Down low shoulder pads

[Chadd 916]

Did you find them warmer than your normals shoulders? Wearing two shirts felt weird to me... Although i guess i didnt need the undershirt!

I suggested a long sleeve version for those of us that wear long sleeve shirts. Two layers was way too warm yesterday.

[Gr8erade 1]

My only issues after wearing these since the beginning of the year is that they seem a little warm in the summer (the rink I play in does too though) and that there is some wear around the edges of the velcro panels and the padding underneath them is beginning to show through. I'd advise against moving and removing all the chest and back panels any more than necessary. But other than that, as far as protection goes, they definitely give me enough to play in a minimal contact, non-check men's league.

[nicksmission14 0]

If you are in a physical adult league (you know the ones that are supposed to be non-checking but contain players that think they are NHL All Stars? Yea, we have a lot of clowns at my local league) I'd advise looking into something else possibly.

I had a guy in Tier 4 Hockey take a run at me tonight driving his shoulder as hard as he could right into my left shoulder. I was in instant pain and down on the ice, thankfully it seems like the pads absorbed enough of the hit to save my shoulder from being dislocated, but it's still not good. Hopefully I don't need a trip to the orthopedic doctor after this one.

[rykwon 0]

I suggested a long sleeve version for those of us that wear long sleeve shirts. Two layers was way too warm yesterday.

Yeah, two shirts is to much unless it's below zero in the rink or outside. Long sleeve would be a great option to have had when I ordered it

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

Love the concept. Great peripheral vision as well...

I think I want a pair when I start playing. The rink was just too hot and I had an undershirt on.

[jcommeau91 2]

Would you guys say that these are more protective than the sherwood 5030 pads, or about the same?

[Goonsquad 209]

Summer Jam 2011 was great! It was good to hear feedback from all of the players that demoed the pads. Looking forward to future Mod Squad Hockey events.

Loved the concept.. some of the guys in the league i have been playing in have been looking for something to wear instead of the traditional shoulders pads.. they were looking for something lightweight yet something that would help take slap shot .. the league is non checking so we have about 3-4 players that go without shoulders.. about another 3 that will go with something low profile like the farrells and Coopers

I too wore an undershirt and found myself pretty hot underneath the shirt. I like that the pads can be placed where the pieces should lay on the torso. I offered up the suggestion of adding something soft around the edges of the plastic velcro pieces. I tried the XL and the L.. the L was still baggy on my and allowed the heart guard to slide up to my chin and nose. which is weird to me.

[Zylos45 118]

I haven't worn shoulder pads for some time but after reading the reviews I would love to try these out.

I found this video on you tube. The rink is in Quincy, Mass.

Dave, did some of the guys testing play at Wentworth?

[althoma1 575]

I tried these at the Summer Jam and wore them for the entire session. They were definitely very light and mobile, but still offered good protection for the shoulders, spine and mid-chest. I did find them a little hot while wearing a long sleeved shirt underneath. Like Chadd, I'd suggest a long sleeved version and I'd also like to see the long sleever version have grip on the elbow area.

Currently, I use Farrell pads - in comparison the downlow pads come a bit lower (they met up with my girdles ab protector) and the shoulder caps are lower profile. On the other hand, I found them warmer while wearing an undershirt (but as noted this could be solved by making a long sleeve version with grip). I also felt that they were a little less protective than the Farrells in the non-plastic regions.

[theflash0000 0]

Count me as another potential sale if they release a long-sleeve version. Grip isn't critical to me, but I would definitely welcome it.

BTW, I love that they're Made in USA!

[IniNew 53]

Great shoulders. Like I told the guys at SJ, if I were forced to wear a pair they'd have a sell. However, I'll echo the heat issue as I got very hot in them and once I took them off cooled down quite a bit. Could have been a case of 2 shirts as well. The price point still seems a bit intense for my liking... $150 is pretty steep. Still strongly considering a pair though. They are by far the lowest profile pads I've had the pleasure of trying as well. Mirror check had them setting really low. Compared to the Sherwood 5030's I'd say they are slight more protective. The caps are hard as well as the spine and sternum pads where as the 5030's are just the caps with that piece of foam covering the chest. The sizing is a bit strange though. I am 6' 220 lbs with about a 39-41in chest. I fall into all three size categories of XL-L-M according to their chart, but fit into a Medium like a dream, so be weary.

[dave from down low hockey 0]

I haven't worn shoulder pads for some time but after reading the reviews I would love to try these out.

I found this video on you tube. The rink is in Quincy, Mass.

