Big shoulder pads

[ahbroody 1]

had a friend in highschool die from playing "openchest" a game where we would punch each other in the chest if you werent protected. Made his heart skip a beat or something and boom down he went dead. Kid died here in san jose from a collision in a game same thing with the heart getting out of rythm.

Shit happens. If you want to roll the dice and play the macho angle cool deal. I imagine most of the people advocating that dont have kids. As I said before fuck if I am going to risk death or serious injury cause so that some beer leaguer wont rip on me for being protected. I love my wife and kids and play for fun. Not to get hurt and miss work and not provide for my family.

As stated they are called shoulder pads cause they SIT on your shoulders. Football pads are called shoulder pads also and they cover more than the shoulders.

[Jarick 5]

I picked up a pair of Vapor XXV's this weekend for that very reason. That and my 5030's keep coming untied and twist around and don't have much spine and ab protection.

First impression is they are protective and still pretty light weight. I hope they don't keep me too warm on the ice as I've had that problem before and it's not fun. This will be the fifth set of shoulders I will have tried. Nice thing is they seem to conform well to the body as a couple previous shoulder pads would move around.

[mwerth 5]

I just want to clarify that I'm not saying chest and back protection aren't important. My point is that there are plenty of people out there who wear shoulder pads that don't do too much for your shoulders, regardless of how bulletproof the chest plate is. Even in the 9k/8k/old Jofa model top-of-the-line pads, the only real protection is over the sternum. 2/3 of your heart is to the left of that, yet those pads just have a small layer of foam over that area.

Also, for the record, on the Pro Defenders there's a piece of foam that sits behind the laces. I cut open an old catcher's chest protector and glued a couple pieces of plastic to that foam pad, creating a much more sturdy pad than before.

[Jarick 5]

Thanks for the heads up. I'll take a look at the pads when I get home and check everything.

The step down pads, XVI or whatever, also seemed pretty decent, with a surprising amount of chest padding. The downside was it had a little less spine and abdominal protection, the biceps weren't adjustable, and they didn't conform to my abs like the XXV. But still pretty good for the price.

[ahbroody 1]

Was just thinking about something also.

Doesnt Ove where the 9ks? they dont seem to be mesing with his ability to move and score last time I checked. Also like his questionable hits at time or not. The dude is a beast on the ice. He protects him self with one of those big pussy shields and big shoulder pads etc. He skates like lightning hits hard and seems to stay healthy. I know part of that is that he is a big guy, but he doesnt seem like a pussy to me and he protects himself.

I think following the thinking of ove seems like not to bad of an idea. While my boy isonly starting to skate and play at 3 I am going to protect his shoulders and knees as best I can. Iwill spend the few extra dollars to hopefully limit danger to those areas as best I can

[mwerth 5]

I don't think anyone's calling anyone else a "pussy." It's just a matter of preference. If you want to get down to it, my point is that 1) I like the Pro Defenders because they fit me well, and 2) There are plenty of good pads out there, but I feel that it's important to make sure they protect your shoulder before you look at the chest/spine protection. Chances are you can potentially get better torso protection if the pads fit your shoulder correctly anyway.

[SolarWind 23]

I guess the biggest issue I had with Pro Defenders was the fact that despite of marginal back/chest protection comparing with One90 the pads weighted about the same & mobility was even worse!

as far as shoulder protection goes - I tried comparing Pro Defender & One90 by bumping into the glass shoulder first - granted I didn't do it full speed, but close - both felt the same...

so personally I didn't find any advantages of Pro Defenders over One90 (again - was hoping for reduced weight + increased mobility) - but I'm sure it's highly subjective & would depend on a body type...

BTW One90 has more then just thin foam over the heart area - there's that comb armour or whatever it's called...

to each his own of course, but arguably high end pads now days aren't much if anything heavier then low level pads due to lighter materials used & offer same if not better level of mobility

[CTK30 0]

Was just thinking about something also.

Doesnt Ove where the 9ks? they dont seem to be mesing with his ability to move and score last time I checked. Also like his questionable hits at time or not. The dude is a beast on the ice. He protects him self with one of those big pussy shields and big shoulder pads etc. He skates like lightning hits hard and seems to stay healthy. I know part of that is that he is a big guy, but he doesnt seem like a pussy to me and he protects himself.

I think following the thinking of ove seems like not to bad of an idea. While my boy isonly starting to skate and play at 3 I am going to protect his shoulders and knees as best I can. Iwill spend the few extra dollars to hopefully limit danger to those areas as best I can

8k's

But they are pretty much the same

[mwerth 5]

In all honestly, my favorite pads of all-time were the old Flaks. I would take a pair of those in a second if I could. The Pro Defenders definitely took some breaking-in, too, and I was also coming from a similar pad in the SBDII.

