CamWardFan

The Warrior Pro series like my G5 Pro have Warrior's carbon fiber plates in the palm on both sides of the palm break. Never had a stinger with that bad boy..............

My Warrior G5 Canes Tribute Setup - I call this design "Windows 2020"

Today's post on IG shows it being tested with an 83 mph shot as opposed to the Canadian testing standard of 81 mph. Bounced right off.  I think everyone including him is waiting for more thorough testing including longevity and failure modes. I don't think it's fair to say yet whether or not it could be a long term solution.  He's probably looking for an investor/equipment manufacturer to continue development and testing.  My guess is that if any company would agree to look at and maybe develop it, it would be Warrior, who let's face it has been the leader in innovation for the last decade. I would try one after some more testing, but that's just me.

As far as cat eye vs. certified, I'm pretty sure that would not be an issue down the line.  All it would require is a denser pattern of wires to reach the certified standard. Even with a full certified pattern, the thinness of the wires could be a distinct visual advantage with no worry about sticks. Also could obviously be a weight saver.

Mine did, I wonder why yours didn't. If it was pro stock, maybe the pro who ordered it didn't want it.

Here's a big lesson I have learned about the difference between $99 sticks and the current $160's at PSH.  I decided to splurge on a V1 Pro+ at ProStock even though it was the most I've ever paid for a stick. 

WHAT a difference in my game. Of course it is super light, almost like a players stick so I can move my blocker a touch quicker and handle the puck much easier.

But THAT'S not even close to the best part. The blade on this guy is SO stiff that even if I get just a piece of a shot off the end of the blade it shoots out and away from the goal.  Also, super hard on ice shots that used to sneak under my blade sometimes (due to flexing underneath) also easily pop off and out of danger even if I don't always have a perfect seal.

If you can afford one of these guys, they are definitely worth it in my opinion.

(I guess you can tell that I'm pretty charged up about this - it has really improved my game!!)

So what some of you nay sayers don't acknowledge is that many many pro goalies in Europe test and WEAR Warrior goalie gear.  Shots in the KHL are just as hard as those in the NHL, many Euro goalies are just as skilled as the ones in the NHL (guess where most of your Euro goalies in the NHL played before they came to the US?). Calling Warrior a beer league pad is just ignorant. All brands make beer league gear as well as pro. The only reason those goalies don't continue to wear Warrior is that Warrior refuses to pay the huge fee to the NHL.  They would rather plow that money into R and D.  If you're honest, many of the real innovations that have come to goalie gear in the last decade have come from Warrior, then the other brands steal it and call it something else.............

On 5/13/2022 at 4:00 PM, Chenner29 said:

I'll take "Being relevant in the NHL for $500" please

I'm just happy they make their equipment for real people like us. I couldn't care less about what guys are paid to wear in the NHL.  Warrior gets plenty of feedback and testing from European goalies and instead of paying ridiculous fees to the NHL they put that money into innovation and product development. I prefer that.

On 4/4/2022 at 1:49 PM, RichMan said:

I wish Warrior would offer a pro spec version. So much shoulder and arm bulk in all models. 

The X3 Pro is a bit more tapered at the shoulders and arms, but I understand what you are saying!!

On 4/4/2022 at 10:39 AM, Llew81 said:

I have the RX3 Pro (not plus). I can only compare it to a Bauer 2x pro and a THS spec Vaughn Ve8 pro carbon...

The Bauer I got rid of pretty quickly as it just didn't work for me.

I love the Vaughn in every way except the elbows. I managed to over do things and got quite a bad case of tennis elbow (only now after getting close to 2yrs has it cleared up, and I still take things like stick handling/shooting practice easy with it as it will easily flair back up again)... anyway, this injury meant that even fairly moderate shots to the elbow would be extra painful and so I got a bit fed up with the Vaughn.

