Smith 5000 pads, blocker and trapper

[canadian_man_44]

Last night I got to hit the ice for the first time with my new Smith gear. Here are my first impressions.

Pads: 33" + 2" NHL spec
The first thing you notice about these pads is the weight. Definitely the lightest goalie pads I've ever played in.
The quality of materials and workmanship is amazing. Definitely worth the wait.
I absolutely love the setup of these pads. From the sliding toe bridge to the adjustable thigh rise, these are perfect. The boot and leg channels are just the right depth to allow for unhindered rotation. The padding in the leg channel also makes these pads the most comfortable I've ever worn. The calf and knee locks secure the pads to the legs with a feeling of stability, but, still allow enough room for rotation. I'm also lovin the adjustable knee stacks, although I will not be adjusting them anytime soon. With all the stacks in them, they have the right thickness of landing area for me. Even with the extra thickness that my previous pads didn't have, they do not get caught up in my pants. The strapping setup works very well for a butterfly goalie. The top strap is angled so it doesn't hinder pad rotation. The quick change system is great too. I tried it out just to see how long it would take to change a buckle. Less then a minute if you have quick fingers.
In just one week I've got these pads into the perfect curve that we're all looking for in good butterfly pads.
Protection 10/10
Quality 10/10
Cost 10/10
Weight 10/10
I can't really comment on the durability since I've only played one game so far in them, but, with the quality put into these pads, I'd say they'll last a long time.

Blocker: NHL spec
What can you really say about blockers. This one is very light and very protective. Again, the quality is great and it is very comfortable. I absolutely didn't feel anything through this blocker in my first game.
Protection 10/10
Quality 10/10
Cost 10/10
Weight 10/10

Trapper: NHL spec.....almost (there's an extra 1/2 inch to allow for a deeper pocket. It's only the measurement from the tip of the pocket to the heel of the glove that's not spec though.....and it's something that can be remedied by tightening up the pocket lace a little if I ever play in a league where it matters. The perimeter of the glove is NHL spec.)
This glove has it all. Quality, protection, comfort and it's also very light. The adjustments you can make inside the glove make it so you can have the perfect tightness or looseness you desire. I took a few hard shots off the palm but have had no stingers at all. There's lots of padding in the palm, but, it doesn't affect the closure. Right out of the box I could fully close it and open it with not problem at all. There's no way the pucks getting out once it's in the pocket.
Protection 10/10
Quality 10/10
Cost 10/10
Weight 10/10

As time goes on and I get more games in, I'll add to this, but for now, they're perfect.

[Ryeno42]

How do you judge how good something is if you only used it once?

It like saying a KIA car is the best car ever after 1 week.

You could only do a review on something that is bad after a week , not one that is good.

[RCS]

So I would be unable to give a useful review of the burrito I just ate for lunch until a few months down the road? Just curious.

[TIMMAAYY]

Well at least he's played in them. Much better than the "Here's pictures of my new pads! They look great, don't they?" reviews.

I've been looking at the 5000's as my next set and first custom set, at least the pads, anyway.

A nice requisite couch photo would be great, though.

[diesel]

Originally Posted by Ryeno42

How do you judge how good something is if you only used it once?

It like saying a KIA car is the best car ever after 1 week.

You could only do a review on something that is bad after a week , not one that is good.

What do you suggest then? Maybe he should use the gear for a few months before giving his thoughts??

His initial thoughts are that it is good and he likes the gear, and he clearly states that he'll add to this as time goes on.

[Alex30]

Originally Posted by TIMMAAYY

Well at least he's played in them. Much better than the "Here's pictures of my new pads! They look great, don't they?" reviews.

Well, I guess this is quite the opposite type of review then

Originally Posted by TIMMAAYY

I've been looking at the 5000's as my next set and first custom set, at least the pads, anyway.

You would be a complete idiot to buy anything else because these pads are a pure perfection in every aspect, after all the whole set scored 120 points out of 120 possible

All smart assing aside though, I am just saying that I don't really know how useful are the ratings if they are 10/10 across the board.

This is nothing against Smith pads. I used SP4000 for 2 seasons and they served me really well. However, there were still things to complain about.

[canadian_man_44]

Originally Posted by Ryeno42

How do you judge how good something is if you only used it once?

It like saying a KIA car is the best car ever after 1 week.

