Bauer-curious

[froese]

As a former longtime Vaughn but more recently CCM and True user, I've never used any Bauer gear besides skates/masks/chest etc., but the release of the Shadow this year really got my juices flowing so I just ordered a full set. I went through the customizer and almost all of my preferences were the stock options, and I didn't want to wait 8-10 weeks so I just ordered retail (shudder). Plus I got 15% off which was hard to resist. 

Anyway, looking forward to scratching this itch and curious if any of the bauer superfans have any thoughts on what to expect. I tried everything on in store and it all felt pretty great, but obviously on ice will be very different. The strapping actually felt very similar to eflex 6 which is definitely a positive. 

[Smalls]

The knee being integrated into the pad is going to be the biggest difference in feel if you're a long time Vaughn user. That stiffness with the knee block integrated provides a really stable feel when down, but for people used to a super flexible knee stack it can feel clunky at first especially in the rvh and along the post. Depending on how new of a True user you are (thinking px3) those are actually way stiffer up top than my Shadow set was which I was suprised by. I tried a 12.2 set from Wedgewood that was like a floppy piece of heated cheese compared to the px3 set I tried right after. I will say of the sets I been in lately the Bauer Shadow set was the easiest to adapt to right out of the box. They really just work for me. I'm currently main'ing a CCM Axis F9 set at the moment but still the Shadows are up there for me.

Edited August 17 by Smalls

[froese]

22 minutes ago, Smalls said:

The knee being integrated into the pad is going to be the biggest difference in feel if you're a long time Vaughn user. Depending on how new of a True user you are (thinking px3) those are actually way stiffer up top than my Shadow set was. I will say of the sets I been in lately the Bauer Shadow set was the easiest to adapt to right out of the box. They really just work for me. I'm currently main'ing a CCM Axis F9 set at the moment but still the Shadows are up there for me.

Yes, px3's and I actually like the stiffness of the thigh but wished the knee block was stiffer like my eflex 6 set so it will be interesting to use the stabilislide which is way stiffer than either of those. I still love my True set, but am very interested to see if I prefer the Bauers or how they compare. And how they slide. Are you a longtime Bauer user? And how's the new Axis set?

[Smalls]

Not a long time Bauer user but I have dabbled in Ultrasonics, Hyperlite 1's and now Shadow within the last bunch of years. My Shadow set slides better than my True set but my Bauer set has just stock material on the sliding edge, and the PX3's have weave. Still the PX3 slide like poo IMO lol but I don't like an overly easy sliding pad personally.

The axis set is great for me because I was looking for something much softer than the px3 and the Bauer stuff as well as interested in trying a non pro level set since I have only been in pro level stuff for many years and honestly the performance/protection of the F9 stuff has impressed me so far. Will have to see how they hold up in time tho. Also I was able to find them cheap and in the perfect color way for me so I had to give it a go.

[froese]

Nice! I've looked at the pro version and they seemed pretty sweet so good to hear the f9's are solid as well. 

I've got weave on my px3's and I think they slide great! Variations in ice conditions etc can produce different results for people though, so it's a pretty subjective thing I guess. 

[Smalls]

Yeah for comparison my F9's with weave on the same part slide easily 4 times as easy as the PX3 with weave. But you're right a lot factors. Brian's Iconik with their slide material and Warrior G6 with slide plates were absolutely the most wild sliding of all the pads I been in. For me it was borderline out of control lol.

Edited August 17 by Smalls

[coopaloop1234]

I was Bauer-curious for a little while. My gear history was mostly Warrior prior and the G5 set I picked up was disappointing in that it was a hell of a lot softer than I was expecting so I decided to go in with an Ultrasonic legs and Mach gloves. 

@Smalls is right that the most noticeable thing you'll immediately feel on the ice is the stabilislide knee block. It takes a while to get used to the thickness and the rigidity of it, but I was a massive fan. Some people do express issues with it in RVH and post play, but if you're relatively malleable at the hips, it's a non issue. 

Mach blocker is amazing in not only rebounds, but general feel and wrist mobility. Bauer gloves are fine, just not generally my thing. 

