Shoulder pads...

[stevo 0]

I play in a few leagues. I play in two rec leagues and use very small shoulder pads. I think they are called Itech Minimalists or something like that. I just recently got them and I highly suggest anyone that dislikes wearing shoulder pads or wants something very small with a minimal amount of essential protection.

Here's my question. I play in a competitive full contact league as well. I'm looking to get some new shoulder pads that offer more protection than my Itech's (I don't find them suitable for full contact). I've tried on several different shoulder pads and this is what I have observed so far:

Nike V12's...light, protective, and not extremely bulky. Expensive.

Bauer 8000 Lightspeeds...light, protective, fairly bulky shoulder caps. Moderately expensive.

Jofa 9800's...protective, light, feel and look bulky. Very expensive.

CCM Pro Tacks...seemed to have the same qualities as above but I have heard nothing but negative comments on all of the CCM protective equipment.

I was hoping you guys might be able to add a little insight. The Nike, Bauer, and Jofa shoulders all felt really good and I was wondering if I should be leaning towards one in particular.

[kosydar 0]

I'm in the same fix that you're in. I just can't justify spending that much money on shoulder pads when there are so many different sticks I want to try. What I think I'm going to do is get a pair of Jofa 8800's from HG. They have them for $50, which is $100 less than what they retailed for a year ago.

EDIT: Just checked HG, they raised the price on them to $70

[Veltri 0]

check out louisville contours, light weight, not bulky and good protection, cheep too. got mine for 35 bucks.

[kosydar 0]

Not bulky meaning they have a low profile? Theres nothing that I hate more than when I'm sporting the linebacker look.

[Dave 1]

I'll soon be in the market for new shoulder pads, too and I'm almost sure it will be Nike V12s. Coming from Bauer 5000s (which are very protective but also extremely bulky), I want a really low cap design, and the Nikes shiny in that department. Bauer 8000s are out of question because of the caps' size, same for the 8800/9800.

If you want to go the Nike route but are low on cash, have a look at the THG SMU called "V-Force", they run cheaper than the V12s yet offer 95% of V12's features.

[stevo 0]

What about the V10's? Do they compare to the V12's? Is there anything else I should have a look at before I decide? I am leaning towards the Nike V12's. What about the Easton Synergy's? They seem to have a very low profile. I have not seen them in person yet so hopefully someone can comment.

[Rob 3d 0]

Here in sweden Jofa is really cheap, i would go for the jofas because the most NHL´ers does it ;)

[stevo 0]

Well I am aware that nearly half of all NHLers wear Jofa protective equipment. But I am not really going to let that make a decision for me. There are many other factors involved with why so many pros use Jofa...most importantly, how much they are willing to pay people to use their stuff. And I am not in Sweden and Jofa is by no stretch of the imagination cheap in Canada. Are there any Jofa models that have a low profile fit?

[Rob 3d 0]

I dont know actually..

[D-MaN88 0]

If you have the chance, I would look into the new Mission M-1 shoulder pads. Great price and look nice, I have talked to a friend that has looked em over and he said they're really nice for the price. Good protection but not bulky. Just something to ponder while you're looking.

D-MaN88

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

Well I am aware that nearly half of all NHLers wear Jofa protective equipment. But I am not really going to let that make a decision for me. There are many other factors involved with why so many pros use Jofa...most importantly, how much they are willing to pay people to use their stuff. And I am not in Sweden and Jofa is by no stretch of the imagination cheap in Canada. Are there any Jofa models that have a low profile fit?

Now, if that were true, they'd be paying every player. No company is going to give out an endorsement deal to a player for products that cannot be seen.

[stevo 0]

Why not? It sure sounds good when Jofa can say, "xx% of all NHL players use Jofa equipment." That kind of advertising worked on Rob 3d and I'm sure countless others. Maybe they don't pay out individual endorsements but they probably pay the actual teams.

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

The player has the ultimate choice on what he is going to wear, especially when it comes to pads.

Yes, they capitalized on the fact that almost all NHLers wear Jofa and signed an endorsement deal with the league, however, they aren't forced to wear it.

I think the telltale sign is that their stuff works - when's the last time you've seen a change in their product line?

[hip check 0]

Aren't the Jofa soft cap elbow pads the only piece of equipment mandated by the league? Everything else is a players choice. Pro's wear stuff that works for them, which is a good testament to Jofa.

As for shoulder pads, try a few on and see if the range of motion and comfort is acceptable to you. Ignore the names on them. You may find a great fitting pair that are in a lower price range.

[Cavs019 710]

Take a look at the bauer 6000s. They have more than adequate protection and are much lighter than the 8000.

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

Aren't the Jofa soft cap elbow pads the only piece of equipment mandated by the league?  Everything else is a players choice.  Pro's wear stuff that works for them, which is a good testament to Jofa. 

As for shoulder pads, try a few on and see if the range of motion and comfort is acceptable to you.  Ignore the names on them.  You may find a great fitting pair that are in a lower price range.

Not exactly.

The NHL mandated soft-cap elbow pads...Jofa took their existing models and made a soft-cap version. When I worked the NSH training camp, a few guys had Bauer old-school style donut elbow pads and a couple of guys had Vapor 6s.

[kosydar 0]

Aren't the Jofa soft cap elbow pads the only piece of equipment mandated by the league? Everything else is a players choice. Pro's wear stuff that works for them, which is a good testament to Jofa.

Good point, but even before they were mandatory, 99% of the league still wore some of their stuff.

[stevo 0]

Is that 99% figure true? I heard it right from a CCM rep. that something like 49% of NHL players use Jofa protective equipment.

[kosydar 0]

I'm almost positive its true. I remember a few years ago Jofa had a poster that featured the 5 or 6 NHLers who didn't wear Jofa.

[Rob 3d 0]

Why not? It sure sounds good when Jofa can say, "xx% of all NHL players use Jofa equipment." That kind of advertising worked on Rob 3d and I'm sure countless others. Maybe they don't pay out individual endorsements but they probably pay the actual teams.

But its probably because Jofa is the best, i mean look at nike v12.. Looks like something from StarTrek..

[mack 44]

Who sees the protective gear though? I don't know about where you play but we wear jerseys here. Jofa's not exactly stylish but it works, which is why I choose to wear it.

[hockey77777 0]

How do you get shoulder pads that are long? I'm 6'2 and find that my shoulder pads are just to short.

[Ryan 0]

If you want lightweight, protective, and low profile I would say check out our Ultra Lite shoulders. They have invisi-carb which is polycarbonate plastic and stronger then typical ABS plastics. Chest is 3-piece & segmented for a better fit and range of movement...and the bicep pieces are heat moldable if you want to shape them to your arms better.

[kosydar 0]

How do you heat mold shoulder pads? Skate oven?

[stevo 0]

Thanks Ryan...I will check those out.