Thumb Lock vs. Thumb Loop

[Amiroo39 121]

I've always used the lock, but I've recently been experimenting with the loop and find that i have a tighter grip on my stick. I'm guessing the cons of the loop is that you could injure your thumb somewhat more easily. What is the general consensus here? Who uses what and why?

[MikeWhy 39]

Flex thumb>>>

[Souldriver 64]

I thought the thumb lock was only the fact that the thumb won't flex backwards. My earlier gloves had thumb lock but I could only put my thumb in the loop. I loop it.

[PF97 10]

I cut the loop off. I feel I have better grip with no loop. And I prefer flex, seems more natural.

[DolomaticDangles 13]

I've always used the loop. I wasn't aware that some people don't.

[IPv6Freely 2096]

I honestly have no idea what this thread is talking about. The thumb lock is just the design of the thumb so the thumb doesnt bend backwards, no? And the loop is just the small bit of palm material that connects the two thumb pieces together?

If so, then I don't get the "versus" part. They're two separate parts of the glove with two separate functions, no?

I truly don't understand OPs post.

[bunnyman666 445]

I suppose the thread is about whether or not you use the loop or keep your thumb in the locked thumb. I had one pair of gloves that only let your thumb into the loop-attached portion. I always end up in the loop.

[IPv6Freely 2096]

I suppose the thread is about whether or not you use the loop or keep your thumb in the locked thumb. I had one pair of gloves that only let your thumb into the loop-attached portion. I always end up in the loop.

I still don't get it. You mean the part your thumb is supposed to go in? Is there an alternative place for your thumb?

[ChrisLGR20 2]

I first noticed this on the gloves that I just got from you, Optimus. There's the normal loop hole (I call it normal because before my new gloves I had no idea of the other option) then there's a second opening, behind the loop hole, attached to the thumb lock portion. If you put your thumb in the locked portion, there is more protection, but less movement, I believe?

Take a look at the Koncept's that you have, Optimus. I would gather they have the same option.

[bunnyman666 445]

I still don't get it. You mean the part your thumb is supposed to go in? Is there an alternative place for your thumb?

Yes, except on some models, you have two options for your thumb. Keep it locked in the big thumb or place it in the thumb compartment that loops to the big thumb.

[jonesy9020 77]

To my knowledge, you're not really supposed to put your thumb in that area at all, and it's just there to cover up the internals of the glove

Everyone I've ever played with uses the thumb loop.

[ktang 34]

I didn't know you could put your thumbs in the "big compartment". Live and learn!

I've always used the "loop part".

I'll have to try the "big compartment" in warmups next game. Maybe one thumb in the "loop part", and one in the "big compartment".

[CB1 8]

Wow, learn something new everyday! I checked my Warrior gloves and found the 2 options! I never really paid attention, as there was only one option on my Easton gloves. Checked my sons Reebok gloves and only appears to be one option as well. The funny thing is that when I use Warriors, my thumbs always goes into the thumb lock portion automatically. So curious about Jonesy's statement that you shouldn't be using the thumb lock compartment.

[bunnyman666 445]

The lock option basically makes you bend your fingers more, if that makes sense. Bad thing if you have multi-piece fingers, IMO. I say that only because you can expose knuckles with multi-piece fingers. I want a pair with one-piece fingers for added protection for my style of play.

[crispy92 14]

Noticed this when I first got my franchises. On the bench I looked at my thumb and noticed I had it in what I though to be the wrong spot. Idk what I use primarily whatever my thumb falls into when I put them on

[Amiroo39 121]

If anyone is somewhat confused by loop vs. lock, here's a video of someone like Pacioretty who uses the loop. 20 second mark.

[AfftonDad 88]

I took an impromptu poll in the locker room Sunday night... After checking, everyone in there (probably around 10 guys) said they put it in the more movable part (I would call that the loop). Probably half said they didn't realize you could do anything else. One guy's Bauer gloves had the less movable option unavailable (closed off). I briefly put my thumb in the less movable part and it didn't feel to me like anything that would be an improvement.

[Amiroo39 121]

I took an impromptu poll in the locker room Sunday night... After checking, everyone in there (probably around 10 guys) said they put it in the more movable part (I would call that the loop). Probably half said they didn't realize you could do anything else. One guy's Bauer gloves had the less movable option unavailable (closed off). I briefly put my thumb in the less movable part and it didn't feel to me like anything that would be an improvement.

The less movable part would be for more protection than improvement. But the poll is interesting, I would think that most people use the loop.

[Jamie_tnt 6]

For me the original post was fairly straightforward and easy to understand. Anyway I use the loop.

[IPv6Freely 2096]

For me the original post was fairly straightforward and easy to understand. Anyway I use the loop.

Would have made sense to me too if I knew you could put your thumb in two different places...

[Machinehead2k5 32]

Would have made sense to me too if I knew you could put your thumb in two different places...

I was with you Optimus, I didn't know there were two parts!

[SCOMPL 14]

"Thumb lock" just means the protective materials in the thumb piece will prevent your thumb from hyper-extending away from your palm. The technology works whether your thumb is in the loop, or behind it. If you choose not to use the thumb loop, you are giving up a lot of mobility.

[Jamie_tnt 6]

Would have made sense to me too if I knew you could put your thumb in two different places...

Having just checked my current gloves,, Bauer 4 rolls, I can only use the loop. But when I was growing up playing in the 90s I can definitely remember most gloves having the option of both. Maybe it's not so common nowadays.

[SirJW 207]

lol, when I was younger I thought that maybe you put the loop around your stick for better grip. Never once thought you would use the other (don't want to really call it an option). How would you have any control / use of your thumb in the former position.

[TeamHonda401 54]

If anyone is somewhat confused by loop vs. lock, here's a video of someone like Pacioretty who uses the loop. 20 second mark.

lol he calls them the "AH1"