AIREAYE

you never know what you'd find at a Sportchek...my best find was an old blue and red Vapor XXX

Congrats :) unfortunately for us up in Canada, we gotta wait till spring...screw high school

yup, you can see the kevlar lines

Background: Shot blocking forward playing recreational/occasionally competitive hockey. I know these pads are old, but I've seen many pairs of them at several National Sports locations so in case any of you were just browsing through, here's what I have to offer. Fit Not as streamlined as Bauer shinpads (Supreme/Vapor) but not as bulky/wide as the Reebok pads. These aren't the tightest or snuggest fitting pads, but the dual straps and the ample calf wrap will keep them from slipping and sliding assuming you purchase the correct size. Comparatively, the knee area (due to flexing of the knee joint) is looser in fit compared to the wrapped calf/shin area. 8/10 Protection This is where this model absolutely blew me away. They are TANKS; I've taken slashes, slap shots, collisions with the boards and other players and have felt nothing as a result. The protection on the calf wrap was also nice to see, as they reach almost completely around the leg and the thicker foams provide good protection in that area. 10/10 Weight Despite being a more bulky pad with plenty of protection, it appears that weight was not sacrificed as a result. While they might not be the lightest pads, they certainly won't be noticeable either. 9/10 Durability I've used these pads for almost 3 seasons now (including summers, so 3 years basically) and aside from minor cosmetic paint scratches on the front of the plastic (expected of course) and sweat discoloration, there are no major issues to be concerned about 9/10 Intangibles Despite being a price point pad, CCM's TACKS 652s are definitely irreplaceable for me. Being a shot blocker as well as a speedy skater, I value the protection and versatility of these pads and probably won't be inclined to consider newer replacements. The removable inner liner (which can be washed) was a nice bonus in terms of drying the equipment. 9/10 Overall: 9/10

That's why I prefer LHS' over big box stores...you never know what kinda gems you can find...if I had the time/money, I'd visit every LHS in the Golden Horseshoe, just to go on a treasure hunt

sick pants :) did you get actual Canucks pro stock pants, or just shells?

WOW, I envy your existence LOL. That red thing on the old school Bauer gloves remind me of the retail X:60's...is there some relation?

Thanks to uclahockey707 for the template :) Reviewed: Bauer One35 Senior Small Height: 5'11 Weight: 131 Hockey Experience: House/Beer/Rec Fit: I'm a pretty skinny guy and this size fits me well. I did have to make an adjustment to the belting system (tied a knot so I can pull the belt tighter) to fit perfectly. Comparing Vapor to Supreme though, I think the Supremes are more tighter fitting around the waist than the Vapors, so if you're like me, perhaps the Supremes would fit better. This pair was a bit shorter than I would have preferred and it leaves a small gap between the shins and pant leg unprotected. 8/10 Protection: Being a low-end pant, the One35 offers moderate levels of protection for its price. I feel that the protection on the thigh panels and the spine guard were average, but the main weakness here is the tailbone (butt protection) guard. I fall on my ass a lot and it hurts haha. These pants offer good protection if you're playing rec hockey like me, but then again, if you play more competitve, or you play with more of a physical edge, I do recommend better pants. 7/10 Weight: Not having a high level of protection, these pants are definitely lighter than the more bulkier and protective models, and if that's what you prefer, than these pants do offer a mobile, lightweight feel. 8.5/10 Intangibles: Initially, I really liked the zipper on the thighs, both for the perceived increased mobility and the 'style' factor. However after a year of use, I find that they might as well be redundant, as the velcro catches on to each other and seal up the opening anyhow (too lazy to stick a matching velcro piece onto it, but w/e :)) but if you look for zippers and dont want to spend too much on pants, than this model could work for you, as it retails for about $60-$70. Goopd value at that price point as well. 8/10 Final Rating: 7.5/10

:( my dad lost his after a similar time period...our family is lucky to be able to live as well as we are today

doesnt jens go from 1-HC?

