Brown pants

[saitagoalie]

So, I already own a Brown c/a and I am very happy with it. So for next season I'll order pants as well. 

It's pretty easy to find information on the chest protectors, but I haven't really seen that many reviews of the pants.

I'm not sure yet which model I should go with and I plan to get a recommendation from Brown.. But those of you with Brown pants, which model did you go with? What would you change if you were to order again? Are you happy with your purchase?

Thanks!  

[Sebx]

I bought the 2300 2 years ago, mainly because Brown is the only one to offer the high waist. The wait time was only 1 week, which is still the same actually I think. 

The quality is excellent, only high level materials, as expected from John Brown. They are also comfortable, move well the first game, protection is pro level. 

The only downside I can see is the weight, they are cleary heavier than any other pants due to the used of plastic where the others companies use foam. However, It's not a deal breaker to me, you can't really remark the difference when playing.

[WillyGrips13]

I have 2000PN model pants I got around ‘06. 

I wore them regularly until 2010 when I switched to Vaughn 8800 Epics. I switched back to these regularly a few years ago. I have the Brown suspenders on them, too. 

I like them. They have better tailbone protection than most pants. They hold my cup in place better than my Vaughn pants, which is helpful because the elastic from the cup waistband is shot. 

Protection is great with them as with most things Brown. They may be heavier and warmer than other manufacturer’s pants. 

I removed the inner thigh five-hole bars because they made closing my five-hole below the pant line difficult. There are pads there anyway that are sufficient.

I’ve had plenty of sewing work done on these over the years. They still function properly and protect well. 
If I order Brown pants in the future, I’d get the model with the flaps above the thigh caps. Not sure if I’d get the inner belt. Brown will make a custom pair of pants for you with whatever mix of features you want. Also it will be custom measured to you and whatever color combination you want. His current models have some updated features compared to mine, including the hip flaps and inner belt I mentioned, an outer belt that is protected by padding and a cutout on the back bottom of the hamstring area. 

Check out the Brown facebook page and Instagram page. A lot of great examples of all their gear. More variety than shown on their website.

[saitagoalie]

14 hours ago, Sebx said:

I bought the 2300 2 years ago, mainly because Brown is the only one to offer the high waist. The wait time was only 1 week, which is still the same I think. 

The quality is excellent, only high level materials, as expected from John Brown. They are also comfortable, move well the first game, protection is pro level. 

The only downside I can see is the weight, they are cleary heavier than any other pants due to the used of plastic where the others companies use foam. However, It's not a deal breaker to me, you can't really remark the difference when playing.

Thanks for the reply. Is there a reason why you went with the high waist? That's something I've been trying to decide; high waist or low waist.

[Sebx]

Only because I tuck my C/A in the pants, the C/A don't go out as easily. And probably a bit of habit.

[saitagoalie]

Just now, Sebx said:

Only because I tuck my C/A in the pants, the C/A don't go out as easily. And probably a bit of habit.

I tuck in my c/a as well, that's why I think the high waist would be nice. But in my stance I also bend a lot at my waist.. and I'm afraid that the high waist on the pants will get in the way. But I'll ask Brown for his opinion once I make my order.

[saitagoalie]

15 hours ago, WillyGrips13 said:

I have 2000PN model pants I got around ‘06. 

I wore them regularly until 2010 when I switched to Vaughn 8800 Epics. I switched back to these regularly a few years ago. I have the Brown suspenders on them, too. 

I like them. They have better tailbone protection than most pants. They hold my cup in place better than my Vaughn pants, which is helpful because the elastic from the cup waistband is shot. 

Protection is great with them as with most things Brown. They may be heavier and warmer than other manufacturer’s pants. 

I removed the inner thigh five-hole bars because they made closing my five-hole below the pant line difficult. There are pads there anyway that are sufficient.

I’ve had plenty of sewing work done on these over the years. They still function properly and protect well. 
If I order Brown pants in the future, I’d get the model with the flaps above the thigh caps. Not sure if I’d get the inner belt. Brown will make a custom pair of pants for you with whatever mix of features you want. Also it will be custom measured to you and whatever color combination you want. His current models have some updated features compared to mine, including the hip flaps and inner belt I mentioned, an outer belt that is protected by padding and a cutout on the back bottom of the hamstring area. 

