Elbow to Shoulder pad fit

[AlphaSierra 1]

I started updating/upgrading my gear a couple years ago as I found time to play a bit more. As background, last time I was actively playing was pre military (1996) at a skinny 135, and now I have filled out to a semi round 200, and come in at 5'11". So my idea of correct fit is long forgotten and all I have to go off of is how the gear has fit the past few years.

So I replaced my Cooper SP500 mediums with some Bauer SBD IIs in large. Good fit in the chest and the shoulders, but the bicep pad is almost twice as long as the Cooper's. Comes down to the elbow. I loved the coopers and wanted to stick with that style as a minimum pad, decent shoulder protection (shoulder surgery last year)

I just picked up some Bauer Pro Defenders Elbows L to replace my Sherwood 9060 size small. Elbow pad fits comfortably with about an inch either direction of added length over the Sherwoods but a noticeable increase in bulk. I went with the defenders because I wanted solid protection for my joints after going through the shoulder surgery.

So the problem is how they "fit" together, it seems weird. There is enough bulk in the Bicep protectors to overhang the bicep protector on the elbow but ROM seems affected. The other option, was I could take the old cooper's pad and swap it out for the larger SBD pad.

Advice on proper fit? I don't recall ever having them overlap like that but maybe I just never had gear that fit! My thinking is my old set up was like this until I filled out and got used to the spacing of too small of pads. Thanks

[Chadd 916]

I cut off the bicep pad on my elbow pads, some people cut off the bicep pad on their shoulder pads. If you can't adjust the bicep pad on the shoulders enough to get clearance, one of those may work for you.

[hunt3rsean 44]

Like above mentioned....you may need to modify one of the pad sets. I too would normally cut off or shorten the length of a bicep pad on shoulder pads to make room for the elbow pad. I felt this gave me greater range of motion over all.

But it really comes down to preferance and what feels best for you. It sounds like the bicep pad on the Bauer shoulder pads is whats affecting you the most. You may want to start there.

[wrangler 157]

I let the biceps protector overlap the top of my elbow pad. There's no gap in coverage, and the overlap is enough that no gap appears with arm movement.

[DBear 0]

Like above mentioned....you may need to modify one of the pad sets. I too would normally cut off or shorten the length of a bicep pad on shoulder pads to make room for the elbow pad. I felt this gave me greater range of motion over all.

^ This I took the bicep pads off my Bauer shoulder pads and couldn't be happier. Most have some type of velcro attachment so its not a big deal to remove them. There is still plenty of protection from the elbow pad and there is a noticeable increase in range of motion.

[AlphaSierra 1]

Thanks guys, just wanted to make sure I was not completely off target once I start hacking pads up. I think the shoulder pads will be getting a mod this weekend.

[yrhmblnr8r 69]

I wear Jofa 9025 elbow pads. No bicep strap on them. The 2012 Reebok 3k is the same style and the won't break the bank.