Gear Musings, and Why Bull Terrier Shorts Suck

I’ve made two trips to the American Casual store since picking up the Killer Bee shirt, and come away empty-handed both times. The first time, at least, I ran into Amazon there, which got me a shoutout on his blog, along with a somewhat disapproving “So, you think that the martial-arts t-shirt stuff is cool, huh?” Today’s trip didn’t even give me that, though – saw a neat Reversal RVDDW orange t-shirt with a funky picture of a hamburger stuffed with black belts and a caption that said Vale Tudo, but it wasn’t my size. Broke my heart, too – it was only 800 yen. Alas.

I wish MMA wasn’t such a white bread sport. Then maybe we’d see clothing designs that don’t have gothic motifs. Only white people wear that stuff. Yuck. Stupid Affliction.

There are three reasons I’m hating on the Bull Terrier combat shorts, which I’m wearing in this picture:

One: they cost fifty bucks, and those flames are damn ugly. My instructor said it’s cheaper than other combat shorts (Reversal, Inspirit, etc. cost about $75) because the guy who owns the Bull Terrier shop designed them himself instead of hiring a designer to do it. Fifty bucks could have gotten me a pair of Sprawls if I was in the US. Stupid Japan and its stupid gear prices.

Two: they ended up being a waste of money because I didn’t end up competing in the tournament I bought them for, since no one else entered in my weight class. I guess that’s not the shorts’ fault, but still. Grrrr.

Three: the flame print started deteriorating after two rounds in the washing machine. Seriously, that’s some shoddy work.

Yeah, I guess it doesn’t really matter what my shorts look like when my thighs are wrapped around the necks of sweaty men, but come on. That was fifty bucks. Shame, Bull Terrier. I’m saving my money for some Korals or Sprawls when I get back home.

I suppose there is a plus side – they’re soft and comfortable, though I find myself having to readjust them rather frequently while rolling because the pant leg can bunch up on the mats. So they’re not too bad. Just overpriced.

pat m.