I honestly don't know why people don't like Easton Razr holders and parabolic steel. If you are a heavier person or play competitively, you might notice some difference, but if not, then why spend the money? Apparently the parabolic steel bends during stress (turns, stops etc.) and will lose energy right?

oooh very nice mickz :) how do the TO gloves compare to the One95 in terms of fit?

the felt tongues on the S15's and 17's are a result of the pro customization right?

its a repaint, same stick

yeah, its old news and has been out a while. its a price point stick though for around $140

those are fantastic jerseys :) how are your S15's holding up?

Update: Helmet: RBK 4K w/ RBE III cage Shoulders: Hespeler GX700 Elbows: Easton Synergy 300's Pants: Bauer Supreme One35's, Bauer 100's Shins: CCM Tacks 652 Skates: Easton Stealth S15, Mission AmpFlys Gloves: Easton Stealth S17's, S5's Sticks: TPS R6 Armor, NBH One55 OPS

Easton Synergy 100's are pro-level? I have a pair of 300s and I always thought they were very protective...

what's the difference between those and the EQ5's? I haven't seen the EQ50's in retail anywhere here in the GTA

agreed ^, the yellow laces look really sharp against the black

Stick: TPS R6 Armor Flex: 70 (WHIP) Curve: Perry (similar to the (Bauer P106, Easton Drury, RBK Spezza) Player: 5'10" 130 lbs Left Winger House League player Mixed level summer hockey (House league to AAA) Shaft/Flex: Love the concave walls on all four sides of the shaft, as it fits nicely in my hands. The Armor series features the middle section of the shaft having a 'Grip Zone', while the rest is clear. This grip is a combination of a toned down Stick'um and Warrior's Nipple Grip, which I thought was a good combination. Not as tacky as the Stick'Um, but offers the texture so you are more aware of your hand placement. Would've preferred that this grip covered the entire upper portion of the shaft however. Although flex is personal preference, I can say that the Whip flex is perfect for me, as I'm not a strong guy and take mostly wristers and the occasional snapper. 9.5/10 Blade/Puck Feel: One thing that I really noticed on this stick is the short blade height, especially at the heel. While the toe is normally heighted, the heel shortness worries me as it might either be a weak point in the blade or may not cushion the puck well. The puck feel on this guy is much better than my previous X:40. And not having other top of the line sticks to compare it to, I can only say that its livelier than the X:40/Vapor series, but not the wood-like feel of the Supreme series. One of the biggest drawbacks to the blade is definitely its ability to cushion a pass. I've noticed that reasonably powerful passes just deflect completely off this blade. 7.5/10 Weight/Balance: Being a price point stick at only $130, I was very surprised by the weight and balance of this stick. It seems much lighter than the X:40 and definitely lighter and better balanced than other sticks at that price. It is blade-heavy in the very slightest, being a price point, but that could help with puck and stick control. 10/10 Shooting: Simply a great stick for my wrister-only tendencies. I again got this in my correct flex and curve. Combined with improved shooting skills, shots mostly went where I aimed them, going top shelf or 5-hole was easier and more controlled than when i used the P92 before. 9/10 Update: After getting a new One95 with the same specs, I've found that the R6 just cant compare in terms of shooting and blade quality. The R6 blade torques too much when played against the One95 blade. I'd now say that if you were to move from an entry level OPS or another mid-level OPS to the R6, then you'd be impressed. Moving down however, is another story. 7.5/10 Durability: So far with this stick, the hosel has sustained a nasty cut, although it seems cosmetic, it's amusing that a stick called the Armor isn't renown for its durability. Like previously mentioned, the short blade height near the heel, definitely concerns me although nothing bad has come of it durability-wise yet. 7.5/10 Overall: Being an old model price point stick, I was lucky to find it at a local National Sports store here in the GTA. Paint job-wise, it seems quite old school and doesnt have that subtle flare I've come to like from the today's newest lines (save the Warrior sticks obviously). If you can find this stick (also available in the other TPS patterns) and want good performance without the price, this is worth a try. 9.0/10

whao it might be the angle of the pic, but the steel on those look very...worn down? Or are they just 9' radius?

