|
Navigation
|
 |
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
Article Navigation:
Want to write?
We're always looking for new writers and people willing to help out with the magazine and site. If you're interested, [Click here for more info]. |
|
Stay Updated!
If you'd like to stay updated and recieve a notice when the next issue of is released, just sign up at our forums by [Clicking here]. We will send out a mass e-mail to all our members when the next issue is released. |
|
Your Comments
Let us know how you feel about this issue. We will read e-mail sent and would appreciate any comments and/or suggestions that you may have. [Click here]. |
|
|
|
 |
Gear Review – The Sprawl Loose Fit Grappling Shorts and Top
by Simon Rogg
(For more information on Sprawl.tv and their full clothing line, please click on the above banner. All photos courtesy of Steve Marino at Sprawl.tv.)
Sprawl Shorts
Mixed-martial arts gear has come a long way since the days that Ken Shamrock dominated the sport in a pair of Speedos. If you’ve been following the sport you can’t help but have noticed that the tight fitting shorts you’ve seen since the early days are being replaced by a new breed of loose-fitting fight shorts.
Sprawl shorts are the brainchild of grappler Steve Marino. Seeking an alternative to tight fitting shorts, some fighters and grapplers began using the light but tough board shorts used by surfers and wakeboarders, Steve took it further and decided to take the board short design and rebuild it from the ground up. Whilst there are now several different types of modified board shorts on the market, Steve and his team were the people who started it all, and now Sprawl offer a new innovation: the Sprawl top, an alternative to tight fitting rash guards. The question is, how well do they all hold up?
 The Original Sprawl Shorts are 100% nylon making them lightweight and hard-wearing. The main differences between a pair of Sprawls and a regular pair of board shorts is that the inner lining is gone, all major seams are heavily reinforced, the crotch is a bit higher to make kicking easier, and the closure is Velcro with a tie to the side so there is nothing pressing into your waist while you grapple. Appearance wise they are simple but cool; they come in black, blue and gray with yellow stitching and the logo once on the back and once across the waist. Although Sprawl only customizes them for sponsored fighters at the moment, they can easily be customized at home with club patches or logos.
Sprawl shorts are lightweight and comfortable to wear, with or without a groin guard. Because there is no drawstring it is vital you get the right size, but this is easy to do thanks to the sizing chart and info available on the website. That brings me to another point; because it is very rare for the average mixed-martial artist to be able to just to pop down to a store to pick up some new gear, a lot of stuff must be purchased via mail order, and everyone knows at least one mail order horror story. Thankfully Sprawl have excellent customer service, unlike even some of the biggest mail order stores and stand firmly behind all of their products.
I had my pair of originals when they first came on the market, and have put them through hours of intense grappling and kickboxing. Unfortunately I did manage to rip the crotch during a grappling session but these were replaced free of charge. Steve and his team have also gone back to the drawing board and come up with an even more reinforced crotch dubbed the “Magnum seam” which acts in a similar way to a staple across as opposed to vertical. Now no matter how many high kicks I throw, this stuff holds.
The Cross-trainer shorts are exactly the same as the original Sprawl shorts, but there is now a slit going up about a third of the way up the thigh. Both shorts are very well made and will hold up to anything you could put them through. Because they don’t cling to you they don’t ride up and don’t soak up sweat either. Best of all you don’t have to worry about anyone outside your club wondering what you’re doing in just your underwear. The originals will hold up to serious kickboxing sessions, but because I have long legs and like to throw plenty of high kicks, I prefer the cross-trainers just for peace of mind.
Who are they for?
These will suit any martial artist, any style. But they really are a must have for any serious grappler or mixed-martial artist. I would recommend cross-trainers if you’re more of a striker, originals if you’re more of a grappler.
Customer service: Quick replies, fast delivery and friendly service 5/5.
Appearance: Less is more 5/5.
Quality: With the addition of the Magnum seam 5/5.
Value for money: A bit pricier than others on the market, but these are built to last 4/5.
Overall: Innovative and very effective 5/5.
The Sprawl Top
Whilst many companies have now followed suit and brought out their own modified board shorts, Sprawl are the first people to tackle the problem of the grappling top. Many of you are probably wondering what I’m talking about: what grappling top problem? The rash guard is the undisputed king of grappling tops, well having managed to get my hands on the new Sprawl top, I reckon that is all about to change.
At first glance the Sprawl top appears to be simply a loose-fitting rash guard, like a t-shirt. However the blend of materials is somewhat different, giving Sprawl tops more give and stretch than the average rash guard. Like the shorts they are very well made and every seam is heavily reinforced to prevent any tears. They feel light and comfortable to wear, because they don’t cling to your skin they don’t soak up as much sweat and generally feel much more comfortable for those long grappling sessions, and at the end of it they are much easier to take off. I preferred to wear a rash guard for grappling but a t-shirt for striking, now I have something that works out great for both.
 At the end of the day your decision to wear tight or loose fitting shorts and tops is just going to come down to personal preference. But until now the only alternative to tight-fitting rash guards was t-shirts, which are prone to getting torn. Although Sprawl tops are easier to grab than rash guards, they are tough enough that I don’t see your partner tearing them accidentally. If you’re really happy with your rash guards I wouldn’t say you have to run out and get one of these, but it’s about time there was a decent alternative available.
Who are they for?
Again these would suit any martial artist, or anyone looking for a hardwearing t-shirt for training. Although I am not going to bin my old rash guards just yet, I’m wearing Sprawl tops more and more when I train.
Customer service: See above 5/5.
Appearance: Only 2 colors and one design but still cool 3.5/5.
Quality: Comfortable and built to last 5/5.
Value for money: The same price as most rash guards and the only product of its kind 5/5.
Overall: Another great innovation from Sprawl 5/5.
Sprawl have just released a new limited edition “Backlash” design of the Original Sprawl shorts. Check out www.sprawl.tv for details.
* Article by Simon Rogg.
* Back to This Issue's Frontpage
|
|
|
