Easton S19 Z-Shock Helmet

When Easton released the S19 hockey stick, the addressed the concerns that players had with the S17 stick.  So, when I heard about the release of the S19 helmet, I was hoping they addressed a couple of issues from the old Easton S17 Helmet as well. In particular, the fit of the helmet to the contour of the head in order to avoid pressure points. Well, the S19 helmet did that and quite a bit more!

The new S19 Helmet combines a better fit along with improved venting, all while reducing the weight of the helmet.  A fantastic combination of fit and functionality, that even includes removable ear guards for those of us who despise them!  The major improvement in the fit of the S19 is the low-density foam comfort pads that have been inserted at strategic places within the helmet. These pads really reduce the pressure points that were common with the S17.

The ventilation of the S17 Helmet was not bad, but Easton has improved that as well with the development of the S19 helmet. One thing that is common among most helmets, including the new Easton S19, is the tendency of sweat to make the inside foam of the helmet slippery.  While this doesn’t really affect the performance or fit of the helmet, it can be an annoyance at times. In addition, the acu-snap fitting system is slightly awkward to use. I believe there is potential for improvement in it’s design.

Easton S19 Features

Of course, we would be remiss not to talk about the extremely light construction of the S19 Z-shock (325 g). The helmet is noticeably lighter than any other helmet I have ever worn, while still exceeding the impact requirements for certification by a wide margin.  This is a great advance in technology, but Easton has not made any claims of increased concussion protection.  Easton has, however, manufactured the S19 helmet using a one-piece polycarbonate shell which increases stiffness. This feature is similar to science behind the Cascade M11’s one piece construction.

Overall, the Easton S19 helmet is a marked improvement from the S17, lighter than the Bauer 9500 and more stylish and less bulky than the Reebok 8K and Cascade M11 helmet.  If you are in the market for a top of the line helmet, then the Easton S19 should be on your list.

Buy The Easton S19 Helmet

The S19 is set to be available in retail stores by May 2010 and should retail in the $170.00 range. Or, you can pre-order your Easton S19 helmet from Total Hockey.com

Fur Hockey Gloves…Yes I Said Fur!

As part of our worst hockey equipment ever made series, we present to you a pair of fur hockey gloves!

We are not sure what inspired these gloves, manufactured by a company called Rinky, but they certainly deserve recognition as part of our worst hockey equipment series.

They apparently retail for about $39.99 and are geared toward female hockey players.

Coming in as a close second to the fur gloves are these “Golden Hockey gloves”  made by TPS.

Reebok Revoke Goalie Pads

This review of Reebok Revoke Goalie Pads was contributed by Goaltender Mark Russo.

In recent years Reebok (formerly known as “RBK”) has successfully entered the goaltending equipment category, offering varying price points, protection, and styles to fit every  level of goaltender.  Part of the company’s success has come from tremendous visibility in the professional ranks, with NHL stars like Roberto Luongo, Marty Turco, Ryan Miller, and Marc Andre Fleury wearing and promoting the Reebok brand.

Introducing new styles with advancements in protection and stylish graphics is part of staying successful in the goalie pad market, and in 2009, Reebok introduced the Revoke line of equipment.  Currently worn by NHL goalies such as Jonas Gustavsson, Ty Conklin, Fleury, and Turco, the Revoke line gives players a chance to customize their pads to meet their needs at every price point, while also offering color customization options previously offered only to the pros.   The Revoke is available in Pro, 9000, and 7000 models to provide an affordable option for varying levels of play.

PRODUCT DIFFERENCES

It is important to understand the basic difference between Reebok’s two main pad offerings: the Premier III and the Revoke.  In the most simple terms, the Revoke plays closer to the leg and moves more like an oversized shin pad.

This style is best for the hybrid goalie who may not play the traditional butterfly style all the time.  Ever see Marty Turco making acrobatic, diving saves?

The Revoke pad will benefit that type of mobile and athletic goalie the most because it is flexible enough to move with the body, but protective enough to enable goalies to play from their knees and still cover the five-hole.  Alternatively, the Premier III is the butterfly specialist’s type of pad – a stiffer and less flexible pad that provides maximum blocking area from the butterfly and plays tight to the ice.

Think of J.S. Giguere or Roberto Luongo sliding side-to-side in a perfectly technical butterfly style.  Of course, there are exceptions to every rule, as Fleury and Gustavsson, both predominantly butterfly goalies, currently use the Revoke pad.

PROTECTION

Making the switch, as I did, from the RBK 6K (an entry level pad) to the Revoke 9000, is a significant jump in protection.  It is apparent just by taking the pads out of the box that the Revoke line is much firmer and more protective than the 6K.   The pads feature a wing wrap calf protector to enable goalies’ legs to stay comfortably in the leg channel while providing extra protection from errant skate blades or sticks.  In addition, the calf protection in general is more solid and much more durable than an entry level pad.