The Shadow line will be softer than what other lines for their "stiff" pads. It is a double internal break. That being said, I found them a great middle of the road stiffness-> flex profile. Mach was great, it was just too straight without any knee flex. 

I've gone back to Warrior and am happy with my reverting of my curiosity, that being said, I'm still in the closet when it comes to the Bauer blocker. I'm always tempted to get one to match my set and shelve my G7 blocker. 

TL;DR: Bauer good and would be my go to if I didn't simp so hard for Pete Smith. 

 

[froese]

1 hour ago, coopaloop1234 said:

I was Bauer-curious for a little while. My gear history was mostly Warrior prior and the G5 set I picked up was disappointing in that it was a hell of a lot softer than I was expecting so I decided to go in with an Ultrasonic legs and Mach gloves. 

@Smalls is right that the most noticeable thing you'll immediately feel on the ice is the stabilislide knee block. It takes a while to get used to the thickness and the rigidity of it, but I was a massive fan. Some people do express issues with it in RVH and post play, but if you're relatively malleable at the hips, it's a non issue. 

Mach blocker is amazing in not only rebounds, but general feel and wrist mobility. Bauer gloves are fine, just not generally my thing. 

The Shadow line will be softer than what other lines for their "stiff" pads. It is a double internal break. That being said, I found them a great middle of the road stiffness-> flex profile. Mach was great, it was just too straight without any knee flex. 

I've gone back to Warrior and am happy with my reverting of my curiosity, that being said, I'm still in the closet when it comes to the Bauer blocker. I'm always tempted to get one to match my set and shelve my G7 blocker. 

TL;DR: Bauer good and would be my go to if I didn't simp so hard for Pete Smith. 

 

Eflex 6 - liked the rigid knee block but felt it wasn't matched by the stiffness of the pad. 

Px3s - like the stiff thigh rise, love the rigidity of the sliding surface, apart from the knee block itself which I wish was stiffer. 

Bauers - hoping the sum total of the one piece knee block and relative stiffness of the pad hits the sweet spot.

To be fair though, I really am knit picking with the Trues. I was out on the ice for the first time last night heading into the season and I do love them. The prospect of being in an open relationship with two sets of gear stresses me out so we'll see what happens, haha. Sounds like Warrior is your ex that you just can't quit.

[xmikex32]

I used to hate the idea of Bauer gear. To me it always looked cheap and kiddy/ plastic like. I wore rbk 9k's and a couple iterations of simmons. I found the simmons to be too soft and slid like crap. I wanted to try something stiffer so went with warrior G5's and liked them, I could actual push and slide and rebounds didn't die a foot out in front of me. 

on a wild decision I got a pair of Bauer M5's and I love them. I don't have the widest BF but the stiffer pad has a better closure than any of my other pads I've used. The sliding and rebounds are great! I've cleared rebounds out of the zone and shot them into the boards near the blue line. kind of sucks because I love the pads and of course Bauer discontinued their supreme senior line pads and i wanted a black set. I did order a custom set of x5's so i will see how the vapor pads measure up towards the supreme line.

so far the Bauer's have better slide, seal, stability, rebounds, and feel than any other pads I've used. I really like the stiffer knee block, I tried the warriors right before i sold them and hated the squishiness of the knee block when dropping down. 

[froese]

17 minutes ago, xmikex32 said:

I used to hate the idea of Bauer gear. To me it always looked cheap and kiddy/ plastic like.

Yup this has always been my hang-up too. I'm still cringing a little at the thought of it, but in the end if they're great pads I should probably get over that. 

[coopaloop1234]

49 minutes ago, froese said:

Eflex 6 - liked the rigid knee block but felt it wasn't matched by the stiffness of the pad. 

Px3s - like the stiff thigh rise, love the rigidity of the sliding surface, apart from the knee block itself which I wish was stiffer. 

Bauers - hoping the sum total of the one piece knee block and relative stiffness of the pad hits the sweet spot.

