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New for 2017, the Super Tacks is CCM's top-end girdle. Here's it out of the box: The shell is removable, with leg zippers and +1 adjustment. It has three points in which it attaches to the girdle. There is a second loop under the belt in which the shell strap hooks into. Adjustable spine pad, with D3O. Now, here's the girdle without the shell. Open front crotch. However, there is a step-in part in the seat of the girdle. Opening it up, you can see it. The tailbone pad is built in, similar to 9k. There are 4 adjustment tabs in the girdle. Two of them extend all the way up to the kidney pad and bring the back of the thigh pad up... And the other two bring the front of the thigh pad up. Hip pads are similar to 9k. There's a lot to like here. Having the open crotch is good, and there's no shortness of protection as well. However, two things could be potentially nagging - the step-in part is one. It doesn't really seem to be necessary - the points it's attaching to is the groin pad area and the tailbone pad. The second one is the lack of stretch material in the top of the girdle. The only part where there's any sort of stretch is a 1.5" piece where the velcro tab is that mates to the belly pad. I'm hoping to skate in them shortly. Any questions or additional pictures needed, please ask. Thanks goes to CCM for sending me this set. I've been a girdle wearer for almost 20 years so it's a category that always intrigues me.

Height - 6'2" Weight - 215 lbs Pant Size: XL Shell Size: XL Time of use: About 8 months, 2-3x/week Other pants previously used: CCM Crazy Light, Warrior Pro Stock Franchise Level of play: Beer Leaguer Location: In very hot and humid rinks Fit - 6/10 In the store, and in the early usage, I thought these were the best pants/girdle on the market, and could not find fault with them. They fit like a pair of tight shorts, which is nice. The thigh guard's ability to move with my leg is an infinite improvement over the pants that I previously wore (although I have never tried a true girdle, and suspect that the true girdle would be even better). However, once you get skating and sweaty, the shortcoming of the belt closure system become quickly apparent. Most pants offer the skate lace, plus the belt. The other girdle has a nice big piece in lieu of a belt, which offers a more comprehensive close. With the belt, if I cinch it tight, so that the pants hold in place with all the crouching and bending and striding and twisting, then I can get a nice hold, but there is pressure on my waist which I am not thrilled about. If I loosen it up, so that I do not feel this pressure, then I find myself yanking the pants up during faceoffs. According to the size chart, I am between L and XL. In the store, when I tried on a Large, it showed some distress in the mesh around the crotch, and figuring this could become a durability issue, I went with the XL, which still seemed to give a nice snug fit (as it still does). 4 points out of 10 may seem like a lot to deduct, for one area not fitting to my liking. However, after having come to my own senses (that this is the only pant or girdle on the market that uses such a skimpy closure system), I am thinking, "What were they thinking?" Ok, maybe since it is a snug fit all around, Warrior did not think that they would need more than just this belt? I do not know, but I do know that the belt system in the previous girdle had issues (unrelated to my gripe, but issues nonetheless) with its belt closure system. Protection: 7/10 In the thigh guard, tail bone, hip pad, and kidney area, these are pretty solid. However, I would not trust the thin, medium density foam inserts that cover the femoral triangle. Sure, I have taken pucks off of these pads, after having deflected passes when I was forechecking, but I would not trust these to stop slapshots. Weight - 10/10 This thing is feather light. I barely notice it when it is on (and not cinched tightly). Durability - 3/10 On the bright side, the mesh that holds it together, and gives it great breathability and ventilation, has held up. However, the plastic inserts are pressing through the front top area, in multiple places, and require repairs: This is also a successful repair, where the back was splitting: I take very good care of my gear; always drying it after use, and leaving it alone when not being used. So, I chalk this up to "not my error." Intangibles 8/10 If you: -Play Forward and do not plan on blocking a ton of shots. -Play in a hot/ humid rink -Travel with your gear, so that weight is a premium factor when checking gear for airline flights -Do not mind the belt closure system -Are ok with the pants lasting 6-9 months, before you may require another pair Then these pants are perfect for you. However, if you want a pair of pants/ girdle to last longer, and/ or the other items above are not of prime consideration, then I would say look elsewhere. I do not expect these to last much longer, and am debating whether to try the MX3 girdle (for mobility/ snugness of fit to the body) or the QuickLites (for lightweightness, and durability) as my next pair. I will definitely not be buying another Dynasty girdle (although I will still buy Warrior. I do not think that this is a poor quality or manufacturing issue, as much as it is a design flaw, in something that was an innovation, so Warrior is still all good in my book). Conclusion I am happy to have tried these out. If Warrior can fix the belt closure system, beef up the femoral triangle area (perhaps thicker, higher density foams), and fix the issue of the sharp plastic inserts pressing through in the areas noted, then these would be perfect. This pant does some things exceptionally well, and perhaps better than any other pant on the market. However, it comes up short in the areas referenced, for my preferences. Overall score - 34/50 ** Quick note on the Shell: The shell required a quick repair out of the gate, on the velcro closure system (which I understand was an issue for every user that I know of who also used this shell). However, since the repair, everything has held up just find, and I like the mesh in the back for extra breathability. This is my go-to shell, amongst a pro stock Warrior and 2 custom shells that I had made.