Brian’s Optik Blocker Thumb Padding Piece

[Jonathon v]

Hey all just want to get thoughts on peoples experiences  with the optik blocker with that little air cushion that you can put on the thumb. I am full right so when I did a demo on the blocker I had it for about a month without needing to return it and it didn’t have an air pillow so I was used to not having one. Got my blocker today and used it on the ice and felt a little harder to move with the air pillow on. Also it fell off halfway through practice and I pushed it in the net, it feels good without it on. Only thing is the optik sidewall isn’t good and a decent there without the air pillow hurts. Anyone else feel the same?

[Md30]

I felt like the pillow caused me to hold my stick at about a 30 degree angle. I removed it and it was better. Now i have moved it back as far as it can go and it seems better.

[TresPasser]

I am also full right and it took a few skates to get used to the blocker and air pillow. Currently I don't even notice it anymore and I can hold and use my stick without problems.

[bunnyman666]

So much of the pillow’s function will become unnoticed once the blocker breaks in. Of course the thumb shell and sideboard will protect your hand without the pillow; the pillow makes the odd contact in that spot tolerable.

[Puckstopper]

It only took me a couple skates to get used to it on mine, now it's a non-factor.   I'd see if you can get used to it for a few hours on the ice before giving up on it.

[Teezle]

I take the pillow out of all of my blockers, but they've all had substantial sidewalls for protection.

[Jonathon v]

1 hour ago, Puckstopper said:

It only took me a couple skates to get used to it on mine, now it's a non-factor.   I'd see if you can get used to it for a few hours on the ice before giving up on it.

Well i was wondering if its like sacrificing a little bit of performance for protection... i'm not sure if it is because I'm not used to it, but i feel when the air pillow was not on the blocker I had a tiny bit better blocker, and when the pillow was on i could feel it pushing against me hand and it felt like I couldn't move my hand AS well as without the air pillow. Will it always be slightly easier to play without the pillow, or is it like breaking in new gear

[Puckstopper]

Very much like breaking in new gear.   Like I said, after a couple skates I didn't even think about it anymore, and it does help keep the blocker sidewall squared up so I'd give it a try and see if you can adjust to it. 

[TheGoalNet]

9 hours ago, Jonathon v said:

Hey all just want to get thoughts on peoples experiences  with the optik blocker with that little air cushion that you can put on the thumb. I am full right so when I did a demo on the blocker I had it for about a month without needing to return it and it didn’t have an air pillow so I was used to not having one. Got my blocker today and used it on the ice and felt a little harder to move with the air pillow on. Also it fell off halfway through practice and I pushed it in the net, it feels good without it on. Only thing is the optik sidewall isn’t good and a decent there without the air pillow hurts. Anyone else feel the same?

It weighs nothing and adds padding. I am surprised this is something you'd want to take out. I never had an issue with mine falling out. You can move it up or down on the velcro if it's not in the right spot.