Total Hockey: Vapor X:60 Protective
Overview: The Vapor X:60 shoulder, shin and elbow pads allow the quick, agile player to reach their peak performance. This line is designed to fit the needs of the quick, light-footed player. The focus of the Vapor line is mobility, which means comfort and weight are very important features of the line. Additionally, this series was designed to be breathable both during and after use.- Shoulder: Made up of lightweight armor, these shoulder pads allow the player to feel incredibly comfortable, quick and, of course, protected. The shoulder, chest and spinal-plates all feature composite protection. The shoulder and chest plates are adjustable, making it more customizable than its competitors. This is known as the Personalized Fit System (PFS) and it’s pretty cool.
- Shin: Consisting of the same materials as the shoulder and elbow pads, the Vapor X:60 shin guards do more than offer protection. They too are lightweight, breathable and very comfortable. The coolest feature of the X:60 Protective Line is the Thermo Core Liner, which you can really feel in the shin.
- Thermo Core Liner: Created by Bauer, these moisture-wicking materials act as a cooling agent while in use. Additionally, the anti-bacterial properties help to create a dry, light and mobile performance, which is always an issue in shin pads.
- Elbow: Like the shin and shoulder pads, the Vent Armor Foam helps the player feel secure in any situation. Another cool feature, also found on the shin guard, is the Anchor Strap 2.0—basically an incredibly breathable and comfortable stretchy strap.
Other Features of the Vapor Protective Line: VAPOR Free Flex System, Vent Armor Foam, Dual Density Arch Protection, Poly Reinforced Bicep Guards (elbow only), Perforated Foam Panels and Removable Core Protection.
Skill Level: The X:60 line is intended for high-level players because of the amount of performance and protection it offers.
Competition: Easton Stealth and CCM Vector protective are also built for speed, much like the Vapor line.
Conclusion: If you consider yourself a quick, mobile and light-footed hockey player, then this is the line for you.
Retailer: Total Hockey is your source for all hockey equipment, including the Vapor Protective Line from Bauer. With a huge selection of equipment from the world’s leading manufacturers, Total Hockey has it all. Visit totalhockey.net today. Total Hockey, We Don’t Do Anything Else.
Total Hockey: Bauer Vapor X:60 Pro Series Gloves
Overview: You really can’t go wrong with any pro series glove for the obvious reason that they’re worn by pros. And the Vapor Pro Series gloves are so light and comfortable, you should seriously consider them when looking for a new pair of gloves.The Vapor Series: Compared to other gloves, Vapor gloves have more of a tapered feel. They feel more like actual gloves and seem to become one with your hand. Many finesse players prefer this feel as opposed to classic fit of a pro roll glove.
What’s the difference? The Vapor Pro Series is made up of nylon and cable mesh, which makes the gloves lighter and game-ready as soon as you put them on.
Additional Pro Features:
- Poly inserts and dual density foams enhance protection level
- Free flex thumb
- Two-piece index finger (the Standard has 3)
- Thermomax (inner) Liner
Skill Level: Although Pro Series gloves imply they are intended for pros, coaches, high school and men’s league players can wear them just the same and experience a better glove for their game.
Competition: Easton Synergy EQ5, Reebok 9K, Warrior Dolomite gloves.
Conclusion: If you like a tapered glove and the lightweight feel of any pro series glove then these are certainly for you.
Retailer: Total Hockey is your source for all hockey equipment, including the Bauer Vapor X:60 Pro Series gloves. With a huge selection of equipment from the world’s leading manufacturers, Total Hockey has it all. Visit totalhockey.net today. Total Hockey, We Don’t Do Anything Else.
Total Hockey: Off-Season Training Equipment
Overview: A lot of training aids are available out there, but what will help a developing hockey player improve their on-ice performance the most off the ice? This is a matter of opinion, but a ton of products will help in off-ice skill development. What better time to invest then right before summer starts?Improve your stride: Slide boards have been on the market for a while, but seem to be creating a new buzz among hockey players. This product helps hockey players enhance their stride and it helps goalies with their lateral movements. Basically, it is a slide board with a bump at each end. It comes with booties that go over your feet and you push on the bumps to slide back and fourth across the slide-board surface. I grew up using this training aid and it helped me develop leg strength and a better stride.
