Modern Flow / Kataaro / Meerkatsu Collaboration BJJ Belt Review
I've had my blue belt for exactly one month today, and I felt that it was fitting to do a review of my belt. There is a countless number of brands out there that all make belts, and when it comes time to start shopping there simply isn't any way to try before you buy. Of course, when you get promoted, your professor will wrap a belt around your waist, and many will simply stick with that belt until it falls off. It is common however, for the belt you receive to be cheap, the wrong size, or even a borrowed belt from someone else in the gym. Whatever the reason, many start shopping for belts. When I started shopping for my Blue Belt, I was inundated with all the different brands and I had NO idea which brand to go with. I knew the brand I had worn for my White Belt (Koral), but I had more motivation to find a belt that would truly last a lifetime. I want to be able to pass my belt on to my kids when they get their first Blue Belt. Hundreds of years ago, a father would pass on his sword. Well, needless to say, I don't have a sword to pass on to my kids, the closest thing I have, is my BJJ Belt. Now, on to the review of this Belt.
This belt is a collaborative effort between three completely separate entities. The idea for the belt came from Modern Flow. A US based company that specializes in BJJ gear. They have a selection of various items for sale, but wanted to offer quality belts to their customers. The belt's craftsmanship comes from another US based company, Kataaro. And the embroidery on the belt was designed by a UK based artist known simply as Meerkatsu.
Craftsmanship
This, as I mentioned before, was paramount in my search for a belt. I needed to know that I would be buying a belt that would last not only until I earn my Purple Belt, but would survive several more years worth of training when my children each get their turn at wearing a Blue Belt if they decide to stick with BJJ. Here I think I hit gold. This belt looks and feels like quality craftsmanship. You will see in the pictures below that the stitching is evenly spaced, the stitching is straight, and the there are no flaws in any of the craftsmanship.
The embroidery was a concern of mine when I first ordered this belt. I really like Meerkatsu's artwork, and the series that he did for Modern Flow (chess pieces) is especially meaningful to my son and I. I was concerned however that the embroidery was just going to easily come off the belt after treating it rough, as is the way of the Jiu Jitsuka. After seeing the belt however, I saw the the embroidery was not simply an embroidered patch sewn on to the belt, but actually embroidered through the belt in a very precise fashion. The stitching on the embroidery may eventually wear and burst, but I think that this will not happen for years and years without deliberate attempts to damage the beautiful Rook that adorns the end of my belt.
Another mention to the quality of craftsmanship on this belt is the fact that the black ranking sleeve, though not sewn on with contrast stitching, is stitched to the belt itself along the same stitching lines as the rest of the belt. That is, the sleeve is not simply wrapped around the belt and tacked on, but is actually reinforced along the entire width and length of the sleeve.
Color
You should be able to see the color in the pictures below, but I find that's a brilliant royal blue. I actually took the pictures without a flash, because if I used the flash, the shine on the belt gave it a metallic look. Very cool in the picture, but not practical for this review. I think the color is perfect for current trends, but I would be fine with it being the traditional, paler blue as well. The black ranking sleeve is sewn on with black stitching, not contrast stitching.
Thickness & Width
The belt is somewhat thinner than my old belt at 0.5 cm, but in no way feels it. The belt actually has a very robust feeling to it, and is almost lacking in that there may be too little flexibility.
The width of the belt measures at a seemingly wide 4.5 cm. It is almost a full cm wider than my previous belt.
The combination of the robust inflexibility and the extreme wideness of this belt are definitely a negative while this belt is new. It has taken some work to get the belt to a point that it will even think about staying tied. I found myself tugging on the ends of the belt every chance I got during training to try to keep it tied. My previous belt never required thought after leaving the locker room. Actually, with a traditional wrap and tie, the belt is actually somewhat difficult to even wrap around the body and cross in the back. If you know other ways to tie your belt, you will quickly default to these slightly less traditional methods, as it is almost necessary to go with the wrap around method that does not include crossing the belt behind you. Since I have been wearing this belt, I have learned all the other methods of keeping the knot secure so it will not come untied.
On a positive note, the rigidity and wideness of the belt reassure me that my overall goal of finding a belt that will last was in fact successful.
Value
At $59.00 from either www.moderflowbrand.com or www.kataaro.com, this belt is hands down one of the most expensive belts on the market. Again, like most products, they are worth a little more due to the fact that they are made here in the USA by Americans. Additionally, it is nice to have the opportunity to have a quality belt customized. If you order the belt directly from Kataaro, you will have multiple embroidery options in addition to the Meerkatsu artwork. You can have a name embroidered on your belt in several different English scripts as well as kanji.
This brings me to another positive in the value of the belt. You are in fact buying a piece of functional art work when you buy this belt. I hope that the artwork will last as long as I think it will.
So is it worth the money, so far, my vote is yes. It's something that I will train in, compete in, and perhaps, if they stick with it (and I get promoted) pass on to my kids.
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