C/A - Best Mix Protection + Blocking

[srv2miker 0]

Hey guys,

Want to replace the Sherwood 9960 C/A I have, which is severely lacking in the protection dept. Didn't mind the stinger on my forearm that bruised, but the welt I got from a puck hitting under my arm is a little much.

I've narrowed my search down to the following models (keeping in mind my budget is about $150 USD)

1. Itech RX9 (found a used one for $150)

2. RBK Xpulse 6.0

3. NBH One55 (can't find a single review online)

4. Miller CM9 (used one from a couple of years ago for $125, don't know much about Miller)

I see myself as more of a blocking style goalie, so I'm not really too sure which is my better bet. I know the Xpulse and RX9 are supposed to be more suited for reactionary, agile goalies, so not really sure if they'd work right for me, but maybe the whole "style-specific" thing is just marketing anyway.

If anyone is looking to get rid of an XL C/A in my price range feel free to post.

Thanks in advance.

Mike

[Law Goalie 147]

Get the Miller.

The One55 is very, very low quality price-point gear. If you're feeling shots through the 9960, I doubt it's offer any more protection, and it'll break down fast. Stay away.

The XPulse 6.0 is a little better, but it's still a pretty sub-par piece. The foam aren't great, the protection (especially in the arms) is weak, and you'd start to see durability issues (torn straps, C/A floaters coming off, burst seams) inside two years. It's a cheaper clone of the old CCM Gatekeeper Sr. (as opposed to the GK Pro, which is now that XPulse 10.0).

The RX9 is a pretty good piece. It'll be quite protective, and is especially good under the arm (where you got smacked) and in the lower abdomen. It's also a relatively light C/A, for what that's worth.

The CM9, however, is a different beast. I'd put Miller alongside McKenney in the level just below Brown: they all make classic, super-protective C/As that take a while to break in but last forever. Brown is an undeniable cut above, but Miller made beautiful C/As. About the only draw-back to a Miller is that it won't have the resale cachet of a Brown or even a McKenney - I've seen them go as low as $60 in good condition, which is a ridiculous steal.

[srv2miker 0]

Thanks Law Goalie.

The CM9 is actually listed on the Goalie Store site, in Miller's Used Stockroom. I'd like to contact them to get my hands on it, but I can't seem to get the email form to work. Do you happen to know any other way to reach them? I tried calling the Goalie Store, but the number was out of service.

While we're on the topic, what happened to Miller? Are they still making gear, or are they defunct?

[Law Goalie 147]

Glenn Miller joined Vortek as head builder/designer and closed his own operation down. Now Vortek is going off-shore for production... and that's anyone knows for now.

I don't know about other contact... maybe post a thread or send a message to the moderators?

[srv2miker 0]

So unfortunately the Miller was gone, and I'm back to square one. I've got a line on a lightly used Xpulse 6.0 for only $115 CDN. I know the protection isn't as good, but I can't pass it up, since I'm on a tight budget. If it's worn out in two years that okay, I'll have more budget to work with then (since I just had to buy all the equipment recently).

Thanks for the advice - don't be insulted I didn't take it :) When I've got ~$300 to play with I'll be taking a serious look at used Browns, since they're so highly regarded.

[Law Goalie 147]

There's a used Brown on eBay for $80 right now... ($125 BIN) :)

edit: And now it's gone... :(

[nvme1391 0]

Maybe look at Simmons Website, I know that it might be a little bit out of the price range, but better to get something you feel good in then to get a POS and have to go out and get another c/a in another month or two.

[Law Goalie 147]

If he's going to buy new, there are a great many I'd recommend over Simmons' house brand. Boddam does good work with pads and gloves, certainly, but his C/A's have never really been in the top tier. A retail McKenney would be a much better buy in that price-range.

[hamstercaster 2]

I have the Matrix 3 c/a from Simmons and I've got nothing but good things to say about it. Very protective, very well made. Had it for about 6 months or more now and it's not showing any wear and tear yet and I only got one stinger which was at a place where most c/a would have failed also. It is also easier to buy from Simmons than it is to find anything made by McKinney. There used to be a good selection on ebay, mainly at the Goalie Heaven but now it seems that they don't carry anything from them anymore. You need to try and locate a store near you in order to get your hands on any McKenney.. plus they are a bit pricier than Simmons. At 250$ for a Matrix 3 c/a of pro quality and protection as a whole, you can't really go wrong. That close to what you would pay for an offshore made Xpulse 6.0 that won't nearly offer as much protection and durability.