Stick: Bauer Vapor X:40 Flex: 77 Curve: P106 'Gagne' Player: 5'10" 130 lbs Left Winger House League player Mixed level summer hockey (House league to AAA) used stick for 1 house league season Shaft/Flex: Love the Micro Feel II dimensions and the rounded concave walls of the shaft, it just felt natural in my hands. The 77 flex feels exactly that, neither too stiff nor too whippy for me at least. Stick'Um grip was also 'just right', and its tackiness was particularly enhanced by the synthetic leather palms on my gloves. 10/10 Blade/Puck Feel: The puck feel is where this stick falters, the Vapor's infamous 'dead' feel is here as well. It just wasn't responsive enough for me and being an inexperienced player, learning to feel the puck while keeping my head up is quite important. Catching passes seemed to be quite easy however, as pucks didn't bounce off the blade and were more cushioned. 7/10 Weight/Balance: Being a price point stick at only $100, I was very surprised by the weight and balance of this stick. Although slightly blade-heavy, this stick still feels well balanced at around 513g. Since I'm a rather weaker player without as much upper body strength, having a light stick when working on drills definitely reduces the muscle soreness. 9/10 Shooting: Simply a great shooting stick. The stars seemed to align for me when I got this in the correct flex and curve. Combined with improved shooting skills, shots mostly went where I aimed them, going top shelf or 5-hole was easier and more controlled than when i used the P92 previously. 9/10 Durability: Unfortunately, this stick snapped when I was hit into the boards, nearly impaling me, but I'm lucky it broke or else it would've been my ribs instead. This experience cannot fairly judge the X:40 on durability as any stick would've broke like that.However, when it was whole, the stick merely suffered a few paint chips. 7.5/10 Overall: One, if not the, best valued price point stick. Graphics package looks very clean, especially the black version I used. Available in a variety of curves and flexes. 8.5/10

Easton Stealth S17 Gloves, 2008 Model Size : 13" Time Used: 1 year (1 season of house league, various pickup, 1 season of Summer league) Fit: It seems that Easton's stealth line has diverted from being a wider/traditional fit in 2007 to a more anatomical/tapered fit after, a combo of Bauer's Supreme and Vapour series. This top-of-the-line glove from Easton offers this new fit; tight in the fingers and gradually flaring out from the knuckles. The flared cuff with segmented sections brings a good range of motion, nothing too excessive or restrictive. When I first tried these gloves on at the store, I fell in love with the fit :) 9/10 Weight & Mobility: Despite the leather palms and outer construction, these gloves are very light. Flared cuff again, offers a good range of motion. The key feature on this glove is the flex thumb, allowing one to bend their thumb slightly while not sacrificing protection. After using this glove, I don't think I'll be comfortable in a fixed thumb again. It offers better control and grip over the stick. The only problem I have about the flex thumb is that it takes some effort to bend it. 9/10 Protection: Being an anatomical glove, I didn't expect high-end protection similar to a Bauer 4-Roll or a Franchise. Despite not taking too many impacts to the glove, I can feel that the upper cuff and the pinkie area down to the palm are the most poorly protected areas. Be wary if you play higher level hockey. 6/10 Durability: For the most part, these gloves are still looking like they are newly purchased. The synthetic leather palms show no sign of damage or heavy wear. The embroidery and chrome 'S17' decals are still shining and despite tiny loose stitching problems, these gloves are quite durable. 10/10 Palm: I found that the palms are the worst feature on the S17. The synthetic leather Atacama Pittards palm is rather thick and offers poor feel for the stick. Being synth leather, they have also started to get crusty after games when they get wet, further spoiling the feel and it has even started to absorb odour. The stretch gussets were quite comfortable however. 4/10 Overall: A great glove for those seeking a tighter fit and are playing anywhere from rec to lower-level contact hockey, as there are better options for protection on the market. 7.5/10

yeah I mean, lookin at Stryker's collection I see: -One95 2pce setup One85,One55,X:50,XXXlite,Z-Bubble,S11 gloves,One95/75 gloves (cant tell) its different, and its good lol I wanna see wacky SMU gear, modern gear from defunct companies like Hespeler, LOW-END gear...just anything different :P