Looking to get shoulder pads

[Chadd 916]

Is the whole Velcro thing in the front odd though? Seems like for Easton's new line up for pads, they reverted back to the traditional style of securing pads. The Mako line in general seems like a failure because they now went back to the Synergy stuff.

It's different, but different doesn't mean bad. Sometimes hockey players are a little too afraid to try different. I found it to be comfortable and I really liked the design.

[z1ggy 81]

Just read through the thread that was posted on here...Seems like a lotttt of people were suggesting the CCM line up for shoulders, esp the CL's. They are still going for $120 right now on hockeymonkey, which really does blow through my $80 budget. However, the CS's & the U+12 still make budget.

It's kind of a shame I can't really try any of this stuff on ahead of time because all the LHS will only carry the stuff that's currently in season. I just worry that the CCMs don't offer any lower stomach protection. I suppose I could just place my hands right on that area as my gloves could probably give me some protection there.

I'll be watching more youtube vids on the M5, the RS II, CS, and reebok hybrid.

Edit: Currently leaning toward the M5. Getting pretty good reviews all around. I worry about the CS's/U+12 that there just is not enough protection. I know I won't be getting hit too often with sticks and pucks, but when I do... I learned the hard way having the right protection is worth it. The RS II seem to be a bit bulky, but offer up the most protection out of the entire group.

[Zjack38 46]

My warrior AX2 or AX3s are great, they pretty much cover everything.

[Cosmic 178]

Rbz 130s look and feel great. Tried a pair on yesterday at HM. Wish I would have gotten these instead of the U-12s. Lot of U foam on the 130s so they won't absorb sweat in those U foamed areas. U 12s are mostly traditional sweat sponges. I like the u 12 caps, sternum and spine protection, but the rib protection is just thin medium density foam that doesn't seem protective at all.

[z1ggy 81]

I def like the low profile look to those 130's. I just... Am having doubts in CCM lately. The RBZ skates are kind of meh.. I feel like they aren't gaining back any market share from Bauer despite a total new line up with the RBZ. Maybe their protective gear is better than their skates. I've had CCM skates and gloves in the past and I was not impressed at all. I've pretty much always been a Bauer/Easton guy..But seems like CCM shoulders are fairly popular amongst pro's and top level guys. The 130's do seem like a nice offering.

[Chadd 916]

I feel like they aren't gaining back any market share from Bauer despite a total new line up with the RBZ.

Basing a purchasing decision on market share is a really bad idea. The only thing that should matter is the fit and feel to you.

[z1ggy 81]

That's true. It's tough because there's not many reviews on the 130's and I don't have a LHS. Hockey Monkey is about 90 mins away.. I usually make the trip up there if I really really need to try something on. This might be one of those times...

[Chadd 916]

That's true. It's tough because there's not many reviews on the 130's and I don't have a LHS. Hockey Monkey is about 90 mins away.. I usually make the trip up there if I really really need to try something on. This might be one of those times...

Trying it on will probably save you a lot of money in the long run.

[SirJW 207]

I have these and they have protected me fine in Beer League for more than 10 years when I gave up my old Coopers for a bit more shoulder protection. First game got rubbed shoulder first into the boards and they worked well. Could use a bit more chest protection but that is it. The newer ones shown below look as if they would be good replacements.

http://www.hockeymonkey.com/ccm-hockey-shoulder-pad-uplus04-sr.html

http://www.hockeymonkey.com/ccm-hockey-shoulder-pad-rbz-90-sr.html

http://www.hockeymonkey.com/bauer-hockey-shoulder-pad-vapor-x60-sr.html

http://www.hockeymonkey.com/bauer-hockey-shoulder-pad-nexus-400-sr.html

[Cosmic 178]

I def like the low profile look to those 130's. I just... Am having doubts in CCM lately. The RBZ skates are kind of meh.. I feel like they aren't gaining back any market share from Bauer despite a total new line up with the RBZ. Maybe their protective gear is better than their skates. I've had CCM skates and gloves in the past and I was not impressed at all. I've pretty much always been a Bauer/Easton guy..But seems like CCM shoulders are fairly popular amongst pro's and top level guys. The 130's do seem like a nice offering.

