chile57

So the real question in all of this hullaballoo - @seagoal how are the newer pads working for you? Getting a bit more assimilated? Cursed them and gone back to the blue set?

19 hours ago, coopaloop1234 said:

(I got little legs too)

Short legs... arms... torso... I'm basically a glorified intermediate goalie masquerading in men's league. Thankfully I still get to drink.

1 hour ago, SaveByRichter35 said:

Bro my pads are a 33+1 lol

I kid - just thought you'd appreciate the nod since I seem to recall a few "WTF with +3" thigh rises?" rants.

Brothers from another mother - I also sport 33+1 and am only fairly recently a knee pad convert.

49 minutes ago, SaveByRichter35 said:

Thank fucking goodness we don't have to worry about him jumping over to ESPN

Adds nothing to the broadcast save for drooling over Crosby.

On 6/8/2021 at 12:31 PM, RichMan said:

Has anyone had a chance to look up in person the Bauer Elite model? Is it a 6000/9000 re-issue?

https://www.thehockeyshop.com/collections/goalie-chest-protectors/products/bauer-elite-senior-chest-arm-protector?variant=31992604557378

I haven't seen one in the flesh but I've got 2 or 3 Bauer chesties of the vintage you speak and this one definitely looks like it could be a long lost brother. Only differences I'm seeing from the last Reactor run are: 1) got rid of the mesh material on the arms (upgrade in my book) 2) maybe (?) some additional arm taper into the wrists (?) and 3) added suspender loops on the floaters.

Everything else looks pretty similar to me. If I was in the market I'd pull the trigger on this unit without hesitating.

Lots of disclaimers here but here goes nonetheless...

Piecing together parts from above (and assuming they are accurate) and if I'm recalling these correctly - they were of the more affordable variety (not "cheap" but not trying to compete with Itech/Bauer's 960/961). At that rate - I'd guess they use polyester resin (which degrades over time). If they haven't been in business for at least ten years then whatever mask you have or are looking at is at least that old. Regardless of the construction (all fiberglass or some mix) - the resin would be the limiting factor. All that said - if I had one - I'd retire it. If I was looking to buy one - I'd skip it.

Hopefully that's helpful.

On 6/25/2021 at 11:09 AM, seagoal said:

That's the strange thing. I measured each pad side by side,  section by section, and the red ones are not bigger or longer.  They're just stiffer and more,  well, erect.  

 

Huh - that's wild because in the shot you provided below - everything looks to match up until you get to the thigh rise (guess the eye is playing tricks). 

But to my earlier point - springy, stiff (erect if you prefer (to keep the double entendre going)) boot breaks are why I can't get behind newer construction styles. I want a boot that will flex to 90 degrees (or even into the acute angle realm) and mostly stay there. Everything else feels like it pushes off my leg too much - just can't get comfortable with it. 

As it relates to your pads - if you got the same size but the boot is much taller - it really makes for a different size as far as I'm concerned. For example - in my V3's/Simmons I'm a 33" but when I bought a pair of XLT's to try to hop on the stiff(er) pad bandwagon - I got a pair of intermediates - 30" or 31". In your on the ice shots its not really obvious but in your standup shots the pads look to sit considerably taller but then again - I'm of the soft pad/shorter thigh rise school (+1 not 0 or -4 or whatever @SaveByRichter35 is rocking).

Either way - you can probably get used to them - just a matter of whether you want to or not. I just felt the XLT's and other similar styles I wanted to try compromised my style too much... and I'm not good enough to get away with taking a couple steps back. Shoutout to a guy like a Chris Osgood who completely went back to the drawing board on style and took it all the way to a Cup in 2008. Good luck!

11 hours ago, AdamL said:

I can't help but think what you're feeling in terms of negative mobility impacts on your feet is due to the extra pad height paired with the stiffer thigh rise.  I fit a 34+2 VE8 but sized down to a 33+2 V9 and assuming I ever get to play again I'm glad I did.  Put those two pads next to each other and they're the same height.  Couple that extra height with stiffer thigh rises that won't flex out of the way of each other and you're definitely going to have an adjustment period.  I probably can't skate in my V9s like I could my V1s, but the flatter boot and more "on top" feel on the skate (especially in contrast with my X28s) gave me all of the attack angle and ankle mobility I thought I needed. 

Also, how are you wearing your RRC strap? I got the SLR2 style strap and have it about as tight as it’ll go. I really really like how responsive the pad is set up that way, but it still rotates beautifully.

Good luck with them dude!

I agree with this. When I first saw your shots in the new pads I thought - those look considerably taller than the blues but I didn't know if that's what you were shooting for or not. Like others have said - doesn't make it impossible to adjust - just less seamless. 

Otherwise - good on you. I'm a soft pad guy and can't get onboard with angled boot breaks and s-curves.

2 minutes ago, coopaloop1234 said:

And Leaf fans will celebrate him moving on.

... similar to Babcock.

Just now, CJ Boiss said:

Flyers fans will probably tell you he's trash.

