bluepaintgrind

As a Brian’s owner and recent recipient of optik2’s, I can say you won’t be disappointed in the quality. My last set of custom Brian’s lasted 7 years, and I played pretty regularly in them. But I guess the key word is custom. Stock (of the shelf) Brian’s are quality pads, but when you go the custom route Brian’s is the best! If want something and it’s doable, they’ll do it! I have a calf strap in and tight, keep the calf wrap pretty loose, and I don’t seem to have any mobility issues from the knee down. But if you really wanted them to open up the calf wrap, they will. Custom pads are more expensive, but well worth it if you want something other than stock. You can check out my specs and more details on this thread: Hope this helps from the Brian’s side of things.

CCM makes a goalie shell. Listed as a CCM PP15G. Comes in a S/M and a L/XL. I just got a pro stock one off SidelineSwap; I couldn’t tel you the size as there’s no tag. But they fit over my Senior Small Warrior x2 pro pants no problem with very little overhang on the bottom.

Haha. Thanks! I couldn’t be happier with the way these turned out; Brian’s did a phenomenal job, as always! I’ve been able to get one mild pickup game and one more intense mini sheet session in them so far - I’m a chef, and the holiday schedule is not conducive for hockey unfortunately. Haha. But so far, I love them! I’m coming from Subzero Pro 2s, and the upgrade is out of this world! I honestly don’t even know where to begin, so I’ll go from the top down: love that I stiffened the thigh rise (like I had done in my sub pro 2s), makes the pad have more of the stiff, block-like, “Bauer” pad, if you will, which I like, but don’t like Bauer pads. Opening up the knee cradle by removing the knee flap internals and the elastic strap through the back of the knee block has been amazing at accommodating my warrior rx2 pro knee pads without interfering with movement, especially since I have the upper calf strap in. Love my subs boot channel and angle, so I had them replicate that on these, as well as reducing and offset the toe bridge, since that’s all I need. I also eliminated the boot strap/ attachment points, since I had long removed it from my subs. I had noticed on my subs that the cowlings of my skates had worn away the internal lacing that happens to peak out, so I had them cover it all with primo to avoid that from ever happening. And you obviously saw the graphics. Haha. The blocker has an Anderson spec - thanks to you! And I’m glad I did it; although I think more than one would be too much for me. Love the upgraded protection for the fingers too. The glove is a gnetik4 as I ended up liking the closure better. Since I was doing custom graphics, it wasn’t a hard switch for me. Pro palmed with extra break in and she’s a champ! Love the boa system, keeps me locked in. I’ve been know to have a nasty glove, so I’m excited to rob some people with the new one.

My new set from Brian’s just arrived. Skinfxwraps wrapped my Sportmask to match.

They arrived!

I placed an order for new set of custom Brian’s a couple weeks ago. I’ve been rewatching your deep dive and review on the optik 2s in anticipation! My first set of Brian’s was sub pro 2s with a few custom specs, nothing major. I love them, after 6 years they’re still in great shape! I had pro stiffness above the knee as a spec, and I’m sure that’s why they’ve lasted. This next set, I didn’t hold back! I met with one of the reps for a demo and we went out for beers afterwards to dial in the details. After a couple months of hashing out every little detail, I pulled the trigger. I’m not a big fan of the s curve, I prefer a flatter, taller pad. So I opted with the fly profile, but added pro stiffness from the knee up again - keeping with the stiffest pad they can make. I also went with an offset, reduced toe bridge. I’m used to the boot channel on my subs, so they’re replicating that on the optik 2s and covering all the lacing with primo. My knee strap will be going through the knee block, so it’s not as snug across the back of the knee. I use it more to keep the knee block from flexing out, since I use the upper calf strap pretty tightly. Removed the outter knee flap, boot strap and knee pad tabs. For the blocker, I added 1x Anderson spec and more float to the cuff. I went with a genetik 4 glove, I like the closure better. I also added more float to the cuff to the glove as well. I went with a floating double t since I don’t play in any heavy regulated leagues. Pro palm with extra break in, since I do skate with guys that have played at that level from time to time. That’s all aside from the custom graphics for the whole set and custom embroidery that will match across the set. I replaced all the mesh vents with matte royal blue, except for the upper calf strap. The upper calf strap will be all with with my name embroidered in maroon. All the embroidery will be a custom font including the “custom goal company” with the addition of a fleur de lis next to the maple leaf. The production time was 10-14 week from when I ordered, so I’m anticipating I’ll receive them sometime in October. I can’t wait!