Rayzilla's Vortek VK5/7 Wish List.

[Rayzilla]

So I just got off of the phone with Marc. I am ordering a new set of Vortek pads and gloves. It's going to be my Father's Day gift from the wife, so I must be doing some things right.

Please do chime in with your comments, both good and bad.

PADS
P1) ATK is 17.5" to 18" (middle of knee cap & top of knee cap). 34" pad(?).
P2) +3 on the thigh rise (Updated, based on Crease_Flounder's information).
P3) All White Weave except White Jenpro (A) accents.
P4) Removable Closed Leg Channel mod.
P5) Outside Gussett Nylon in Bright Red instead of White.
P6) All Leather Straps with an Additional Complete Set of Nylon Straps (Upcharge Paid).
P7) Soft Boot Break.
P8) Double Knee Break.
P10) Foam inserted in a special way throughout the pad to increase flexibility of pad. (I love a flexible pad.)
P11) Sliding Toe Bridge (standard).
P12) "Rayzilla" embroidery.
P13) All White Lacing.
P14) One extra 'half' knee padding as discussed.

VK5 Glove
G1) All White Weave with White Jenpro accents.
G2) All White Binding and Lacing.
G3) Beefed up regular palm, but not quite a pro palm.
G4) Non-NHL spec (48").
G7) No metal eyelets throughout the glove.
G8) "Rayzilla" embroidery.


VK5 Blocker
B1) All White Weave with White Jenpro accents.
B2) All White Binding and Lacing.
B3) Stock non-NHL spec.
B4) "Rayzilla" embroidery.


I'll edit/update the above wish list as it goes.

Thanks in advance for any input.

[Colonial]

Originally Posted by Rayzilla

I guess it's pretty obvious that I am about to order a new set of Vortek pads and gloves. It's going to be my Father's Day gift from the wife, so I must be doing some things right.

I'm going to be out of town until Friday evening, so I won't be able to check back on this thread until then. Shortly after that, I hope to place my order with Marc, but perhaps I should also speak with Glenn to see what he thinks of my wish list too.

Please do chime in with your comments, both good and bad.

PADS
P1) ATK is 17.5" to 18" (middle of knee cap & top of knee cap). Would that be a 34" pad? Yes
P2) Either +2.5 or +3 on the thigh rise. (Currently wearing C-10 in 34+2)Yes
P3) All White Weave except White Jenpro accents. Yes
P4) Closed Channel mod. Yes
P5) Channel leg in Nylon instead of Ultima-Dry. I think So
P6) Leather Straps at knees and boot, remainder in Nylon. All White (considering Red). Yes
P7) Soft Boot Break. Yes
P8) Double Knee Break. Yes
P9) Removable Thigh Board. Yes
P10) Softer foam throughout pad to increase flexibility of pad? (I love a flexible pad.) It is not softer foam, it is the way it is finaled.
P11) Sliding Toe Bridge (but I think this is standard). Yes
P12) "Rayzilla" embroidery.

VK5 Glove
G1) All White Weave with White Jenpro accents, and White threading and trim. (Considering some Jenpro in the palm area.)
G2) VK7 graphics. Can't Be Done
G3) Bindingless cuff like on VK7. Not available in the non pro spec
G4) Non-NHL spec (48"). Yes
G5) Cheater bar. Not Available
G6) Deep pocket (I think standard is already deep, but just in case it's not). Not Needed
G7) No metal eyelets throughout the glove (if possible). Not a problem
G8) "Rayzilla" embroidery.

VK5 Blocker Yes
B1) All White Weave with White Jenpro accents, and White threading and trim. Yes
B2) VK7 graphics. Not Available
B3) Stock non-NHL spec. yes
B4) "Rayzilla" embroidery.

I'll edit/update the above wish list as it goes.

Thanks in advance for any input.

See answers to your post, jeez that was alot. At first my eyes were burning.

Marc

[M-Dub]

HOLY MODs Batman..