Check out the Brown facebook page and Instagram page. A lot of great examples of all their gear. More variety than shown on their website.

Thanks for the pictures! Now I am assured that I'll get many years out of my future Brown pants haha

Right now I think I'll go with the 2400 model because of the slightly modernized design and the thigh flaps and. I find that area is not so well protected with most pants. Also I'm not sure if I'll like the inner belt, I think I've once had pants with it but ended up removing the belt. Doesn't look like it is too dfficult to remove it if I end up ordering the pants with the inner belt to try it out.

I'll check their FB and Insta for more ideas.

[Sebx]

2 hours ago, saitagoalie said:

I tuck in my c/a as well, that's why I think the high waist would be nice. But in my stance I also bend a lot at my waist.. and I'm afraid that the high waist on the pants will get in the way. But I'll ask Brown for his opinion once I make my order.

The front is made of soft foam, it's not a problem, I also have a low stance when I try to find the puck in the traffic.

[Sebx]

17 hours ago, WillyGrips13 said:

If I order Brown pants in the future, I’d get the model with the flaps above the thigh caps. 

Me too, the protection is not as good on the 2000/2300 and the puck can hurt sometimes, not much but still, it can be evitate.

[Snowman30]

 They are a mix of the 2400 and 2300 pants. Am on my second pair, 1st was straight 2300. Right now am looking at ordering my 3rd set of pants and want to get the 2300/2400 mix again but in the new NHL specs. Spoke with John yesterday about that, just need to sit down and do some measurements for him and ask a couple of questions about some options.

The one thing even with the thigh flaps, your not going to get the same thickness of the big brands. I took a shot to show how thin it is. Now unless John changed it since I got these 8 years ago its still the same. The thigh flats that I got on there 1st I had to have John remove them as they where really long and interfered with the tops of my pads when crouched down. Also with the 2300 pants you have a full cordura front pants and regular nylon on the back, interms of durability I like it alot. Now the legs on mine I had John also take them in, these things were really wide when I got them. That's why you see the seems on the back of the legs. Honestly I wanted to try Optik2 pants but am worried about the fit as Brown has been my go to pants for long time and I know the fit is very good. Price wise they are actually cheaper then Brian's too. Any questions i will try my best to help you

[saitagoalie]

6 hours ago, Snowman30 said:

 They are a mix of the 2400 and 2300 pants. Am on my second pair, 1st was straight 2300. Right now am looking at ordering my 3rd set of pants and want to get the 2300/2400 mix again but in the new NHL specs. Spoke with John yesterday about that, just need to sit down and do some measurements for him and ask a couple of questions about some options.

The one thing even with the thigh flaps, your not going to get the same thickness of the big brands. I took a shot to show how thin it is. Now unless John changed it since I got these 8 years ago its still the same. The thigh flats that I got on there 1st I had to have John remove them as they where really long and interfered with the tops of my pads when crouched down. Also with the 2300 pants you have a full cordura front pants and regular nylon on the back, interms of durability I like it alot. Now the legs on mine I had John also take them in, these things were really wide when I got them. That's why you see the seems on the back of the legs. Honestly I wanted to try Optik2 pants but am worried about the fit as Brown has been my go to pants for long time and I know the fit is very good. Price wise they are actually cheaper then Brian's too. Any questions i will try my best to help you

2400/2300 mix sounds interesting. Please post full specs of your order once you've completed it.

The cordura front is something I also want, I'm sure it improves durability a lot. I actually hadn't noticed that difference between the 2400 and 2300.

What I'm planning to order now: 2300 model - with thigh wings from the 2400 (even though they look pretty thin..) or 2400 model with cordura front. I'm not sure if I care about the internal belt and high back collar piece on the 2400 model so going with the 2300 seems like a better idea. Also, I don't want my pants too bulky. Seems like 2400 would be bulkier.

Anyways, now I have some ideas and know what to ask from John. Thanks all of you. Is he still building gear as usual, or has he closed up the shop due to corona? Not that it really matters, I know I am not playing until August for sure.