Perhaps the biggest upgrade compared to entry level pads is the knee protection.  While the knee stacks are similar to the 6K design, the construction is better (as it should be for the difference in price, more on that later) and provides a snugger feel around the knee while still allowing an easy transition from the stand-up position into the butterfly.  There is also less pad “slop” in the Revoke, as the pad just seems to react and move with the body.

In terms of knee and thigh protection, out go the old thigh boards (remembering too that these are NHL legal pads and thigh boards are not legal in the NHL) and into the mix come the adjustable knee and thigh pads.   For a goalie who previously used pads with thigh boards, these knee protectors are a revelation.  They enable players to confidently make plays without worrying about banging a knee on the ice or catching a puck above the pad and below the pants.  It should be noted that goalies using these type of knee/thigh protectors for the first time will be well served to practice with the new pads first to get a feel for them and make necessary adjustments.  First time users may feel bulkiness around the knee and general reduction in mobility, and will need to take time to become accustomed to the feel.

STRAPS & BREAKS

The Revoke, much like the Premier III, offers straps that are movable, allowing each goalie to make adjustments to suit his or her game.  A good practice is to first lace up the skates, put on the pads, and play around with the strap positions to find what works and what doesn’t.   The Revoke pads also offer differing flex points in the upper thigh of the pad, an option that is becoming increasingly favored because it enables better five-hole coverage for goalies who may not have Fleury’s or Luongo’s flexibility.   This double break, or “Turco Break”, definitely does its job  helping less flexible goalies close the pads on the way down and providing more mobility for moving around in the crease.

The Revoke Pro, the top line offering and the most customizable of the Revoke line, offers the option of a straight or traditional angle pad with three flex options (no break, single break, or double break) for goalies who want the Revoke graphics and features but prefer the more butterfly-traditional pads.  However, the other offerings (9000 and 7000) come standard with the double, or “Turco Break”.

THE FUN STUFF

All goalies need their pads to fit well and be protective.  The fun part of choosing a new pad is finding the right colors and design.  The Revoke pad gives players more options than ever when it comes to pad graphics.  Players making the investment in the Revoke Pro can use the “Revoke Pro Zone Customizer” on www.reebokhockey.com to make their own pad, glove, and blocker design in virtually any color.  Reebok also offers many stock options in colors for the 9000 and 7000 pad, which should enable most players to find a good match for their budget.  The Revoke pad can come in as many as three colors, or can be purchased in a traditional one color pad (such as all white) – the choice is up to the buyer.

ECONOMICS

The final decision for goalies in the market for new pads often comes down to budget.  As mentioned earlier, the Revoke pad offers three price points, ranging from $399.99 for the 7000 to $1,449.99 for the custom Pro (at totalhockey.com).   Aside from the dollars and cents, goalies should make their decision based on level of play and frequency of use; players who use their pads quite a bit and play at a fairly competitive level would be well served investing in at least the 9000 pad.

A recreational player who plays sporadically will get the most bang for the buck in the 7000 – a good, protective pad that will get the job done and not cost a fortune.  Keep in mind that a closer look at the Pro pad versus the 7000 will show that the smaller areas of the pad (around the boot channel and the leg/calf wraps) will be made of lower quality materials.  This may not have an impact on protection, but it will influence how well the pad will hold up to wear and tear.

In my case, playing 2-3 times per week eliminated the 7000 pad as an option, as it is the same level as my old RBK 6K pad and I didn’t feel it would last over the long haul.  However, the price of the Pro was a bit much to swallow for a competitive (but still recreational) player, so

the 9000 (at $649.99 at totalhockey.com) was the perfect option and has exceeded expectations.

THE VERDICT

The Reebok Revoke goalie pad is a winner because it offers excellent protection at all price points, while also offering numerous custom options to suit every style.  Most importantly, it gives the everyday player an opportunity to choose a pad that fits their level of play and their budget, while still looking like a pro.

Easton S19 Hockey Stick

Easton S19 Hockey Stick

After using the new Easton S19 stick for a couple of weeks, I have come to the conclusion that it is much improved from the previous Easton S17 stick and definitely deserves some attention from those who may have dismissed Easton and the new S19 after troubles they may have had with the S17.

Improved: S19 vs. S17

One of the main issues that many players reported with the Easton S17 stick was the fact that the stick did not perform as indicated by the flex pattern. That is to say that a 100 Flex played more like an 85 Flex. And, those of you who play a lot of hockey know that a stick that plays to the appropriate Flex is very important in maintaining consistency. This is one of the issues that has been addressed with the S19 stick.

Another issue that folks reported with the S17 was the lack of durability in both the lower shaft (the elliptical portion of the stick) and in the blade.  These areas have been reinforced in the S19 and offer more durability and are less prone to the torque problems that were evident with the S17.

The Easton S19 is still a very light stick, even with the increased durability, it weighs in at 460 grams.  However, you will notice that the kick point has been pushed up the shaft and away from the blade just slightly versus the S17.

