Quote:
Originally Posted by millzee53
2 straps...i bet you get dressed quicker then any other goalie.
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Yeah, and I keep the toe ties always tied. So, just the two quick release buckles and the boot strap on each pad. I get dressed faster than some of the skaters on my team
Quote:
Originally Posted by itech35
Wow.. those look awesome. I agree with you about the knee lock, it did seem a little bulky at first with my itech knee pads but now that the pads are really broken in the knee lock cushions are a lot less obtrusive, especially the inner cushion from dropping to the bfly. It's compressed so much now that it's almost perfectly flat but still soft. I just have a couple questions for you  .. I like the look of the pads a lot better without the graphics on the sides (kind of like what you have, because the slide plates cover it). Since they're not sewn on, do you know of a good way to completely take them off without messing up the weave on the sides of the pad? As in, not effecting how they slide? And also... how do you like the gloves? |
Itech 35, since the graphic is just screened on in that area, you may be able to remove it with nail polish remover. Check this thread:
Logo removal?
But, I'd personally be weary of doing that since it's such a big area. I would honestly let it go.
The gloves are great. I like the features that it has with the variability of the wrist and hand straps. It's very cool temperature wise to wear as everything in the backhand is mesh and breathes very well. It's comfortable and has good palm protection. When covering the puck, it seals the ice very well and has a big, oversized cuff on the back that is very accomodating. I am still working on breaking in (steaming) the catching glove, so it's still stiff and I have been catching a la Lundqvist, until it is broken in and can easily close. But, I haven't had any popouts with this method. I did try on a brand new 12.8 X-wing glove in a store, though and that thing closed like butter. The feel, size, and break felt the same as they did on my glove, it's just the 12.8 closes much easier. I don't understand why they can't make the 7.8 glove have a pre-broken in feel like this, but I anticipate that it will feel the same once it has been broken in.
The blocker is very light and very well balanced. I am curious as to why the underside is cordura and not jenpro as I think that would probably wear better. But, I'm sure that will be fine. The thumb protection and sidewall are huge, but they don't interefere with how I hold my stick. The finger protection is also made of HD foam with a soft back, like a good thighboard. The big cons that I see in the blocker are how tight it is on my hand. I understand that this is pretty common in newer designs, but It's never been my preference or experience and seems pretty ridiculous when you consider how customizable the trapper is.
see Sloth's and Mont's sentiments on a tight blocker to get the idea:
Quote:
Originally Posted by sloth2946
Been thinking about this move a lot today and it literally just occurred to me when Mont has come up with this adaptation to an old standard....
As equipment has 'progressed'  , specifically the blocker, it has become more bulky and more rigid. And people now are taught to keep the thing tight on your wrist for what I have no idea.
Anyway, when guys like me, Mont, Cuban and BC were growing up and playing, you could pull this move quite easily without having to finger tip it because when you put the blocker on the ice to do the sweep check the blocker board bent/flexed and there was room in the wrist not being taken up by bulky C/A units and most people wore their gloves a little sloppy if you will.
But with the new stuff...you simply cannot do this as the board is too stiff and the gloves tight. So much for progress.... |
Quote:
Originally Posted by mont
One thing for sure though and here is where Sloth has hit on a very very good point. I wear the blocker and its wrist strap COMPLETELY LOOSE. I too believe this is the way to do it for a plethora of reasons and this kind of ability/agility necessary to perform this with greater ease is just another reason why. You do need good flex and mobility as Sloth points out. The board being stiff however, is not an issue as it is sitting "above" - parallel to the ice - furthermore the "flip" on your board will allow greater movement of the wrist as well.
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Looking at the placement of the glove on the blocker, it also seems like it could be a little higher. I'm not saying that it's TOO low, just that it could be a little higher. My hands are average sized and my fingers would still be covered by the whole locker board if they were a little longer. This is just one aspect of the design that I felt could be improved.
See: Chakal's sentiments on the V3 blocker:
Quote:
Originally Posted by chakal
I tried the V3 blocker last week and hated it!! OK, not completely, the comfort is great, it's light and it's as good as the V2 and V1 were.....
BUT!!!
To adjust to the new NHL sizing, the board has to be cut by 1" on the length.. right???è
I always thought it was a given, that companies would cut the 1" at the top, or, at worst, 1/2 at top and 1/2 at bottom. Right?
Well, why in hell, Vaughn cut the whole inch at the BOTTOM!!! The board goes high on the foreharm... WHY??? I don't have long fingers but still, when I open my hand, the fingers are flush with the end of the board. Isn't that useless to have a board that high on the foreharm and counterproductive to have the board so short where you really need it, at the bottom to cover more space?
That's why now I always ask for the palm to be as high as possible on the board to cover more space down, like Belfour has. You can clearly see it here on the picture, his wrist cuff starts when the board starts.
But here's the V3, see the difference?
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