Changing pads from single to double break.

[BenderHockey 127]

I have a set of Warrior Ritual, 32 + 1.5". They have a single break below the knee, but looking to see if it is possible to change it to a double break. If so, how would one accomplish said feat?

I don't want to bungee the pads in the "S" shape, but rather create the same break above the knee as the existing one below the knee.

[Law Goalie 147]

Short answer: possible, but ranging from fairly to extremely difficult depending on what you have in mind.

Longer answer:

I do not advise strapping pads down or jamming them under benches: this is a relic of the days when pads were stuffed with deer hair, kapok, or shredded foam. With sheet foam pads, you're just going to tear fabrics, burst seams, or crush or fracture foams; with deer hair, etc., you could shift the density around pretty elegantly. You're right to avoid this approach.

There are two kinds of breaks commonly described: 'internal breaks' in the foam inside the shell of the pad, and 'external breaks', generally in the vertical roll. Adding external breaks is very labour intensive: you'd basically have to take the vertical roll off the pads, cut it, add material, and sew everything back up. Adding interntal breaks is less difficult but still challenging. Ideally, you should open the lateral (outside) gusset from toe to top, remove the foam, and make your changes.

There are basically two things controlling the flexibility of a modern pad: the ability of the internal foams to compress as they are bent, and the surface tension on foams and on the shell of the pad. As an illustration, the foam in most vertical rolls is relatively soft - generally LD45 Plastazote - but a pad with both internal breaks and external breaks in the vertical roll is noticeably more flexible than a pad with only internal breaks. To make a piece of foam more flexible, you can score the front (lessening the surface tension) and notch the back (allowing easier compression). I always advise starting with notching the back, and only scoring the face if your next move was going to be to cut more than 50% of the way through the back of the foam; notching the front effectively allows the foam to tear open as it bends back. If, when you make your first adjustments, you also remove a *tiny* bit of foam - less than 1/4" - from the top-front edge of the pad, you can also very slightly lessen the surface tension of the shell over the foam without compromising the pad.

[BenderHockey 127]

I figured that was about the extent of things. Kinda hoping for "magic bullet' fix, but wasn't too optimistic.

Just have to start researching new pads. Those Bauer Total One customizable break pads look VERY interesting. Hell of a concept..

[Law Goalie 147]

JRZ has had by far the best ideas in customizable goalie pad flex I've seen, and the TOs are a very good evolution. Definitely give them a look. That said, I'd stick with the Rituals for a while: I think you'll only get happier with them over time.

[bruins4777 1]

I believe pete smith designed those pads to break in over time with how you play. The stock breaks shouldn't be that big of a deal. My 4000's for example have no external breaks, but they are insanely flexible, especially on the top break.