Finally got to try out my new Gi today, and I really enjoyed it! I had mentioned in a previous post that my Koral MKM seemed to feel like cardboard for the first 30 min of class. Well, the Padilla felt the same way BECAUSE I don’t run them through the dryer.

To compare the Koral MKM to the  Padilla Competition Light:

  1. Both Gi tops are great! The Koral is a bit heavier than the Padilla, but really isn’t that noticeable.
  2. The collar on the Koral is a lot stiffer than on the Padilla, so it feels like it presses into my neck a bit which did make the Padilla feel a bit more comfortable.
  3. Arm length on both the Koral and Padilla is perfect for me.
  4. The Koral A3 is an A4 in the Padilla.
  5. The pant material for both the Koral and the Padilla is the same.  The length on both is perfect for me.  The BIG difference is in how they wear.  With my Koral, occasionally it feels like my pants are giving a little plumber crack.  The Padilla pants never gave me this feeling ever.  I attribute this to the rope used as a draw string.  It has a bit of an elastic quality to it that I think helps keep the right amount of snug.   The Koral belt loops are a bit wider spaced that on the Padilla.  This keeps the draw string from riding up on your sides on the Koral.  The Padilla draw rope rides up on your sides slightly.  Not very noticeable though.

All in all, I am very happy with both of my Kimonos.  With the Padilla being almost $100 cheaper than the Koral, I’ll be a bit hard pressed to go that high again when I can get almost the same Gi for less.  I am still a fan of Koral though.

Only thing I’d like to see on the Padilla are a few patches.  I totally dig patches!