The Warrior has been really good for me so far. It's a lot bulkier that the Vaughn but you get used to it (obviously you will be used to this anyway). Once you get used to the bulk you realise that it isn't far at all off the mobility of the Vaughn... without a jersey on that is. Putting a jersey on, even a goalie cut one does impact the Warrior a little due to the bulk in the elbows. The elbow flaps/floaters whatever they are called work really well without the jersey, but less so with as they can't move over the top of the other sections quite so well. It's a simple fix, just widen the arms of the jersey, but is worth noting that you may need to get a larger jersey so that the elbows aren't hindered too much. Also occasionally the elbow floaters make get caught up slightly on the other pieces, but when you are actually playing I have never really noticed this or felt I missed something because of it. I think when playing you move with enough force to overcome the occasional hang up.

There is plenty of adjustability within the unit to really get a nice fit. I can definitely recommend it. I haven't tried on or used the RX3 Pro Plus version, but in all honesty I wouldn't go for it. The protection in general is essentially the same as makes no difference (shot's I would feel through the Vaughn don't cause an issue here). The Plus version is obviously bigger, in the shoulder floaters and arms I think, but the RX3 Pro version is plenty big enough as is. I think the Plus version would be overkill for me and detract further from the units mobility. I'm sceptical the slightly extra coverage of the Plus version would actually translate into more saves... it doesn't give you 'that' much more coverage.

Know what you mean about the elbow size. After I got my first version of the mechanical arms I started using 58G+ and 60G jerseys exclusively, haven't had only mobility issues since.  As you said, I embrace the bulk as I am 6 feet 1 but only 157lbs haha and I'm a blocking style goalie anyways. At 70 I'm not stopping many guys with athleticism.........

Thanks for the helpful feedback!!

I'm currently using the G4 Pro (mechanical arms) and have used this series since the very beginning.  Always been happy with the excellent mobility and outstanding protection. Now that Warrior has ditched the mechanical arms, I'm just wondering if anyone has some feedback on this new model. 

On 3/25/2022 at 2:38 PM, HellCrow said:

I am curious how long this will last in the real world usage ! ha !

It's polycarbonate though, the same stuff they use for football helmets. I guarantee its not gonna break. Depending on how it's attached though, I would think it might be at risk of getting knocked off from a direct hit. Still, I've got faith in Pete and their testing.  I'm 70 years old with both hips replaced and playing pickup 3 days a week with much younger guys, mostly on pretty shitty ice, and the plastic cap is what I've been dreaming about since I converted from standup 20 years ago haha!!!

On 3/29/2022 at 2:48 PM, insertnamehere said:

 

I hope they make a lot of them because they are going to FLY off the shelves - my G5's are ready now..............

The Warrior Pro + also have their carbon fiber plates in them for amazing protection.  Have taken full college level clappers on them with no injury.  They also tie in to your pants really nicely, at least in my Warrior Pants...........

3 hours ago, Chenner29 said:

If you've got a shooter and old stick that you don't care about wrecking, try this

Cut off the blade of of the stick.  Start on either post.  Have a shooter line up pucks in the slot and shoot low on you so you can chip the puck off your stick into the opposite corner (so your shooter will be alternating left/right where he puts it).  Follow the rebound to the opposite post, repeat.
You can either T push from the post to get to the top of the crease, or C cut to the corner arrow, pivot and shuffle to crease center to take the shot.
Your focus points:

1. Crisp and sharp movement
2. Solid knee drive with as little vertical head movement as possible*
3. Body mechanics, shoulders slightly in front of your knees**
4. Visually track the shot off the blade into your stick and into the corner.  Hacked off blade will keep you honest, and you want to take shots off the heel anyway as that is where you have the most strength and control of the stick.

Is the drill overly simplistic?  Probably, but it forces you to engage your eyes, head, and hands to track the puck

* IMO a lot of beer leaguers start in too high of a stance.  Keeping your head at roughly the same height from shot-ready to butterfly eliminates a lot of "processing power" needed for your eyes and mind to connect with your body, making it easier to track the flight path of the shot.  Pasco Valana has a short video on this on Youtube. (link)
** Forces you get your gloves forward (which helps eliminate horizontal and vertical space) and frees up the gloves for a quick smother

Thumbs should be in line with the outside of your shoulders to minimize double coverage.

Angle is a bit misleading on these pics, but I elected for these rather than a straight on picture as you can see the gloves are forward

Thanks, great stuff!!!!!

