Warrior Dynasty Girdle (and Shell)

[Cosmic 178]

Height - 6'2"

Weight - 215 lbs

Pant Size: XL

Shell Size: XL

Time of use: About 8 months, 2-3x/week

Other pants previously used: CCM Crazy Light, Warrior Pro Stock Franchise

 

Level of play: Beer Leaguer

Location: In very hot and humid rinks

 

Fit - 6/10

 

In the store, and in the early usage, I thought these were the best pants/girdle on the market, and could not find fault with them. They fit like a pair of tight shorts, which is nice. The thigh guard's ability to move with my leg is an infinite improvement over the pants that I previously wore (although I have never tried a true girdle, and suspect that the true girdle would be even better). However, once you get skating and sweaty, the shortcoming of the belt closure system become quickly apparent. Most pants offer the skate lace, plus the belt. The other girdle has a nice big piece in lieu of a belt, which offers a more comprehensive close. With the belt, if I cinch it tight, so that the pants hold in place with all the crouching and bending and striding and twisting, then I can get a nice hold, but there is pressure on my waist which I am not thrilled about. If I loosen it up, so that I do not feel this pressure, then I find myself yanking the pants up during faceoffs. According to the size chart, I am between L and XL. In the store, when I tried on a Large, it showed some distress in the mesh around the crotch, and figuring this could become a durability issue, I went with the XL, which still seemed to give a nice snug fit (as it still does). 4 points out of 10 may seem like a lot to deduct, for one area not fitting to my liking. However, after having come to my own senses (that this is the only pant or girdle on the market that uses such a skimpy closure system), I am thinking, "What were they thinking?" Ok, maybe since it is a snug fit all around, Warrior did not think that they would need more than just this belt? I do not know, but I do know that the belt system in the previous girdle had issues (unrelated to my gripe, but issues nonetheless) with its belt closure system.

Protection: 7/10

 

In the thigh guard, tail bone, hip pad, and kidney area, these are pretty solid. However, I would not trust the thin, medium density foam inserts that cover the femoral triangle. Sure, I have taken pucks off of these pads, after having deflected passes when I was forechecking, but I would not trust these to stop slapshots.

Weight - 10/10

 

This thing is feather light. I barely notice it when it is on (and not cinched tightly).

 

Durability - 3/10

 

On the bright side, the mesh that holds it together, and gives it great breathability and ventilation, has held up. However, the plastic inserts are pressing through the front top area, in multiple places, and require repairs:

 

 

 

This is also a successful repair, where the back was splitting:

 

 

I take very good care of my gear; always drying it after use, and leaving it alone when not being used. So, I chalk this up to "not my error."

 

Intangibles 8/10

 

If you:

 

-Play Forward and do not plan on blocking a ton of shots.

-Play in a hot/ humid rink

-Travel with your gear, so that weight is a premium factor when checking gear for airline flights

-Do not mind the belt closure system

-Are ok with the pants lasting 6-9 months, before you may require another pair

 

Then these pants are perfect for you.

 

However, if you want a pair of pants/ girdle to last longer, and/ or the other items above are not of prime consideration, then I would say look elsewhere. I do not expect these to last much longer, and am debating whether to try the MX3 girdle (for mobility/ snugness of fit to the body) or the QuickLites (for lightweightness, and durability) as my next pair. I will definitely not be buying another Dynasty girdle (although I will still buy Warrior. I do not think that this is a poor quality or manufacturing issue, as much as it is a design flaw, in something that was an innovation, so Warrior is still all good in my book).

 

Conclusion

 

I am happy to have tried these out. If Warrior can fix the belt closure system, beef up the femoral triangle area (perhaps thicker, higher density foams), and fix the issue of the sharp plastic inserts pressing through in the areas noted, then these would be perfect. This pant does some things exceptionally well, and perhaps better than any other pant on the market. However, it comes up short in the areas referenced, for my preferences.

 

Overall score - 34/50

 

** Quick note on the Shell: 

The shell required a quick repair out of the gate, on the velcro closure system (which I understand was an issue for every user that I know of who also used this shell). However, since the repair, everything has held up just find, and I like the mesh in the back for extra breathability. This is my go-to shell, amongst a pro stock Warrior and 2 custom shells that I had made.

 

Edited May 1, 2016 by Cosmic
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