Vortek VK6 DNA Noronen Pro Returns

[NJ35 0]

So thats not a typo -- I was privelaged enough to use Mikka Noronen's Pro-Return Sabre VK6 pads and the VK5 gloves. Many thanks to Colonial for allowing me to use them while I was home for Easter. I have used: Vaughn 4000s, Janni Hurme H10s, 580s, Beasts, Fusions, Cyclones, Beasts again, VK5s, and I think thats it.

Initial Impressions:

Pads, the 11" pads looked tall as all get out and because I'm 5'10" and Noronen is listed at 6'2" I wondered how they would fit. They were light and looked amazing. They initially appeared to be a marriage between H10s and VK5s.

Glove: Double pro palm. Wow -- stiff but light as a feather and fit my hand amazingly.

Blocker: Light and well balanced, great palm.

Review:

Pads light as any pad I have used and they were at least a 37" pad. All leather straps. My knee was a little lower than I wanted but it still was in the lock. The eleven inches took a little to get used to but once I was used to it all it did was help. Skating was superb and it didn't hurt the butterfly at all. The pads have two boot straps, a toe cap and clarino knee and calf wings. The knee had an awesome strap system that kept the stacks attached to the knee lock. Kind of a mix between the beast knee and the rbk knee. Truth be told -- as with all Vortek pads this one doesn't copy any pad, its a totally different pad.

The Knee rolls were nice and the pad seemed to be very very well balanced. This is a great pad for anyone who prefers a more hybrid pad as opposed to a butterfly VK5. I may even buy a pair of these because I loved them that much. My last note is that they rotated like a dream but wore like a more hybrid pad. 10/10

Glove The double pro palm was very thick but I could still close the glove very easily. It was as light as any other glove and was very balanced. Noronen uses more of a finger break which took me a little to adjust my hand to. Again, I love Vortek gloves so I was a little partial to this one. My shot felt hard as ever if not harder. I actually almost broke a guys hand when I shot a puck at his head and he put his hand up to catch it, that guy was my dad... ahaha. 9/10

Blocker The blocker has an awesome palm -- probably the most comfortable palm I have used to date. It was very well balanced and protected my hand well. Light and comfy -- as with all VK5 blockers. 10/10

All in all I love the DNA Noronen pads. They were a perfect mix for me because my favorite pads to date have been H10s and the VK5s. Any more questions feel free to shoot me emails or PMs.

I didn't take any pics so maybe Colonial can post some.

Edit/Delete Message

[St0PtH3pUcK 2930 0]

I cant wait to see these for when Colonial is letting me see them since i only live 15 mins from him. I have used VK5 pads for the last 2 years.

[NJ35 0]

thats cool -- I live pretty close to Marc too.

sick pads btw

[DDude26 0]

got pics?

[jrphantom042 0]

how'd u get them, any photos?

[NJ35 0]

didn't take any pics due to the fact that the pad is still in R&D