994 Pad Review

[Wong]

ITS CHRISTMAS!


I ordered the UL5's while on brake this summer but after using my 993s again I realized there's nothing that bothers me with the type of pad. Last Thursday I changed my UltraLight 5 order to 994's and of course the day before the pads arrive I play some of the best hockey of my life with the 993's.



Sorry about the picture quality I just picked up the camera and too quick shots.




Here they are all bagged up ready to taste freedom.





At 6'1" I'm using the 34+2" size, it looks like the knee stack sits a tiny bit higher with the 994 than in the 993 so it works out prefect for me.





Here they are sitting next to the 993's, after slightly over a year of use the 993's havent shrunk any and only appear shorter because they're broken in.




Front to back. The big difference here is the new NHL legal thigh boards and material in the leg channel. Thigh boards annoy the hell out of me and I've never had an issue taking one to the knee with the 993's so I'll probably remove these ones as well.




Open wide






Top to top. No width shrinkage





Here they are side by side, you can see the difference in width on the top quite clear. When first using the 993s the thigh rises were annoying to me but I'm guessing that was growing pains after moving from a thigh riseless pad.




close up of top.






The leg channels on both of the pads.






Close up of the knee area. The knee stacks are softer than the 993s (something they changed in the 993s later)





Overall the little changes are appreciated since they fixed any issue I had with the 993. I got itchy with my stimulus check and figured what the hell. So far my only complaint is that the leather straps aren't white which makes them much easier to mark once you found the prefect adjustment. The 993's are great pads and honestly I didn't need to buy 994s but if you're looking to upgrade old pads I'd highly recommend either the 993/994. If yo I'll write up a post skate report once I get a chance to get them on the ice.

[Jim]

Nice pads! Congrats!

[njt42]

Honestly, I would save up the extra 300$ to get one of the big boy companies pads. I'm sorry but I can't stand *******. Your pads look very nice though!

[RichMan]

Originally Posted by njt42

Honestly, I would save up the extra 300$ to get one of the big boy companies pads. I'm sorry but I can't stand *******. Your pads look very nice though!

This comment, although your personal opinion and your right, you didn't have to write it as you seem to do on every single DS post that has been made here or anywhere else. I think we know by now how you feel about them


This comment shows some honesty despite your dislike.

[Rhodes]

Awesome pads, Dude! Over the years, i've bought 2 sets of pads from *******s.
Back in Highschool, I got a set of UL1's. I liked them even more than my Velocity 1's. Then last year, I picked up a set of 993's. Like you said, there isn't much difference between the 993's and the 994's. My only issue was the rock hard knees stacks and the leg channel. Both of these problems were easily resolved... as I put in some different knees stacks and cut the leg channel flaps out. I have loved all of the products I bought from ********s except for the 992 catching glove. i do'nt like the break of it and the thumb is just too damn big. After 2 or 3 months of trying to get used to it, I switchd back to my T5500 (I also have an original T3500, which is pretty much dead.. but i love the beast even more than the 5500). I understand that a lot of people hvae issues with ******'s marketing stategies, but guys, their gear is really good and obviously a lot more affordable if you are on a budget. I play Senior A hockey, and haven't had an issue with the stuff wearing out... I'm pretty sure my next set of pads will be from *****'s.
Nice stuff, Dude.

[MCL 298]

Why did you get new pads?

Your 993's look like they are still in good condition

[#33]

Originally Posted by MCL 298

Why did you get new pads?

Your 993's look like they are still in good condition

i think his 993's were 33+2 and the 994's were 34+2... i like em but doesnt it feel weird to have different materials in the knee lock? when i got mine i always ordered nylon in my velo pads!

[obie35]

sick pads!

[Wong]

Originally Posted by MCL 298

Why did you get new pads?

Your 993's look like they are still in good condition

They are in good condition and I shouldn't have upgraded but the $600 economic stimulus check made me irrational.

I realize they get a bad wrap for designing pads with target competition in mind and I can understand peoples frustration with that. The 993/994's have been pretty original so I don't mind purchasing them in the least bit.

Originally Posted by #33

i think his 993's were 33+2 and the 994's were 34+2... i like em but doesnt it feel weird to have different materials in the knee lock? when i got mine i always ordered nylon in my velo pads!

Actually the 993's were 34+2's as well, the minor things that they changed on the 994 where the only things that bothered me on the 993's so I decided to upgrade with my "free money". The new material isn't a big deal wearing them in the house, I'm skating on Saturday so I'll post my thoughts on them then.

[29SPENSER29]

Awesome pads, I'm gettin the same ones with the same colors next christmas

[hatshockey19]

Nice pads, they look great!


How is the weight on them? I know the 993s are a bit on the heavier side, is there much difference between the two?

[Wong]

Originally Posted by hatshockey19

Nice pads, they look great!


How is the weight on them? I know the 993s are a bit on the heavier side, is there much difference between the two?

Weight isn't a huge difference that I noticed.

I've used them twice since I got them and I like them quite a bit. The softer knee stack helps a lot and the thinner thigh rises are nice. I think they're a little stiffer by the feet which helps the pad roll over more when going into butterfly but that may be my new strap settings. Overall the pad is everything I wanted them to improve on the 993s so I'm quite happy with my choice to buy them now.

[shinderhizzle84]

dude...i love these pads. I tried them on in the ******* shop in fort erie on my drive home from visiting family in toronto, and i loved em.

I was a little confused about what you said about the 994's thigh board. I was confused because, at least when i tried them on, the 994's have a thigh wrap. I actually like these a lot more than my current pads, the 993's (lol) thigh boards because my thigh boards often get stuck underneath my pants, making it difficult to bend over in to my low stance. It especially happens when i get up quick, but the problem with that is that i often HAVE to get up quick for the rebound.

Anyways, yeah these are great pads, i actually believe that they are a lot less weight than my 993's, but maybe i just thought that because i was in gear w**** heaven....with racks and piles of goalie gear surrounding me lol.

Good luck with these new pads!

[blue-zoom]

is there a reason they only make a 34 and a 36, i usually wear 35's, my atk is 18.5 dont know if the 34 will fit.

[moto67e]

Originally Posted by blue-zoom

is there a reason they only make a 34 and a 36, i usually wear 35's, my atk is 18.5 dont know if the 34 will fit.

I would imagine they can make it for whatever size you are, but as far as stock sizes they offer 34 or 36.