To be fair though, I really am knit picking with the Trues. I was out on the ice for the first time last night heading into the season and I do love them. The prospect of being in an open relationship with two sets of gear stresses me out so we'll see what happens, 

I think you'll be happy with Bauer then. They do make good gear and the quality concerns are mostly overblown, especially if you're just a beer leaguer. 

My Ultrasonics were in great shape after 1.5 years of 2 times on the ice at medium/high level beer league. Only mild wear on the toe binding. 

Quote

haha. Sounds like Warrior is your ex that you just can't quit.

The best toxic relationship I've ever had. Helps that their current iterations pretty much dealt with the reasons why I left. 

Honestly, it's the catcher that's been the main stay for Warrior gear. Was the reason I got into them with the GT line, and despite last summer using a myriad of other gloves (Hyperlite, 2S, Ultrasonc, Mach), I just couldn't live without my Warrior. 

 

 

Edited August 19 by coopaloop1234

[froese]

38 minutes ago, coopaloop1234 said:

I think you'll be happy with Bauer then. They do make good gear and the quality concerns are mostly overblown, especially if you're just a beer leaguer. 

My Ultrasonics were in great shape after 1.5 years of 2 times on the ice at medium/high level beer league. Only mild wear on the toe binding. 

The best toxic relationship I've ever had. Helps that their current iterations pretty much dealt with the reasons why I left. 

Honestly, it's the catcher that's been the main stay for Warrior gear. Was the reason I got into them with the GT line, and despite last summer using a myriad of other gloves (Hyperlite, 2S, Ultrasonc, Mach), I just couldn't live without my Warrior. 

 

 

Yeah the whole quality concerns conversation never really bothered me or seemed legit (apart from anyone here who has had actual problems!).

And it's always good when you settle on what you're most comfortable with - sometimes it just takes trying out some other gear to confirm what you think you already know. 

And for me I'm coming from a place of liking my existing set so either I stick with that, or I'm blown away by something even better. Win Win! (Except for my wallet which will take a hit )

[keeperton]

I view Bauer gear as something I'd wear if I wasn't paying for gear. It's not so much the quality concern, but more that as a lay consumer I'm paying the premium price for gear made entirely overseas. I feel the same way about a few other brands, except I actually think the Bauer gear is good/would work for me (I am not feeling any of what CCM has released since, especially on the consumer side, for a long time, and Warrior designs don't totally fit my desires while I like their product).

 

I got to fuss with some Shadow equipment at the local shop yesterday: the glove is great and probably the best of theirs in terms of feel off the shelf that I've experienced. The pads have the usual Bauer "spring" stiffness and felt totally fine, and the blocker was pretty plush and I get why people love the Supreme blockers. I still don't want to pay the same price for something made in Thailand as Ontario, Michigan, or Quebec though.

[coopaloop1234]

11 minutes ago, keeperton said:

 I still don't want to pay the same price for something made in Thailand as Ontario, Michigan, or Quebec though.

I'm going to be a semantic asshole and say you're technically not paying the same price.  

Bauer is $200-$300 CAD cheaper than any domestic made brand. Hell, cheaper than True's overseas model somehow. 

 

[froese]

6 hours ago, keeperton said:

I view Bauer gear as something I'd wear if I wasn't paying for gear. It's not so much the quality concern, but more that as a lay consumer I'm paying the premium price for gear made entirely overseas. I feel the same way about a few other brands, except I actually think the Bauer gear is good/would work for me (I am not feeling any of what CCM has released since, especially on the consumer side, for a long time, and Warrior designs don't totally fit my desires while I like their product).

 

I got to fuss with some Shadow equipment at the local shop yesterday: the glove is great and probably the best of theirs in terms of feel off the shelf that I've experienced. The pads have the usual Bauer "spring" stiffness and felt totally fine, and the blocker was pretty plush and I get why people love the Supreme blockers. I still don't want to pay the same price for something made in Thailand as Ontario, Michigan, or Quebec though.

In my experience this is kind of a non issue. I've owned lots of gear made in Canada over the years, including my px3 set, but my over seas l20.2 gloves, and my eflex 6 pads are/were absolutely fine in terms of quality. And as @coopaloop1234 points out you are actually paying a bit less. 