I also feel like I gave the wrong impression earlier in demeaning chest and spine protection. Clearly it's important, I'm just not a fan of it interfering with any mobility. Bottom line, it's personal preference, and while I do play beer league these days I definitely do not make fun of guys who wear big pads in my league.

Haha I find myself sounding like a Pro Defender apologist...

[CTK30 0]

You may be able to get them

http://www.usaskates.com/hockeygear/bauerf...oulderpads.html

My problem with shoulder pads is that I have broad shoulders and a narrower chest (41") I have had a pair that fit both ways, Maybe I just need to get a bigger chest :lol:

I have a size 6 9k's and they overlap each other and it gets annoying, I'll have to fix it some how.

But tonight hitting with them was definitely better and JDP definitely works. They are a little bulky feeling and kind of restricting but they are brand new and I've worn them once.

[mwerth 5]

Good lookin' out with the shoulder pads, but there are a few models from back in the '90s that were the predecessors for the Bauer Supreme shoulders. I don't have a pic, but I'm sure someone around here does...

I think another really tough part is finding a pair of shoulder pads that feels broken-in right off the shelf, so to speak. I think I loved my old ones so much because they were so stretched and loose they basically conformed to my body wherever they were strapped. I tried on the old Jofa version of the 9k before I went with the Bauers and they just felt too immobile before I even stepped on the ice. Maybe the pads just didn't fit me well, but has anyone else had this problem?

[oggy_3 0]

IMO the smaller shoulder pads are better. I have worn three different sets of shoulder pads in the past 3 seasons. Itech 495(had them since 1st year bantam), CCM 852 (wore for second year midget), and NBH one95 (wore 1/2 of third year midget). I had never been hurt in my itech and i played AAA hockey my bantam and first year midget and on. Then second year came and i thought i needed new ones so i got the CCM and half way through the season i got hurt several times so during the off season i figured i would buy top of the line shoulder pads, the one95's. So wearing these i thought i would be fine but after Xmas i ended up with the same shoulder injury and finally decided to go back to my old itech and knock on wood i havent been hurt since. Now when customers come in to buy shoulder pads i dont really push the top of the line because i fine they are way to bulky and dont seem to fit around your body so tightly.

[phunky_monkey 6]

I've just bought some '06 6K's and find them very mobile, as well as having great protection, especially for a D man. They seem to be quite bulky when they're on, but I can't say I've ever noticed it in a game situation and this is the largest pair of shouldies I've ever used.

[ahbroody 1]

Oggy I am not discounting what you are saying, but the injury issue can be a lot more complicated then just a big vs small pad issue.

The hit that injured your shoulder could have occurred no matter what you were wearing. The subsequent hit/injury could have also occurred regardless or possibly because you didnt rehab the first time correctly. Possibly after the second injury you were more carefull to heal correctly. As to not being reinjured since. It could also be because now you are more carefull with hitting or any number of things.

I dont know about your situation.

I think it is definetly personal preference. It just drives me up the wall to see people getting ripped on for just wanting to protect themselves. Not saying anyone here is doing that, just saying I do see that and I think it sucks.

[Jarick 5]

My problem with shoulder pads is that I have broad shoulders and a narrower chest (41") I have had a pair that fit both ways, Maybe I just need to get a bigger chest :lol:

I have the same problem...shoulders are really wide but a narrow chest (even narrower than yours). The Bauer Vapors are the best I've tried so far...they have velcro that goes all the way across the stomache so I can tighten them down much more.

Unfortunately, my sinus infection is turning into bronchitis so I won't get out on the ice to test them for a while now :(

[CTK30 0]

My problem with shoulder pads is that I have broad shoulders and a narrower chest (41") I have had a pair that fit both ways, Maybe I just need to get a bigger chest :lol:

I have the same problem...shoulders are really wide but a narrow chest (even narrower than yours). The Bauer Vapors are the best I've tried so far...they have velcro that goes all the way across the stomache so I can tighten them down much more.

Unfortunately, my sinus infection is turning into bronchitis so I won't get out on the ice to test them for a while now :(

Yeah I'm hoping I can get 2-3" on the off season

The thing is for me in shoulder pads when I go to hit some one in my only shoulder pads it feels like it's trying to separate my shoulder. Mainly on hits when the kids are against the boards I just crush them in. When I switched to the Jofa's it went away

[mwerth 5]

The design of the RBK/Jofa pads are really impressive. The JDP technology they use is great for people who have a history of shoulder injuries, and I swear by their stuff (mainly the old Jofa stuff) for shin/knee and elbow protection.