Transitioning to new pads

I know the feeling of the transition. When I got my first set of brand new pads a few years ago, I went from an old pair of Itech Prodigy pads (old stand up style pads) that were way too short to a pair of Reebok pads. The first game I played in them, I was brutal - couldn't figure out the strapping, things were moving - it was just a gong show.

That being said, the adjustment came rather quickly (much quicker than I thought it would after that first game), and once you're comfortable in the pads, it'll all be good!

I moved from a 33" set of V2 7000's to a brand new custom built pair of Passau 32+4"

I didnt really have much of a break in period and they felt great from the first time I put them on, barr tweaking around with the strapping set up. I thought I would have to get used to the extra plus size, but I was lucky I guess.

Don't tighten them, you'll get used to that loose feeling on your leg. Bench the pads when you're not using them, they'll break in much quicker and form that nice S shape that the style of pad should have.

Also, RE: benching, when I get new pads the first thing I do is sit on them so they're flexed. Just sit on them while playing video games. About a half an hour to an hour per pad and you should be good.

Thanks for the tip on benching. I'll give that a go by sitting on them like synesthete suggests and see how they feel afterwards.

Originally Posted by ItechWarrior

Don't tighten them, you'll get used to that loose feeling on your leg. Bench the pads when you're not using them, they'll break in much quicker and form that nice S shape that the style of pad should have.

I agree. The looseness of the pad does take some getting used to, but you do certainly get used to it. My first pads, being a more stand-up style pad, were worn fairly tight, and when I first put on my Reeboks, it just felt like they were going to slide off my leg. After a few games, you won't even notice it anymore.

I never did do anything special when I had my Reebok's, but with my new pads, I've been storing them upside down, just to maintain the S-curve.

IM LOOKING FORWARD TO THE SAME FEELING. MY NEW PASSAU PADS SHOULD BE HERE IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS (ORDER PLACED TWO WEEKS AGO). I PURCHASED NEW SKATES AND NEW PANTS TOO, BUT I WANT TO BREAK IT ALL IN AT ONCE, SO NO SKATING UNTIL MY NEW PADS COME IN. ALSO I'LL BE RETURNING FROM SPINE SURGERY IN OCTOBER.

Like I said in another thread about breaking in my catcher, I ordered my new RBK's then tore my ACL about a week later. So I had plenty of time to break all my gear in. I took the top straps to the boot buckles and left them like that for about week then flexed them by hand for a few hours then restrapped them. When I was finally off the couch and able to walk a bit I did what Syn did, sit on those bastards while playing Xbox.