[Law Goalie 147]

Fair point - I'm certainly not advising that he should buy the XPulse 6 unless it's absolutely necessary.

I know Goalie Heaven, The Goalie Crease and Duke's Source for Sports (all Toronto shops) still carry lots of McKenney, but for whatever reason haven't put them on their eBay stores - you just have to call up and ask.

However, Miker's budget isn't anything like $250 + tax & shipping, so his options are largely limited to what he can find used on eBay or in classifieds, and in that case, he could do much better with his $125 or so.

I've got nothing to say against Simmons, only that their C/A's and pants have never been held by anyone to be seriously comparable to Brown, and McKenney is generally taken (in terms of core-body protection) to be The Poor Man's Brown. Miller would also be included in that top tier. CCM/RBK, Vaughn and Bauer all have great pant designs (the 620 Pro, the Velocity and the Reactor 6/Vapor, respectively) but their C/A's have been consistently lacking in one area or another (mobility for RBK, arm-protection for Vaughn,and anything positive at all for Bauer). The new Brian's Zero-G stuff is extremely interesting, as it's the first real improvement in materials since Brown's 'Resonator' layering of foams and plastics, and a significant drop in weight, but it's incredibly expensive. Brian's hasn't really had a great core-body product since Brian Heaton left. I had a set of his custom pants & C/A that was absolutely marvellous, but the retail stuff wasn't even close (much like the retail CCM/RBK pants and the pro-grade 620's).

[srv2miker 0]

There's a used Brown on eBay for $80 right now... ($125 BIN) :)

edit: And now it's gone... :(

thanks Dunc, I had actually seen that one last night, but according the JB sizing chart I'd need an XXL, and that was only L. I'm 6'3" 220lbs, which is complicating my hunt for equipment, since most used pieces seem to be M or L.

[Law Goalie 147]

Ah I forgot the size issue... you might be able to get away with an XL, just FYI.

[DCott 0]

Brown does seem to run a little big. I am 5'8", 190 lb and I wear a small.

[docar15 1]

Sizing: I have shrunk down to 6'2" and 235lbs. Shirt size is 18 1/2 neck, 35 arms. 46 - 48 in suit sizes.

I have had a chance to compare RBK PII Pro and PII 6K, both in XL. One of the major differences is the weight because of the foam used, or as I was told by RBK/CCM. 6K does seem much stiffer out of the box.

As for the protection, I did not feel any difference in arms, chest, etc.

PII Pro did feel much more comfortable, but, you can get brand new 6K for around $100. PII Pro is way more then $150 budget you mentioned.

Both are made in PRC if that matters to you.

I have also tried XPulse 6 and the XPulse Pro. Premier feels safer to me, though it may be jsut a head game because XPulse felt lighter.

My 25 cents.

Hey guys,

Want to replace the Sherwood 9960 C/A I have, which is severely lacking in the protection dept. Didn't mind the stinger on my forearm that bruised, but the welt I got from a puck hitting under my arm is a little much.

I've narrowed my search down to the following models (keeping in mind my budget is about $150 USD)

1. Itech RX9 (found a used one for $150)

2. RBK Xpulse 6.0

3. NBH One55 (can't find a single review online)

4. Miller CM9 (used one from a couple of years ago for $125, don't know much about Miller)

I see myself as more of a blocking style goalie, so I'm not really too sure which is my better bet. I know the Xpulse and RX9 are supposed to be more suited for reactionary, agile goalies, so not really sure if they'd work right for me, but maybe the whole "style-specific" thing is just marketing anyway.

If anyone is looking to get rid of an XL C/A in my price range feel free to post.

Thanks in advance.

Mike

Also I do have a brand new Canadian made Bauer Reactor 3000 in XL. It is not as thick as PII Pro or PII 6K, but it is huge in size and covers a great deal of the net. I am selling it for $75 shipped in US. If you wear a padded shirt underneath and don't care about an occasional arm stinger, this may work. Again, I would definitely not compare it even to 6K for protection level. With brand new 6K though I had a hard time scratching my nose. Reactor is so mobile one can scratch any body part they like.