Here is my input you asked..

I orderd mine with single internal break.. could have maybe done both breaks to make it more flexible but mine are breaking in NICELY..

I love nylon straps would never do leather.

Leg channel in my pads looks and feels brand new. I dont know why id need nylon in there?

Id say order a 34+3 with both breaks and a soft boot break. Other than that Id let them make the pad and not stray too far away. Mine are great and look and feel new still after about 8 months of playing.

I had C10s before which I loved and These are a great pad too.. You wont regret it that is for sure.. Order them and wait a shorter amount of time..

[Crease_Flounder]

Hey Rayzilla:

I'm also coming from a 34+2" C-10 (Wellsie Pro Returns ) I just pulled my new 34+2" VK7's out of the box today and they feel pretty tall. I thought that the C-10's were pretty tall when I first got them, but these seem like they may be a hair taller. Of course, they're brand new, so I'll get back to you after I skate in them and break them in a bit, but right off the bat, I would be careful about going over a +2" unless you feel like your C10's are too short.

I'll try to get a compare/contrast photo up before the end of the weekend.

Oh, one mod I think is cool was Batmite's addition of Jenpro to the bottom of the calf wing, which is a pretty high wear area for me.

Johnny

[Rayzilla]

Originally Posted by Crease_Flounder

Hey Rayzilla:

I'm also coming from a 34+2" C-10 (Wellsie Pro Returns ) I just pulled my new 34+2" VK7's out of the box today and they feel pretty tall. I thought that the C-10's were pretty tall when I first got them, but these seem like they may be a hair taller. Of course, they're brand new, so I'll get back to you after I skate in them and break them in a bit, but right off the bat, I would be careful about going over a +2" unless you feel like your C10's are too short.

I'll try to get a compare/contrast photo up before the end of the weekend.

Oh, one mod I think is cool was Batmite's addition of Jenpro to the bottom of the calf wing, which is a pretty high wear area for me.

Johnny

Hello Johnny

Thanks for your input. I'll see what you have to say about your experience with your pads this weekend.






If there is anyone else that would like to comment to my initial post, please do so soon. I plan to put in my order pretty soon.

Thanks!

[Rayzilla]

OK, I will be speaking with Marc tonight to put in my order.

Thank you to those of you that helped me out with your thoughts (including any PM's).

I just have these last outstanding undecided items:

P2) Either +2.5 or +3 on the thigh rise. (Currently wearing C-10 in 34+2)
I am very comfortable with my current pads, but I just wonder if I can still take on just a little bit more as I won't have thigh boards at all.

P5) Channel leg in Nylon instead of Ultima-Dry.
I believe my C-10's have the Ultima-Dry stuff in the leg channel and it seems to be holding up pretty well. Is it lighter than nylon? Last thoughts?

VK5 Glove - Is there such a thing as an in between regular protection palm and a pro-palm? I love my current VK5 glove which does not have a pro-palm. I had a VK7 that did not feel the same, but I am not sure if the pro-palm had anything to do with that. So I basically want something that is the same as my current VK5 but with just a little bit more protection.

Thanks!

[Keeps33]

Just a note, the Vk7 stock is a very flexible, squishy pad. get the soft boot break however.

[Rayzilla]

Originally Posted by M-Dub

HOLY MODs Batman..

Here is my input you asked..
...Id say order a 34+3 with both breaks and a soft boot break.

...I had C10s before which I loved and These are a great pad too.. You wont regret it that is for sure.. Order them and wait a shorter amount of time..

Thanks for you input!

Just wondering, what size were your C-10's before and how does the sizing here compare to those? I'm still waiting to hear what Crease_Flounder has to say about his on-ice experience with his new pads since he is also a former C-10 owner.

