Introduction
Venum produces a large variety of fight wear with very colourful designs, and most notably has a dazzling array of fight shorts. One of the reasons why I took so long to getting a pair of these was simply because I could not decide on one! From understated to flashy, you'll be spoilt for choice. The Fury shorts are another of their eye-catching designs.
Official Specs:
- Glossy Microfiber (High Quality)
- Ultra lightweight
- Very Resistant
- One-way horizontal and vertical velcro enclosure with external drawstring for a smooth fit
- FleX (FX) Lycra Panel Inside for unrestricted movement.
Aesthetics
A picture says a thousand words, and for these pair of shorts, I'll let the photos do most of the talking. It's a striking combination of black with splashes of red and white in the front, and splashes of gray and beige stripes on white behind. The words Venum and the Brazilian snake logo are printed on the front left and right respectively, making for an awesome looking fight shorts.
If this pair of shorts is not your cup of tea, there are quite a number of other shorts in this series, as well as from the older and newer series. It's not always clear what separates the different series since Venum does not differentiate between most of its fight shorts, so you might have to keep an eye based on when their are released. Some of the older shorts may feature slightly different cuts and technology.
Based on release timeline, I estimate that Edge, Jaws, Outlaw, Venturi, Tiger, Phantom, Blade and Undisputed are part of the same series as Fury. That gives plenty of colours and designs for you to choose from. I'd suggest Blade for the clean yet stylish look, or the Venturi for some red accents without the chaotic splash of the Fury.
Form & Fit
The smallest size for Venum is XS (30), and goes up from there. This can be a slight concern if you're small waisted at 28 like me, especially since the shorts do not have an elastic waistband, and rely solely on the velcro strap and a drawstring for tightening.
When worn, the shorts hang somewhat loosely off my hip, and tightening the drawstring alone is insufficient to make it snug enough for my liking. I have to adjust the horizontal velcro strap nearly an inch past the velcro hook patch before all fits good. While it's no big deal since that's the purpose of the velcro strap anyway, this is the only pair of shorts that I have to do so, and I don't fancy the slight protrusion of the excess strap.
However, with no elastic waistband, there's no constriction around the waist, so it makes for quite a comfortable pair of shorts. The material really is ultralight, and most of the time you won't notice it at all! The shorts is a little long for my taste though, reaching up to my knees.
Functionality
The first thing you'll notice wearing the shorts in training is how light it is. Among all my shorts, this one feels the lightest. Even when running or kicking, I hardly feel the weight of the pants, and allows me to overlook the fact that the shorts are flapping a little on my knees.
While the material is not elastic and doesn't stretch one bit, it is very soft and flexible, which still allows for a wide range of movement and mobillity. The split seams at the side are cut quite high, and there's a lycra stretch panel at the crotch for more freedom of movement. Do note that some of the older Venum models lack this lycra panel.
The other thing to note is that lacking a waistband and any grippy material like the Hayabusa or newer Sprawl shorts, this pair of shorts will shift during training. While not really noticeable during stand-up, it has a tendency to ride up slightly during submission grappling, especially when playing off my back. However, I think this is only because it's slightly loose on my frame, and guys with bigger waistlines should not face this problem.
Construction of this pair of shorts seem pretty tough. No signs of wear and the vibrant designs are still looking brand new!
Affordability
The official Venum site does not feature any prices for its gear, and the last time I checked, it was a pain to load, so don't bother. The price from most US retailers hover around US $59.95 (SGD $78) without shipping and is about there when compared with other fight shorts.
They are also available locally for SGD $98 from Knockout Gear, making this pair of shorts very accessible for those living in Singapore. You can try out the shorts at their physical location to find the best sizing, and not have to worry about shipping woes. Those in the region can also contact them to enquire about shipping, as I believe they ship out to some of the neighbouring countries.
Conclusion
The Venum shorts are a pair of kick-ass shorts that not only look great but feel great. With the price point on par with most other fight shorts and being more accessible in certain parts of SEA, this is definitely worth considering..
Disclaimer
All comments in the review are my own personal opinion. Prices provided in brackets are merely for reference and are based on exchange rates at the time of writing.
If you like this review and found it helpful, please post a comment or let the company or retailer know too. Should you decide to purchase them online, you might want to consult the online buying guide for advice.
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