5 Games Later...My Gatekeeper Pros vs Older Velocities

[Ninj76]

Well Here it is. I have recently purchased CCM Gatekeeper Pros: Pads, Glove and Blocker.

Not sure if someone can post these for me, but you can see them at:

http://img88.exs.cx/img88/9485/gatekeepers0lb.jpg

The reason I bought new pads is simple: I had Vaugh Velocity 7000's...34"pads, glove and blocker. I am very inflexible in the hips and knees and despite having broken in the pads, I could never get my five hole to close. One of the things I noticed is that the thigh rise on Velocities is not as high as other pads. My thinking is that if I went to a flat-faced pad with a higher thigh rise I might be able to close my five hole more easily. Also, I had the first-generation trapper that had a weird modified-Y trap that closed awkwardly and did not catch the puck very well. The newer Velo trappers have changed the trap and is now a double-T. The blocker was great...paddle downs were comfortable and closed the gaps really well. But I loved my Velocities for their ability to slide, their comfort and ability to address the strapping etc.

Current gear:

Helmet: Eddy Pro Kevlar...velcro strips keep popping off p@ssing me off to no end.
C/A: Vaughn Legacy 6000...awesome, great fit.
Pants: Brian's Altramax...love e'm
Pads: Gatekeeper Pro 33+1
Glove/Blocker: Gatekeeper Pro
Skates: CCM 852's
Stick: Koho 590 custom

So I decided to go to the local shop with my pants and skates and try on all sorts of pads, with the idea of being to close my five hole more easily. I tried on A-Maxx, Fusions, Cerebrus, 580's, 590's, Demons, all Louisville pads, and finally Blockades and Gatekeepers. I loved the way the Blockades felt, but I keep reading how they over-rotate when you butterfly so I decided to stick with the Gatekeepers. The 33+1 had a noticeable different feel to to the Vaughns...the Blockade trapper did not feel right in my hands (like it would fly off), the blocker felt pretty good. In the end I took the plunge and bought the Gatekeeper's!

After five games here is what I noticed in the CCM vs Vaughn experience:

Glove: The trap on the GK is deeper and the glove is about the same weight as the Velo. I clearly notice it easier to suck the puck deep into the pocket compared to my Velo glove. It is easier to handle the stick/puck as well. It took much longer to break in than the Velo, but as of last night it is getting better and better. You always have a little moment of panic when you wonder if the glove will ever feel right, but it is awesome now. One difference I noticed in workmanship is that the Velo was clarino right around and I think it may be better protected on the back of the hand. The GK is fabric on the back of the hand which may have been a weight decision by CCM. SO the Velo seemed a bit more solid. The glove inside has this neat new anti-microbial and I did notice it resist getting stinky.

Blocker: The blocker is narrower and much longer. It has been a beatch to break in...the thumb plate is very stiff which makes it hard to hold your stick at the proper angle...it is like the shaft is forcing against the thumb. For the first 2 games I could only hold my stick with my thumb and first 2 fingers! Now it is getting better. The glove, in my mind, is set too low on the blocker compared to the Velo...paddle down saves are much harder...the end of the blocker gets in the way and I hope it gets easier over time. Like the trapper, the GK has fabric on the glove side of the blocker...the Velo was full clarino. The glove is awesome! It is this stretchy fabric...it feels like my receiver gloves in football. I love it.

Pads: SO MUCH LIGHTER THAN MY VELOS!!! They have the plastic buckles except for 2 leather boot straps. The leg channel is deep and very comfortable. Strapping them on is a breeze and they are very comfortable. I removed one of the knee landing pads (it is velcroed in). It is easier to close my 5-hole, and the extra inch on the thigh-rise is a huge help. They are thinner in profile, but I took some serious shots and it felt fine. The differences from the bottom on up:

1. Boot straps...not sure about this...Velo's had straps that ran right through the pad. If it broke you could fix it yourself. The GK's have this fixed leather strap that if it ever breaks I will have to take it in to get repaired. If it breaks in a game, I am hooped. Not sure if this was a weight decision, or what. Oh well. Not sure yet how tight to make these...I have been experimenting.

