Shoulder Pads

[danno25nh 3]

I broke my clavicle in the first game of mens league playoffs. I guess I ought to have something good when I come back.

I'd like to have a balance of protection and mobility.

Thoughts?

[Krev 86]

Easton ST16's. You can get them on clearance now.

[Tman09 0]

I have the vapor X:60 shoulders. top notch mobility and protection. maybe a little much for men's league though. your call, but I would say it's worth the extra few bucks to prevent an injury like that from happening again.

[ibeck 38]

1 vote for the ccm u+ pro's. They are protective but very slimming.

[wrangler 157]

1 vote for the ccm u+ pro's. They are protective but very slimming.

That's the first time I've seen that used as a criterion for equipment selection.

Maybe I'm out of touch.

[Too Old 1]

RBK 10K is superb for protection. As are some of the older Jofa models.

[Hermans 9]

If you see them, try the Bauer lightspeed or pro model. Good protection and good mobility.

[scoops 1]

That's the first time I've seen that used as a criterion for equipment selection.

Maybe I'm out of touch.

It's something I definitely look for in shoulder pads. I'm built like a square, 5'10" 195 with really wide shoulders. Big shoulder pads look absolutely ridiculous on me.

[ibeck 38]

Big and bulky reduces mobility. Why not get the best protection possible while not needing bulky gear?

[wrangler 157]

Big and bulky reduces mobility. Why not get the best protection possible while not needing bulky gear?

That's a valid point, and not the same as looking for gear to make you look slim.

[natty15d 0]

It's something I definitely look for in shoulder pads. I'm built like a square, 5'10" 195 with really wide shoulders. Big shoulder pads look absolutely ridiculous on me.

im pretty much the same weight and height and i have the ST16's. i used to wear Douglas Defenders and looked like Robocop in them.

then switched to Easton Classic Air Shoulder Pad. they were a lot lighter, less bulky and allowed for a heck of a lot more mobility.

problem was they didnt give great protection for a defenceman.

this year i bought ST16 shoulder pads and love them. not much bigger in the shoulders than the classic pads due to the low profile shoulder cups.

It has amazing mobility and superb protection, the rib protectors have been pretty useful on a couple of occasions.

Cant recommend them enough :)

[english15x 3]

I broke my clavicle in the first game of mens league playoffs. I guess I ought to have something good when I come back.

I'd like to have a balance of protection and mobility.

Thoughts?

From a shot, hit, or falling?

[duch 0]

Some great suggestions from some of the other posters. Any high end shoulder pad should give you great protection. Bauer Vapor 60, Supreme 75 or 95's, Reebok 8k's or 10K's, Easton Stealth 19's or Synergy ST 16's are some of my suggestions.

[danno25nh 3]

From a shot, hit, or falling?

Collision, two of us skating for a loose puck. I got there 1/2 second before him.

No shoulder pad would have completely mitigated the impact of two 200 lb men colliding at full speed but I tend to play full out and block lots of shots.

I figure some good pads are in order.

Thanks for the input everyone. I may need to make the 4 hour drive to the nearest

LHS to try a few on.

[halfmoonyote 0]

Was going to ask the same thing English15x asked - how it happened. I agree with you that no shoulder pad likely would have prevented an injury from the scenario you described.

I actually don't normally wear shoulder pads of any kind. But that said, when I do I use shoulders, I just use the chest/back plate of a Warrior Method. Shoulder caps and bicep protectors removed. So, I have protection on my chest and back if I take an elbow, stick, or get hit with a shot. IMO, the caps and bicep protectors don't really do much.

[interpathway 9]

Was going to ask the same thing English15x asked - how it happened. I agree with you that no shoulder pad likely would have prevented an injury from the scenario you described.

I actually don't normally wear shoulder pads of any kind. But that said, when I do I use shoulders, I just use the chest/back plate of a Warrior Method. Shoulder caps and bicep protectors removed. So, I have protection on my chest and back if I take an elbow, stick, or get hit with a shot. IMO, the caps and bicep protectors don't really do much.

They do when you lose your balance or are hit around the boards. Board to rotator cuff without the pad in between is a tough one to come back from.

[xrickyb86x 1]

IMO, the caps and bicep protectors don't really do much.

Man I used to think the same thing in the rec league I play in. I wore sher wood classics with the bicep part cut off AND I had cut the bicep pads off my older elbows. Then a womens team hosted a game against a thrown together team with me and a few guys. I've never been cross checked or slashed and hooked so much in a "friendly" game before. Hahaha, I upgraded quickly. I guess it depends how you play and who you play with.

[halfmoonyote 0]

They do when you lose your balance or are hit around the boards. Board to rotator cuff without the pad in between is a tough one to come back from.

Man I used to think the same thing in the rec league I play in. I wore sher wood classics with the bicep part cut off AND I had cut the bicep pads off my older elbows. Then a womens team hosted a game against a thrown together team with me and a few guys. I've never been cross checked or slashed and hooked so much in a "friendly" game before. Hahaha, I upgraded quickly. I guess it depends how you play and who you play with.

No, I agree with both of you guys. Although, to Interpathway's post, I was playing with a guy once that separated his shoulder falling into the boards, and he was wearing shoulders. So again, if something like that is going to happen, it's going to happen. I just meant for me, personally.

It all comes down to personal preference. For whatever reason, a lot of guys I play with don't wear shoulder pads, and I play in 2 leagues. One that is super competitive, one that is a 35+ gentlemen's league. The better the players are, the less likely they are to be wearing shoulders. But again, I can understand why some would want to, I just prefer the chest/back protection whenever I do decide to wear them.

[interpathway 9]

So again, if something like that is going to happen, it's going to happen. I just meant for me, personally.

I totally hear ya. The thing is, one example doesn't validate an argument of caps not offering the benefit of added protection. Sure, they may not stop all separated shoulders, but it is all about using the equipment to minimize the chance.

[danno25nh 3]

I totally hear ya. The thing is, one example doesn't validate an argument of caps not offering the benefit of added protection. Sure, they may not stop all separated shoulders, but it is all about using the equipment to minimize the chance.

Or in my case to make the wife think I'm taking adequate protection against getting busted up.

[xrickyb86x 1]

To the OP... I switched from those sher woods to Reebok 8k's after that womens game and getting laid out by a guy twice my size in a rec league game. The 8k's are like pillows. I can probably sleep with them. hahaha. I did have one problem with them that is explained here...

http://www.modsquadhockey.com/forums/index.php?/topic/56293-back-padding-on-reebok-8k-shoulders/

I do like them a lot more after the suggestion I got about bending the shoulder caps.

Try some stuff on. Good luck!

[nisselrm 22]

If you have some time there are always jofa/rbk pro shoulder pads on ebay, they are by far the best shoulder pad i have ever owned. I have a history of shoulder injuries and I have had no issues with these at an elite contact level. Also I think I paid $40 shipped so you can find them for about half the coast of a high-end retail pad.

[ibeck 38]

That's a valid point, and not the same as looking for gear to make you look slim.

It's not the real reason why I'm saying to buy the shouldies, just an added incentive.

[bagsbie 8]

I know a guy who wears goalie's shoulders/chest protector. I never asked him why but he looks like a transformer in those. Funny...

[HattrickSwayze 3]

Ill second the suggestion for Easton ST16's. With the new EQ50 stuff coming out soon you might be able to find some on clearance. They're low profile, but absolute tanks. The CCM V08/V10 pads are really nice too.