Intro to modern leg pads - help me decide

[BigPoppaPump]

Hi everyone,

Looking for community opinion here - I've been a Brian's guy since the early/mid 90s. From the Alite to Altramax to Zero G and now my current set Gnetik Pro from 2013, I don't have much experience in other brands except for a set of Cooper Legends once upon a time. I've been reading a lot of posts about all the new, modern styles from all brands on the forum here, and now I think I'm ready to pull the trigger on a new set. Sadly, where I live there aren't many options to see the different brands up close, let alone try on. I'm very intrigued by not only the stiffness of a modern pad, but also other changes/innovations that have come since I last bought pads.

It feels like Bauer Hyperlite/Mach would be a huge jump from what I'm currently wearing. True L12.2 might be closer in looks/feel to what I'm wearing now - but obviously more modern. I'd love to try out both sets to see if I'd like either of the brands before making a final decision on what my next custom set will be. As I'm getting on in years, my next custom set could possibly be my last one before I skate off into the sunset as a defenseman. My goal here is to buy an interim set of gear to try out on the ice to help me make the decision to either stick with Brian's, but maybe try Optik, Iconik, or Gnetik. Or maybe I'll love Bauer or True better?

I've been seeing HL pads on Sideline Swap for anywhere from $700 - $1400. I've also seen some Ultrasonic pads from $200 - $700. Obviously, the cheaper Ultrasonics would be easier to justify buying to try them out. Is the jump from Ultrasonic to HL1/2 pretty negligible and would it give me a good understanding of what to expect from modern Bauer pads? Or would it be a better comparable to get HL1 assuming that there won't be much difference in 'feel' compared to HL2? Remember, I'm coming off 2013 Gnetik Pro, so anything will feel new and exciting for me. Used True L12.2s are averaging around $1200 - $1400 - I'm guessing these will feel more familiar. My only reservation on used True pads is that I could simply pay a bit more money and get brand new pads. Looks like they hold their value quite well.

I'm paralyzed by options here. What does everyone think?

[MrGoalie]

All the modern Bauer pads will generally be the stiffest of pads out there with big rebounds (by design). True will be less stiff,  though still stiff, and have a little more flexibility.  

Any of the Bauer pads you mentioned will give you a very good idea of the feel of the more expensive Bauers  

 

 

[ThatCarGuy]

42 minutes ago, MrGoalie said:

All the modern Bauer pads will generally be the stiffest of pads out there with big rebounds (by design). True will be less stiff,  though still stiff, and have a little more flexibility.  

Any of the Bauer pads you mentioned will give you a very good idea of the feel of the more expensive Bauers  

 

 

Hyperlite 1 and 2 are very flexible stock pads although they are uniquely springy

[ZeroGravitas]

Where are you located and what size/FTK are you? I have some used Ultrasonics (Sz Small, approx 33" inch pad) set that I'm looking to move for not much more than the cost of shipping. Maybe $200 shipped if you're in the continental US?

[BigPoppaPump]

1 hour ago, ZeroGravitas said:

Where are you located and what size/FTK are you? I have some used Ultrasonics (Sz Small, approx 33" inch pad) set that I'm looking to move for not much more than the cost of shipping. Maybe $200 shipped if you're in the continental US?

FTK measures to 20.5 - 21. According to Bauer, that puts me into a the top end of a M, or into a L. Too bad, otherwise I would have taken you up on your offer.

I assume if you've got your Ultrasonics up on the block, you've moved on to either HL1 or 2? Did you find it a worthwhile jump in quality/innovation between them? Would you think it a $400-$500 jump in quality/innovation assuming you are in HL1?

Thanks to everyone who have responded so far - really appreciate your opinions.

[ZeroGravitas]

44 minutes ago, BigPoppaPump said:

FTK measures to 20.5 - 21. According to Bauer, that puts me into a the top end of a M, or into a L. Too bad, otherwise I would have taken you up on your offer.

I assume if you've got your Ultrasonics up on the block, you've moved on to either HL1 or 2? Did you find it a worthwhile jump in quality/innovation between them? Would you think it a $400-$500 jump in quality/innovation assuming you are in HL1?

Thanks to everyone who have responded so far - really appreciate your opinions.

I've had US, HL1, Mach, and now I'm on HL2. My favorite of the bunch was the US.

Stock, off-the-shelf HL1 and HL2 are pretty soft pads by Bauer's standards. Springy knee break and soft boot. Mach is much stiffer by comparison and I wouldn't recommend it. For me, the US stiffness was just right.

Sounds like you've been playing a long time - how much butterfly have you incorporated into your game? Are you looking for better ice seal, stability in the 'fly, big rebounds off the pad? If so, then Bauer sounds as if it could be a good match for you.

