Black Eagle 'Raptor'

Black Eagle/Predator BJJ has been working hard on developing a women's BJJ gi line. This includes the lightweight training gi, the 'Predadora', and the special edition training gi, the Raptor. This review looks at the full production version which has seen some significant changes since its prototyping. While the initial implementation was well done with great styling and finishing touches - especially the rash guard inner lining - as noted in the pre-review there were issues particularly around fit. The production version of the Raptor offers enhanced construction and has resolved many of the eccentric length to width proportioning issues present in the prototype trouser fit.

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Black Eagle Raptor Limited Edition Women's Gi

Raptor embroidery to shoulder and back

I have the good fortune to collaborate with a number of BJJ gi brands, including UK-based company Predator BJJ. Predator BJJ is the newly born, dedicated Brazilian Jiu Jitsu apparel wing of established UK martial arts brand, Black Eagle. Black Eagle/Predator BJJ is including a women's gi range as it launches its brand with earnest this autumn, including the lightweight competition gi, the Predadora, and the special edition Raptor which I'll discuss here.

The Raptor may be purchased by pre-order only and orders can be placed throughout August 2011 for a November 2011 delivery; the gi is priced at £99.99. Jacket and trouser sizes may be chosen separately and the gi is available in white/purple, black/red and white/black and with or without back patch. This pre-review is based on the white/purple F3 (top and bottoms).

The Look

Leoni Munslow & Meg Smitley in their Raptors

The Raptor is a heavier weight training gi, as compared to the lightweight competition gi Predadora, and includes a pearl weave jacket with 'rash guard' inner lining and heavier weight cotton canvas trousers. The women's Raptor boasts a lot of embroidery and detailing, which makes a strong impact. The purple is a more pastel shade on the red end (versus the blue end) of the 'purple spectrum', think 'a lavender mauve' versus 'an indigo purple'. The stitching, embroidered patches, drawstring and the piping along the hem of the jacket are all in this shade of purple. Ornate patches are included at the shoulders, the bottom of the right trouser leg and a 'mega patch' on the back. Cursive script with the words 'Special Edition Kimono' appears on the front over-lap and back skirt; here I might make a slight modification and ditch the writing from the back of the gi, but overall I think Seymour Yang aka Meerkatsu did a superb job designing the Raptor patches. Inside the jacket are further details, such as a sublimated version of the back patch on the inner lining and a bright 'royal purple' ribbon to hide the seam connecting the lining to the jacket.

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Predator BJJ Clothing: Women's Predadora BJJ Gi (Pre-) Review

Predadora Front

Over the past few months I've had the pleasure of working with Predator BJJ Clothing, the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu apparel wing of trusted UK martial arts brand Black Eagle, in the development of their women's BJJ kimono. Black Eagle has been creating quality BJJ gi for some years now and sponsors male and female UK athletes (not to mention our Q1 London BJJ Women's Open Mat); the development of the Predator BJJ wing of Black Eagle's business represents a renewed and dedicated effort to create a wide range of men's and women's gi and no gi clothing. The Predadora women's BJJ gi is the first step in this process as far as kit for the ladies goes. In collaboration with Predator BJJ and the readers of MegJitsu on Facebook, we've developed the Predadora, a lightweight competition gi tailored for women. I've had an opportunity to road test a sample of the Predadora and offer you this pre-review of the gi; a fuller examination of the wherewithal and cut of the gi will follow once we've got access to production quality versions (a sample gi gives an insight into the final product but by its nature isn't fully representative of the tailoring).

Predadora: Who Is She?

Shoulder Embroidery

The Predadora, named using the feminine form of 'predator' in Portuguese, is a lightweight women's cut gi and will be offered in three colour options:

• white with turquoise lettering and silver eagles
• blue with pink lettering and silver eagles
• black with electric blue lettering and grey eagles

My sample gi is the blue version and you can check out Predator BJJ's Facebook Page for mocks of the three colour combos. Predator BJJ made a huge effort to get the colours right with the option of the much-loved turquoise, a wee bit of pink and a poppin' blue on white, blue or black backgrounds, respectively. The idea is to provide alternatives to pink that are feminine and fun to wear. The Predadora will be offered in women's 'F' sizes with the option of buying jackets and trousers as separates. Expected retail price is £74.99 (white) and £84.99 (blue and black) and expected availability is September from the Black Eagle shop.

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