Least Restrictive Shoulder pads?

[Tikkanen 1]

I know three guys who had tried Farrell shoulder pads. One was player Jr B, the other two in men's leagues. Both had welts all over their upper body. While Farrell's system looks good on paper, it didn't seem to work out too well.

These are full check leagues, correct?

Jr B should be considered a bit more than full check, IMO. And it depends on the type of mens league.

That was my point. If you're in a hitting league I would go with the most protection you can get if you get bruises and welts. I'm playing in intermediate/advanced leagues here in SoCal so I can get out of the way of most slap shots since there are few Phanuefs around. I just wanted to protect my heart and spine from anything like what happened to Pronger. And they aren't $150, google them and you will find them for $100 which is reasonable to me based on what I pay for all my other equipment. Not a single bruise or welt yet.

[jon93 0]

I'm testing my pair out for the first time toinight.

[Keith 0]

I tried on a set today. I liked the mobility and weight, but I thought there were a ton of gaps in the padding.

[Dougie8 0]

I've just started using the Farrell shoulder pads and I love how they're so loose underneath and you cannot even tell that they are on when you're using them.

[Chadd 916]

I've just started using the Farrell shoulder pads and I love how they're so loose underneath and you cannot even tell that they are on when you're using them.

Loose is not good when it comes to protection.

[jon93 0]

I tried on a set today. I liked the mobility and weight, but I thought there were a ton of gaps in the padding.

I really dont find the gaps a problem. There only like .25 inches apart too.

[Jarick 5]

Tried on the new Vapor shoulders yesterday, wow, they are great. Like a lower profile version of the Lightspeeds. Expensive, but sweet.

[Tikkanen 1]

I tried on a set today. I liked the mobility and weight, but I thought there were a ton of gaps in the padding.

I really dont find the gaps a problem. There only like .25 inches apart too.

Unless you're playing with a puck that is .25 an inch wide the gaps aren't a problem. You also have the Kevlar caps on the shoulders, both pecs and both clavicles.

[jon93 0]

yeah so i dont see the problem why they aren;t safe.

[Chadd 916]

I tried on a set today. I liked the mobility and weight, but I thought there were a ton of gaps in the padding.

I really dont find the gaps a problem. There only like .25 inches apart too.

Unless you're playing with a puck that is .25 an inch wide the gaps aren't a problem. You also have the Kevlar caps on the shoulders, both pecs and both clavicles.

The puck isn't always flat and pucks tend to find those gaps, as do sticks on hooks and slashes.

[Maka 0]

Nike V-10's. If you can find them.

These things are absolutely awesome in terms of mobility. Unfortunately, they also resulted in me cracking a clavicle, but that was during full contact. For weekend warriors, the V-10's would be perfect.

[TBLfan 25]

stay tuned if you're looking for a pair of V10s.

[Krev 86]

Nike V-10's. If you can find them.

These things are absolutely awesome in terms of mobility. Unfortunately, they also resulted in me cracking a clavicle, but that was during full contact. For weekend warriors, the V-10's would be perfect.

Same. Broke my left clavicle in a Midget tourney with those on. Had 'em for 3 years prior to that, all full contact, no problems. Just got old and started falling apart. Moved on to the V-14s since. Got 2 pairs since they don't make 'em anymore.

V-10's is one of the best shoulders for weekend warriors, hands down.

[jon93 0]

I tried on a set today. I liked the mobility and weight, but I thought there were a ton of gaps in the padding.

I really dont find the gaps a problem. There only like .25 inches apart too.

Unless you're playing with a puck that is .25 an inch wide the gaps aren't a problem. You also have the Kevlar caps on the shoulders, both pecs and both clavicles.

The puck isn't always flat and pucks tend to find those gaps, as do sticks on hooks and slashes.

Have you had any stories about that happening?

[Chadd 916]

I tried on a set today. I liked the mobility and weight, but I thought there were a ton of gaps in the padding.

I really dont find the gaps a problem. There only like .25 inches apart too.

Unless you're playing with a puck that is .25 an inch wide the gaps aren't a problem. You also have the Kevlar caps on the shoulders, both pecs and both clavicles.

The puck isn't always flat and pucks tend to find those gaps, as do sticks on hooks and slashes.

Have you had any stories about that happening?

Yes, and I posted that a couple pages ago, as did someone else.

http://www.modsquadhockey.com/forums/index...st&p=569359

[The Stranger 0]

A couple of people have brought up the new vapors, and the XVI's look really nice. Are the biceps adjustable on them for those of you who have seen them?

[cause4alarm 7]

Some of these shoulder pad posts need to be in a sticky

OP*: I want non-bulky pads.

