Interesting read on EDGE socks

[JR Boucicaut 3810]

http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/spo...6a-0421f1249706

VERY interesting.

A teammate of mine cut my EDGE sock during a line change. Barely nicked the sock, sliced it 2" and gouged the shinpad.

[djosbun 0]

Do some players think that the old-style socks would be more protective? I mean, if the skate this the sock/leg, it's probably going to cut through any kind of sock that is worn. Obviously a slight 'hit' by the skate will go through the thinner sock, but I think usually the leg is going to be cut pretty much every time. But hey, what do I know.

[JR Boucicaut 3810]

The knit sock absorbed the skate blade better. Same theory as a neckguard,

[MLSman 22]

I think it's good that the subject is getting press. I have never been a fan of the edge socks...Just like pear sox so much better. The edge jersey, though, is an improvement in my opinion. I guess the biggest question I find myself asking is what habits have changed due to edge socks? Specifically, are players wearing shinguards with less padding, or are they no longer wearing undergarments because of edge socks? I find it hard to believe that a traditional sock vs an edge sock alone would have made a difference in Selanne's case, or in any case of a skate laceration. A 200lb player with a sharp skate makes one hell of a Ginsu.

[JR Boucicaut 3810]

Nothing's changed in terms of what they are wearing.

I mean, when Swift was worn by Team Canada, Gretzky made them add material in the back (vented) area that would not cut easily.

The knit socks still cut, but there's more material to go through and it absorbs the blade. Thinner material will cut and then deflect.

[MLSman 22]

I mean, when Swift was worn by Team Canada, Gretzky made them add material in the back (vented) area that would not cut easily.

Great point....I have never heard of this issue with the swift socks. A few guys I play with still have them and love them.

[JR Boucicaut 3810]

Well, they were the first to wear them before the Olympics, so by the time it rolled out they all had it.

[phunky_monkey 6]

I too have noticed how easily the Edge socks are cut. I bought some recently, after wearing knit socks, and they are getting cut up quite badly in only a few games. My knit ones seemed to hold up a lot longer

[KryptOng 9]

personally i've never used the edge/swift socks, but i still prefer the knit socks as it does add some bit of absorption. and after hearing more negatives about it and the price, i'll stick to my knit socks!

[Powerfibers 8]

My Edge socks are cut all over. I think this is a real point of concern. Interesting article JR.

[Beflar 55]

Interesting read. I was looking at getting these sock for a few weeks now...

My inner thigh is only protected by the sock since I have the zipper wide open in my pants...

Interesting...

[jimmy 194]

I think the type of cut in the incident is a freak occurrence. The standard socks are not going to protect skin any better than the edge socks. Heck, shinpad tape would tear apart my regular socks. I think you folks are overreacting. I know no one whose been injured by lack of sock "protection" (oxymoron), nor any one with torn up edge socks. I have 7 guys on my team sporting edges for more than a season, no cuts or big tears. I've sold hundreds of these as well an haven't had any customers come in complaining. WTF are you guys talking about.

[RadioGaGa 162]

Again, it's all out of whack in the NHL...heads shots are okay...let's not do anything about that. Neck guards...nah. Mandatory visors? Can't tell players what to wear, it needs to be a choice.

But the players are hopeful that they will 'address' the socks they wear.

[TBLfan 25]

Pro EDGE is thicker than retail too... I think the biggest reason why the cuts are bigger is the tightness. Personally, I tear up knit socks faster than EDGE. EDGE is easier to sew up too.

It could also be said that retail knit is more dangerous than pro knit because it's thinner. I personally think that neither knit socks or EDGE or swift socks are going to protect you much more than the others... BUT it's certainly possible for them to improve the design.

[RadioGaGa 162]

A kevlar weave of some kind?

[JR Boucicaut 3810]

I think the type of cut in the incident is a freak occurrence. The standard socks are not going to protect skin any better than the edge socks. Heck, shinpad tape would tear apart my regular socks. I think you folks are overreacting. I know no one whose been injured by lack of sock "protection" (oxymoron), nor any one with torn up edge socks. I have 7 guys on my team sporting edges for more than a season, no cuts or big tears. I've sold hundreds of these as well an haven't had any customers come in complaining. WTF are you guys talking about.

Comparing beer league to NHL in terms of those types of injuries is a bit of a stretch.

Swift has a different texture and is thicker than EDGE.

