TPS R5 leg pad review

[Cias]

Well, this is my first review so go easy on me.

Last night i finally got my TPS response 5 pads from goaliemonkey, they retail for $399 Louisville TPS Response Armor R5 Sr. Goal Pads<br><b><font color="blue">Goalie Monkey Exclusive!!!</b></font>

I got them in 35+1, my atk is 17.6ish and they fit perfectly. i was worried they would be too big but i was pleasently surprised they my knee fit dead center.

Quality: the quality on these pads seems to be very well done, for mid range $400 pads anyway, the graphics are all stiched on and the straps all seem very durable. my only concern is the thigh board which i can see ripping in the future, but after 1 game everything is fine with no signs of stress.

Performance: ok well this is alittle hard for me... as my old pads were crappy CCM PFS 3000 which were only 32" and very small on me. they also werent a flat faced pad like these. Trying them on when they first arrived, and listening to all you wonderful people saying to strap these types of pads very loosely, i was shocked at the amount of rotation offered when i butterfly'd down. it was really amazing to me as ive never worn anything like these pads.

Well, i had my first game last night, was a championship game no less. i was hesitant to wear brand new pads in such an important game but after trying them on with skates/pants etc i felt very comfy in them. and went ahead and wore them, to great success as we won 4-0 and i got a shutout the pads felt amazing, moving around was a bit difficult at first seeing how these pads were much larger then my old ones but i quickly got used to it. had to use a wider stance with them, which is a good thing anyway haha. but i absolutely love these pads and how they feel.

Weight/Colors: i just got the basic black/white goaliemonkey colors, all colors are stitched on. the pads are extremely light as well, they are rather thin but fully protective.

Overall i highly recommend these pads if you are looking for a mid ranged pad around 400, i was tempted to buy the RBK turco breaks since they were more flexible but the TPS R5's arent as stiff as i thought they would be. and i feel after a few games and shaping them right they will have a perfect S-curve for me.

here are some crappy pics, i was in a rush and didnt have time to take better ones. will post some new ones as well as action shots hopefully monday after my game on sunday.

[colavs454]

I can tell you that the thighboards will most likley fall apart on you. I got 2 sets from Goaliemonkey before they sent me the pro boards.

About the Pad:
& I've had mine for 4 months of use playing at the high school level 2-3 times per week. I broke them in naturally (by that I mean wearing them on the ice & letting time do the breaking in) & they have a very nice S curve. Straps are holding up well, but the color is fading on them. No wear issues on the pads, other than the thighboard, so quality is top notch for a Senior pad. My only issue with them is that the material in the leg channel bugs me, because it takes a pretty long time to dry. Other than that, it's a great pad

On Ice Use:
The Pads close the butterfly very well, narrow or wide. My B-Fly isn't narrow or Wide, & the 5-Hole is closed easily. Sliding is pretty easy too. I overslid a little when I first got them, but now I have adjusted my game to that. They rotate alright for me, even though I strap them fairly loose (but not really loose). When I recover, I have to do a slight adjustment to put them back in place, but it's very minor. It also takes a bit of getting used to because of the stiffness of the pad while new. It does soften up though.







just adding a little bit

[Cias]

yea the thighboard was the only weak part of the pad i can see. also, i only play roller hockey. and im in the process of making slide plates for them, so the wear should be reduced by alot

[TxAg35]

Good reviews thinking about ditching my RBK PI for these as crazy as it might sound but i bought them on ebay and do not like them as much as my current xceeds, im glad to hear some good feedback on these! What is the landing gear like on these from the pics it doesnt look like there is much?

[Cias]

Originally Posted by TxAg35

Good reviews thinking about ditching my RBK PI for these as crazy as it might sound but i bought them on ebay and do not like them as much as my current xceeds, im glad to hear some good feedback on these! What is the landing gear like on these from the pics it doesnt look like there is much?

the landing gear is perfect, not to big not to small, cushions my knees perfectly i didnt feel any discomfort whatsoever dropping down in these. here are some close ups of the landing gear. got them pushed down a bit currently with bungiee cords to give it a better curve, ill post more pics after my game tomorrow.

[TxAg35]

Thanks dude I appreciate the help! Does anyone know how flexible these can get because i like the xceeds compared to the RBKs i got because the xceeds have a break in them...

[Cias]

Originally Posted by TxAg35

Thanks dude I appreciate the help! Does anyone know how flexible these can get because i like the xceeds compared to the RBKs i got because the xceeds have a break in them...

i got them bent alittle atm with a bungiee cord. they seem to be holding an S curve rather nicely, as you can see from my first pic they are basically an L curve haha. ill post a pic tomorrow after i take them out of the bungiee cord set up to show the new curve they have

[TxAg35]

Ok cool because that is my only worry is that they will be too stiff i kinda have a problem with that, is the leg channel deep or shallow?

[Cias]

well they are definitly a stiffer pad, but they still flex very easily. the channel is more on the shallow side, very comfy

[TxAg35]

O ok thanks for answering all of my questions! Sry if im becoming annoying, glad you are enjoying you pads though!

[Cias]

no prob, got nothing else to do anyway haha

[Cias]

Originally Posted by TxAg35

Thanks dude I appreciate the help! Does anyone know how flexible these can get because i like the xceeds compared to the RBKs i got because the xceeds have a break in them...

heres a pic after i took the bungee cords off. starting to get a much better curve now

[kevin0807]

try putting them under a bench for maybe two days or so.
they will have an extreme S shape

[Cias]

Originally Posted by kevin0807

try putting them under a bench for maybe two days or so.
they will have an extreme S shape

haha yea i dont want THAT much of a curve though

[lundqvist30135]

do the r5 have the thighrise stiffeners like the r6's >