Improve your hands: OK, so this is where it gets tricky. A ton of balls and pucks are intended to improve hockey players’ hands, but which ones really work? Truthfully, most of them work well, especially the balls. So what it really comes down to is weight, feel and what surface you plan on practicing on, which is really up to you. Look into the following stickhandling balls and pucks.
Stickhandling balls:
Stickhandling pucks:
- Green Biscuit: This is a really cool product that is as close to the real thing as you can get. We recommend using it on a smoother surface for best results.
- Fly Puck: This puck comes in different weights for a variety of training purposes. Instructional videos provide tips for using the Fly Puck.
Goalies: We didn’t forget about you. You can benefit from all the above products as well, but let us introduce you to a special training aid designed specifically for you: The Reaction Ball. This is an odd ball—like many goalies—that really tests your reflexes. Throw this thing against the wall and try to catch it or block it as if you are reacting to the bad bounces and deflections you commonly see on the ice.
Conclusion: Fire pucks all summer long, work on your hands, train, run, do pushups and use ANY of the aforementioned products to improve your game this summer. Oh yeah, try to drink more water, too.
Retailer: Total Hockey is your source for all hockey equipment, including the widest variety of training aids. With a huge selection of equipment from the world’s leading manufacturers, Total Hockey has it all. Visit totalhockey.net today. Total Hockey, We Don’t Do Anything Else.
Total Hockey: Tour Code Tabu Inline Skates
Overview: The Tabu skate offers a high level of comfort, support, grip and speed. The secret is in the wheels. Every inline player knows the importance of the wheel. It is the “drive train” of the skate. It’s what propels you through hard turns. Other than assisting in speed production, the wheels main job is to help your feet grip the playing surface when you skate and these wheels do just that.Tour knew that in order to build the best skate possible, they must have the best wheels available. The wheels Tour selected were three years in the making. These wheels are the new LABEDA Addiction wheels and they love to do two things—grip the playing surface and produce speed.
- Frame: LABEDA HUM’ER 9000
- Bearing: BEVO ABEC-9 ULTRA PRO (8mm)
- Carbon Graphite Structure: The sole and frame of the skate consist of durable carbon graphite. This means there is no torque in the boot, which makes the skate more durable and protective—plus it reduces its weight.
- A New Standard of Comfort: The Code Tabu skates have Maximum Memory Comfort, which allows a customized and much more comfortable feel inside the boot. The comfort lining, a request from the pros, is another feature that puts these skates in a class all of their own.
Skill Level: This skate is intended for a high level inline hockey player, as most of these concepts and technologies come directly from the pros themselves.
Competition: The Tour Cobalt Q, Bauer RX-60 and Mission Commander SE skates are comparable skates.
Conclusion: Tour has produced the most “pro” inline skate on the market.
Retailer: Total Hockey is your source for all hockey equipment, including the Code Tabu skates from Tour. With a huge selection of equipment from the world’s leading manufacturers, Total Hockey has it all. Visit totalhockey.net today. Total Hockey, We Don’t Do Anything Else.
Total Hockey: Bauer Supreme ONE100 Pro Goal Equipment
Overview: There’s a reason why some of the best butterfly goalies in the world—Lundqvist, Vokoun and Kiprusoff, for example—switched brands to wear the Supreme ONE100 PRO GOAL Series.ONE100 Goalie Leg Pads
In today’s game, everything is so customized to the players’ needs and wants. Some goalies like stiff pads, while others prefer a softer flex. But at least they can all agree on one thing: They want their pads to align perfectly when in the butterfly position. That is exactly what the ONE100 pads do.
Probably the best feature of the older version (ONE95) is how well they locked to the ice when in the butterfly. The new version not only does that, but they are also lighter and more customizable in that you can select your flex options. In addition, the new graphics look a lot cooler, too.
- BUTTERFLY DESIGN: Goalies butterfly because it’s the best way to block a higher percentage of the goal behind them. The Supreme design and flat-face surface allows the pads to seal the ice at a 90-degree angle and the triangle outer roll serves as a safe-ramp to deflect pucks away from harm (that is, the back of the net!).