You could only do a review on something that is bad after a week , not one that is good.

Perhaps you should read the "here are my first impressions" part of the post.....but, I suppose this is the kind of response anyone can expect out of a guy that is obviously an a$$(from most of the replies of read by Ryeno42). I guess I should be thankful that it wasn't something like

Originally Posted by Ryeno42

Do a search

Maybe you're forgetting this little gem from another topic.

Originally Posted by Ryeno42

If you were really smart you would buy some SMITH pads.

After that you should be happy that someone got Smiths.

How can I do a review on something after only a week: By comparison to all the other gear I've ever owned. Besides that, like has already been pointed out, I did state that I will be doing follow ups on the topic after I've used them for awhile.

Originally Posted by Alex30

I am just saying that I don't really know how useful are the ratings if they are 10/10 across the board.

This is nothing against Smith pads. I used SP4000 for 2 seasons and they served me really well. However, there were still things to complain about.

Initial ratings from "first impressions" are 10/10 across the board. Like I said before, I will add more impressions of the gear as I play in it more. So far, there is nothing to complain about. When there is, I will definitely add them.

[Alex30]

Originally Posted by canadian_man_44

Initial ratings from "first impressions" are 10/10 across the board. Like I said before, I will add more impressions of the gear as I play in it more. So far, there is nothing to complain about. When there is, I will definitely add them.

I am just messing man. Smith pads are pretty top notch. Post some pictures when you can

[canadian_man_44]

Here's some all taken in the basement the first day I had the gear. I'm hoping to get some on ice shots soon.

[cajungoalie]

I can't beleive I am saying this but I kinda agree with Ryeno. Clearly Canadian Man is excited about his new gear, he's posted numerous pics in other forums and has gone on about them. Rightly so, as that is one sexy set and we all know what kind of product Pete makes. But come on, 120/120 what's the point, just come out and say you've had a hard-on since they arrived at the door.

Nice set though.

[canadian_man_44]

Come on now people. What the hell? I rated them on Protection, Quality, Cost and
Weight. The protection is awesome, the quality of workmanship as well as materials is great, the cost of pads, blocker and trapper cost less then just a set of pro level pads here in Moncton and their the lightest gear I've ever seen. Seeing as how these areas that I've rated are things that you don't even have to hit the ice to see the truth in, means that it is a legitimate rating. Notice I specifically said that I would not rate durability or anything else that I really couldn't know at this point.

I guess the bottom line is: if you don't like me rating things that I can honestly rate on this pad while leaving the long term ratings for the long term, shut the hell up and stay off the thread until you figure I've had them long enough to have an opinion.

Just for the record, this isn't the first set of Smith pads that I've tried, just the first set I've owned. The last ones I tried were owned by a friend of mine. At the time, he had owned them for 6 years playing 4-5 times a week and they were still in perfect shape. The only thing he had ever had to replace on them was a few straps.

[Ryeno42]

The point is not about smith pads. Its about stating something is good after 1 try and then retracting it 1 year down the road.

The point of the review is that people can read it when they open the thread that is the first thing they see. They don't have to read everyone elses comments on it or what not to find the "actually" review.

The next question that would come up would be "I don't want to search through 40 posts to look for the review"

How can you rate protection as excellent if you just got it? Everything new is good when you just got it. Look at "Old Navy" clothing .

When it is bad and you just got it then it is fine to write a review.

and stop using profanity that's in the rules

[aaawall91]

Just think of what kind of world this would be if all reviews had to wait 1 year before they were publicly available...

by the time the reviews for the '07 model of cars are out the '08s would be released...we would all be stuck buying those white '91 explorers!

Take it for what its worth.

[Ryeno42]

I never said do a review after 1 year. Just as long as the person have used it more then a couple like 10 times would be adequate.

The one year was a example if the person said it was the greatest when they got it and down the road they say it wasn't good.

[canadian_man_44]

Please read the first line in the post. I've quoted it here so you wouldn't have to take the time to scroll up again. It specifically says "hit the ice for the first time" and "first impressions". Everyone knows you only get one chance to make a first impression and these made a pretty good one on me.
That being said, if they don't live up to expectations then I will let people know on this same thread after 10 games, after a season and after a year or two.

Originally Posted by canadian_man_44

Last night I got to hit the ice for the first time with my new Smith gear. Here are my first impressions.