[IpaddyTECH]

10 hours ago, xmikex32 said:

I did order a custom set of x5's so i will see how the vapor pads measure up towards the supreme line.

Please give a little comparison post when you get a chance. I've been eying the M5's for a while but to my own surprise I'm kind of leaning towards the X5's lately. Hopefully you find them as good or better than the M5's.

[keeperton]

10 hours ago, coopaloop1234 said:

I'm going to be a semantic asshole and say you're technically not paying the same price.  

Bauer is $200-$300 CAD cheaper than any domestic made brand. Hell, cheaper than True's overseas model somehow. 

 

4 hours ago, froese said:

In my experience this is kind of a non issue. I've owned lots of gear made in Canada over the years, including my px3 set, but my over seas l20.2 gloves, and my eflex 6 pads are/were absolutely fine in terms of quality. And as @coopaloop1234 points out you are actually paying a bit less. 

I'm talking about top end gear. On Pure Hockey a full custom set of Shadow is about $3100 USD and a full custom set of PX3s is $3200 USD. The Bauer equipment is made in Thailand and the PX3s are made in Quebec. There's no way the labor is only $100 cheaper there in that case. It boils down to: I give a shit how much these people in these factories are getting paid and/or treated. I worked in manufacturing for nearly a decade and it can be brutal, and I didn't even work with these kinds of materials. We had tons of suppliers that specifically juggled things around to make their labor cheaper by going from one site to another (clue in: it's not cheapest in China anymore, at least not for everything). If Bauer is paying their Thai employees what they would be getting paid in North America, then they'd get a pass from me, but I really rather doubt that is the case and instead the cost is being passed on as if it were manufactured there so the profit margin can be higher (since Bauer is owned by a private equity company). I care about the ethics within the manufacturing because something speaks as shifty to me in this regard (as does the constant juggling between named/branded material suppliers and how they seem to change material types for no reason other than to add a name on the marketing document). 

I am taking issue with that pricing scheme. I'll take issue with True's as well, it's stupid. The only "at least" I get from it is that I can get the domestic in one brand and not the other.

Again, the pads are fine (I won't talk about durability, I have no experience with that other than one of my cohorts has a set of pro return Ultrasonics that are holding up fine after a few years), I rather liked the gloves in my 10 minutes messing with them on my hands (except for the finish on the the pocket lacing poking into my fingers, something easily fixed). The feel, especially off the shelf, is probably the best I've experienced of a Bauer product.

Edited August 20 by keeperton

[xmikex32]

7 hours ago, IpaddyTECH said:

Please give a little comparison post when you get a chance. I've been eying the M5's for a while but to my own surprise I'm kind of leaning towards the X5's lately. Hopefully you find them as good or better than the M5's.

Will do, i really wish bauer continued their senior level supreme line but i guess it didn't do too hot in sales and realistically I see way more kids/adults in vapor pads than I do in supreme pads and when they are in supreme pads they are usually mach. I found a pad that i really like and it gets yanked...I was going to pick up a black set but it seems like everyone had the same idea and i cant find medium black pads.

[coopaloop1234]

6 hours ago, keeperton said:

I'm talking about top end gear. On Pure Hockey a full custom set of Shadow is about $3100 USD and a full custom set of PX3s is $3200 USD.

Shadow, Iconix, PX3. Prices taken from the Hockey Shop. 

I don't disagree with anything you're saying. It's very evident why gear is being made over seas and the only people that benefit are the companies and not the consumers. 

But a 12% difference in cost for already heavily inflated costs of these goods can be a deal breaker for some. 