- REGULATED FLEX CONSTRUCTION: Much like everything else in the Supreme line, the leg pads are as customizable to you as they to are the pros. Bauer’s Regulated Flex Construction allows four options for the flex of your pad, all of which are butterfly-style pads: (1) SOFT: The standard break, soft is what is most common among goalies and usually what you’ll see in the stores. There are three breaking (flexing of the pad) points: below, above and right at the knee. (2) BREAK BELOW KNEE: This is where there is one break point on the pad, located below the knee. This break is similar to the standard break for Reebok’s Premiere IIIs. (3) BREAK ABOVE KNEE: This type has only one break (flex point) in the pads, located above the knee. Some goalies think this allows them to butterfly with less flexibility as the pads bend in at the top for five-hole coverage. Like any customizable feature, this is a matter of opinion. (4) HARD: There is no break at all and the pads are basically flat. Think of Niemi from the Hawks or Hiller from the Ducks, as they both wear pads with a hard (non-existent) breaking point.
- PERFECT BUTTERFLY BUILD: As the aforementioned states, the ONE 100 goal series is a butterfly goalie’s ideal leg pad. It locks to the ice as well as any pad out there and with four flexes to choose from, you basically have the same custom options as the pros.
ONE100 Blocker
The blocker features a removable index finger pad and maximum side-cuff protection to not only deflect pucks, but keep your hand safe as well. Additionally, the blocker is adjustable with a cuff strap and is ultra light in weight and very comfortable.
ONE100 Catch Glove
The catch glove comes game ready—although some think it needs a little breaking in before calling it “game ready.” Like the blocker, it is very protective, comfortable and lightweight. Some features include PORON ® XRD palm padding for PRO protection, a deep split-T pocket and double wrist/hand/finger straps for easy adjustments. Perhaps the greatest feature is the 3-D vent foam that wicks away moisture. Because, as any goalie can tell you, it is not easy to air-out your catch glove.
Skill Level: This series is intended for elite goalies, as most of these concepts and technologies were requested by the pros themselves.
Competition: Reebok (Premier IIIs), Vaughn (Velocity 4s) and Brians (Focus) are always up for some goalie-friendly competition.
Conclusion: Bauer listened to the pros and created a line that will allow goalies to enhance their butterfly techniques and coverage.
Retailer: Total Hockey is your source for all hockey equipment, including the Supreme One100 Pro Goal Equipment from Bauer. With a huge selection of equipment from the world’s leading manufacturers, Total Hockey has it all. Visit totalhockey.net today. Total Hockey. We Don’t Do Anything Else.
Attention: Youth Hockey Associations! Win $2,500 to Total Hockey
Contest Encourages Efforts to Grow the Game - Total Hockey teamed up with USA Hockey to challenge youth hockey organizations to grow the game for the second year in a row. The Grow the Game Award encourages youth organizations to submit a story describing how they are helping grow the great game of hockey in their local community. The winning submission receives a $2,500 gift card to Total Hockey for their local hockey association.Entries will be judged based on four criteria: creativity, transferability to other local programs interested in growing the game, media and marketing potential, and the overall impact the program had on the local youth association. The deadline for all entries is May 1, 2010 and all submissions should be sent to kevink@usahockey.org. The winner will be presented with the award at USA Hockey’s Annual Congress in June. For more information, visit www.totalhockey.net or email growthegame@totalhockey.net.
As the Exclusive Ice Hockey Equipment Retailer of USA Hockey, Total Hockey launched a campaign promoting the growth of hockey starting at the youth level. This initiative encourages hockey in the community by creating awareness of the sport, enhancing interest in the game among children and ultimately increasing involvement by learning to play hockey at a local level.
Current endeavors of Total Hockey focus on growing the game worldwide. This includes the further development of sled hockey, providing starter equipment packages to Learn to Play programs at local youth hockey associations and introducing the sport to local youth by implementing hockey in physical education programs. All of these efforts continue to work toward Total Hockey’s ultimate goal of increasing overall interest in the great game of hockey among America’s youth.
About Total Hockey
Total Hockey is a privately held hockey equipment retailer based in St. Louis, Mo., that is dedicated to providing the latest in hockey equipment, superior quality merchandise and excellent customer service. Founded in 1998, Total Hockey has embarked on a broad-scale expansion in specialty hockey operations and now has seven retail stores in the greater St. Louis and Chicago areas, as well as an e-commerce facility at www.totalhockey.net. For more information, call toll-free at 866.929.6699.
About USA Hockey
USA Hockey, Inc., is the national governing body for the sport of hockey in the United States ranging from youth development to the Olympic games and has nearly 600,000 members nationwide.