[Law Goalie 147]

One thing you might be able to do, Mike, is graft pieces of your Sher-Wood C/A onto his Reactor (or vice versa). That's basically what I did with my Brown. I started with a 403 and added a sternum-plate and a bunch of other bits from a 2150, ending up with the best of both worlds: a light, mobile C/A with major protection everywhere I needed it.

On the other hand, I'm pretty good with a seam-ripper and sewing awl, so this definitely isn't for everyone.

[srv2miker 0]

Okay, if I increase my budget ever so slightly, I can afford one of these: http://www.hockeystopohio.com/Brown/AB/ab%201700.htm, a JB 1700. Is it worth paying the extra $135, or should I wait for a couple of years and buy a better/high model used Brown?

Don't mean to sound like I want you to tell me what to do, but I have zero experience with Brown stuff, so I don't know what quality of an entry JB is compared to an entry RBK.

[RonLopez 0]

Glenn Miller joined Vortek as head builder/designer and closed his own operation down. Now Vortek is going off-shore for production... and that's anyone knows for now.

I don't know about other contact... maybe post a thread or send a message to the moderators?

Hey, I thought I'd expand on this part re: Miller.

Glenn Miller and Paul Fricker (owner of the goaliestore) were in business together with a third party. These are the guys who built the old school Miller gear. Said third party did something that I'm not entirely sure of and the company split. As far as I know, Mr. Fricker and Mr. Miller are still on good terms.

When they split, two Millers were formed, the Miller over at the Goaliestore (who, very sadly, no longer makes gear) and Glenn Miller. Both made quality products. When you hear of the bombproof Miller c/as that can stand up to Browns from the testimony of MANY respected members at the BB, that is Glenn Miller's work. I've never seen his stuff in person, but I definitely wouldn't hesitate based on his reviews. I believe now that he's no longer with Vortek, Glenn Miller will be opening up his own outfit once again.

Miller from the Goaliestore is what you think of when you hear Cagemaster. I've owned and used this gear and it is certainly top notch. I'd still be in the pads if I hadn't out grown them. Personally speaking, it is the most well built gear I've ever owned (and I am not dissing any of the brands I've owned since because they're all top quality). The CM6s I had just would not break down. They were amazing. I also used a CM9 glove and it is certainly the second most comfortable glove I've owned besides the TPS I'm using now (though it was much more durable).

The info about how 2 Millers came to be is from various threads I've read on the Goaliestore. Just thought I'd reiterate that there are two different Millers of recent past, both who make (made) quality gear.

[Law Goalie 147]

Excellent history, Ron. I don't think it's ever been put so succinctly and cogently before. Cheers for that.

[docar15 1]

I found this one on sale at HW:

http://www.hockeyworld.com/prodHome.ihtml?...D=29&shop=3

Heaton XL runs pretty big.

$149 for a brand new top shelf C/A seemed right in your price range.

[srv2miker 0]

I found this one on sale at HW:

http://www.hockeyworld.com/prodHome.ihtml?...D=29&shop=3

Heaton XL runs pretty big.

$149 for a brand new top shelf C/A seemed right in your price range.

Thanks docar. I actually saw that one, and reviews on GSBB weren't favourable.

I did end up going with the Xpulse 6. I used it on Sunday and was all in all pretty happy. It was definitely a step up from my Sherwood 9960 in all areas (even mobility, which was the one thing going for the SW).

[docar15 1]

Glad you found the CA you like. How is the protection on the Xpulse? Any weak spots? Are you going to do a review on it?

I found this one on sale at HW:

http://www.hockeyworld.com/prodHome.ihtml?...D=29&shop=3

Heaton XL runs pretty big.

$149 for a brand new top shelf C/A seemed right in your price range.

Thanks docar. I actually saw that one, and reviews on GSBB weren't favourable.

I did end up going with the Xpulse 6. I used it on Sunday and was all in all pretty happy. It was definitely a step up from my Sherwood 9960 in all areas (even mobility, which was the one thing going for the SW).