2. Offset toe: not sure how else to call this...but it seems the Velo had a more aggressive taper in toe which made it easier to push off your skate will in the butterfly. It seems the GK are fatter at the bottom, and the pad sometimes gets in the way and it is hard for me to dig in with my skate. Maybe i just have to figure it out how to tie them on the bottom.

3. Straps: Nylon with buckles. Love this. Easy on and Easy off. Probably has a huge weight difference as well. The leg channel is comfy...it has the same new anti-microbial fabric. Pads still smell new. It looks like a smooth suede. Velcro knee strap is good. Landing pads are nice...based on other reviews I removed the removeable pad and they slide even better.

4. Mobility: they are lighter, but seem clumsier than my Velo's. I think the Velo's rotated better and closed the gap along the ice better. The thigh-board is different. The one on the Velo was bigger and you got the feeling it may help stop the puck sometimes. The GK thigh board seems better at protecting my thighs. I think I am so used to my Velo's that it will take me a while to figure out how to tie these to use them optimally.

Overall, I am thrilled. Few things left to figure out...but overall this was a great purchase. Thanks to Larry's in North Vancouver. I have two games today...maybe I will have more to share with you tommorow.

Thanks guys...keep on stopping!

Ninj

[Smith35]

Good review!! I always like the compare - contrast approach, it gives a basis for why certain personal preferences are made. Too many other reviews simply gloat about how great and perfect everything new is - you've stated why you don't like certain things in the new stuff. Good luck with your new set up, and thanks for the review!!

[oldgoalie]

I have found with Flat box pads that the best way to deal with boot straps is too pull them snug only, then back off a hole. Try them and loosen as required.

Also wise to leave some slack at toes, I started about 3/4" and went to about 1 1/4".

I have seen a number of young goalies this year with new box pads that came from a traditional b/fly pad and play the b/fly aggressively. They have worn through the straps and put very heavy wear on the boot area, which is typically much wider that a tapered toe found on older pads. These are obviously strong and flexible youngsters, who are driving or forcing the pad to rotate around the lower leg as they did in past pads.

In my opinion the pad will rotate easier worn loose and the tight strap setup just accelerates wear on the bottom areas.

For comparison i have over 200 hours on ice with my pads in about 1 1/2 years and have MINIMAL wear on the boot area.I have a bit of wear on one strap due to overtightening at first. Never broke a strap on these. The sewn on type obviously saves weight and cost, and is likely easier to assemble. As well, it takes away an uneven surface in the boot face making rebounds more consistent.

Hope this helps, found it has worked best for me and several young goalies i have instructed this year. Glad you enjoy your new gear.

[dsegundo]

ummm....the newer velo gloves come w/ either the X-web (which you've got) and a single T. not a double...

Just wanted to clarify for the people that don't know.

[Rico]

Compared to the Velos, how do the gatekeepers close the five hole when You're in the b-fly? Do they close better because they're more flexible, or because they're larger in the thigh rise? I have the same hip flexibility problem as you, and have been looking at different pads.

[Ninj76]

Sorry...did not know how to call the funky trap I had. But you are right...the newer Velo is a a very deep single which is more of a "pelican" looking pocket. I have not seen the same configuration as I had on my old glove on a newer Velo model...it looked kinda like a "Y". When it broke in, it was not very deep and the puck would often pop back out.

It is the Vaughn vision 3700 that has the double T.

Thanks DS.

Ninj

[rhanz]

While I didn't play with GKs, just tried them on before I bought my V2s, I'd doubt that they're more flexible than the Velocities. They seem to have the one break beneath the knee, and that's it.

