Goalie Crease Network
If you're a hybrid goalie in another brand of pad and are considering looking at something new; or if you're just starting out and don't know where to start. Try taking a look at the Reebok Larceny series at your local retailer. This is definitely a pad you want to try on, and get to know in store. The sizing is a little different than most pad brands, and you should really be testing them out in person before buying.
Leg Pads:
Reebok designed this pad with the Hybrid goalie in mind, it's basically a modern version of the CCM/Heaton 10 goalie pads. They're designed for an agile goalie who likes to really feel his pads against the leg. Reebok worked closely with Ryan Miller to develop a true hybrid style of goal pad to enhance butterfly transition and reduce hip stress; Enter the Larceny series.
This pad is definitely a modern take on the pads of yesteryear, with it's open toe design, 3 soft flex knee rolls, and softer boot flex. Yet it has some major modern upgrades, like a large landing/sliding surface, a wider inside edge creating major stability in your down movements. It also boasts great construction, and use of modern quality materials.
As you can see here in the picture above there's a great sliding surface on this pad. The fact that it's nice and wide gives you true stability when in your butterfly. There are no graphics, or stitching on the landing surface just nice smooth JenPro.
The knee lock design is very comfortable, as you can see the straps come right through the JenPro. I did find that the outside piece that the Velcro attaches too would often pull in as my knee was pulled away from the pad/cradle. I would feel it against my knee, but I chalk this up to a break in issue. Once everything is broken in and softened up you probably won't feel that piece against your knee.
The leg channel is what is considered a "closed" leg channel. It's quite snug against your leg, and straps up and conforms around your thigh. This offers up a higher level of control in the pad. There is no flopping around, even with a loose strap set-up. I found it very comfortable. The NuBuck material is very soft, and I believe it's quite durable.
Adjustable strapping options are available on the top of the pad. You can move the straps up to help pull the top of the pad closed if you have a narrow butterfly. 3 thigh straps, and two bootstraps that come right through the pad and not just attached at the bottom. I found the two boot straps great for getting that perfect feel of the pad against your skate. I didn't really mess with the top straps, but it's nice to have the option.
The open toe design is definitely a throwback to older pads. I personally really didn't find any advantage to having the open toe design. This pro version pad comes with laces and the rubber toe strap. I borrowed this shot of the rubber toe strap from Jim Martin's review, it shows the use of the strap quite well. I did not like this option, and ended up replacing the lace and the rubber strap with a Flextoe. This is merely a personal preference. I believe the older generation goalies will appreciate this open toe design and the rubber strap. It really gives the feel of the previous generation pad setups.
Construction: 9/10
Protection level: 10/10
Options: Single or Double Break
Narrow Fit or Wide Fit Leg Channel
Adjustable or Fixed Strapping
Black or White Leg Channel Color
Standard Lacing or Buckle Toe Arrangement
Sizing: 29"+1, 31"+1, 32"+1, 33"+1, 34"+1, 34"+2, 35"+2, Custom Sizes
Colours: White/White/Black, White/White/Royal Blue, Custom Colours
Catcher:
A great look to this glove, it's a two piece design with unreal top of the hand protection. The HD foams are found on the back of the hand as well as the finger protection area. This glove features an extreme thumb radius to direct pucks in to a semi-deep pocket; this is great for retaining pucks well with very few pop-outs.
With the glove, I didn’t find closing an issue out of the box; it was more of the overall stiffness of the cuff, and getting the glove open as wide as possible. That’s an easy fix, most of you guys are used to buying a glove, sticking a soft ball in there and working it in to a shape you like, and tying it up overnight.
I liked where the placement of the hand is on the glove. It’s located at the very bottom, so when you’ve got your gloves out in front of your butterfly there’s maximum height above your wrist, almost like giving you and extra inch or so it seems.
This NUBUCK material is quite interesting, really keeps your hand in there. I kept all my straps completely loose and had no issues with my glove feeling like it was going to pop off.
The glove features your standard hand strapping, but boasts individual finger stall to really give you a controlled feel.
One broken in this glove performed real well for me. I definitely give it a thumbs up.
Protection Level: 8/10
Construction: 9/10
Options: Regular or Full Right
Blocker:
This by far is the most protective blocker I have used to date. It’s very beefy, but extremely light for its protection level. The finger protection affords good dexterity, and right off the bat there was no issues holding the stick, as there is with most new blockers. The bindingless design looks great, and affords the absolutely maximum blocking surface.
The blocker is very well balanced, and shows a rock solid stability. I had no issues with movement when pucks struck the blocker at the very top or bottom of the board. The wrist is quite open, giving me a full range of movement and control with the blocker.
Again we see the NUBUCK material on the inside of the blocker.
Protection Level: 10/10
Construction: 10/10
Options: Palm Size, Regular or Full Right
In conclusion, this is a completely new direction for Reebok, and we will see a newer version of the Reebok Larceny come 2013. All you athletic hybrid goalies out there should be taking a long hard look at this pad. Again also if you're new to the position, take some real time at your local retailer and get to know this pad before making your decision.
www.reebokhockey.com/larceny/
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