Tackla Pants Sizing

[blue_line 2]

Hello,

I'm looking for a new pair of ice hockey pants. Currently I'm wearing a pair of Easton Synthesis size 180, which I picked up last spring when I was getting back into hockey. Now, it's time to upgrade. I'm a smaller guy, 5' 5" and 150ish.

I've tried on Bauer 6000, RBK 6k, CCM 852, and Mission L5. I bought the Bauer, RBK, and CCMs in size 180 using an online retailer to try on at home.

The Bauers fit the closest to the Eastons - kind of loose, easy to get on and off, with the leg ending at just past the top of my kneecap. Nice fit, just that they don't offer as much protection as other pants.

The RBK's are tight. Hard to get on at the waist. The floating thigh guards are nice, but I have to cinch them pretty high so that they don't run into my shin guards. It leaves about 1.5" - 2" of material from the pant, which overhangs my knee. The RBK's seem more like a girdle.

The CCMs fit similar to the Bauers, but a little tigher in the waist. They have better protection than the Bauers, but not as much in the back 3/4 (on the butt) than the RBKs. My only problem with the CCMs is that the legs/shin guards are molded to fit someone who's been riding horses all day. The pads don't lie flat when I'm in a neutral position -- only when I'm in an open stance (like a horse stance for those with a martial arts background) and press the pads down around my legs.

The Missions I tried on were an adult small and they had huge thigh guards. The waist and length seemed fine, but the form of the padding was made for a 5' 5" 190# person.

So, now I'm looking at Tackla, either the 9000 Air or the 5000 Air. It seems from Puckmugger's review that Tacklas fit similar to RBK's, in that they are constructed like a girdle+shell. ALthough, the reviewer on this site said that the 9000's are more of a loose fitting pant.

I can find the 5000 Airs in the junior sizes, 180 in specific, but as with many manufacturers, the small adult size overlaps the junior XL.

So, I was wondering if anyone had experience with Tackla sizing that may help. Because none of my LHSs carry Tackla pants, much less in junior sizes, I'll be buying from HockeyMonkey (if I'm forced to), Total Hockey, or ProHockey.com, or some other online retailer. Some of these guys have stupid restocking fees or other dis-incentives to buy several sizes and return those that don't fit.

Thanks in advance, sorry for the long-winded post.

[ryno 0]

Don't know if this will help you much but my Tackla pro 5000's feel like they fit pretty much the same as my pro Bauers Supremes. I don't know how the Bauer 6000's that you tried on fit though, I never tried them. You can't go wrong with top end Tackla's (9000, 5000) for protection, if you are willing to spend the cash.

[Chadd 916]

So, now I'm looking at Tackla, either the 9000 Air or the 5000 Air. It seems from Puckmugger's review that Tacklas fit similar to RBK's, in that they are constructed like a girdle+shell. ALthough, the reviewer on this site said that the 9000's are more of a loose fitting pant.

I wear the 9000 and they fit nothing like a girdle. The 5000 is a two piece pant but so are many other pants, like the missions you tried on.

According to the Tackla pant guide in the dealer price list, the 180 fits a 30" waist and a player who is between 5-9 and 6' tall. While the 170 is a 29" waist and fits someone 5-6 to 5-8.

***EDIT***

I just read the review you mentioned and it's way off base. The 9000 is a very protective pant but not the top of the line model. That's the 5000x.

[blue_line 2]

Thanks for the replies guys. I think the 5000 Airs I've seen online are the regular 5000's, not the pro-stock 5000x's - at least in the JR sizes.

According to Tackla's website, the 180 JR should fit fine. I guess you never know until you try them on though.

http://www.tacklahockey.com/sizing_information.htm

Maybe I'll order a pair of 9000s or 5000s in 180 and hope for the best. Some places charge a restocking fee and may charge for shipping if it was free to ship out. But that can only be about $20, which may be worth it.

Or maybe I'll try the L5, L7, M1, or M2 again, I know a lot of local shops carry Mission.

Thanks again.

[Chadd 916]

Thanks for the replies guys. I think the 5000 Airs I've seen online are the regular 5000's, not the pro-stock 5000x's - at least in the JR sizes.

According to Tackla's website, the 180 JR should fit fine. I guess you never know until you try them on though.

http://www.tacklahockey.com/sizing_information.htm

Maybe I'll order a pair of 9000s or 5000s in 180 and hope for the best. Some places charge a restocking fee and may charge for shipping if it was free to ship out. But that can only be about $20, which may be worth it.

Or maybe I'll try the L5, L7, M1, or M2 again, I know a lot of local shops carry Mission.

Thanks again.

Wow, the chart on that link is different from the one they send to dealers. The web chart is probably more accurate than the printed version though.

The adjustable fit on the missions is cool but I really like the hinged thigh pad in the Tackla.