Itech: X-wing 4.8 equipment: Chest/Arms, Blocker, Trapper.

TimothyJ

Allow me to begin by making a bold statement:

I firmly believe that the equipment named in the title of this thread should never be used against Ice hockey, or Street hockey pucks. Especially the Chest/Arms protector

At the beginning of the summer I picked up some Itech gear: it was in a set: 4.8 x-wing Trapper, Blocker and Leg pads. I also acquired the Prodigy 4.8p Chest/Arm protector.

First of all, I used this equipment for multiple different events: 90% of the pucks which hit this gear were Street Hockey pucks coming from experienced players on an Inline rink. There are different opinions/views on this: some people think that street hockey pucks hit harder because they are *very solid* plastic as opposed to semi-soft rubber. Also, they are slightly lighter. I am of the opinion that both are to be respected, almost equally. Regardless, I did also test this gear on Ice against some experienced players.

Lets discuss the Blocker. I took a couple real bad slide-up-the-stick accidental slashes on the hand during play, and decided I was very disappointed with the (lack) of protection provided by the X-wing blocker. I also took one shot on the outside of the hand, and there is almost zero padding for the outside of the hand at all. Some would argue that this is to be expected: The blocker I upgraded to does have slightly better protection in this area. Anyway, in general, I dislike the blocker.

I rate the blocker as 2/5,
-1 point for the crappy glove (materials and fitting)
-1 point for poor hand protection in general
-1 for *VERY POOR* thumb protection (very weak molding over the thumb)

More importantly, the X-wing trapper, honestly, is just garbage. Every time I caught even a half-slapshot with it, my hand was ringing like a damned cowbell. I even had a hard slapshot numb it. The padding in the palm of the glove is crap, the protection for the back of the hand, while less than crucial to the functioning of the glove, is lackluster.

I rate the trapper as 1/5
-1 point for the pain I needlessly suffered while trying to do my job
-1 point for the crappy size/dimensions of the mitt
-1 point for the bad padding in the mitt itself
-1 point for the poor protection on the rest of the glove

Lets discuss the CP 4.8p Prodigy, Chest and Arms protector

This piece of gear, first of all, is rather flimsy in the forearm area. This is also where I suffered the most injury.

I think the most important thing I can say about this piece of gear is the following: I took a slapshot square in the forearm (underside of forearm) padding, and, despite the padding, yelled in anguish, was nearly unable to lift my arm, and, for the next 7 days, had a foot-long hematoma. This experience has lead me to believe that the arm protection on this piece of equipment is 100% unsatisfactory.

The slapshot was almost at the blue line. Hash marks are one thing, blue line is quite another. In honesty, even though the shooter was well experienced, and it was a great shot, I think there are probably some people out there that could have injured me even more, given the crappy protection.

When you have to tell your shooters "no more slapshots" there is something wrong, in my firm opinion.

As for other parts of the C/A protector, the shoulders are lackluster, they do not stand off of the pad at any point, providing zero additional profile against the shooter.

There is a "lower abdomen extension" which velcro's onto the bottom of the chest piece, however, it is of the same thickness and poor protection as the forearm protection. I took a couple bruises in that area.

Overall, I rate the Chest and Arm protector 0/5
-1 for terrible arm protection, forearm especially
-1 for the lack of stomach protection
-1 for poor profile, shoulders especially
-1 for poor side and back protection, virtually nonexistant
-1 for this piece of equipment completely failing to protect the user in general.

In conclusion, I would advise everyone to avoid this equipment, unless they plan to use it against tennis balls.

Side note: I did not discuss the leg pads because others have reviewed them already, I believe. I do not use them.
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FutureSuperstar93 · Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 10:59 pm Post subject:

They should put a disclamer on 4.8's...

If you want good pads, go be cheap somewhere else

TimothyJ · Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 11:02 pm Post subject:

_steve_ · High School Joined: 10 Nov 2007 Posts: 20

This is why I won't touch anything other than pro gear with a 20 foot poll, anything else is just a waste of money. It sucks to hear you had so many problems with your gear, but could you really have expected any better from senior level stuff?

montreal961 · Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 7:43 pm Post subject:

Well, people who are on a budget aren't going to go out and buy pro $1000 + stuff. It's not a waste of money to them.
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netmind · Hall of Fame Joined: 12 Mar 2007 Posts: 1501

its like this in my eye, its entry level, its you on the ice and as entry level i feel its intended for that level of play.

that is why i have no issue in looking at for my daughter, I would also not have issue in a c level league. i think there are two items when buying gear. A getting what you need to get going and geting what you need for the level of play your going to be in. Some times you just have to combine the two.
i hope you dont sustain any more injury from exceeding what you know the limits of the gear to be and that your able to make some good upgrades as you move forward.
I know lots of guys who play in the 7.8 Sr pads, and gloves and only take the odd stingers on the catcher.

