Reebok

Reebok has used a very traditional approach since its conception, a flat faced pad with rigid knee support and an open leg channel. However, with the 09-10 season. Lefebvre and co. has finally decided to open the flood gates at the retail level allowing a truly customizable product. This years Premier Series will allow the customer to personalize break/ex, leg channel, strapping, calf/knee options and leg channel colour. With this Reebok can expand its market share by offering two distinct pads for two different playing styles.

The Revoke PZ leg pad still offers a flat face for predictable rebound control, along with a fully squared thigh for perfect butterfly closure.This years pad continues to utilize an EPP foam core boot and shin which reduces shrinking and optimizes balance; this piece also optimizes the geometry of the pad to reduce the possibility of rebounds generated in to the slot.The NHL spec calf reduces drag in the butterfly slide and removes excess bulk when moving laterally. Reebok has still decided to use a thinner, NHL spec knee block...Unfortunately although it creates more room for third-party knee pads it creates a lot of strain of the knees, and subsequently the thighs and ankles. If you can, opt for a Premier 2 knee block. Reeboks wide knee and leg channel create an “idiot-proof” buttery, perfect rotation and seal every time...Even with the biggest of knee pads. If so desired,you can add wing wraps and deepen the leg channel to create a tighter, more traditionally feeling pad.The great thing about the newest line of Premier/Revoke is the adjustability of strapping off the shelf, or from the factory. A goaltender with a wide set butterfly can set his/her straps lower to free up bulk, and conversely a narrow set goalie can strap higher to help seal the thigh rises.



This years trapper offers a few points of customization but still bases itself on Reeboks popular Premier 3 one piece design. This construction creates a much more durable design-one stat mentioned by Reebok was that each NHL goaltender when changing from Premier 2 to 3 reduced their number of gloves per year by 1. That sounds insignificant but when one is skating around 12 times per week one less glove is
rather impressive. The cuff is constructed so that it stays rather square to the shooter even if the goaltenders arm is resting next to his/her body(see picture). This not only improves coverage, but also protection as a result of the cuff not being directly against the wrist. Three straps across the back of the hand feel very natural and lock the goaltenders hand in place. Full mesh hand channel and easily openable back allow for quick dry times, and full ventilation when playing. For 10 Reebok is putting its “Turco” Pro strap stock in every pro trapper, this modification allows easy access even with the blocker hand for adjusting the wrist during gameplay; a feature that has been stock with other brands for years. This trapper offers exceptional seal when catching, and when freezing the puck on the ice. For the Revoke series customers have the ability to change break angle, “T”position, palm protection, strapping, and the option for a two-piece (Premier 2) design.



The Revoke blocker is extremely similar even with changes when compared to the Premier 3.The only notable difference being the option to have a more durable nash palm. Although the ultimate dry feels exceptional, when used daily it doesn't hold up long. To be fair however, Reebok already has a great product in place here. Although the mantra of “a blocker is a blocker” is true, features such as protection and balance should not be over looked. Since the third generation of Premier, Lefebvres blockers have had unparalleled finger, and side wall protection; (Until the newly introduced V4, IMO) 7 piece articulated finger protection and an air pillow in the side wall leave ones hand fully covered from the aerial angle of the puck. Tapered front and strategic hand placement create a good compromise between low blocker hand coverage and paddle down integration.



Some things to be aware of when purchasing Reebok:

• Usually sizes 1” bigger than most brands.
• Priced a bit higher than most highend brands due to the closure of the St.Jeans pro CCM plant.
• Leg pad boot will remain high throughout life of pad.
• Hard knee blocks can take a toll on ones knee if no knee pads are worn.
• Wide leg channel/loose fit can interfere with skating, this is a preference.
• There is an off shore version of the Revoke, be careful when buying. A made in Canada pad will have “PZ” under Reebok.
• All made is Canada pads now have the ability to do pro zone customizations, be sure you specify which one you want.(See guide for help)
• Reebok has a at rate for the pro zone, they real ways the same price regard less of the price

Reebok has always offered a solid product, and this years changes only solidify them. Despite the slightly higher pricing, the customer should be pleased that their gear will be made besides pros such as Luongo and Fleury. The quality,and innovation behind this product is absolutely top notch-something Lefebvre customers have grown to expect. Although with the pro zone options this pad can be tweaked, it is usually aimed toward the more butterfly oriented goaltender who likes a stiffer,looser fitting pad. Further more, I would like to point out with the Premier 3 knee and calf set-up the durability has improved as well. A full jenpro knee and at calf have drastically reduced the possibility of fraying and seam separation. If you're not sure which pro zone changes you would like, please consult the chart below. (Like everything goaltending there is always an exception, preference based on description can vary)

Leg Pads:
Angle Options:
No Break, No Break Straight Angle, Single Break, Single Break Straight Angle, Double Break.

