Our method
Clear picks. Open sources.
What we read, what we compare and what we can honestly say about a piece of gear.
The short version
Research you can follow.
We do not test gear in-house. Grip & Gi compares hands-on reviews from other publishers, reports from grapplers and brand specifications. The sources vary by product, and every review links to the material behind it.
A manufacturer can tell us what a jacket is made from. A reviewer can describe the fit. Neither gives us a star score of our own, so we explain who a product may suit and where the trade-offs lie.
Our approach
- Sources shown: each review links to the material it uses
- Claims attributed: brand details and reviewers' experiences are described as such
- Conflicts explained: a disagreement stays visible
- Price bands: check the retailer for the current price
- Independent choices: no free samples or paid places on a list
From research to recommendation.
Read
Start with review sites, community reports and brand information.
Compare
Look at the specifications, fit notes and trade-offs. Keep disagreements visible.
Explain
Say who a product suits, and who should look elsewhere.
Link
Show the sources so you can check the recommendation yourself.
Questions
About our reviews
Why don't you give star ratings?
Because we'd be inventing them. We don't test in-house, so a score would be a number with nothing behind it. A "Best for" label is a claim our sources support.
How often are reviews updated?
Each review shows when it was last checked. If you spot a changed specification or a discontinued product, let us know through the contact page.
Do brands pay to be included?
No. We earn a commission when you buy through some of our links, which is explained on our disclosure page. It doesn't decide what makes the list.