Everyone: Sher-Wood.

Other guys: Also Bauer Classic.

Other other guys: Look at Farrells!

Chadd: I am suspicious of the protection provided by Farrells. (Get Itech.)

* I acknowledge here that this thread is slightly different than the usual in that the OP wants non-bulky pads with the criterion that they protect him as well.

edit:

I'll add some more.

"Get SBDII's!"

"I can't. They've been discontinued years ago."

"NBH made a new version."

"I want them!"

"You can't have them!"

[HkY_GuY 2]

just bought the new ccm vector 8.0' 2008. my lhs just received them and they are awesome they felt amazing, light, nice fit, slim shoulder cap not bulky , great protection front back don't feel any restriction at all free movement like no other it like your not wering any shoulder pads realy love them.

[malcb33 100]

We sold more Farrells than any other brand shoulder last season. It may not be the most protective, Jofa/RBK prob has that claim, but for least restrictive out of the box and range of motion, the Farrells seemed to get the best immediate feedback from customers. They were real popular amoung the local Junior players, most who immediately removed the shoulder caps because they didn't like the bulky "look". I tried to talk them into leaving the caps on but just trimming them down, but you can't convince these kids to do anything that is against the "trendy" thing to do.

how do you trim the caps?

how do you suggest doing it?

You can shorten them with a dremel or a hacksaw, or exacto. Just trim off a inch around the perimeter. Personally, I think they are fine as is, why mess with the protection, trimming or removing them does nothing to add range of motion, it's just done for looks.

I heated and re-shaped my shoulder caps on my Farrells and it worked great. I always thought the caps stuck out to much (straight out) but they are so much better now they've been shaped and follow the curve of my shoulder. Much less bulky that way too

[Elwood 0]

just bought the new ccm vector 8.0' 2008. my lhs just received them and they are awesome they felt amazing, light, nice fit, slim shoulder cap not bulky , great protection front back don't feel any restriction at all free movement like no other it like your not wering any shoulder pads realy love them.

Same here :D

Only a couple of games into using them but they feel great. I really dig the ability of these to flex with your body.

=E

[figgifumi_11 3]

Is there a removable abdominal pad on the new V08s? How does the sizing seem to run? Thanks!

[Elwood 0]

The V08 has a removable belly pad. Its not big but it is attached with a large strip of velcro. I chose to leave it in and it matches the gap w/ my pants well.

They fit close, closer than anything I have ever worn. Don't get them if you are into the football shoulder pad look. ;)

Im 6'1" - pretty slight framed and got the Large and its fits nice.

Something I didn't notice right away was the "top" shoulder/clavicle pad segment isn't one piece of pe plastic - its two that are shaped like scissors. When you flex your arms, they articulate and stick close to the body. It helps make them conform.

-E

[Havok19 0]

I got the v10 ovy shoulder in order can t wait to try them on.The shoulkder pada are the only thing i am changing like no other until i find the ONE.

So far down the drain/sell

Farrells

One90

Bauer LS

bauer defender 8000

Mission 85

sher-woods sp40

all this under a year and a half.....And yes i do try them in shop but when on ice i always get something that bother me.And since i play in a beer league semi-contact i can t go without them.So V10 ovy shoulder are the nest and if they dont work i might go with a inline shirt/like mission or tour.Dont know if they will do any good.

[jon93 0]

We sold more Farrells than any other brand shoulder last season. It may not be the most protective, Jofa/RBK prob has that claim, but for least restrictive out of the box and range of motion, the Farrells seemed to get the best immediate feedback from customers. They were real popular amoung the local Junior players, most who immediately removed the shoulder caps because they didn't like the bulky "look". I tried to talk them into leaving the caps on but just trimming them down, but you can't convince these kids to do anything that is against the "trendy" thing to do.

how do you trim the caps?

how do you suggest doing it?

You can shorten them with a dremel or a hacksaw, or exacto. Just trim off a inch around the perimeter. Personally, I think they are fine as is, why mess with the protection, trimming or removing them does nothing to add range of motion, it's just done for looks.

I heated and re-shaped my shoulder caps on my Farrells and it worked great. I always thought the caps stuck out to much (straight out) but they are so much better now they've been shaped and follow the curve of my shoulder. Much less bulky that way too

Did you have a certain method? and what did you use to heat them up?

[malcb33 100]

Just a heat gun. Just make sure you do it evenly and just enough to make them soft enough to mold. I placed large heavy duty rubberband over each cap for the night to keep them to the shape I wanted. You could probably use laces instead of the rubberbands though?