[Ninj76]

Originally Posted by Rico

Compared to the Velos, how do the gatekeepers close the five hole when You're in the b-fly? Do they close better because they're more flexible, or because they're larger in the thigh rise? I have the same hip flexibility problem as you, and have been looking at different pads.

I found that both the blockade and gatekeepers, when dropping in the B-Fly, would almost overlap eachother and seal the five hole.

I am one of those short stocky types who has never ever been flexible. I cannot do the splits, and when standing can hardly touch my toes. Despite playing very high-level sports and still doing a ton of dry-land strength and conditioning training. And being in my low-30's, I do not see myself turning into a pretzel any time soon. The only thing I can see helping is maybe yoga.

When I am in the B-Fly, I cannot stick my feet out very far on the sides. They are more behind me, which opens up my five-hole. Knee risers help...they give you an anatomical advantage because it lifts your knees above your feet. But these two pads both felty good, right away. I will take "Old Goalie's" advice in about 2 hours and tie my straps looser.

As these pads break in, I see myself being able to seal that hole shut. I could have tried to order Velo's with a higher thigh rise, but there would have been no way for me to try them on before. Alex Auld has huge thigh-rises on his Velo's.

But I am glad I brought my skates and pants and took an afternoon to try all these pads on. I am sure the sales guy got annoyed watching tie on 20 different sets of pads, but for that kind of money i wanted to make an informed decision.

[canadian_5001]

What is the price diffrence between stock and pro?

[Cujo_64]

How are you straping the pads on ? I had the nylons tight but now I have them looser.

I used to have the toe strings about an inch slack, now I have 2 or 2 1/2 inch slack I have the first strap next to the stings near the toe, I have it at the 6th hole from the end of the strap, then I have that back strap on the skate at the 7th hole from the end. this makes the back strap tighter and the front strap gives room and if I drop down and angle my skate out, the front angles down and the back stays in place so when I get up they are back to form. how are you working yours ? also any other gates users, how do yall set yours up. Ive been using the extra knee lift lately, but I think I till take it out. It hasnt been helping. I keep the 2 knee and top strap very loose. the 3 calf straps are looser, but not loose, hard to descibe. Rob

[Ninj76]

Originally Posted by canadian_5001

What is the price diffrence between stock and pro?

I bought stock off the shelf...this was not a special order with funky modifications or anything. It is just that the pads are caqlled Gatekeeper Pros. CCM has a Blockade Pro and a lower end Blockade Senior. I guess I got the Pro and eventually they may have a cheaper Senior as well.

GK Pros are about $1399 or so.

[g0rilla]

I am not 100% sure but the pro version is made in Canada while the seniors are madee overseas. As well; the level of protection, quality of material, and durability are all going to be better on the pro version.

g0rilla

[Cujo_64]

ttt hello ?

[stonep]

GREAT REVIEW!!

Nice to see more like this.


I also am a "EX" velo 2 user, and Mine where even 34" + 1" thigh, and had the exact same problems as the orignal poster stated... My velos where even rather new, in great shape, but it didn't matter. I had to make a switch, because while the velos are great pads, they still arn't the best unless you have 1. excellent flex 2. have mass thigh rise and put the velos under a chair for 1 year 15 hours a day. I cannot move my legs far apart, just like the orignal poster. I was able to close the 5 hole, but since I do have limited flex, it wasn't easy as it should be. I now switched to much more flexable VAPOR 2's in the knee/thigh area, which have better 5 hole closure. To the above poster, try vapors 2's instead of velo's if you have weak flex. I almostm think the vapors where designed for people with little flex, great 5 hole bend.

[rhanz]

I don't see how that's possible, unless you're strapping V2s weird. My V2s are incredibly flexible and do a great job of closing the 5-hole, even in a narrow butterfly.




That was after having the pads about two days. Since then I've actually tightened the top strap a bit, resulting in even better closure.

The Vapors that I tried on did seem slightly more flexible, I must admit, but I hardly consider the V2s to be stiff in any way.