In terms of innovation... it depends on what you're looking for. I wouldn't say there's $400-500 worth of changes going from HL1 to HL2. Relatively minor things, IMO - calf bracket, grip knee, different calf pillow/landing plate, different skin.

In terms of quality... it's pretty similar across these pads. Not as nice as a the domestic-made True or Brian's, but the performance is outstanding.

[Korppi32]

How old are you?

 

I would forget Bauer. This kind of background I would stay with domestic Brian's or order a True custom set. If you don't order a custom set maybe True 7x3 could be the best option or Vapor mid-level set if you want more modern option.

[AdamL]

4 hours ago, Korppi32 said:

How old are you?

 

I would forget Bauer. This kind of background I would stay with domestic Brian's or order a True custom set. If you don't order a custom set maybe True 7x3 could be the best option or Vapor mid-level set if you want more modern option.

I must like wasting time, because I stopped by the local Perani's to mess with some gear last week.

The 7X3 is a STIFF pad.  For someone used to older pads, I don't think the 7X3 is going to be an easy transition.  They had V10 Pro (not carbon), 7X3, and X5 Pro on the shelf, and the 7X3 was a total brick compared to the other two.  The X5 Pro had some vertical flex but really not much torsionally.  The V10 Pro had some of both, but it wasn't a wet noodle.  It also still uses the old version of the RRC/professor strap instead of the new QMS imitation, which may or may not be a benefit, but if you like that feeling of a pad anchored high on the calf you can still get it in that pad.

The only reservation I'd have in recommending the V10 Pro is Quickslide.  Might just be because my hips were already shit, but I had a hard time adjusting to Quickslide.  I was oversliding all the time at first, though I did adjust to that.  What I never adjusted to was the feeling of instability while on my knees.  It took so much more tension in the small muscles around the hip to stay tall and stable in the butterfly.  

Gun to head I'd probably recommend set of used GNetik IVs if you can find a clean pair.  More modern, not totally lacking in structure, but also a pad that will very much move with you.

[Novasteel31]

I myself recently went through this same process as it was time for me to replace my Bauer Reactor 6000's from 2013. I am lucky enough that I live close to The Goalie Crease so I went in to see Rance and we went over my options.

Going in I was wanting something that was a touch stiffer then my current pad and my gut was telling me to stick with Bauer as I had used them all my life (I know new Bauer is much different then old Bauer). Pre-covid I was going to put an order in for a custom 2x set but we all know what happened with COVID so that put a damper on that purchase. Regardless I was thinking Hyperlite but Rance did mention that they had much more "give" to them compared to the 2x. 

I ended up trying on the hyperlites which felt good along with the Mach which I actually preferred for shape and feel. So I was going to go with a mach pad but ultrasonic stiffness. 

Here is the kicker he then told me to try on one last pad which was the Px3. It felt amazing and very well built. I ended up ordering a custom set of PX3's. Once I got them on the ice I can tell you that they are drastically more stuff then my old Bauer pads however it only took me about 3 to 4 skates to get adjusted to them and they move so seamlessly with me now it is amazing and th  stiffer thigh rise has certainly saved a few goals already. Sizing wise I was in a 35  + 2 Bauer and had to go down to a 33 + 2 in the PX3's. Sizing wise I also fit the same mold as you, I was in the top end of the M or a L. If I had gone Bauer I think I would have gone M for the Mach and L for the hyperlite based on how the pad was sitting on my legs.

[MTH]

I like what Novasteel is saying.

That said, why not grab a set of used pads (year old) and give them a go first? I see tons of modern stuff on Sideline for a fraction of what they go for new. If the used ones are not right, grab another pair and sell the other ones. Then when you settle in, buy a new custom set.

Used ones too will be slightly more flexible too rather than super duper stuff like new pads. Think of it as a transition pad.

This is my plan when I replace my Velocity 1 pads. That, or just wear them until I die. 

[nora10]

On 9/26/2023 at 10:48 PM, MTH said:

I like what Novasteel is saying.

That said, why not grab a set of used pads (year old) and give them a go first? I see tons of modern stuff on Sideline for a fraction of what they go for new. If the used ones are not right, grab another pair and sell the other ones. Then when you settle in, buy a new custom set.

Used ones too will be slightly more flexible too rather than super duper stuff like new pads. Think of it as a transition pad.

This is my plan when I replace my Velocity 1 pads. That, or just wear them until I die. 

That's a solid plan, Trying out used pads first is a smart way to gauge what works best for you without breaking the bank. Plus, you can always resell them if they don't quite fit your needs. Transition pads make sense as you figure out your preferences. And hey, there's something to be said for loyalty to your gear too! Good luck with your search and decision-making process.