39 minutes ago, seagoal said:

For sure if you are feeling anxiety or apprehension you are tensing up and I bet at least squinching (is that a word?  It's a word......) and maybe closing your eyes.  Either way, you aren't focusing on the puck, its flight path, and hitting you, which are all keys to good tracking.

@Nohtaram is spot on.  This is for sure something you can work on, you just need free ice, a shooter, and a ton of pucks.  You can't really train for this playing hockey.  You have to condition your eyes and your body to track the puck.  And, if you are getting anxious and squinching(?), this repetition training is also conditioning your brain and your emotions to relax and begin to perceive the puck, its flight, and it hitting you as, well, mundane and boring. 

It sounds like it's a "big deal" for you right now and so your goal should be to make it boring, second nature.  With the repetitious shot training, it's not "making saves" your training for because if the puck is going to hit you, there is no "making saves" needed.  You are holding your blocker in position and the only thing moving is your head and your eyes, following the puck from the shooter's stick to your blocker.  Repeat to the glove.  Repeat to the chest. Each pad, Your stick. Etc.  It's the same drill and same technique, just different locations.  Once you start getting the hang of this, you can start challenging yourself in games.    A puck hits you: did you see it hit you?  You whiff and let one in: did you see it?  If so, great.  If not, why not?

I can't really speak to your age and its effects on your specific physiology, but we are talking about puck tracking and you can for sure train that, and pretty easily too.

Thanks, that's really good advice..  I may be squinching (like that) or momentarily closing them completely. I will try these things.  Thanks!!

33 minutes ago, seagoal said:

@CamWardFan

First 3 or so minutes of this video.  Look how simple and easy and boring this looks....but watch the goalies overall body/limbs vs watch his head/eyes. 

 

Thanks, great video.  I appreciate it.!!! Tension is certainly part of it...........

Yes, talking clear view to the shooter's stick. Don't believe I am closing my eyes but anxiety may well have something to do with it.............

I have been playing since the 1960's and have developed a very specific tracking issue. I've evolved into a very aggressive blocking style from my original standup and have recently noticed that after setting my position on a shooter and seeing the puck on his blade, I sometimes lose sight of the puck just after release until it hits me. Fortunately most of the time it does, but that tracking gap hinders my rebound control, especially my ability to catch the puck cleanly with my trapper.

Does anyone have any in game tips or practice routines that could help me solve this problem? Or is this just a symptom of my advanced age........... 

Yes, I've had the same experience with the knee blocks, they are good puck stoppers and great for narrow butterflys.  I have had no problem with the elastic toe straps in my setup, but that's just a matter of personal preference.   Overall the G5 is by far the best pad Warrior has made to date and I love them.

A softer more flexible hybrid style  pad like the GT2 is considered better for a narrow butterfly for sure. I’m just stubborn and like the Big Bang rebounds off the G5. You can actually get a decent S curve off the 5 but it’s STIFF

Thanks, appreciate the input

Thanks!!!!

137177.webpI am currently wearing the Warrior G3 pads and love them.  I'm considering upgrading to the G5's for a couple of reasons.  First, the new knee block shape which looks like it would help close the 5 hole on my narrow butterfly (the inside is cut away at an angle so you can push your knees closer together when down). Second, I like the idea of having the stiffer pad face to help push rebounds faster and farther away from the crease.  Does anyone have experience with these options and can give me some feedback???

I'm 68 years old now and had both hips replaced about 15 years ago (more from 50 years of hardcourt tennis than hockey). Took me about 6 months to get back on the tennis court, then decided I wanted to resume my goalie career as well. 

Now playing 3 times a week with all levels of players at pickup and having no pain or issues at all. If you are having pain I highly recommend getting it done, and actually the younger the better, as healing and rehab is much faster than if you wait. 

I also chose the ceramic ball and ceramic cup which never wears out, and unlike the metal on metal does not release harmful elements into your bloodstream.

One other suggestion.  Find a surgeon who uses the anterior approach to do the replacement.  About half the rehab time because if they go in the front they only have to push the muscles apart to insert the hardware.  If you go the posterior route, they have to cut the muscles and stitch them back together.

Good luck and I hope this doesn't reach you too late. Sorry, just saw this post.

Steve