Dave, did some of the guys testing play at Wentworth?

Yeah, I played at Wentworth and those were a few of my teammates.

Do you play in the area?

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

Think once I start playing again I want to try a set of these. There was a lot to like at SJ.

[xrickyb86x 1]

Still way interested in these. I swap between some old coopers and the Bauer classic. Maybe once the move is done I can fork out the $160.

[Zylos45 118]

Yeah, I played at Wentworth and those were a few of my teammates.

Do you play in the area?

yes, I play in a few leagues, pick up skates, and tournaments in the greater boston/metrowest area.

What years were you guys at Wentworth?

you should think about making a version in a girdle for guys who hate hockey pants (ie. me)

[tryandstopme 35]

Had the opportunity to demo these at SJ and was very impressed. I play in low level non-check beer leagues and wear an old Mission Thorax Advantage roller hockey padded shirt. I wear an UnderArmor sleeveless compression shirt under the padded shirt and had that under the DownLow pads as well. For me the freedom of movement was the same and I didn't notice any increase in temp. I like the plastic protectors on the chest and spine. I took a shot in the sternum a few weeks ago that left a nice bruise, and I think had I been wearing the DL's, it would have been mitigated. The leagues a play in are really tame, but there are still love taps to the back when you're in front of the net so I think the spine protection would dull those nicely. Price is a little outside my means at the moment, but if I had the cash to spend, I'd grab a pair. Thanks to the guys at DL for letting me demo their product.

[mfd1068 0]

I have been using the DownLow pads for over a month now in 2 leauges and pick up. The first game I made the mistake of wearing a shirt under the pads which was as others have said,extremely hot. Now,I just wear the pads and its been pretty good. There is just very little movement in them so you really don't even notice there on. I like the adjustability of the shoulder caps. I very happy with the product. Like others have said they are on the pricy side but it delivers on fit and function.

[maxamillion 3]

Hey Dave thanks for taking the time to talk design with me at SJ

The pads were awesome. I felt comfortable in them just like I do in my 5030s, but at the same time A) it felt tight to my body at all times, and B) the shoulder caps didn't shift around as I played. Grade A product bud!

[sikocycles 1]

No shirt under with mine. I love mine. Well worth the price.

Great product.

[dave from down low hockey 0]

yes, I play in a few leagues, pick up skates, and tournaments in the greater boston/metrowest area.

What years were you guys at Wentworth?

you should think about making a version in a girdle for guys who hate hockey pants (ie. me)

I was at Wentworth from 2005-2009.

Right now I am focusing on shoulder pads but am hoping to expand eventually.

Hey Dave thanks for taking the time to talk design with me at SJ

The pads were awesome. I felt comfortable in them just like I do in my 5030s, but at the same time A) it felt tight to my body at all times, and B) the shoulder caps didn't shift around as I played. Grade A product bud!

No problem, it is always good to talk with fellow hockey players/designers. I am following you on Coroflot. Your thesis project turned out really well, it was hard to picture it from how you described it but as soon as I saw a picture it all made sense. I liked how you showed the process of testing out different prototypes making sure it really would work.

Be sure to stay in touch.

[beerleaguecaptain 999]

How do you guys think these will fit larger (read fat!!!) players. I'm 5'10" 240lbs with a 48" - 50" chest.

[wHATcOLOR 0]

what about clavicle? can't really tell from the pictures what kind of protection is there

(broke clavicle years ago, always kind of paranoid, not many pads seem to cover it)

[IniNew 53]

How do you guys think these will fit larger (read fat!!!) players. I'm 5'10" 240lbs with a 48" - 50" chest.

The run rather large. 6ft, 220 lbs when I threw mine on. ~40-42" chest, and I was in a medium perfectly.

[greech 4]

I wore a small, and I'm pretty small. About 5' 5", or so, could have done with an XS. And love the Wentworth aspect of this, I was in the same program after Dave and this was one of those student examples they always make mention of.

[maniacaniac 2]

Finally broke down and bought a pair of these. After a short delay due to my size being on back order, I finally got them last week, and was able to use them in my games this past weekend. Really a fantastic piece of equipment and the first time I truly forgot I was wearing shoulder pads while playing. The spine protection is solid as I took a couple of nice cross checks while standing in front of the net. Had zero problems with mobility and actually was able to rotate better on both shots and passes. Was glad I read some of the notes about how hot they got as normally I wear a compression shirt under my shoulders.

I'll also say the customer service was top notch keeping me informed every step of the way as to what the delay in my order was and when it shipped out.