How well a manufacturer's skates perform has nothing to do with what the protective department is producing. I don't like the RBZ skates either, but if I had a money tree, then I would be in RBZ elbows, shouldies and pants. 2nd place, in these three items, is close, but goes to CL (which I am wearing for all 3). And then after that, huge drop off- I know it's all PP and everyone has theirs, just saying, I love the U foam, as I am a huge sweater and this stuff stays light hand dry, and I have gotten smashed into a few times and never felt a thing. The only reason there is even an RBZ line is because the first RBZ stick was a hit. So, the company decided to just call the next round of gear "RBZ." If the first stick was a miserable failure, then the skates and this round of protective would have likely been called Crazy Light 2 or Crazy Nights or whatever. Don't let the matrix mess with your mind, man.

I love the Mako skates, but Mako everything else (except pro stock Mako II shafts), I am underwhelmed with. And the new Synergy protective (shoulders, elbows, shins)? I don't know- I can't see anyone buying that stuff. Not saying it is bad, but it just seems so clearly behind CCM quality wise, and then Bauer has brought the superstars so we know that the APX 2 protective will sell. Anyway, I digress. You won't find a lighter shoulder that will stay dry (at any price) than the RBZ 130. I can't say it will protect you because I don't wanna be liable if you drill your shoulder into the wall, but I can say that the CLs are protecting me pretty good. Don't take my word for it, drive to HM and get sized in the 130s, and try on everything else, and see what's what. I almost said "I'd be willing to bet you will leave in the 130s, but people are weird about what they think looks cool, and what looks hideous and cannot be purchased (myself included) so I dunno what you will do.

[z1ggy 81]

I don't really care about looks, if that's what you mean as far as "looking good in". I only buy gear maybe once every 5 years, so CCM could have very well stepped up their game. It's pretty apparent they do have good protection line, I just never had good experience with their product. I am always willing to try new things...I took a risk and bought a Warrior stick this year instead of my usual Easton and I was really glad I did. I'm now a huge fan of Warrior sticks and probably will keep buying them until they give me a reason not to.

Looks like I'm headed to HM probably later on this month to try on some 130's. I want to try on the Tacks as well to see how I like those, so might as well kill two birds w one stone.

[Tommyj214 3]

I second jsk81 on the ccm u+12 nice and low shoulders and pretty mobile too

[flyers10 57]

Do any of these shoulders mentioned protect well for the front of the shoulder? Looking for something to better cover for a repeated shoulder separation.

[Cosmic 178]

I don't really care about looks, if that's what you mean as far as "looking good in". I only buy gear maybe once every 5 years, so CCM could have very well stepped up their game. It's pretty apparent they do have good protection line, I just never had good experience with their product. I am always willing to try new things...I took a risk and bought a Warrior stick this year instead of my usual Easton and I was really glad I did. I'm now a huge fan of Warrior sticks and probably will keep buying them until they give me a reason not to.

Looks like I'm headed to HM probably later on this month to try on some 130's. I want to try on the Tacks as well to see how I like those, so might as well kill two birds w one stone.

When I say that "these shoulders look good," I just mean I can't find a problem with them. I wear U 12s as my backups when I travel; sure they look good (as in style), but when I assess for protection, they are not "looking good" in the rib area. The foam just doesn't disperse impact. But 130s look good as in, I can't see anything wrong about them.

[z1ggy 81]

^ Ahhhh okay gotcha. Well, thank you for all the help guys.. If anybody else wants to ask questions about shoulders, go right ahead, but I am pretty satisfied now.

[Tommyj214 3]

Do any of these shoulders mentioned protect well for the front of the shoulder? Looking for something to better cover for a repeated shoulder separation.

I separated my AC Joint in a game, and got the U+12s. So far so good! The front of the shoulder is pretty decently protected.