Nike/Bauer Pro-Defender shoulder pads

[leftwinger37 43]

Can anyone offer any feedback about this particular set of shoulder pads? I wear RBK/Jofa 5Ks for league games, but I'm looking for a lighter, more low-profile pair for drop-in.

I had looked at Sherwood 5030s and Bauer Supreme Classics originally, but I need a little something more in the shoulders. These looked like they fit the bill; classic lace-up design for the chest and back, but with modern shoulder cap protection. It doesn't hurt that they're on clearance a couple of places, either.

There are a couple of reviews out there and they haven't been kind. However, I generally don't pay attention to the reviews on merchant sites because they are first impressions and the gear doesn't get broken in enough to get an accurate review.

So I am calling upon the MSH community to offer whatever feedback you can if you have used this product or have testimony from someone who has.

Thanks.

[AlphaSierra 1]

There are more than a few threads that discuss the pads. I looked into them about 6 months ago as they were on clearance and my Cooper SBDs finally were beyond repair. It seems to me after reading a lot of posts here, most guys switched out of them pretty quick. Seems one of the big reasons guys did not like them was the lack of ribcage/ab coverage. That really did not bother me much, but I waited out until I got some new SBDIIs on e-bay. They also seem to have some sizing issues.

Here is one thread - http://www.modsquadh...__fromsearch__1

[Tailboard Jockey 25]

I have a pair of the N/B Pro Defender shoulder pads. There is nothing low-profile about them. They are huge. I would look at the CCM Pro, or wait for the CCM CL when they come out next year, if you're looking for a good, low-profile shoulder pad.

[Sed27 0]

These are my current pads and enjoy them quite a bit. This said, it took a while to get the fit adequately dialed in...

I have a longer torso (6'-2", 190 lbs) and have made significant modifications/ additions to ensure that my lower back, stomach, and ribs are adequately covered.

The clavicle protection is second to none. However, with the caps attached, the shoulder pads are too bulky (I couldn't even get my jersey on over them). Once I removed caps, the overall fit is much more low profile.

[leftwinger37 43]

Good stuff, guys. From what I gather, these are not what I thought they were. The most common thing I hear that bothers me is that they are bulky... This is the exact opposite of what I'm looking for.

I've always been a CCM guy and I really like the look of the 1899s in in 2012 catalogue (Sherwood 5030, Winnwell Classic clones). I think I may hold out for those. In the mean time, I just scooped a pair of Warrior Projekts for $46 on ebay. If they're anything like the elbow pads, they're be light and mobile while sill offering adequate protection.

Thanks for your input, guys.

[interpathway 9]

I'd love to hear your thoughts on the Projekts, thinking of picking them up myself.

[SolarWind 23]

might be too late of a response since the conclusion seems to have been reached, but just to support it I tried 2 sets of pro-defenders - large & medium and ended up getting rid of both. They fit large width wise (ie I always use size L pads, but for this particular model even size M was cutting into my armpits) but very short height wise.

the shoulder pads themselves are just huge (either one of the 2 sets) so lots of issues right there...

[leftwinger37 43]

might be too late of a response since the conclusion seems to have been reached, but just to support it I tried 2 sets of pro-defenders - large & medium and ended up getting rid of both. They fit large width wise (ie I always use size L pads, but for this particular model even size M was cutting into my armpits) but very short height wise.

the shoulder pads themselves are just huge (either one of the 2 sets) so lots of issues right there...

The input is still appreciated. From all accounts, they sound like a project pad (not to be confused with Projekt), and that's fine since I'm constantly making little tweeks and adjustments to my hockey gear. However, I don't want to be putting that much reserch and development into a set of pads that I'll be using so casually.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on the Projekts, thinking of picking them up myself.

I'll be sure to post up after I skate with them a few times. As I said previously, the Projekt elbows are one of the best gear purchases I've ever made, so I have high hopes for these.

[trevor13478 1]

I got the Pro-Defenders a few years ago, found them at a consignment shop brand new with tags for 30 bucks so I couldn't resist. I too was very disapointed, hoping they'd be low-profile and finding the exact opposite. I tried both pairs of shoulder caps and ended up just leaving them off and wearing them as practice pads. Not bad if you don't need them for high contact and can go without the shoulder caps, but if you want more protection I'd look elsewhere because with the caps on, these are terrible pads.

[leftwinger37 43]

The design of these things seem to be a real tease. They're too stiff and bulky to meet my light weight, low profile needs and they can't even make up for any of that with protection because they don't cover enough surface area and are better used without the shoulder caps.

It might be worth using the chest portion to make a franken-pad with a different brand of shoulder caps, but once again, I don't think It would be worth the time or resources given their intended use.