Shoulder Pad Advice- Broken Collarbone

[guffaw 0]

Hey Guys. Broke my collarbone in half recently hitting the end boards at full speed (tangled up with D, lost our footing, into the end boards with him on my back). First time i broke it, but i have gone in hard numerous times. Probably a result of playing too hard/reckless and having some speed.

So i'm out 12 weeks and want to upgrade my shoulder pads upon my return. Currently in Bauer one40's with shoulder cap plastics removed(dumb move).

I'm looking for the pad with the most protective shoulder caps, but would still like to keep weight and bulkiness to a minimum. I'm a forward in no check mens leauge, but still need something thats going to protect that collarbone.

Looking at:

Reebok 7k or 9k

CCM U+CL

Thanks!

[Chadd 916]

Most of the warrior pads have a line of extra padding right around the collar bone/neck hole area. You might want to check them out as well. With protection comes bulk in most cases, just try on as much as you can and see what you like.

[guffaw 0]

Thanks Chadd. I'm looking more for something that will absorb that impact to the shoulder vs. actual clavicle protection. Plan on heading over to the Hockey Giant store and trying on a bunch.

[Chadd 916]

Thanks Chadd. I'm looking more for something that will absorb that impact to the shoulder vs. actual clavicle protection. Plan on heading over to the Hockey Giant store and trying on a bunch.

The Easton RS are also a nice pad. Honestly, everyone has a great shoulder pad this year. You can't really go wrong with any of them.

[guffaw 0]

The Easton RS are also a nice pad. Honestly, everyone has a great shoulder pad this year. You can't really go wrong with any of them.

Aren't the caps on the RS breaking though? I've seen a couple reviews about it online calling for a recall.

[AIREAYE 248]

Not really fair to the product for people to judge it based on one picture before its release date. Though I'm going to disagree with Chadd here and say that I'm not impressed with the RS with its completely solid shoulder cap. The CL and the U+ Pro on the other hand have a suface floating clavicle that wraps nicely around the shoulder. Definitely try on some though, that's key.

[guffaw 0]

Not really fair to the product for people to judge it based on one picture before its release date.

To which product are you referring? I thought all products mentioned here have been released.

[danno25nh 3]

I had a similar issue last year, 10 screws and a plate to put my clavicle back together.

I ended up picking the EQ50 because of the manner in which he pads overlap and articulate.

I don't have the cash (or time) to buy several sets of upper end pads to measure protection so I can't prove these offer superior clavicle protection but they appear to be pretty good.

After a year of use I still like them though they are very large.

I'm going to look at the CL pads next time I get to St. Louis.

[guffaw 0]

I had a similar issue last year, 10 screws and a plate to put my clavicle back together.

I ended up picking the EQ50 because of the manner in which he pads overlap and articulate.

I don't have the cash (or time) to buy several sets of upper end pads to measure protection so I can't prove these offer superior clavicle protection but they appear to be pretty good.

After a year of use I still like them though they are very large.

I'm going to look at the CL pads next time I get to St. Louis.

Thanks for the incite. How did it happen and how long were you out?

Clavicles usually break from a blow to the shoulder so i'm looking for whatever shoulder cap is going to lessen that blow. I keep hearing Reebok w/ jdp caps. I may just try everything on and have my friend punch down on the shoulder of each one.

CL is tempting for the weight, ventillation, and lack of sweat absorption. I know my current pads absorb alot of sweat. I can almost wring them out after games.

[Stoop 1]

Are people down on the CS for some reason? That's the one peaked my interest. If the weights listed online are to believed, it's still plenty light, more protective, and significantly cheaper.

[Gr8erade 1]

Are people down on the CS for some reason? That's the one peaked my interest. If the weights listed online are to believed, it's still plenty light, more protective, and significantly cheaper.

I've worn both the CS and the CL. I went with the CS. It is still very lightweight, and didn't feel much heavier than the CL, especially when worn. One difference is that the CS's biceps guards are adjustable, whereas the CL's are not.

[AIREAYE 248]

To which product are you referring? I thought all products mentioned here have been released.

At the time when that RS shoulder pad picture was put online, the product wasn't officially released yet. But then again, it could also be a test batch or a prototype or whatever.

[Beflar 53]

Sorry but the cl i saw did have adjustable bicip

I've worn both the CS and the CL. I went with the CS. It is still very lightweight, and didn't feel much heavier than the CL, especially when worn. One difference is that the CS's biceps guards are adjustable, whereas the CL's are not.

