Easton Mako Shoulder Pads

[Cosmic 178]

Has anyone tried out the Easton Mako Shoulder Pads? I realize that we have quite a bit of shoulder pad-less beer leaguers in here, just curious if anyone has any thoughts. Trying to decide between the Makos and the CLs, and it looks like the Makos come a little bit further down, and provide the better protection (and also weight 200g more, and provide less ventilation due to the front closure system). If you have any size recommendations, then please let me know your ht/weight/etc and which Mako fits you best. I am 6'2, 225 lbs, 46 inch chest. I do not have gargantuan shoulders or anything, but I generally have a big/athletic (too much gut and hips right now but that will drop once I start skating again) build.

[bruins89 1]

id also look at the nexus and reebok 20k shoulder pads too, both seem to be very good

[Cosmic 178]

id also look at the nexus and reebok 20k shoulder pads too, both seem to be very good

Yes indeed, I am ... From what I read, the Nexus seem a little bulky and more appropriate for a Defenseman getting smashed up by dump'n'chasing wingers, so the 20K looks to be a bit more for me out of these two.

[JSK81 400]

I was really disappointed with the 20K shoulders mobility wise. Shoulder blade guards are huge, restricting backwards arm movement and the two piece bicep guards jammed into those big shoulder caps when I tried to raise my arms. Overall they just felt bulky.

I haven't tried the Mako shoulders since they're not available here yet, but from the ones I've worn either Warrior Projekts or Bauer TotalOnes have offered the best protection/mobility ratio. CL's are really nice too, but like you said there's not as much lower protection. I'm really eager to try the AX1's from Warrior as well.

[Twasson26 0]

I purchased the Mako M5 Shoulders in February to replace my CCM U09 shoulders. My main decision for the change was that I felt the overall protection level of the CCM pads were not that good. I play in a adult beer league that gets rather chippy at times, and you can expect for some bonehead to take a cheap shot on you at some point. Last winter, I got checked from behind while going to the bench and took the top rail of the dasher boards to the ribs right at the point where the velcro attaches the front of the pad to the back. I ended up with separated intercostal muscles between my ribs, sucks, let me tell you. So this winter I went to my LHS and tried on new shoulders. I started out comparing the Mako and the CCM UL, then I put on the Mako M5 just for comparisons sake. Ultimately I went with the M5 and saved some bucks, didn't feel like I was gaining enough with the Mako over the M5 to pay the extra money. I did go into the shop willing to spend the $170 on the CL's if I feel in love with them.

What sold me overall was the mobility of the Mako line over the CCM line of pads. It is in the shoulders pad area of the Mako that I noticed it the most. My arms felt more free while at the same time I felt like I had a lot more protection in the chest area. Coming from the CCM U09, I knew it would take a little to get used to the feel of the Mako's. It was like going from a loose fit shirt to a compression fit shirt. It didn't take long for me to adjust, nowadays while playing, I don't ever think about having them on. What took the most adjustment for me was the neck area of the Mako. The neck area is a lot more closed in on the Makos. The good news is that while skating I don't notice it, but if you lean over on the bench to tie your skate you feel it close in around your neck. Kinda weird at first, but more protection in the end. The stomach flap is velcroed in, you could take it off if you didn't want the front of the pad to go down so far. You can adjust it up and down, but just a little. The bicep pads are adjustable as well, they have a velcro strap that allows you to move them. I haven't felt a need to mess with that. The velcro on the chest portion of the pad which holds them closed on your body like a robe seems to be holding up fine. They haven't been out on the market to get a true measurement of how long that will last. I now have 16 games in them along with a bunch of drop-ins, and have no regrets about purchasing them. They still look brand new and so far they don't stink yet. I don't notice myself sweating anymore in them versus my CCM U09. I haven't washed them once, just let them air dry after use.

I did get the chance to try the CCM CL's during a stick and puck as a buddy of mine has them in my size. I can say that they are truly crazy light. I think it is the ultimate pad for those who don't want to feel like they are wearing shoulders. If only they had the shoulder mobility of the Mako. They are so light that they don't feel like they have the same protection level of the Mako. No beef to them at all. They do, however, have the look of a lot of technology being used in the materials. They use a lot of different shapes on the pads which makes it look futuristic. As to how that actually translates to adding to the protection, I cannot say. My buddy's are holding pads are holding up fine, he has had them since last fall. The velcro tabs on the straps are lasting way better than the U09's I had.

For me, it came down to protection level and I felt more secure in the Mako's while not sacrificing mobility. I taken some checks in them and came out fine afterwards. Even took a slap shot to the dead center of the back and came out perfectly fine.

[Cosmic 178]

Thanks for the info Twass. So, after much research and consideration into:

CCM CL

Reebok 20K and 11K

Bauer APX and NXG

Warrior Projekt '11 (white) and '12 (black and blue)

(drumroll please .... )

I decided to go Mako. Seems to be the lightest/most protective/least bulkiest/most mobile combo. CL was awesome, but just too short in the belly. Let's hope the velcro holds up on the front closure system.