... and North Dakota fans will probably sing his praises.

Welcome back. 

Really like the tribute/homage without being a direct copy approach. Instantly recognizable if you are in the know. Kudos.

32 minutes ago, Johnny Grey Jr said:

Also that would be my Spiderman obsessed son lol

Kid's got good taste. Two thumbs up.

For what its worth - your Simmons CA looks like it would work for you fit-wise but that's really up to you (and none of us "experts"). Some like longer, some like shorter, whatever floats your boat. Fit looks similar to mine but then again - since I tuck - I like the belly to be a little shorter so its not interfering with my jock. Hope your search has ended with something suitable for you.

1 hour ago, Johnny Grey Jr said:

I've never connected the rear of the unit to my pant. Where would that connection be on the pant?

Depends on your CA and/or your pants. Some pants have a loop in the back that you could connect to (sometimes the "hanging" loop for drying out ones pants). You could also attached the "U" part of a pair of suspenders to make a loop for you if you only have rivets/buttons. Some folks use a carabiner or other assorted link to make this connection too.

Sorry - don't have any pics of these scenarios as I tuck and go over the top with my suspenders.

Also respect to whatever littler person is rocking the Spider-Man hoodie.

10 minutes ago, Wonder35 said:

I believe that this chap was the one who offered me $400 for my mid 80's Greg Harrison mask.  His excuse for the lowball offer was that he would have to repaint it!!!!!!

I will say no more.

What a clown. At least his "offer" provided entertainment for you Wonder.

Guys like this are the reason you have to tread lightly and be educated when it comes to masks and mask construction. 

"That's a bold palette Cotton - let's see if it pays off for him... "

But seriously - appreciate any and all color schemes that push the envelope and I give a nod to the commitment level shown on these. Well done.

I'm short AND I tuck my chest protector so Mr. John Brown was awesome and made me some custom suspenders (such that there is essentially no "tail" on the "Y" in back) but other than that - I'll echo what others have said - mostly kid/adult with adjustability across both.

23 hours ago, MangoRhinehart said:

Anyone got tips on wearing a mask under the mask? CCM ones any good?

 

I have about two weeks to get in game shape, mostly been doing squats to keep fitness level somewhat up to date, any other dryland activities to suggest?

I touched on this... somewhere on here...

I used the CCM Game On goalie version for a number of months without issue. It was the best of the bunch I tried for sure. Its made of a neoprene-ish material so it doesn't seem to really soak up water. Also touches the bridge of your nose before moving out to the cage so it doesn't fit right over your mouth (if you are of the claustrophobic nature). The only "issue" I ever experienced was that I had to flip my lid up to take a drink.

@seagoal I have no skin in the game with any manufacturer across any pieces of equipment so it makes no difference to me what people buy. Just seemed like the search here was very similar to my own so I was trying to be helpful (so as to avoid the gear odyssey I went on... unless you know you're into that of course). I know there are plenty around here who deride Simmons (not saying that you are). Definitely something to be said for being able to get your hands on something before you buy... but I've also gone that route and then ordered something and had it feel nothing like what was on the shelf.

Regardless - happy gear hunting.

39 minutes ago, A.YOUNGoalie13 said:

I love my soft pads but nobody makes internal double breaks at retail anymore. Bauer doesn’t really do soft, just flexible

FYI - the UL9's from Simmons are double break.

I'd give them a serious look if I were you. I tried some TPS offering (the Lundy pads), some Reeboks, the V5's, Bauer's Reactor 9000's, Battrams and some others I'm forgetting before Simmons. Bought those and haven't looked back. 

If you truly want something that plays "soft" I'd look at Ultralights from Don Simmons. I ran the gamut of pads trying to replace/replicate my V3/7700's (including a set of V5/7800's) and happily settled on the UL's.

Many thanks for the legwork @bildeer - put it on my tab.

So even pared down and with your knee exposed style of play - no issues. Got it - thanks again.

@bildeer or @Taco or...

Anybody care to share some photos of the Factory MAD's? Interested in an overall shot and then maybe one where they are pared down (since things are "removable"). Checked their site and no pics of the knee pads. Or maybe point me to a place such photos exist (?). Thanks!

Glad you're going to give it a go. Hopefully you'll find that the "Game On" mask isn't the absolute worst possible thing in the whole wide world once you're on the ice. Good luck.

31 minutes ago, seagoal said:

Yeah, the no drinking thing is a no-go for me.  I get overheated easily too and spray my face with water and sweat a lot.  I don't want a wet mask on my face while playing.  They are disgusting and unhealthy enough when they are dry.

The CCM "Game On" is really more of neoprene type material that doesn't take on water and it fits away from your face (think really only touches at the bridge of your nose). I wouldn't have a problem flipping up my lid to drink/spray my face - I'm just lazy (and more so don't trust the stripes not to drop the puck before I'm ready). Not pressing the issue just hopefully giving you some ammunition if you get tired of waiting this thing out and get the itch to play.