"Official" C/A thread

[Keeps33]

In light of everyone curious about what c/a to get I think it would be beneficial to post pics and thoughts on your c/a. This way it would be easier for perhaps a new member to search out another member/info and ask his/her opinion on C/A of choice.

I am using a Brown 553 its a few years old and i love it, I found it bulky at first but grew to love it. I would rate it a 9/10 in protection. I site the sternum area as the only real weakness, but that aint real bad. I have taken a stinger or two off of it mostly in the upper arm, but hey Im a goalie and bruises are trophies.

[ThePM]

Wearing a Vaughn 3700 c/a, great for entry level and medium protection if you get the 07 models. Apparently anything before that breaks down quickly and exposes your abs, ribs, etc. Wearing a medium at 5'11".

[M-Dub]

I wear a non NHL spec brown 2100 I believe. People say they are bulky but I liked it right out of the box had no issues. NO STINGERS. I would feel confident going down in front of any NHLer with my chin tucked and taking one in the chest..hahah


It is a large unit and it you buy one buy some large goal cuts as all my old jerseys dont fit.

[Gators76]

Vaughn Epic 2007. This C/A has to be the most comfortable and mobile unit I have ever owned. I was previously wore a RBK PS1.

I wear a size XL in the Epic and wore a size L in the RBK to give you an idea on sizing. I am 6"0, 210 with a muscular build, chest size 44, for dress shirts I measure at a 35 for arm length and the Epic fits me dead on. This C/A feels like it was custome made for my measurements.

With the Epic being a pro spec I have noticed the difference from the RBK in regards to blocking shots. It was alot easier with those ginormous shoulder floaters on the PS1. I have had some pucks hit me in the shoulder and ramp up into the net with the Epic. Same with the elbow floaters. It is causing me to be less lazy with save selection, and focus more on the shot. However, I can bend my arms a lot better and playing the puck is a breeze.

I have gotten a couple of nice bruises on the high biceps near the shoulder attachment on my glove side. I attribute that to me being used to playing in the PS1 and just blocking with my arms. No complaints though. I wouldnt trade this unit for anything. Infact, I traded my buddy my PS1 for the Epic. He had only worn 2 times and hated it. He was coming from a Koho 590 and wanted to get back into that stlyle C/A.

Edit: Here are some pics- 2007 Vaughn Epic C/A with Siamese Cat mod.

[Mr_Phil]

Yep...as noted in the title, I'm currently wearing a Vaughn V2 C/A (2006 model)

Here's a quick pro/con for the V2

PRO
+ Protective and comfortable chest pad
+ Good shoulder coverage
+ Overall unit is very mobile
+ Breathes well, I don't overheat
+ Stays in place untucked


CON

- Bruising on bicep and wrists from not so hard shots
- Rib pads flip "in" quite a bit
- Elastic fastener strip pops out of buckle, had to tie ends of strap
- Collar is too low to go without dangler or separate collar, but too high when wearing separate collar...preventing it from sitting squarely on me
- Sizing is a bit funny for my personal measurements, but that's why I'm going custom (not fault of Vaughn)


For my BHG Eyelite 10 C/A

it will be Brian's H5 / Pro90z model, all black. Non NHL spec
I chose this unit because I wanted more protection in the arms (which Brian and I addressed).

After taking a nasty slapper to bare collar bone, I placed my order with BHG. It was a shot straight on that caught a gap between the V2 and collar. I have tried to reconfigure the strapping on the Vaughn, to no avail.

BHG mods

The BHG will have a chestplate installed behind the main chest pad. I chose this because I'm now just used to the Vaughn chestplate that I want to stick with it.
My main mod on the C/A is actually having Brian modify it so it will sit better with my Heaton collar....which he added clavicle wings to recently following the bruised clavicle. He's going to cut the neckline so the lace in neck guard won't push against the modded collar.


The BHG ships on July 25. Pictures to follow.

So, there's my current and future C/A discussion

[Masked_Warrior]

I use a Koho 590 Int. Xl. I'm 5' 4"-ish, prolly closer to 5' 5" and it fits me dead on. I've owned/worn 5 different chest protectors and this one was by far the best. The only downside is I've taken some shots to the high inside shoulder, toward the collarbone, that stung a bit. I tried some other c/a units but couldnt part with my koho. With the int size there is no bulk and I can move comfortably. I may use some foam to beef up the shoulder but oter than that the unit is absolutely perfect for me.

[Coldaccord]

C/A is tough. I find some of the best equipment reviews are by "equipment whores," who try a lot of things before they find whats right. I feel there aren't enough EW's that deal with the chest and arm, i don't think there are as many people out there who can contribute in terms of comparison reviews. most people will prob state what they have, and if they like it. hopefully though, i am wrong.