I'm not sure what you mean by adjustable cause there is velcro to raise and lower the guard if you want on the CL's...

[Gr8erade 1]

Sorry but the cl i saw did have adjustable bicip

I'm not sure what you mean by adjustable cause there is velcro to raise and lower the guard if you want on the CL's...

I've had two of each pair (2 CLs, 2 CSs) and the CS's bicep guards were adjustable with velcro under the caps and the CLs were sewn on with elastic at two points and not adjustable. The reason I had two is because I'm between sizes, and I thought the straps on the larges were too long (I wore larges In the U+Pro), and so I tried the mediums. I ended up shortening the straps in the larges.

All I can report is what I've seen and what I've got in my bag. Perhaps they've made them both ways.

[Amiroo39 121]

Thanks for the incite. How did it happen and how long were you out?

Clavicles usually break from a blow to the shoulder so i'm looking for whatever shoulder cap is going to lessen that blow. I keep hearing Reebok w/ jdp caps. I may just try everything on and have my friend punch down on the shoulder of each one.

CL is tempting for the weight, ventillation, and lack of sweat absorption. I know my current pads absorb alot of sweat. I can almost wring them out after games.

I started wearing shoulder pads after 7 years, that cost me about 15 dislocated shoulders and two broken collarbones. I finally gave in and the only thing that felt comfortable were the CMM CL. They feel great. i tried on warriors projekts and they offered great protection but were too bulky. there is a simple trade-off, but I'd also look at the 11ks and totalones.

[guffaw 0]

I started wearing shoulder pads after 7 years, that cost me about 15 dislocated shoulders and two broken collarbones. I finally gave in and the only thing that felt comfortable were the CMM CL. They feel great. i tried on warriors projekts and they offered great protection but were too bulky. there is a simple trade-off, but I'd also look at the 11ks and totalones.

Do you feel the CL shoulder caps offer as much protection as other top end pads? ie. Reebok 9/11k, totalone, RS, Warrior etc? If they do they're a no brainer if you have the $$ IMO.

[althoma1 574]

I started wearing shoulder pads after 7 years, that cost me about 15 dislocated shoulders and two broken collarbones. I finally gave in and the only thing that felt comfortable were the CMM CL. They feel great. i tried on warriors projekts and they offered great protection but were too bulky. there is a simple trade-off, but I'd also look at the 11ks and totalones.

Did you try on the white Warrior Projekts or the new 2012 grey and blue Projekts? The new Projekts have smaller caps and felt more mobile and less bulky when I tried them on at Winterfest.

[jlvipers21 0]

I broke my collarbone twice with the Warrior Projekts. Replaced them with Totalones and have been very happy with them. I can definitely notice more protection in that area without any more bulk.

[guffaw 0]

Tried on a bunch today and I have to say I'm not a fan of the CL's. I have no sceintific "proof" to back it up, but the Ufoam in the body of the pad is paper thin, the shoulder caps are hard as a rock, and the sternum guard looks like a kids toy made in china. The pad is light and feels like it would keep you very cool, but I'm not trusting my banged up shoulder and boney ribs in those things for $160.

Leaning toward Reebok 7k's. The sternum guard on the 9k's seemed too big/stiff. I buy into the whole round shoulder caps to disipate the impact when compared to the flatter caps of most pads. Easton Stealth 85S and CCM U+ Fit 09 are also decent pads that aren't too bulky.

[nisselrm 21]

you might want to do some more research on the technology. The appearance of the pad is not something to be used as evidence in this particular case. There are some strength and impact tests of the cl pads you should watch in another thread

[HockeySavants 5]

I broke a collarbone as a child, I love my One90s

[guffaw 0]

you might want to do some more research on the technology. The appearance of the pad is not something to be used as evidence in this particular case. There are some strength and impact tests of the cl pads you should watch in another thread

I've seen all the videos more than once. I'm not a physicist or an engineer, but i wouldn't bet the house on your safety based on biased marketing videos made by the company selling the product. There are too many factors at play during an impact on the ice for that bowling ball test to be relevant. Some observations:

1) Who's pad were they comparing it to? "Foam with plastic" tells me nothing.

2)They appear to be thigh pads. Not shoulder caps which is my concern.

3) The edges of the pad are touching the table. U foam is stiff so not surprising it lessens the blow. A thigh pad doesn't have edges to rest against though. It rests against your thigh.

