My New Gear

mx42 · Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2008 7:17 am Post subject: My New Gear

33.5+3.5 (took half inch off the boot and added it to the top)

Check out the last picture - Pete really thinks of everything. He covered the leg channel binding lace with Jenpro near the toes so that your cowling or your skate won't accidentally sever the cord.

Ordering was fairly simple. Paid up, sat back and let Pete do his thing. They came pretty much exactly as I ordered them.

I am coming from a 34+2 Vaughn. The Smiths are much lighter and much thinner profile than the Vaughns - it's really a big difference.

Skated in them tonight. They feel good, very solid against the ice like an RBK in the butterfly. When skating and moving, they felt more mobile like a Vaughn (when compared to an RBK which felt like bottom heavy cinder blocks on my legs). Best of both worlds, I guess.

I feel I could have gotten a plain 34+4, the pads are so thin you don't really feel the thigh rises. As for weight, it felt like I was skating with player shin guards on.

Typically, I like a very basic pad - knee lift and lock, open leg channel, and a calf wedge are all I'm looking for. I toyed with the idea of gutting the pad, but decided to let Pete's designs stand for themselves.

I took out the thigh boards immediately after opening the pads up out of the box - I hate thighboards. After warmup at my pickup tonight, I took out one knee stack and one shin lift per pad, as well as the velcro wrap for the shin. This opened up the leg channel considerably more like what I am used to. Worked with 1/2" slack at the toes per pad, which I found to be too much, both pads would overrotate at times. I have since tightened it down to 3 knots, it's slightly less than a quarter inch. After all, the sliding toe bridges are meant to be worn tight.

The pads hold a very tight S curve, with an engineered break above the knee which I feel will become nice and flexy over time.

Nylon straps and plastic buckles were not an issue. I just set them to where I thought I would like them and went with it. I wasn't disappointed. He does give you a lot of nylon strap though, I will have to cut them when I'm 100% on the settings.

I will update more as they get more use.

Doosh27 · Minors Joined: 05 Aug 2008 Posts: 165

Good looking pads man. I especially like the toilet in the background. Laughing

Just jokes! Enjoy em

canadian_man_44 · Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2008 5:24 pm Post subject:

Nice to see another Smith convert. Best customer service and the best gear I've ever had.
Are you contemplating getting the blocker and trapper as well? Maybe even a bathmat and flush cover to match? Laughing

_________________

mx42 · Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2008 11:01 pm Post subject:

He is pretty cool, I have dealt with him in the past for some sliding toe bridges. Very professional guy, yet very laid back as well.

I am thinking on a catch glove. I might wait until the wait goes back down. My wrist got buzzed pretty bad last night off a snap shot from inside the circles. My gear is currently in full mutt-mode...
Vortek catch, Vaughn blocker, Smith pads, RBK stick, Nike/Bauer bucket, Heaton chest, RBK pant, Graf skates...

As for the bathroom mods, I am thinking of adding some orange to the walls to match the pads.

FutureSuperstar93 · Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2008 11:04 pm Post subject:

Do you prefer those buckles over the more common leather belt straps?

canadian_man_44 · Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2008 6:01 pm Post subject:

I do for sure. These ones Pete uses are pretty durable....not like some of the cheap plastic ones on pads I've used in the past.
_________________

mx42 · Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 4:59 am Post subject:

I have had them for 3 skates now and the only difference I see is that I can put them on a lot faster. I have yet to take a puck off a buckle, but I have noticed the male end is a little longer than most competitor's pads, so they probably 'hide' behind the pad better than most. There is also the weight savings...

Let me say that Pete has built an amazing pad. The weight savings are huge! During my time in retail, I talked to a lot of guys who got caught up in having their pads weigh a few ounces less than offerings from another manufacturer, but these are by far the lightest pads I have ever had the pleasure of handling (I shipped a ton of pads, so that is saying a lot!). I would estimate they are at least a pound lighter than my V2s. By going with nylon straps, I believe the weight savings are about half a pound per pad, so a full pound is not a big stretch, especially given the super thin profile of the pad.

Backside recoveries are a lot 'snappier' than they were in my V2s. Anybody who plays a predominantly butterfly style would be well served by getting the boot to match their skate size and rounding the toe. (I took off half an inch from the boot). My V2s had the full size boot, and I only wear a 7.5 size skate. You can see how that might end up causing problems.

Again I am debating on getting the catch. Will probably wait until the wait times calm down a little bit. Still don't know what it feels like, any input would be welcome.

mx42 · Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2009 6:01 pm Post subject:

Following up, a quick thought.

I would recommend that when ordering this pad, to ask for softer foam on the knee stack which comes in closest contact with your knee, especially if you have had knee injuries in the past (1 sprain on each knee here). I have noticed a few times of my knee getting cranky with the current setup.

itechwarrior · Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2009 6:18 pm Post subject:

mx42 · Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2009 8:44 pm Post subject:

Pete uses a pocket system for the knee stacks, it is very easy to change and adjust height of the knee lift on the fly. Just have to get the correct density foam for the job.

#30renegade · Pro Joined: 11 Sep 2007 Posts: 646 Location: michigan

nice. didnt you just get new vaughn stuff?
_________________

Obey your master.

mx42 · Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2009 4:14 am Post subject:

I did last year. I felt +2 wasn't enough so I went with more on this pad...

#30renegade · Pro Joined: 11 Sep 2007 Posts: 646 Location: michigan

ok.i see.
_________________

Obey your master.