Vortek VK5 pads/gloves

[Netminder32 32]

open for review

[chaz 0]

Height: 5’8â€

Weight: 140

ATK: 16.5

Experience: 13 years, 10 as a goalie.

Level: Tier III Junior A, Midget AA, HS hockey.

Well, I was first introduced to these pads by my brother, who was telling me all this great stuff, about how light they were and that were amazing, but I really couldn’t have cared less. So we went out and he picked up a pair of pads to demo, and the first time I felt them, I knew they were going to be my next set, amazingly light. So I ended up ordering my own set, 33+2, 12 inch’s wide and old NHL spec glove and Blocker.

The pads:

Well, lets just say, these things are amazing. At first while wearing them, the rotation was off, and I was getting a V shape rather then a perfectly sealed butterfly, but I fixed all this. Once I figured out the strapping, it was all perfect. Also, the pads are by far the lightest of all pads I’ve ever used. I haven’t weighed them, but I believe they are less than 4.5 lbs per pad. Along with the perfect rotation of these pads, comes a perfectly sealed butterfly. Whether it’s a shot from the point where I don’t have to move, or I’m sliding across the crease, these pads always rotate and seal perfectly. Rebound control is a breeze, because these pads are almost fully flat faced, with angled knee rolls. I can easily direct pucks into the corner with the pads, and even if I don’t, these pads rarely shoot the back straight out, but usually rather kill the puck, making it easy to be covered.

After about 6 Months the pads are holding up well, I haven’t had a single problem with the quick release buckles thus far. My problems with the pads are wearing towards the bottoms, and small cuts on the face of one of the pads. Other then those 2 things, the pads are holding up amazingly well.

9/10

The glove:

Coming from a Battram 5001 glove and blocker was tough. My battram was much larger than older NHL specs, which made it hard for me to adjust to the smaller glove. After about a month of using it 3 times a week practicing my Junior team in the summer, I was used to it, and it was great. Easily the best glove I have ever handled. This glove is unbelievably light, and also previously NHL legal. It is amazing how it’s made; it is made perfectly so that the size is maximized, while remaining legal. Anything that hits this thing ends up in the pocket. It’s almost like a black hole. I can also play the puck better than ever with this glove; it is incredibly easy to grip the stick, and to shoot the puck. I’m passing and wrapping it up the boards better than ever. Also, while you know the puck is there when it hits your glove, I have had maybe one stinger in all so far, and that’s with 6 months of use.

There is essentially no wear whatsoever 6 months in, and almost no hockey smell, which is wicked because I am too lazy to empty my bag sometimes.

10/10

The Blocker:

Well, a blocker is a blocker. Not. This blocker is amazingly well balanced. Previous NHL specs, and feels wonderful on my hand. With my old battram blocker, I felt like I actually something on my hand, and gripping the stick didn’t exactly feel natural. With my new Vortek Blocker, it feels almost like I’m just gripping the stick with my bare hand, but I’m not. I haven’t had any troubles with the finger protection; it has all help up well.

My one major problem with the blocker is where my stick rubs against the blocker it seems to be showing a lot of wear. It seems to have stopped wearing to badly as of late, but it’s an area of concern that I will be watching.

9.5/10

Strapping:

Boot Strap: Loose

Lower Calf: Looser

Upper Calf: As Loose as lower.

On Knee: Tight, and buckled into the spot above knee.

Above knee: Loose, and buckled into the spot on the knee.

Thigh Board: Tight

Warm ups so i don't exactly know where the puck was.

Overall 9.5/10