Nohtaram

The change was definitely overdue But I get that chin repair twice in the past with some degree of success New mask is Warrior R/F1 Pro (the top one) in size M/L. After one game in it it felt good. I get a shot straight in the face during warm up (of course) and was absolutely fine. I play with guys who used to play in top leagues in Belarus, Ukraine and Poland so there are few who know how to shoot the puck so good face protection is a must Not sure what that curve is exactly. I guess Quick - the one that is similar to Bauer most common one. I didn't put much though on that purchase. They were cheep. Comparing to Bauer Ultrasonic, CCM Premiere (first and second one) and CCM Eflex it's definitely different level. Bauer and CCMs were top end sticks and Warrior is second price point so there are lot of differences. Top end sticks were a lot better with dealing with vibrations when blocking shots - it's massive difference and was quite suppressed actually. CCMs (especially Premiere series) were the best in terms of deflecting pucks to corner/glass/netting when Bauer US and Warrior M1 are quite similar. The easiest to play with the puck was by far Bauer US; M1 needed some time to get used to - it's not terrible but playing puck takes more effort. Had a chance to shot couple pucks with Warrior R/V1 (top one I think) in one size bigger then I use and it was much easier. So I would say M1 is not the best line for puck handling goalies - budget Bauer like Supreme 170 was actually pretty good. But overall I'm happy with that purchase. Durability is great (only few small chips on the paint), performance is OK and they are not heavy.

So I finally changed my mask. It has been long overdue. I choose Warrior R/F1. I bought it for christmas but I tested the mask just last night during game. I took me a while because I wanted to paint it. I did all of that by myself. It's not perfect but consider that I did that for the first time and I didn't have any professional tools I'm happy with the result. I also grabed two Warrior RM1 Sr+ sticks for cheep and tested them for almost full season.

Problem is that I don't have possibility to try mask at the store. Maybe some Bauer mask maybe after about 5hour drive. F1 Pro I found I would need to order abroad from store I ordered something in the past. I consider it only beacause it's 50% off at the moment. But I'm in the middle of two different sizeing and thats wierd to me. I'll try to contact Warrior directly to get some clarification on the sizeing.

Not sure if someone already posted anything of next gen Warrior line. Spoted some pictures posted by some Czech Hockey Shop (pre orders so far- they didn't posted prices). Looks like Warrior discontinue ridge desing on slideing surface. Other than that I don't see much difference. As usual - I'm not so keen on the graphics - G6 looks better IMO

Any advice about sizeing?

I was looking for 960 but F1 Pro is exactly half the price of that (950EUR to 470EUR). I had to convince my batter half that I need new mask and that it won't ruin our budget before Christmas

So I'm in a spot were I need to start looking for a new mask. I'm currently in Bauer NME line and I'm get used to it but it's not the perfect fit. I found good deal on Warrior Ritual F1 Pro but I'm wonder if it's any good? Do we have here anyone useing it (or even F1 Sr+/F2 E+ models)? And also any recomendation on sizeing? S/M is 55-58cm and M/L 56-59cm. My head is 57 so I should fit both but would it be better to try smaller or larger?

I used 3X blocker (borrowed from one of my buddy) on couple ice times when it was new and rebounds was very satisfying. After year of play they are significantly softer but still puts the puck in the corner. I have other question about 3X line tho. Does anyone uses 3X sticks? I need replacements after brakeing two US on the same night and 3X seems like a good deal. I'm mostly asking about durability of the shaft and blade cause feel would be different for everyone anyway.

I have couple which I really didn't like to use. First would be Reebok Revoke golves. They were heavy and catcher never want to close properly. Bauer 1S skates. They hurt my ankles so bad I had to use bandages around my feet. CCM ExtremeFlex 5 pads. Just not my style of pads - I'm more Supreme kinda guy. Warrior G2 blocker. I had super loose glove and I was never able to properly hold my stick when playing the puck.

Couple pics from first real game this season. Home team had some pro photographer so photos are

So it looks like ROM strap is what Warrior does with their glove since G2 series. For me it's way more comfortable to wear glove with strap more on the hand than on/over the wrist - and that keep me from change my G3 glove

Just quote what was said on the review. I was consider to buy them at the time but after heard about that decided to order another something else.

I haven't use non of them (3rd pair of Warriors and no changing brands anytime soon) but I saw the CCM review somewhere and the guy said that screws on the hinge is right where you land your knee and after some time you start to feel that and hurt yourself on that. The author of that review add some foam over there but not everyone want to do that.

When game is so boring that you have to go skate some circles to get any 'action' I was around 12:0 or something at that point (final 17:1). I belive I got only 7 shots in that game.

Even if you're about to lose a game theres no way to let penalty shot go in.

The protection against skate cuts is needed for sure. I get a nasty cut on my inner tight this season after player on breakaway lost his edge and collide with me. Fortunately his blade hit my knee guard first I get out without any stitches.

My own design works best for me. I use it for almost 5 years now and it's similar to Travs 2.0. Firstly with my Warrior G2 set and now with Bauer S29

I get them from some Czech Facebook local market. There's a guy who run a hockey shop and got a lot of Warrior gear. He posted those pics.

Couple quality shots of new knee slide. Black are G6 Pro+ / White are G6 E+

True to that. Right now question is rather you like more stiff or more flex pads. But to be honest in lower price range like e.g. GSX all pads will be in more flexible territory - still GSX seems to be great pads.

Same for me. I used to play without suspenders but after switch to 2X Pro chest sides of C/A was getting caught on my pants (Warrior) so I tried with suspenders under C/A and no problems ever since.

Bauer 2X Pro/Hiperlite, Warriors (especially Ritual X3 series), Vaughn V9 or CCM Extreme Flex should be fine.

RichMan and Coop gave you the best advice here. Don't try to forced yourself into bigger C/A just because you are light up over shoulders way to often. I'm with Coop on 5'9 and had same problem in the past you're facing now. Try to challenge the shooter more, keep top of the crease or even foot higher if there's no back door threat and you will find you will block more shots. As for C/A I use 2X Pro as mobility is great in it - from the pictures Hiperlite looks a little bit bigger in the shoulders so that could be your choice. Other options are Warriors' chesties - they have opinion on being super adjustable, mobile and big.

So nameing will be what GoalNet suggested. M5 Pro for secodn price point.

Just a few shots of last game. We finaly get back playing league games. Our first to games with same opponent, my first start this season. Unfortunately big loss this time but was happy with my own perfomance. At least all friendly games with my second team were won so far