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TPS R6 response Pads review
Well after much thought I decided to buy a set of R6 Response goalie leg pads. I had already purchased a set of R4's for my son and knew that the R4's are not even close to ok for Ice hockey. So, with that in mind and my mind set on a pair of R8's, I got a set of R6 pads. Now I am going to compare them to what i was wearing and thats a set of Summit Pros, 12 inches wide. My Summits in my mind are the best set i have ever played with in 16 years.
Ok, I ordered a set of 35 +1 Ranger color pads since the selection is not big on the R6's. The pics provided are from Rob Laurie the TPS rep. My pads are exact to what he is showing in the pictures, no since in taking more picture of the same pad.
First impression, they are much lighter than my Summits and a tad bit on the weak side compared to the Summit. Its still much better than the R4's. They just dont have the thick quality material that I was hoping for but still they are not real weak. You can just tell they are not made with the best materials found. The craftmanship is there but not something made in Canada like the R8's. Still its made well enough to play Ice Hockey with and not feel like they are not going to hold up.
I will start with the leather straps, much too long. I for the life of me cant figure out why TPS still cant make their leather straps shorter. When you begin to tighten thease down on your legs you will begin to find the straps are way too long. The last strap which is a MUST cut is the strap which goes through your skate. This strap not only is way too long, it also doesnt have enough holes in it too tighten itself down. I am a size 10 RBK 3K skate and 5'10 and I wish it had a few more holes on it and just shorter.
The thigh protectors are not what i was hoping for. I thought at first i could get use to them, but mins later i soon realized that the standard R8 thigh guard is much better( same on a summit). Lucky for me, a simple order of new ones and I can remove them and replace them just the way they are with no mod to the pads. The knee blocks seem to be adequate enough and I was happy with them. The one thing I dont like about the R6's are the missing calf wraps found on the R8 and the Summit, this is a must with these pads. Why? Because it gives you that much more protection from skates, sticks,pucks, etc. Not only that but you feel like you legs are straped into the pad. So, i ordered a pair of calf wraps for my R6 pads. Now in order to make them work i have to really modify my pads by sewing in velcrow to make them work.
The R6 doesnt have a removable boot channel , like the R8 or Summit. Too me this is not a bid deal since I played with mine in on my Summits. The Side calf block too me can be thicker on the R6 and its a bit on the weak side, BUT a calf wrap can fix that fear very easy.
They have the slideable tow bridge and it just as good as anything else out there, works just fine.
Performance:
I took them out for a good test run, a 2 hour practice secession on the ICe with 3 very good players, all Pro players. When i say pro I am talking Semi Pro and Russian Elite leauge. Anyway, they can shoot and it would give me a decent workout.
Moveablity, is so much better. I was able to move around much better with these compared to my Summits. They were lighter and not bulky like my non Spec TPS Summit pros were. This i noticed right away.
Butterfly: WOW.....i was told a few times last night the way i am able to butterfly with them was much better and I was able to make myself cover more from them. I believed this when i found it much easier to cross my pads in the front and maintain a better stance. They just seemed to work better with that. Also pulling the pads together was very easy and much better.
Sliding and using the sides face down on the ICE, better and well it seemed I was able to maintain a better seal with the R6's as to using my Summits, so there you have it.
Rebound controll: I dont feel they are much better than my Summits, they cant be. But I will base this on my observation of what happen and than wait for an official word from TPS on the material used on the front of the pads. Here is what happen and not only too me but I heard its happen to two other players. The front face of my pads received a huge dent from a puck in them. Almost like a golf ball dent. I base this on the material used and I feel what they use in the R6 is not the same as the R8 thus this happen. Two other guys reported the same thing but said their was no effect in performance. Now this is from only 2 hrs of playing, whats a season like? How many more little dents will I get? TPS, really needs to address this issue.
So, overall playing with them was easy. I like them but some areas fail where the R8 takes over or the Summit. Am i happy with them, I have to say right now I am ok, but i know in time i am going to move up to an R8. For the money they cost, they are much better than most and for someone that was a decent pad at an affordable price the R6 is a decent choice.
MIke
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