hrosenberg33
05-28-2007, 04:10 PM
(THIS IS A 2 PART REVIEW THAT WAS INITIALLY POSTED AT GB, HENCE THE LACK OF FLOW.....MY APOLOGIES IF IT'S A TOUGH READ)
Glove and Blocker
http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/1189/1000748lx8.th.jpg (http://img252.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1000748lx8.jpg)
Battram Verge Glove
Ordering and Workmanship: see thread with pads Goalieboard :: View topic - Battram Fury Pads - 1st impression and EARLY review (http://www.goalieboard.com/viewtopic.php?t=4935)
Features:
- NHL Spec --> Perimeter – total 45”, Cuff – 4” x 8”, No Cheater, distance from the heel of the glove along the pocket and following the contour of the inside of the trap of the glove to the top of the "T" trap must not exceed 18"
- Finger Ridge – shaped like a “(“ so that it is closer to the index finger and pinky (which are shorter than the middle finger)
- Eyelet Protector
- new Logo
- bindingless cuff
http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/4601/1000741mj7.th.jpg (http://img252.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1000741mj7.jpg)
- easier break in palm
- nylon in non-white areas
- eyelet protector
http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/169/1000740dl8.th.jpg (http://img252.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1000740dl8.jpg)
- neoprene inner backhand
- backhand, wrist, thumb and pinky straps
- backhand opens at cuff and most of back of hand
http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/1760/1000743kx6.th.jpg (http://img252.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1000743kx6.jpg)
Weight: Now of course this is the lightest glove I have ever owned, also the only Pro Spec glove I have ever owned so it would be expected. What has happened with this glove due to the size restriction, all the weight is on your palm area, not the cuff and not the T. Really makes for a nicely balanced glove that doesn’t feel cuff or T heavy (this was a great point brought up in Leafer’s GSBB review. I am very please in regards to the weight of this glove.
Feel: The best way I can describe the break is “natural”. As you can see from the pic with my hand in front of it the closure is distal palm at the heel (pinky side) but proximal first digit (index) joint. This to my hand feels very natural (as stated above), I will see how it changes with break in.
http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/5324/1000744lc1.th.jpg (http://img252.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1000744lc1.jpg)
Another great thing that happened with this glove is that it has become a very “snug” feeling glove.
http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/2659/1000754cs8.th.jpg (http://img252.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1000754cs8.jpg)
In a good way though, I don’t even have to tighten the thumb and pinky straps and it still feels under total control, no rotation on the hand at all.
Playability: The pocket is deep, but not overly so. It catches a ball quite well, we’ll see with puck use though. Catching is a breeze and break in for this glove should not be as arduous a task as for the previous generation Verge. I believe Scott made some well place “grooves” into the palm which has made it a lot easier to break in. Still not a “game ready as soon a I got it glove”, but certainly 2-3 uses and it should be ready. Scott also did a great job of getting rid of the backhand bulge which would form on the backhand when the glove was fully open, there is no room for a wild stick to find its way to the knuckles.
http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/9195/1000745xl7.th.jpg (http://img252.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1000745xl7.jpg)
Stickhandling is also easier as the T is angled backwards (I believe one company calls it rake angle?) about 15 degrees from the thumb which really lets you grip the glove. However, it leads to the only current issue with the glove.
Negatives:
The only negative is that this glove does not completely seal when one smothers the puck, as you can see with the pic you have to choose either a gap in the front or at the heel, but you can not get it all sealed. This may lead to some pucks that sneak under, so using the blocker hand will be key.
http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/2346/1000746ea0.th.jpg (http://img252.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1000746ea0.jpg)
Overall, the NHL Pro Spec sizing, changes by Scott (the palm, backhand protection) and a few mods (cuff, finger ridge) have made this a much better glove. For those looking for a glove that has a natural feel, is light and protective I would add this to the shopping list.
(GLOVE UPDATE)
Catching - this glove has worked very well for me over the last few months. The break-in took me longer than initially predicted above, but now that it is where I want it I have had no issues with catching the puck. I am finding that little effort is required in my part, if I am tracking the puck into my glove it will stick. Pop-outs are not an issue.
Protection – as per usual for any Battram products I have owned this is a non issue. The palm is thick and very protective. I am yet to have a shot that hurts in the least, and maybe a handful that you really feel. The backhand protection is solid and as stated above, there are no gaps so wild sticks are nowhere near hitting my hand.
Covering Up – this is the one area where the glove has not made me happy. Even after break in the glove will not sit flush on the ice. So when I cover the puck it is a must for me to have my paddle in front of the glove. I have yet to have a puck pop out for a goal, but I have received a few extra slashes when people “see” the puck that appears to be loose. On a future order I will ask for a T that is not angled back. The fact is I can’t play the puck for **** anyway so no need for this feature. I have noticed that some of the TPS gloves share this feature, so I know this is not the only glove with this glaring fault.