But yes, the tighter it is, the easier it is going to rip.

[TBLfan 25]

A kevlar weave of some kind?

That's similar to what I was thinking. I'm sure just basic nylon would be tough enough to help.

[larrivee 3]

The mid 90's PRO CCM knit socks were beasts. I still have a few pairs-very very hard to cut those things. Not sure if these were available retail.....

[jimmy 194]

I think the type of cut in the incident is a freak occurrence. The standard socks are not going to protect skin any better than the edge socks. Heck, shinpad tape would tear apart my regular socks. I think you folks are overreacting. I know no one whose been injured by lack of sock "protection" (oxymoron), nor any one with torn up edge socks. I have 7 guys on my team sporting edges for more than a season, no cuts or big tears. I've sold hundreds of these as well an haven't had any customers come in complaining. WTF are you guys talking about.

Comparing beer league to NHL in terms of those types of injuries is a bit of a stretch.

Swift has a different texture and is thicker than EDGE.

But yes, the tighter it is, the easier it is going to rip.

Not really a stretch. Considering way less than 1% of those using these socks is NHL or pro, we really don't have any issues do we. Bottom line is injuries (cuts) are going to happen regardless of what sock anyone is wearing. Socks are not protective gear.

[JR Boucicaut 3810]

We're not checking, we're not cycling, we're not battling hard in the corners like our jobs depended on it.

To those guys, it does, and if they think it's unsafe, then by all means, fix it.

[Wolfpack_1986 154]

A kevlar weave of some kind?

I know that the kevlar weave was promoted for the neckguard shirt (was it Itech, cant remember....), and this is a reasonable alternative. At the Pro level, there are other Aramids that may offer better slice protection over kevlar, but cost would be pretty high (at pro's not really an issue, eh?). Down at our level, we'd be lucky to see edge style socks with aramid fibers. Edge socks alone cost upwards of $25. I'd gladly take a knit sock for $10 over spending much higher...

Disclaimer: just got a pair of edge socks that fit me PERFECTLY, but have not yet worn them on the ice... That said maybe my mind will change one way or another at some point.

I think the type of cut in the incident is a freak occurrence. The standard socks are not going to protect skin any better than the edge socks. Heck, shinpad tape would tear apart my regular socks. I think you folks are overreacting. I know no one whose been injured by lack of sock "protection" (oxymoron), nor any one with torn up edge socks. I have 7 guys on my team sporting edges for more than a season, no cuts or big tears. I've sold hundreds of these as well an haven't had any customers come in complaining. WTF are you guys talking about.

Comparing beer league to NHL in terms of those types of injuries is a bit of a stretch.

Swift has a different texture and is thicker than EDGE.

But yes, the tighter it is, the easier it is going to rip.

Not really a stretch. Considering way less than 1% of those using these socks is NHL or pro, we really don't have any issues do we. Bottom line is injuries (cuts) are going to happen regardless of what sock anyone is wearing. Socks are not protective gear.

From a materials standpoint.... The more tension the more 'explosive' the tear is. Prime example the 2008 U+'s had that exploding problem, hence the Surlyn cover on the 2009 U+ Pro model. Another example first hand and second hand is the one95. That material is under INSANE ammounts of tension, that slight knick explode outward.

Jimmy, while you may not percieve your socks to be protective material, the fact is... they absolutely are. Next time you dress up, look at your equpiment and find the locations in which only fabric (sock or other wise) protects you. There's a significant ammount of flesh that is guarded only by fabric. Put more creedence into it, i'd be willing to bet that given the proper cut test video from a company (ie the one95/s15 puck shooting vid), you'd be convinced.

However, until one of these companies hires me, this is all just banter ;)

[JR Boucicaut 3810]

The cost is already high enough for EDGE for NHL teams, they are being more frugal with the socks than in the past (sewing them up, etc.)

[Wolfpack_1986 154]

a very valid point that would of course be mitigated by cost/benefit analysis.... However, a $50 pair of socks per man is certainly worth keeping guys like Teemu Selanne around for more games...

[dsjunior1388 81]

Has the time come for a return to COOPERALLs?

[Chadd 916]

We're not checking, we're not cycling, we're not battling hard in the corners like our jobs depended on it.

To those guys, it does, and if they think it's unsafe, then by all means, fix it.

Mine were nicked in three places after the MSH game and anyone who was there can attest to my utter lack of work ethic.