 

 

Edited August 20 by coopaloop1234

[Chenner29]

7 hours ago, keeperton said:

I'm talking about top end gear. On Pure Hockey a full custom set of Shadow is about $3100 USD and a full custom set of PX3s is $3200 USD. The Bauer equipment is made in Thailand and the PX3s are made in Quebec. There's no way the labor is only $100 cheaper there in that case. It boils down to: I give a shit how much these people in these factories are getting paid and/or treated. I worked in manufacturing for nearly a decade and it can be brutal, and I didn't even work with these kinds of materials. We had tons of suppliers that specifically juggled things around to make their labor cheaper by going from one site to another (clue in: it's not cheapest in China anymore, at least not for everything). If Bauer is paying their Thai employees what they would be getting paid in North America, then they'd get a pass from me, but I really rather doubt that is the case and instead the cost is being passed on as if it were manufactured there so the profit margin can be higher (since Bauer is owned by a private equity company). I care about the ethics within the manufacturing because something speaks as shifty to me in this regard (as does the constant juggling between named/branded material suppliers and how they seem to change material types for no reason other than to add a name on the marketing document). 

I am taking issue with that pricing scheme. I'll take issue with True's as well, it's stupid. The only "at least" I get from it is that I can get the domestic in one brand and not the other.

Again, the pads are fine (I won't talk about durability, I have no experience with that other than one of my cohorts has a set of pro return Ultrasonics that are holding up fine after a few years), I rather liked the gloves in my 10 minutes messing with them on my hands (except for the finish on the the pocket lacing poking into my fingers, something easily fixed). The feel, especially off the shelf, is probably the best I've experienced of a Bauer product.

49 minutes ago, coopaloop1234 said:

Shadow, Iconix, PX3. Prices taken from the Hockey Shop. 

I don't disagree with anything you're saying. It's very evident why gear is being made over seas and the only people that benefit are the companies and not the consumers. 

But a 12% difference in cost for already heavily inflated costs of these goods can be a deal breaker for some.

I haven't seen any retail cost sheets recently to get an idea of retail markup, but I imagine that has not changed much.

I have no idea on manufacturer margins, but EPP costs may shed some light:

EPP pricing when I was working retail (and gear was being made domestically), a full set would set me back around $1300-1400.  Retail at that time was around $2600. It was stated we were getting anywhere from 30-40% off retail cost - so the manufacturer was still making money.

18 years later, EPP pricing *on non-domestic made gear* lands around $1000-1200, let's call the retail mean $3700. Inflation has gone up ~55% in that span and EPP cost of gear went down about 15%.

 

 

[IpaddyTECH]

Anybody see this? https://www.thehockeyshop.com/products/bauer-reactor-r5-pro-senior-goalie-leg-pads

At first glance it looked like a new senior level pad. But it's pretty much an X5.

[coopaloop1234]

1 hour ago, IpaddyTECH said:

Anybody see this? https://www.thehockeyshop.com/products/bauer-reactor-r5-pro-senior-goalie-leg-pads

At first glance it looked like a new senior level pad. But it's pretty much an X5.

It's the X5 lines with a fresh coat of paint. 

Source for Sports was able to swing it due to their buying power, but it's the same senior pad. 

[Lucky Pucker]

On 8/17/2024 at 5:33 PM, froese said:

As a former longtime Vaughn but more recently CCM and True user, I've never used any Bauer gear besides skates/masks/chest etc., but the release of the Shadow this year really got my juices flowing so I just ordered a full set. I went through the customizer and almost all of my preferences were the stock options, and I didn't want to wait 8-10 weeks so I just ordered retail (shudder). Plus I got 15% off which was hard to resist. 

Anyway, looking forward to scratching this itch and curious if any of the bauer superfans have any thoughts on what to expect. I tried everything on in store and it all felt pretty great, but obviously on ice will be very different. The strapping actually felt very similar to eflex 6 which is definitely a positive. 

Just wanted to say that I loved the subtle cleverness of the thread title - Bauer Curious. Brilliant, @froese!

We now return you to your beer league puck stopper pontificating.

[froese]

Haha thank you! It was almost too much of a stretch to be effective but I appreciate your keen eye

[Madmedic6]

On 8/21/2024 at 12:23 AM, IpaddyTECH said:

Anybody see this? https://www.thehockeyshop.com/products/bauer-reactor-r5-pro-senior-goalie-leg-pads

At first glance it looked like a new senior level pad. But it's pretty much an X5.

We received a set at these at the store I work at. They are decent.