Overall I have been quite happy, covering up the puck is an issue for me which I would rather not deal with, but nonetheless I am very glad I made this purchase. Great protection, nice closure and very few pop-out are what make this glove excellent.
CONTINUED.......
Glove and Blocker
http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/1189/1000748lx8.th.jpg (http://img252.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1000748lx8.jpg)
Battram Verge Glove
Ordering and Workmanship: see thread with pads Goalieboard :: View topic - Battram Fury Pads - 1st impression and EARLY review (http://www.goalieboard.com/viewtopic.php?t=4935)
Features:
- NHL Spec --> Perimeter – total 45”, Cuff – 4” x 8”, No Cheater, distance from the heel of the glove along the pocket and following the contour of the inside of the trap of the glove to the top of the "T" trap must not exceed 18"
- Finger Ridge – shaped like a “(“ so that it is closer to the index finger and pinky (which are shorter than the middle finger)
- Eyelet Protector
- new Logo
- bindingless cuff
http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/4601/1000741mj7.th.jpg (http://img252.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1000741mj7.jpg)
- easier break in palm
- nylon in non-white areas
- eyelet protector
http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/169/1000740dl8.th.jpg (http://img252.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1000740dl8.jpg)
- neoprene inner backhand
- backhand, wrist, thumb and pinky straps
- backhand opens at cuff and most of back of hand
http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/1760/1000743kx6.th.jpg (http://img252.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1000743kx6.jpg)
Weight: Now of course this is the lightest glove I have ever owned, also the only Pro Spec glove I have ever owned so it would be expected. What has happened with this glove due to the size restriction, all the weight is on your palm area, not the cuff and not the T. Really makes for a nicely balanced glove that doesn’t feel cuff or T heavy (this was a great point brought up in Leafer’s GSBB review. I am very please in regards to the weight of this glove.
Feel: The best way I can describe the break is “natural”. As you can see from the pic with my hand in front of it the closure is distal palm at the heel (pinky side) but proximal first digit (index) joint. This to my hand feels very natural (as stated above), I will see how it changes with break in.
http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/5324/1000744lc1.th.jpg (http://img252.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1000744lc1.jpg)
Another great thing that happened with this glove is that it has become a very “snug” feeling glove.
http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/2659/1000754cs8.th.jpg (http://img252.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1000754cs8.jpg)
In a good way though, I don’t even have to tighten the thumb and pinky straps and it still feels under total control, no rotation on the hand at all.
Playability: The pocket is deep, but not overly so. It catches a ball quite well, we’ll see with puck use though. Catching is a breeze and break in for this glove should not be as arduous a task as for the previous generation Verge. I believe Scott made some well place “grooves” into the palm which has made it a lot easier to break in. Still not a “game ready as soon a I got it glove”, but certainly 2-3 uses and it should be ready. Scott also did a great job of getting rid of the backhand bulge which would form on the backhand when the glove was fully open, there is no room for a wild stick to find its way to the knuckles.
http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/9195/1000745xl7.th.jpg (http://img252.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1000745xl7.jpg)
Stickhandling is also easier as the T is angled backwards (I believe one company calls it rake angle?) about 15 degrees from the thumb which really lets you grip the glove. However, it leads to the only current issue with the glove.
Negatives:
The only negative is that this glove does not completely seal when one smothers the puck, as you can see with the pic you have to choose either a gap in the front or at the heel, but you can not get it all sealed. This may lead to some pucks that sneak under, so using the blocker hand will be key.
http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/2346/1000746ea0.th.jpg (http://img252.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1000746ea0.jpg)
Overall, the NHL Pro Spec sizing, changes by Scott (the palm, backhand protection) and a few mods (cuff, finger ridge) have made this a much better glove. For those looking for a glove that has a natural feel, is light and protective I would add this to the shopping list.
(GLOVE UPDATE)
Catching - this glove has worked very well for me over the last few months. The break-in took me longer than initially predicted above, but now that it is where I want it I have had no issues with catching the puck. I am finding that little effort is required in my part, if I am tracking the puck into my glove it will stick. Pop-outs are not an issue.
Protection – as per usual for any Battram products I have owned this is a non issue. The palm is thick and very protective. I am yet to have a shot that hurts in the least, and maybe a handful that you really feel. The backhand protection is solid and as stated above, there are no gaps so wild sticks are nowhere near hitting my hand.
Covering Up – this is the one area where the glove has not made me happy. Even after break in the glove will not sit flush on the ice. So when I cover the puck it is a must for me to have my paddle in front of the glove. I have yet to have a puck pop out for a goal, but I have received a few extra slashes when people “see” the puck that appears to be loose. On a future order I will ask for a T that is not angled back. The fact is I can’t play the puck for **** anyway so no need for this feature. I have noticed that some of the TPS gloves share this feature, so I know this is not the only glove with this glaring fault.
Overall I have been quite happy, covering up the puck is an issue for me which I would rather not deal with, but nonetheless I am very glad I made this purchase. Great protection, nice closure and very few pop-out are what make this glove excellent.
CONTINUED.......