Overall Impression

Overall, the Easton S19 stick is improved from the S17, has maintained it’s balance, the blade remains lively and the issues of durability and inconsistent Flex appear to have been addressed.  All in all, the S19 definitely deserves to be tested along side the other top of the line hockey sticks when you’re in the market for a new weapon!

Where to Buy

The S19 stick is available now and you can find it online with Free Shipping at Total Hockey.net for less than $250.00.

Bauer 4 Roll Hockey Gloves

The following is a guest equipment review written by Mark Russo.

The saying “What once was old is new again” certainly applies to the hockey glove category these days. While styles of gloves in recent years have moved to more ergonomic and streamlined looks, there has also been a movement among hockey purists to return to the basic, old-school designs that many of us grew up using, while still providing some of the enhanced safety built into the newer styles.

Bauer (formerly Nike-Bauer Hockey) first introduced their version of the classic 4 roll glove in 2008, and their newest version in 2009 is exactly what the hockey purist and safety conscious player will love.

Overall Feel

One of the first things you will notice about the Bauer 4 Roll is the room to move within the glove, while still providing consistent fit. While many of the ergonomic gloves are made to fit the hand and its shape while holding a stick, they fall short on overall comfort and have a tight feel that makes stick handling and natural hand movement difficult at times. The Bauer 4 Roll gives the freedom to allow the hand to move without feeling restrictive, yet not so much room that the glove feels loose.

Flexibility and Palm Durability

In addition, the flexibility of the glove is outstanding – the Bauer 4 Roll allows you to open your hand up wide without having to force the glove open, making it feel like a part of your hand when you have to grab a stick on the ice – or a part of your opponent’s jersey. The palms are a nash-clarino material that is extremely comfortable and provides excellent feel. However, players that tape the shafts of their sticks for grip will find that the palms will pick up a good deal of wear on the top hand, so be prepared for the black marks (if using black tape) and more wear overall in comparison to other types of palm material like goatskin (used by CCM).

Padding and Protection

The padding in the Bauer 4 Roll is professional grade, with solid thumb and wrist protection in addition to reinforced finger padding. Each roll has an insert just under the fabric that provides protection without sacrificing flexibility in the glove. Having taken a couple of slashes and pucks off of the hands, I can tell you that these gloves pass the impact test with flying colors while still remaining very lightweight.

Depending on their level of play, the player should weigh the cost-benefit of the Bauer 4 Roll against what type of protection they are looking for in a glove. But having worn the CCM Pro Tacks gloves as well as the RBK 9K gloves, the Bauer 4 Roll is as good as anything on the market. Retailing for $94.99 in most places on-line, the Bauer 4 Roll is not cheap, but succeeds in providing NHL-level protection, outstanding mobility, excellent stick feel, and classic, old-school looks.

Where to Buy the Bauer 4 Roll Gloves Online

Total Hockey.net provides a great price at $94.99 , along with Hockey Monkey.

Cascade M11 Helmet Review

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to speak with Mark Messier about his new project, the development of promotion of the new M11 Helmet.

Since that time I have had been able to use the new helmet a few times and am prepared to share my thoughts on the helmet.

Style and Comfort

The style of the helmet is much improved from the previous Cascade CHX helmet and this is one of the things that Messier stressed during his involvement in the project.

“It is important that the helmet provide good style in addition to comfort, venting and the SEVEN technology that increases safety and comfort unlike any other helmet on the market.”

The Cascade Seven technology uses “lateral displacement technology” to
provide the protection of two helmets in one. The theory is that the
M11 helmet protects equally as well against concussions as it does
against catastrophic hits.  I must say that the helmet is very comfortable and just the comfort alone versus that of the traditional EPP foam makes it worth checking out.

Fortunately, I didn’t get to test the helmet against a serious impact that could cause a concussion, but it did deflect a couple of sticks and pucks over the course of several games without incident.

There still exists some debate among ‘experts’ as to the actual effectiveness of any helmet’s ability to prevent or reduce the incidence of concussion.

Overall Impression

However, all in all the M11 performed well with respect to adequate airflow/venting over the course of my testing. Although the Easton Stealth S17 provided better venting, I found the M11 more comfortable overall and easier to adjust with respect to the sizing of the helmet. The ProFit fit sizing system allows a ‘no-tool’ adjustment that really does eliminate pressure points found with other helmets.

Some retail stores have yet to stock the M11 helmet and a few have expressed that they still don’t think it passes the ‘mirror test’.

In my opinion the helmet provides great comfort and has addressed the venting issues as well as the ‘bulkiness’ issues of the previous generation – Cascade CHX. The M11 has also met all of the standards for HECC and CSA certifications and is now compatible with the major manufacturers of cages and shields.

The style is a matter of personal choice, but I’d say that with 15 different colors available and the option of choosing different colored vents, it deserves to be on your list when you make your next helmet purchase.

The Cascade M11 Helmet is currently available at Total Hockey.net for around $120.00.

You can also learn more about the features at the Messier Project website.

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