Maks01 · Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2008 12:41 am Post subject:

hockey is an expensive sport and if we decide to play a posistion in which we willingly stand in front of shots i am going to spend some money and buy quality equipment.. if your on a budget get some stuff that is on clearance.. pro quality "cheaper" prices.. i made the mistake of buying crappy gear and as i became better and faced better shots i ended up spending so much more money than if i just bought good equipment from the begining..

auburn goalie · Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 11:50 pm Post subject: thanks

I was looking into buying 4.8 gloves next year because I figured there wasn't THAT much of a difference between them and 7.8. but right now, I cant afford 12.8

maybe if I get a summer job Crying or Very sad

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Alexm · College Joined: 30 Oct 2007 Posts: 32

TimothyJ · Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 8:39 pm Post subject:

I am pleased to see that my thread has helped seperate the hockey gear from the broom-ball gear Smile

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HabbySC · Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2008 5:08 pm Post subject:

I was a little surprised by the review of the ITech 4.8 CP. I don't want my first post to be a pissing contest over the review of cheap entry level equipment, but I did find the review a bit strange in regards to the CP. I would like to start by saying that I only play between the pipes in inline. I have been using the 4.8 CP, pads, blocker and pants for about 6 months now and have found none of the problems that the reviewer had.

Again, I haven't played ice, and haven't taken a slapshot from a 6oz. ice pock. I have taken slapshots with street pucks by the hardest shooters at the local rink. Inline street pucks are only 3.5ozs. I'm not sure how you can get a foot long hematoma from the hardest struck inline puck wearing the 4.8 CP. I've found the protection of the 4.8 Cp to be more than adequate for inline play. If anything, I think that it may be a little overkill. After taking a few hard shots off of the protector and felling nothing, I felt fully confident to play in pickup games with A level players (again, inline only). I've only had one incident with the 4.8CP. It was a hard slapshot that hit at that bizarre "magic bullit" angle that got under the dangler and ricocheted off of my collar bone. I think that the pick pin-balled around inside the dangler before it hit the collar bone bruising it. I'm not trying to say that a footlong hematoma under the forearm is impossible, but I find it unlikely. The protection in that area seems fine to me. I might take a "magic bullit" shot there someday, but I can't possibly see how it would cause that kind of damage if it is worn properly.

As I mentioned, I use the matching blocker, leg pads, and pants. Again, I want to emphasise that I don't use these in ice(real) hockey, but only in indoor inline hockey. I play 4-5 days a week against all different levels of play and have found them to be more than adequate in protection for inline. i would agree that the blocker does offer little protection from slashing forwards trying to dig out the puck before whistle. I can't give a review of the 4.8 trapper because I use a Reebok 5K. It's also a cheap one for ice, but holds up more than fine for inline play. I have cought a stinger or two with it from the bardest shooters, but nothing that I needed to leave a game for.

While the ITech 4.8 equipment is entry level stuff (which was still a stretch on my budget) for ice, it is more than enough protection in my experience for inline play where the puck is 3.5 ounces instead of 6ozs. in ice. Again, I don't want to come on the forums for the first time calling out somebody's review, but I think that it is important for a little ballance, objectivity, and realism. It may not be pro-level expensive, but it more than does the job for inline play against all levels. Before I started playing goalie and was shopping around, I had this site recommended to me. The site is fantastic, though it is hard for us "broomball" goalies to find good reviews on equipment as our required protection equipment needs aren't as high as ice goalies given the nearly twice as heavy puck in ice(real) hockey.

Hope that I haven't p*%&ed anyone off.

One last thing, if you aren't using a Vaughn Epic 8800 double cup, your boys might be in jeopardy. Ice or no.

montreal961 · Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2008 9:20 pm Post subject:

Add another habs fan to the forum. welcome. Very Happy

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TimothyJ · Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 5:09 am Post subject:

Hi Habby.

This is really all I feel I can say to you:

I'm happy your equipment is working out for you.

It didn't work out for me.

I thought i'd try to help others in the way of writing a review.

thats all..
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Maks01 · Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 2:20 am Post subject:

My problem with the 4.8 c/a was the shoulder flaps did not protect my arms very well. i also play alot of inline and regaurless of what the pucks made of or how much it weighs it can still leave a mark. i used to get welts on my arms right on my biceps from the lack of protection in that area. next time you have it on keep your arm straight down paralell with your body and see if there is very little padding right between your elbow and shoulder(front side of course). maybe they improved it and you got a good one but i think its a piece. However the 4.8 pants i liked very much.

PFerrell · Minors Joined: 18 Jan 2008 Posts: 138

I too have an Itech 4.8 set (except for an RBK XPulse 6.0 blocker, which I highly recommend for the price. The Itec looked downright unsafe). I have had little problem with the actual leg pads, other than some ice-sealing issues which I've resolved. The catcher has only one flimsy nylon strap holding one's hand in though. I know it's a baseline product, but even the RBK 6K has multiple straps, and velcro at that! And the wrist protection with the glove gives off some odd rebounds. TheC/A leaves much to be desired in terms of fit, but it improved significantl;y when I actually put it on, and had someone tighten each strap individually. Since then, the only problem I've encountered is the weak velcro around the abdomen (I have to tape the strap on, every time I'm on the ice).
But, I played high school hockey, shinny with friends, games as a call-up, my own season, and my Uncle's league without problems (hurting-wise). So, It may just be that you need to fix the fit of your equipment.
Though I wouldn't recommend them for Major Junior or anything, the Itech 4.8 series, excluding the gloves, provide a decent band for your buck. In my opinion anyway. Watch, next ice time I'll take one where there's no padding. Razz