Help me pick my new elbow pads

[andysly 1]

I'm 37 and play defense in a C level mens league once a week. I'm 6' 215 lbs. Looking to replace my old Bauer 8000 elbow pads (which usually turn into wrist guards by the time the 1st period is over).

I need pads that have the appropriate level of protection, stay on my elbows instead of sliding to my wrists whenever I take a slapshot, and fit my budget - I'm looking to spend about $50. So far I've found these pads. Any thoughts on these? Have another recommendation?

CCM Vector 8.0 - these pads have a lycra stabilizer that supposedly keep them in place

Nike Bauer Vapor XXV

Nike Bauer supreme 70

RBK 6K

Itech 955 - do these actually have a sleeve similar to the stabilizer on the Vector?

Thanks for your help!

[narwhal 0]

I've got the Vector 08s. I've been pretty happy with them. It took me a while to buy new elbows because I couldn't find anything as comfortable as my old Cooper Ep700s. I too got tired of the elbows riding around the wrists. I know a lot of people use the RBK/Jofas, but I've never tried on a pair that felt good to me. Obviously try some on if you can, but my vote would be for the Vectors.

[Makoto 3]

I have a set of RBK 6k elbow pads I use for ice and a set of Mission Fuel 85's I use for roller. They both work great in terms of protection, staying in place and mobility. If you wear Under Armour...they make a long sleeve that has material in the critical padded areas to hold them in place better. Great product. Good luck on your search.

[Jarick 5]

I use Easton S9's....they have a floating elbow cup for a bit more protection and a strap across the inside of the elbow to keep them on. They rarely slide down, usually only after contact. Very similar to those Vectors in that picture. The Vapors seem similar too.

[Tailboard Jockey 25]

I like my Nike/Bauer Lightspeeds because they have that Grip Print inside of them. It's a rubbery material silk-screened inside of them on the part that contacts your skin. They don't move around on me at all.

[MacDaddyDanny 0]

I also have the Easton S9's. I've had 'em for over a year and after 3 times a week usage, they are certainly not wrist guards. Those would be my recommendation or the One 70's.

[lampliter87 8]

I like my Nike/Bauer Lightspeeds because they have that Grip Print inside of them. It's a rubbery material silk-screened inside of them on the part that contacts your skin. They don't move around on me at all.

I have NikeBauer Pro Defenders with the same feature, that plus a Nike/Under Armour Grip Shirt and those suckers aren't going anywhere.

[Jason91 0]

If you can,I would say go with a Jofa model. I've had my 3500's for about 7 years now, and they still stay in place and are hardly damaged, i doubt i will ever get new elbow pads ever again.

[zales17 0]

I have a diff. route you could try...

get a cheap long sleeve underarmor shirt (something on sale or closeout at TJMaxx) and cut the sleeves off to a length a little longer than your elbow pad. then just pull the sleeve over your elbow pad after strapping it on. I use this method for my one90 elbows (which still slip, regardless of other efforts to stop them from doing so) and they havent slipped once.

cheaper than new pads, still get to use your broken-in ones, and it works!

[Stacey 0]

Do your 8000s fit your properly with respect to sizing? ie: are you wearing XLs instead of Ls? From my experience, improper sizing accounts for the slippage. I used to wear 8000s before my S9s and I find any other pads other than the old 3-piece don't work for me. Out of the ones you've mentioned I would suggest the V08, the Itechs would be too much pad for beer league. If you can find a pair of Easton S9s, checked those out as well, but they are substantially bulkier than the V08

[bigsnake76 2]

RBK 6K. The pros all wear RBK/Jofa, I have been wearing RBK/Jofa's for over 10 years and will never use anything else on my shins or elbows. They will stay on your elbow (as long as you get the right size) and if you fall, the pads are there protect you. I also like the slash protection of the RBK's in case you are getting wacked with the heel of a blade. Seriously, RBK is the way to go.

[andysly 1]

Thanks for all the input..Interesting idea Zales. I may give that a shot regardless of what I buy.

Stacey, my current pads fit well but the straps have lost most of their elasticity. And the strap that goes across the inside of the elbow has lost the neoprene covering so it digs into the skin.

Right now I'm leaning toward the V08s. But Bigsnake's comments on the RBK will make me go back and check the 6ks out again.

[Fivehole101 0]

I have the vapor XXV elbows and they are great. They have three straps that hold it in place, and never move.

[Chadd 916]

RBK 6K. The pros all wear RBK/Jofa, I have been wearing RBK/Jofa's for over 10 years and will never use anything else on my shins or elbows. They will stay on your elbow (as long as you get the right size) and if you fall, the pads are there protect you. I also like the slash protection of the RBK's in case you are getting wacked with the heel of a blade. Seriously, RBK is the way to go.

