Stick Handling Limited by Elbow Pads

[Gummer12 134]

I use the older Bauer Supreme 1000's. They have no upper bicep crap, and offer imo the best mobility of any E.P. I've ever tried, without sacrificing any protection. You also might want to try the Jofa 9025. Same basic design. I have a pair of those too, but my forearms are a bit too big (from my long term life of bachelorhood) for the non-elastic strap. Either gonna sell them, or try and replace the strap with Elastic.

http://www.frasersports.com/elbow/jofa_ep9025.jpg

[Konig von Kuhlem 0]

I use Stealth S9's:

No mobility problems at all. I also use CCM Vector 10 gloves with a medium cuff and TPS slashguards (although I haven't had much problem with slashing).

I went to my LHS today and tried on the Stealth S5 pads. I fit the medium pretty good, but mysteriously they only had a left pad (no right pad). They didn't have the S9 pads at all. I'm looking at pictures of the S5 and the S9. What's the difference betwwen the two models (other than the S9's "heat moldable elbow cap")?

[Jarick 5]

I think the S5's have two velcro bands where the S9's have three. With the S9's, you pull one across your elbow joint, one forearm, and one bicep. They fit pretty similar but the S9's didn't slide AT ALL whereas the S5's could get loose.

They're both 3-piece but are so low profile that they play like an older style pad. I also think the S9 had better lining.

[hockeytim18 0]

I think the S5's have two velcro bands where the S9's have three. With the S9's, you pull one across your elbow joint, one forearm, and one bicep. They fit pretty similar but the S9's didn't slide AT ALL whereas the S5's could get loose.

They're both 3-piece but are so low profile that they play like an older style pad. I also think the S9 had better lining.

The S5's have 3 velcro bands. And mine have never gotten loose on me.

[Doctor Hook 0]

I just picked up Easton Stealth S5s and right now they're the best fitting elbow pad (with good protection) i've ever tried on. I get to use them tommorow night.

S5 user here as well and they're great. No issue at all with these interfering with stickhandling. Maybe the original poster would consider trying these out?

[icedevil82 0]

Side note:

Why did they start increasing the size of the bicep protection on shoulder pads AND elbow pads at the same time? I wear 4k elbow pads (which are good...now) and there was no good way to put them on with shoulder pads. There would always be slight overlap at times and then they'd flip flop over each other, it drove me nuts comfortwise more than inhibited movement. So, in a fit of anger I took the scissors to the bicep cuff on my elbow pads. They're ok now, but I'm actually looking at others because they slip around too easily now without the bicep strap....imagine that :) So, maybe something old style like I used when I was a kid. What those old ones were are basically what roller bladers wear at the park, not saying I'd be caught dead in those....

[hockeytim18 0]

I just picked up Easton Stealth S5s and right now they're the best fitting elbow pad (with good protection) i've ever tried on. I get to use them tommorow night.

S5 user here as well and they're great. No issue at all with these interfering with stickhandling. Maybe the original poster would consider trying these out?

Yea I went to the store with my shoulder pads and tried on most of the pads available and thats what I came out with. The original poster should go to the LHS with shoulder pads and have at it.

[truebostonian17 0]

i think if you want that range your going to have to sacrafice some protection. i have bauer elbow pads with no forearm protection and i have alot more motion. i think elbow pads with forearm protection are stupid elbow pads should be made to protect your elbows.

[JR Boucicaut 3805]

THen what protects your forearm from a slash?

[Konig von Kuhlem 0]

I just picked up Easton Stealth S5s and right now they're the best fitting elbow pad (with good protection) i've ever tried on. I get to use them tommorow night.

S5 user here as well and they're great. No issue at all with these interfering with stickhandling. Maybe the original poster would consider trying these out?

Yea I went to the store with my shoulder pads and tried on most of the pads available and thats what I came out with. The original poster should go to the LHS with shoulder pads and have at it.

Of all the pads I tried on at the store, the S5's by far allowed the most mobility. But now that I found a cut that will probably work, I want to check out the S9's to see if the fit is the same and if there are any added value features.

[Spreedizzle 1]

I find that the CCM Vector lineup delivers on a lot of different levels. The fit (with the lace closure and deep elbow pocket) is great for me, and they hold their position on my elbows throughout the game. Mobility with the two straps connecting the elbow cup to the forearm/slash protection allows great mobility. The bicep protection is fine for me and integrates nicely into my shoulder pads. But on the flip side of things I wear the old Easton Classics (complete with a lace up sternum). So for me....the Vectors have been excellent.

[sabres48 0]

A cheaper, and probably a more simple solution in terms of the long run, is to practice with your bo pads on.

[Konig von Kuhlem 0]

Well my correctly-sized S5's arrived today and I tried them on with my gloves. I definitely think my stick handling mobility issues are gone! :) Hopefully I can take my game (in full equipment) to the next level... :P Thanks for all the advice in going in the Stealth direction.

[MLSman 22]

I switch between two pair of elbow pads: The Nike V14 and the RBK 8K. When I plan to go to open hockey and switch from D to forward, I will usually wear the V14s. They have a much better range of motion than the 8K. When I play in a game though, the 8K is really good for the arm length. I will admit though that they really do restrict movement unless you really work them in. I would sit at home and flex them while watching a hockey game on the tube last year to break them in. It took a while, but they got better...just still not as good as the V14.

[Konig von Kuhlem 0]

I tried the S5's yesterday in a game for the first time and I have tonnes of mobility now... I even scored the first goal of the game! :D

[B-Nads 0]

I've got V-14's too - they are sweet. I cut the bicep protectors off of them, and if you get the tensions right on the straps they are almost unnoticable - especially combined with the X-70 gloves I use.

[duch 0]

I was going to suggest the S-5's or S-9's as well but the guys beat me to the punch. My other suggestion is the Sherwood 5030's which seem to be becoming very popular again. The forearm protection is there but it's not as long as some of the newer pads which might help with your mobility. The added bonus is the softer elbow pad which won't hurt the opponent players when your in close to the boards with them.

[blues_91 0]

I just got Jofa 9025s. IMO they fit much nicer than my old Nikes, and are very mobile. I tried on the S-5s and they didn't feel nearly as secure. The Vector series elbows also felt very nice and mobile, but I just didn't want the bicep pad because I can adjust the arm on my shoulder pads anyway.

[colin97 0]

Im kinda in-between sizes so i just got the smaller of the 2 (jr.large). i wish i got a senior small tho, now i have a fractured wrist. <_<