Any experience with Bauer "Pro Series" shoulderpads?

[helmet91 16]

My U15 sons have grown out of their current shoulder pads (Supreme GS) and have begrudgingly admitted that it's time to move on.  We're having quite the time figuring out what's next.  Being in the Netherlands, it's tough to go to one spot and have a good selection of higher end pads to compare/contrast and try-on.  We honestly haven't been very impressed with the Mach or XF Pro... the Hyperlites seem okay?  I know lightweight is the way forward (right?) but these pads don't seem to offer much protection?  My sons play D and love blocking shots.  The SMU Matrix look like junk (the boys have the shins and they're great) and I haven't been able to find anything from Warrior in person.

Anyway...  I came across these Bauer Pro shoulder pads on a German/Czech site that I've ordered from in the past.  I've never seen them before.  I'm familiar with the Pro gloves, but had never seen the pads before.  What's the story on these??

 

https://uk.bauer.com/products/bauer-pro-series-shoulder-pads-senior?srsltid=AfmBOoqQbIi_efkQAUyFIREEIaQsSjlrj5l4SmqJ9Le6kLlITIRFRtC5

 

 

[Hills 717]

So what exactly is wrong with the XF Pro? Tacks shin pads have been basically the go to for shot blockers for a long time now for a reason.

[helmet91 16]

The XF Pro shoulders, along with the Machs, just seem really thin to me.  For being the top end pad, they sure don't seem like they offer a lot of protection.  Hence me looking for more options.

[swede 50]

The Bauer pro series shoulder pads is a great pad. It’s actually the most popular shoulder pad among ”Bauer Teams” in Swedish SHL.. 

It’s the same story with the Pro series shin guards and elbow pads aswell. It’s not the lightest series of pads but they are very protective. They also fit kinda big, so if your son is a little bigger built, with a big frame, then theese ones will fit great.

 

[stick9 896]

On 12/24/2024 at 2:57 AM, helmet91 said:

The XF Pro shoulders, along with the Machs, just seem really thin to me.  For being the top end pad, they sure don't seem like they offer a lot of protection.  Hence me looking for more options.

Larger or thicker doesn't mean a higher level of protection and vice versa. My knock on some of the newer gear has been durability and price. I also find some of the newer stuff a bit gimmicky too. 

Defenders aren't a bad choice. They've always been a great pad. I might opt for a padded shirt with a lower profile pad for better mobility.

[swede 50]

The problem with most newer shoulder pads, is that the foam in the rib section is super thin and allmost dont offer any protection at all. All focus is on the sternum and shoulders/clavicle.. 

The most protective shoulder pad ever (all around) must be Bauer Nexus 1000/8000..  The front vest had high density foam everywhere along with plastic inserts. 
 

To me, the Pro Series by bauer is the pad that come closest to the old Nexus pads. The Pro series shins is the same pad as Nexus 2N, with other graphics.

[helmet91 16]

1 hour ago, swede said:

The problem with most newer shoulder pads, is that the foam in the rib section is super thin and allmost dont offer any protection at all. All focus is on the sternum and shoulders/clavicle.. 

 

That's pretty much exactly why we're considering going the Pro Series route...  

[swede 50]

Yeah, cant wait until my son (11y old) can fit into Sr size shoulder pads. Then we will also look at the Pro series pads. He is now in CCM Jetspeed FT4’s Jr large, and blocking shots with them is ok, as long as they hit the sternum plate. If the shots hit the sides/ribs then they are not good at all to block shots with (his words).. One pad to also consider is Warrior Alpha DX/Lx pro’s.. They have a little more dense foam than ex bauer in the rib section front and back.

my son has the Warrior alpha Dx shins and we are very impressed by them. Great protection all around.

Another advice i can give is to look for hockey gear at german ebay. There is often new old stock pads like nexus, and last generation of reebok shoulder pads (really protective) to be found at discounted prices there.

[218hockey 50]

Elbows are great too.

[helmet91 16]

Wow, these Pro Series shoulders are fantastic.  The pictures and description don't do them justice at all.

I ordered from that Czech site and got a pretty good discount - definitely something you don't see in N America on new gear.

Anyway, the shoulder caps and bicep extensions are really nice and not bulky.  The sternum and spine guards aren't flimsy foam and the adjustable (or removable) rib protection is fantastic.  My boys wore them to practice Friday night and in their game yesterday.  They love the pads.

These are great for a shot blocking, physical defenseman.  I would highly recommend them.  I'll probably grab the elbows the next time I see a sale.  Great job, Bauer.

Edited January 20 by helmet91

[218hockey 50]

Can you buy them new in the USA?

[swede 50]

On 2/10/2025 at 5:53 AM, 218hockey said:

Can you buy them new in the USA?

Some stores might have them. In Europe the Pro Series line of pads, are a retail line of pads just as Supreme and Vapor. A direct replacement for Nexus elite level pads.

Edited yesterday at 06:31 AM by swede

[218hockey 50]

I hope they're put together a little better than most Bauer shoulders like the 1N. Almost all Bauer shoulder pads we've had needed to be repaired. The shoulder cap and arm guard needed to be reinforced and the 1N uses some thin plastic pieces to coordinate the layers of chest protection. Those break.

I'd love to see some photos of how the Pro Series are put together.

[helmet91 16]

They are definitely much more robust than the normal retail offerings...  I'll have to snap some pics in the next day or two and figure out how to post them on here.