The pros don't ALL wear RBK. Most do, and the fact that they make one of the only new designs that is approved for NHL use is a big part of that stat.

[andysly 1]

I noticed during the Ranger Devil game tonight that Zubrus had on RBK Jofas (his jersey came off during a fight) and I thought "hey look at that. They DO wear the Jofas." Interesting that it's one of the only "approved" pads.

[andysly 1]

well after agonizing over it, I finally made a decision and chose the Vector 08. I went with these because of (a) the 3 strap system, and (B) the stretch stabilizer. I'll let you know how they work out once I've had a chance to try them.

Thanks for all the help....

[bigsnake76 2]

Chadd, you are correct they do not all wear RBK but I would say it is pretty much a majority NHLers wear RBK/JOFA for elbows. I am sure you watch like we all do, some pros are wearing their sleeves pulled up to their forearm and you can see the RBK elbows. Not to mention I, myself have worn the pads and am telling you, as long as the velcro sticks and you snug em up, RBK's are not sliding down your arm. I swear by RBK for Skin/Elbows. Money does not buy a better elbow pad than a RBK/Jofa.

I know.....opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.

[duch 0]

I'd go with the RBK/ Jofa 5K, 6K, 7K or 8K excellent protection. The Nike/Bauer XXV's and XXXX's also deserve honourable mention. If you want to go slightly cheaper in price the Itech 955 or 655 are also excellent protection.

[TBLfan 25]

At retail, I was most impressed with the v08 elbow pad. v10 was nice but more bulky than the v08. Follow that by S17/S9.

For a 2-piece elbow, I like the XXXXs.

My problem with the Jofa/RBKs is that for them to stay put on my arms, I have to go down a size to a 5. This ends up being very tight on my arms and the straps barely get around my arm but they stay in place.

[shooter27 117]

Has anyone tried the Mission Fuel 130 elbow pads? They look kinda similar to the V08, Easton S17, old Cooper pads and wanted to see if anyone had any experience with them.

[duch 0]

Mission elbow pads are very protective but in my opinion they need to bulk down their pads a bit. Very comfortable and protective pad however.

[Chadd 916]

Chadd, you are correct they do not all wear RBK but I would say it is pretty much a majority NHLers wear RBK/JOFA for elbows. I am sure you watch like we all do, some pros are wearing their sleeves pulled up to their forearm and you can see the RBK elbows. Not to mention I, myself have worn the pads and am telling you, as long as the velcro sticks and you snug em up, RBK's are not sliding down your arm. I swear by RBK for Skin/Elbows. Money does not buy a better elbow pad than a RBK/Jofa.

I know.....opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.

"Because the pros use it" is the worst possible reason to use a product, especially for people who aren't playing at a level that requires excessive levels of protection.

[LkptTiger 1]

I have a diff. route you could try...

get a cheap long sleeve underarmor shirt (something on sale or closeout at TJMaxx) and cut the sleeves off to a length a little longer than your elbow pad. then just pull the sleeve over your elbow pad after strapping it on. I use this method for my one90 elbows (which still slip, regardless of other efforts to stop them from doing so) and they havent slipped once.

cheaper than new pads, still get to use your broken-in ones, and it works!

I've had my pads ("modded" Easton Z-Airs) for about 5-6 years now, and they've been falling apart for the last 4. A lot of the binding has ripped/worn off, much of the stitching is blown, the padding on some of the straps is gone and the elastic is shot (especially on the lower straps on my forearms). I love 'em a lot, though...and am going to keep them around as long as possible.

I was about *this close* to giving-in and trying to break-in another pair of pads about three years ago, but in a last-ditch effort, I unloaded about half a roll of tape on each of those lower straps to keep them nice and tight. Those straps are now rendered useless and I have to struggle to slip the pads up/down my arm to get them on/off, but once they're in place, they stay there - and they're unbelievably comfortable. Unfortunately, it has caused me some issues on the rare occasions in which I've dropped the gloves (the pads work their way down my arms, but since I have them taped so tight, it's very difficult for me to shake them off of my hands...and since I'm usually preoccupied trying to focus on not getting worked, I typically don't have the forethought to take them off before moving in) - but if you're just playing beer leagues (and I'll likely be there soon enough...), that's not something you're going to have to worry about. Aside from that, they're pretty much my perfect set of pads.

[Matt18 1]

My Jofa are the best elbows I have ever had. THat is my 2 cents