) and the gi skirt got about 1" shorter. The sleeves also lost about an inch, but are still IBJJF legal. I like that there isn't excessive fabric in the back of the gi jacket. I would not go so far as to call it a "slim cut" but it is trim and fits smoothly without a bunch of extra fabric bunching up.





Mine is black, obviously, and the color has not faded much at all. The pants are made of very soft, yet relatively thick and sturdy twill. I'm always impressed that they feel so smooth but they're not flimsy (whereas I'd call my Vulkan superlight "nearly-flimsy.") The gi top is likewise soft to the touch, but really thick, with a thick, heavy lapel. I like the pink embroidered cursive "F" on the lower left ankle and the left deltoid area. Other than that, there's no patches.

The stitching has held up really well to frequent use and washing/drying cycles. The drawstring is made of the same fabric as the pants, and is not difficult to pull through and tighten. It doesn't twist much, but when it did (after months) it was pretty simple to untangle and re-insert with a rubberband and a chopstick.

Overall I give it an A. I really like finding gi pants with room for my junk in the trunk, and aside from that, the texture of the fabric made this one of my hands-down favorites.