4) A shoulder pad is engineered to work as a complete pad and would need tested as such to be relevant. For example, Jofa/Rbk design is that the shoulder cap doesnt rest on the edge of your shoulder so that the impact is dissipated. It would hardly be fair to remove the cap from the pad and rest it directly on something as they do in the video. The caps on the CL's were resting directly on the point of my shoulder.

5) Does the pad stay in place during play and during a high impact?

A much more accurate test would have been to fit a manequin with various pads and then do your various impact tests using pressure sensors or the towels used in their videos. They didn't so time will tell once guys start using them.

I'm not saying the CL is junk or not protective. I'm just saying it's unproven and the videos are borderline worthless. Reebok/Jofa shoulder caps have been proven by NHL players for years.

[Gr8erade 1]

I've seen all the videos more than once. I'm not a physicist or an engineer, but i wouldn't bet the house on your safety based on biased marketing videos made by the company selling the product. There are too many factors at play during an impact on the ice for that bowling ball test to be relevant. Some observations:

1) Who's pad were they comparing it to? "Foam with plastic" tells me nothing.

2)They appear to be thigh pads. Not shoulder caps which is my concern.

3) The edges of the pad are touching the table. U foam is stiff so not surprising it lessens the blow. A thigh pad doesn't have edges to rest against though. It rests against your thigh.

4) A shoulder pad is engineered to work as a complete pad and would need tested as such to be relevant. For example, Jofa/Rbk design is that the shoulder cap doesnt rest on the edge of your shoulder so that the impact is dissipated. It would hardly be fair to remove the cap from the pad and rest it directly on something as they do in the video. The caps on the CL's were resting directly on the point of my shoulder.

5) Does the pad stay in place during play and during a high impact?

A much more accurate test would have been to fit a manequin with various pads and then do your various impact tests using pressure sensors or the towels used in their videos. They didn't so time will tell once guys start using them.

I'm not saying the CL is junk or not protective. I'm just saying it's unproven and the videos are borderline worthless. Reebok/Jofa shoulder caps have been proven by NHL players for years.

Or you could wear them for the last month, as I have, and make your own conclusions. I've worn them, and agree that I was a little worried about whether they would absorb impact because they felt so thin. But after playing in them, taking some hits in them and feeling like they provided very good protection, I conclude that they work. There are NHL players who have used them all year too, by the way.

Every technology is new at some point, right?

[guffaw 0]

Or you could wear them for the last month, as I have, and make your own conclusions. I've worn them, and agree that I was a little worried about whether they would absorb impact because they felt so thin. But after playing in them, taking some hits in them and feeling like they provided very good protection, I conclude that they work. There are NHL players who have used them all year too, by the way.

Every technology is new at some point, right?

Absolutely, and if they work for you then more power to you. After all the pad is lighter than almost everything else and doesn't absorb as much moisture.

I'm just saying that i'm not "testing" new technology on a badly broken collarbone and sprained shoulder 12 weeks after the injury based on a few nhl players, your testimony, and some flawed videos. Guys play for years without shoulder pads, nhlers entire careers with flimsy sherwood 5030's. That doesn't prove that shoulder pad is protective. It took me 4 years for the stars to align and take a spill that caused a major injury.

Different point of view is all. With a healthy shoulder I may have bought the CL's. Now? Not a chance.

[Gr8erade 1]

Absolutely, and if they work for you then more power to you. After all the pad is lighter than almost everything else and doesn't absorb as much moisture. I'm just saying that i'm not "testing" new technology on a badly broken collarbone and sprained shoulder 12 weeks after the injury based on a few nhl players, your testimony, and some flawed videos. Guys play for years without shoulder pads, nhlers entire careers with flimsy sherwood 5030's. That doesn't prove that shoulder pad is protective. It took me 4 years for the stars to align and take a spill that caused a major injury. Different point of view is all. With a healthy shoulder I may have bought the CL's. Now? Not a chance.

Perhaps it was the tone I perceived from your posts. You picked them up, deemed them flimsy and unprotective and have pretty much ridiculed the testing. You may feel more comfortable with a more traditional feeling shoulder pad, but in no way do you have any idea whether these shoulder pads are any more or less protective than anything else out there. You may not want to be a test case with your shoulder, however, you can't prove that they're not a very protective pad using newer technologies either.

If you're just saying you're not interested in testing new technology, then you should probably just say that, right?