When buying leg pads why use the + to the thigh?

[U of M Goalie 0]

Ok I have played alot of hockey, I've played Juniors, I've played and coached Midget AAA and I've played college. But I have never understood why when ordering leg pads sometimes people say "I want 34 inch leg pads, with like +2 to the thigh rise". Wouldnt that just be easier to say if you said I wanted 36 inch pads. I am currently using V2 Velocities that are 35 inchs, the next pair I get in about 2 months I plan on getting 36 inch ones. I am just curious as why people say 34 +2, as I said wouldnt that just be the same as saying I want them in a 36?

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

I don't play goalie, but want to, so have been researching this.

What I have learned is that people may have a longer thigh and shorter shin, so their ankle to knee measurement maybe 18 inches, which would probably fit a 32 or 34 inch pad, but their thigh needs more padding.

So they get the + onto it.

That way the pads are properly fitted with the knee in the knee cradle and they get the additional height needed for full protection.

But I will defer to actual goalies

[Netminder32 32]

So your knee is properly positioned in the knee cradle. You don't want to order 36" pads just for the extra height if you need 34"s because your knee will pop out below the knee cradle as the pads rotate.

ex.. my pads are 37", but they are really a 34" + 3" (vaughns have a very short factory thigh rise) My ankle to knee measurement is 17" which puts me comfortably in a 34" pad. However, I have a very narrow butterfly (part of aging I'm told) so to properly close the 5 hole when down I need the extra length on just the thigh rise area.

[laandrew1 0]

all it is is a 34 pad.

then just add 2 inches to the top of the pad

the extra 2 inches at the top is to close the 5 hole

[Netminder32 32]

Allsmokenopancake you beat me to it :) ... lol

[U of M Goalie 0]

Hmmm I guess I wanna look into this then cause my knee is perfect in my 35's. But as you said the thigh rise is so short there is about an inch or two gap. So I guess the way to go would be 35 + 2 maybe. Cause like I said my knee is perfect in the center of the knee space right now with the 35's

[Netminder32 32]

My old vaughns...notice the area above the knee rolls. These were straight retail spec with no mods other than the reverse colour pattern.

My new vaughns....with +3 thigh rises. Again, note the area above the knee rolls.

Had I just bought regular 37" pads the knee rolls on the new pads would be located higher on the pad to accomodate a longer shin area and the area above the knee rolls would be small, exactly like on the old pads...

Visuals always seem to work better, hope this helps... :D

[Netminder32 32]

and...just for fun. The Lundqvist thigh rise. :D

Rumoured to be a +5... for those people who can still do the splits.

I don't think I'd recommend this one for your first attempt outta the box at gauging what size thigh rise you would be comfortable with though.

AND...the latest innovation in thigh rise technology from the original designer of my beloved Velocity's.... Smith adjustable thigh rises available as an option on his new 4000 series pads. Smith 4000's

again...I like visuals...

[U of M Goalie 0]

Ohhhhhh yeah damn good pics guys lol, I totally get it now. And I guess after this I better get the 35 + 2. Cause your right I dont just want a bigger pad and to have my knee flopping around outside the knee cradle. Thanks guys good use of illustrations lol

[sogaduch 0]

Ohhhhhh yeah damn good pics guys lol, I totally get it now. And I guess after this I better get the 35 + 2. Cause your right I dont just want a bigger pad and to have my knee flopping around outside the knee cradle. Thanks guys good use of illustrations lol

i find they get a + to the thigh rise is because the pads gunna drop an inch or so with wear,so if you dun want this then id get the main knee roll the be made in one piece not 3