CCM V08 vs. itech 655

[weaver2469 0]

Wondering if anyone could compare these two shoulder pads for me. I only play beer league, no check, but I am getting older and my wife would kill me if I hurt myself too badly so I am looking for good overall protection, without going NHL check style top of the line pads. Between these two, any thoughts on which is lower profile, cooler or lighter? Protection comparison? It seems like both are well built and are in the same price range, about $65. Thanks for your input.

[Elwood 0]

For the CCM ones, consider the extra 5-10 bucks for the V08's. They are lower profile / closer fitting than the V06's and 655's. Weight is pretty close. Personally I ended up getting the 06's, and I tried them both on at my LHS.

my 2 bits.

-E

[mickz 107]

I have the 655 and they're overkill for beer league but overall they're offer top notch protection. The thing that bothers me is the shape of the spine protector. My jersey always gets caught on it when I try to pull it over.

[duch 0]

Itech shoulder pads are tanks and give you more than adequate protection. Although some guys complain about the fit, I personally have not found the fit to be an issue with the ones I've owned, their more of less on par with a lot of other models on the market. Because of a shoulder injury( which incidentally was not while I was wearing Itech shoulder pads) I've tended to stay with top end Jofa/RBK or Bauer shoulder pads. When I was younger the Itech where very affordable and offered me great protection so I usually stuck with them. I can afford the other makes now that I am a bit better off otherwise I'd still be in Itechs.

[weaver2469 0]

For the CCM ones, consider the extra 5-10 bucks for the V08's. They are lower profile / closer fitting than the V06's and 655's. Weight is pretty close. Personally I ended up getting the 06's, and I tried them both on at my LHS.

my 2 bits.

-E

Thanks for the input. Do you have any thoughts as to the fit of the V08 as compared to the ITECH? I have a friend that said he had to go down from a large to a medium to get a good fit in the V08. We are about the same size. I am 5' 11', 185 with a 42" chest. I can't imagine wearing a medium anything. I don't see him often enough to try his on, and my LHS is closed for a week for inventory. (I don't see how they have that much inventory, they never have my size in anything) Thanks again.

[duch 0]

I would stick with a large if I where you. Your roughly the same height and size I am and I usually am a large most makes. It's also a personal preference thing though. Some guys like to wear things tighter. So long as the protection covers the areas it's supposed to thats great. If you end up sacrificing a bit of protection for fit that's not good. Make sure the padding covers the vulernable areas sufficiently and you'll be fine.

[Elwood 0]

I totally agree with duch - I'm 6'1" 180 and got the large - the medium was just too tight fitting, and these are close-fitting pads as it is.

The last few games I actually found myself strapping them on a little looser to help them "float" a bit more.

I've taken a few good hits (accidental of course) in them and didn't feel a thing. I took the belly pad strip off for one game to see if that changed the fit, then took a shot in the exact spot it covers and now its back on ;)

Compared to the Itechs, the weight was pretty equal. The Itechs felt a bit "bigger" (aka a little more football pad-ish). The straps on the V08s are really nice and wide, with plenty of velcro to grab em.

-E