• The difference between these options is the width of butterfly of the goaltender and the height as well.

Usually a tender with a narrow buttery will lean toward a double break option, a medium width will lean
toward no breaks, anda wide based butterfly will get a single break. The taller the goaltender is, the taller the pad-a straight angle will maximize the coverage of the size given.

Leg & Boot Channel
Deep, Standard (Shallow).

• A goaltender with a wider butterfly and prefers to wear a looser fitting pad will ideally use a standard channel; the opposite is true for a shallow leg.

Strap System
Standard, Double, Single.

• Single strapping will lock the goaltenders leg in place and will pull the thigh rises together when worn tightly. Standard allows the goaltender to adjust the strapping to provide support, or reduce bulk. I would not recommend a double strapping setup as the standard (adjustable) give you the option when positioned higher.

Calf Protection
Standard, 3D.
Wing Wrap.

• 3D inner edge/calf provides support in the butterfly and prevents over-rotation. The Premier 2 knee also reduces stress bye levitating the goaltenders knee. The standard, NHL spec knee and calf reduces bulk and increases lateral mobility by reducing the thickness of the calf and knee. In general, a blocking goalie who is down low more often will go 3D, where a mobile goalie will choose an NHL spec standard calf.

Knee Protection
Standard, Extended.

• A goalie with large knee pads who uses the standard adjustable buckles in the lower position will love the extended knee. It provides ample room for any knee pad, and keeps the outer flap away from getting caught. If you're going to use a strapping system that has the strap go to the knee, use the standard setup and avoid excess bulk.

Inside Leg Channel
Black, White.
- Thi sone is rather simple, a black channel will hide wear and sweat. The white will show pucks easier when it falls in the leg channel.

Toe Arrangement
Standard lacing, toe buckles.

• Again, an easy one...Standard lacing gives the option of adding slack to provide the player some ankle relief.Toe buckles,an old school set-up, locks the toe in place and isnt ideal for the butterfly.

Trapper:

Lacing
Skate Lace, Standard.

• Skate lace provides a softer feel when catching the puck, it also gives a unique, custom look to the trapper. Standard lacing allows the goaltender to see the puck easier when it is inside the pocket.

Stiffness
GameReady, Pro, Practice.

• Pro palm is the most popular option because it has a good compromise of feel and protection whereas the other two lean towards one or the other. If the player plans on purchasing two gloves it is recommended that a practice and gameg love is purchased.

Angle
590, 580.

• The 590, or 60 degree trapper offers the most ergonomic and naturally feeling glove option. It uses most of th emuscles in the hand to seal the glove when catching. The 580, or 90 degree trapper, has a love or hate relationship with mos tgoaltenders. The base of the hand ismostly used when sealing this angle,it provides a deeper overall appearance when compared to the 590.

Wrist Options
One piece, Two piece.

• This option asks if the goaltender would like a Premier 2 or 3 glove. The two-piece gloves its closer to the wrist and allows slightly more forward flex in the cuff. The one piece, the more popular of the two options, squares up to the shooter much easier.

“T”Pocket
Standard, Offset.
Deeper Pocket.

• The offset “T” option allows a slightly easier closure when catching, where as the standard “T”gives the goaltender a much nicer feel,or “snap” when the puck meets the glove. The deeper pocket, although illegal, aids in puck retention.

Palm Materials
Standard, “C” Colour, Nash.

• The difference between “C” colour and standard is based on aesthetics. One might prefer a darker palm to hide puck marks. The nash however, does offer some performance differences. As a result of the nashs texture, it reduces spin and velocity on the puck-making it easier to retain. The only downfall of this material is that it doesn't have the greatest durability and is impossible to clean once its marked up.

Blocker:

Palm Positions
Standard, Offset.

• The offset palm option pushes the hand up the board to create excellent low blocker coverage and reduce redundant double coverage with the arm. This does however create trouble when using the paddle down position. The standard tends to be recommended because it offers a good blend of coverage and down low play.

Palm Materials
Standard, Ultima Dry, Nash.

• The Ultima Dry palm offers superb feel and grip on the stick however with excessive use it is not as durable as its nash counter part. The nash option should only be pursued by the goaltender who plays over 5 times per week.