Thanks,
Raymond

[Rayzilla]

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that I just put in my order. The only thing is that I am holding out on two final items:

1) To go +2.5 or +3 on the thigh rise. I have 34+2 C-10's right now, but I haven't paid close attention to the thigh rise issue. The +2 has always felt natural to me and it closes up my 5-hole very well, so I never really thought about whether I could/should add another inch. I'm finally going to play again this Tuesday (strained left MCL) after a fairly long leave. I'll pay attention to the thigh rise and see what I think about going to +3.

2) My outstanding 'In-Between' regular palm and pro palm. See my rational in my updated initial post of my order specifications (at the top of this thread).

Thanks in advance for any final input.

[Keeps33]

On my pads, i got a +3 and found it to be just a touch to tall, but that also may have been affected by the old top strap placement on the VK7's. I miss my pads now!

[hroark2112]

I've got the +3 on both sets, and I love it. I'm sure I'd do fine with the +2, but an extra inch hasn't hurt me at all.

Regarding the palm, I have a set with the old style palm and 2 with the pro palm. The pro palm glove is a breeze to get used to. It's all about how you put your hand in the glove and where you place it on your hand. Once you find that right spot, you're golden!!

[Colonial]

Originally Posted by Keeps33

On my pads, i got a +3 and found it to be just a touch to tall, but that also may have been affected by the old top strap placement on the VK7's. I miss my pads now!

You would love the new 7 knee cradle design. It really made the pad very easy to rotate no matter what size butterfly.

Now again, like anything in life. Nothing is perfect for everyone, but Glenn made these alot better for most everyone.

Marc

[Rayzilla]

Hey Marc

I just added G3 and I forgot to add P14 yesterday.

Thanks.

[Mx42]

Originally Posted by Rayzilla

So I just got off of the phone with Marc. I am ordering a new set of Vortek pads and gloves. It's going to be my Father's Day gift from the wife, so I must be doing some things right.

Please do chime in with your comments, both good and bad.

PADS
P1) ATK is 17.5" to 18" (middle of knee cap & top of knee cap). Pretty sure that's a 34" pad.
P2) Leaning towards a +2.5 on the thigh rise. (Currently wearing C-10 in 34+2) I haven't played lately because of stained left MCL. I will be testing it out this Tuesday, so I will confirm immediately after if I decide to move up to a +3.
P3) All White Weave except White Jenpro (A) accents.
P4) Closed Channel mod (removable).
P5) Outside Gussett Nylon in Bright Red instead of White.
P6) All Leather Straps with an Additional Complete Set of Nylon Straps (Upcharge Paid).
P7) Soft Boot Break.
P8) Double Knee Break.
P10) Foam inserted in a special way throughout the pad to increase flexibility of pad. (I love a flexible pad.)
P11) Sliding Toe Bridge (standard).
P12) "Rayzilla" embroidery.
P13) All White Lacing.
P14) One extra 'half' knee padding as discussed.

VK5 Glove
G1) All White Weave with White Jenpro accents.
G2) All White Binding and Lacing.
G3) Beefed up regular palm.
G4) Non-NHL spec (48").
G7) No metal eyelets throughout the glove.
G8) "Rayzilla" embroidery.


VK5 Blocker
B1) All White Weave with White Jenpro accents.
B2) All White Binding and Lacing.
B3) Stock non-NHL spec.
B4) "Rayzilla" embroidery.

I forgot to ask you if there is an in between regular palm and pro palm. I love my current VK5 glove, but I wouldn't mind just a little bit more protection. But I'm worried about going with a pro palm because I did have the VK7 and I couldn't get use to it. Not sure if it was because of the pro palm, but I don't want to take that chance. So if an in between doesn't exist, then I would rather stick with the regular palm.



I'll edit/update the above wish list as it goes.

Thanks in advance for any input.

Are the demo pads still available? If so, have you tried them out?

I think you'll find that a lot of the changes you want in the pads won't be necessary. They are a super flexy pad. And the catch glove is literally a puck magnet, you won't need that cheater.

[RichMan]

For christ sake Marc, just send him the materials with the "How to build your own..." instructions booklet