Personally I wear a medium ******* 991, I'm 5'10" 165 lbs. I don't find it too bulky by any means, and I like the protection. I've had a few sizable bruises on or near the top of my shoulders, but that's the way it goes

I wear it tucked into my pants and tied into the lacing for my pants. i've never had a bare spot in the mid section because of it. the neck is low, as with many c/a's. I wore a neck-guard when it was mandated (in addition to dangler) but now I just wear the dangler (mine is a *******, its bigger than the itechs or the eagles, which i find to be too small to be comfortable to go neck-guard-less). I don't like neck guards because I get too hot.

[JediGoalie30]

I wear a Vaughn 6000 size M, and at 5'9" ~205lbs it fits me pretty well, although I do need to wear a collar to help it out in the clavicle area. It's very comfortable and mobile, and I have had no issues so far with protection. My previous C/A was a Vaughn 1400 size large, and it was both a little too big and not protective enough for me.

[Huntster]

I wear a Miller CM9. Good unit with good protection. The only "weak" area is just above the blocker on the forearm. Other than that it protects well. The elbows are a bit wide but I don't mind but others might.

The adjustment straps around the neck area are great. It is really easy to adjust it to how you like to wear your c/a. I prefer mine to sit up rather high so my neck isn't expose. The whole unit in general has a lot of adjsutments on it which is nice.

[Cujo_64]

Right now Im using a RBK 6K Large (for sale btw) I am looking at buying another C/A at the moment. I had a Mckenney 755 with 852 Arms before.

I loved that C/A

Rob

[chunkinstien]

Currently using a custom Eyewall 5 c/a , dig it very much.

The only mod I did was taking off the neck guard, as at the start I found it interfering with my chin on my mask, so I took it off. It was a bit warm as well. I was using a POS before, so this was a huge upgrade.

Solid protection, I always find the shoulder wings really helpful for stopping shots when I am down, great for blockage. Non pro spec, and great sizing and performance. I wish I got the wrists maybe 1" shorter as at the start they rubbed in my gloves. In that area, no need to go right to the wrist bone, as the gloves cover that area.

No problem with any boomers, very happy and not looking for another unless I find a JB1800 for a steal.
pics are when I just got it...
with neck guard:



Without:




The culprit!


It fits great, mobility is solid even though it looks bulky. I tightened up the strapping on the back and it sits great without a hige gap in the throat (but I wear a dangler) Going to get a maltese as soon as my wife gives my wallet back.

Highly suggested, had for a year and a half now........

[oogs]

Currently wearing a vaughn 3700 c/a- size small (there's no xs) at 5'3" (barely)

mods:
removed neck guard
shortened arms.. a lot

problems:
started breaking down a few months after use
currently after 1 year, it has very senior level protection. when wet, it's like wearing a padded sweatshirt.

mobility is great, protection coverage is fairly good... if only the foam was stronger and lasted longer....

[Vaughngoalie3]

******* 991 that I traded for from Secross2. I'm not sure how old it is but the only wear is fraying on one of the rib guards.

The only problem I have ever had with it is one shot. I took it off the side of my chest, near my armpit. The C/A comes in right there to give more mobility for the arms and I took a shot there.

As far as i'm concerned having one shot do anything out of the 1,000's that I must have taken in this thing is good enough. It protects PERFECTLY and has so much more mobility that my old Matrix. I had one in peewees that I had to sell and i'm so happy that I found another one. I've taken some high level shots in this thing and havent had any troubles at all. I like to be able to feel the shot without getting hurt and this does that perfectly.

[GsDAteg]

I wear a TPS Icecap C/A and it is by far the most mobile unit I have ever worn. Especially the arms, I swear sometimes if feels like I'm not even wearing a C/A. The protection is good, I only get the occasional stinger while playing against ex college and junior players. I wore this for a season of junior A also and never felt vulnerable. If you can find one (they are kinda old) I highly reccomend it. Durabiity has been good also which os more than I can say about other TPS products. I have worn this C/A for a little over 3 seasons (including a hectic season of Juniors) and everything is in good shape still. Only problems have been one strap that attaches to the back plate came undone (still need to get that fixed) and the elastic on the shoulder floaters kind of lost their elasticity and could also be replaced. And I think the elastic on the shoulder floaters is worn only because I wear suspenders over my C/A and it kinda pushes on the floaters in a unnatural way, stretching it out. Really very minor issues though for a piece I have used so much. I have tried to move on to other C/A's but always come back to my icecap because of mobility issues. I love it to death and until I can find another C/A with similiar mobility I will be sticking with my TPS.

[Zavesa]

I wear a Sherwood 9980.
Did a review, click here.

It's now 2 years old, going into it's 3rd season, and it's holding great. The only thing is that the velcro to fasten it (the big straps on the bottom) are starting to loose grip if I don't put extra pressure on them while dressing up. Other than that, it's still fantastic, especially if you consider the price.