Nike/Bauer Vapor XX Composite Goalie Stick

[HotBranch!]

Although I didn't desperately need a new goalie stick, I was drawn to my local shop after I snapped my TPS XLite last week (we worked our asses off to come back from a pair of 2 goal deficits and take the lead, only to give up the tying goal with 16 seconds to play). I still had my 4 year old Bauer 7000 and SherWood 9950 available, but they are long in the tooth and the extra tape to cover the splinters has made them rather heavy.

I had quite a few choices: I could stick with wood, with prices ranging from 70 to 99; I could try a wood/composite hybrid for 100 to 135, or I could go with a full composite, my choices being the RBK, SherWood, or Bauer Nike. Ultimately, I went with the Bauer Nike at 129 (the RBK was 159 and the SherWood was 199), but price wasn't the deciding factor--it was just a happy by-product. I liked the SherWood because it was almost identical to the 9950 I already have, but the Bauer Nike was very similar to the Bauer 7000, with a much bigger curve and it was so very light.

Weight of the Bauer Nike is 790 grams (27.9 ounces). It is noticeably lighter than any of the wood sticks I have owned and was pretty much the same as the other composite sticks. There is no "name" for the pattern, in fact, it's a very plain looking stick (black, white, and gray transitions). The paddle is listed as 26.5 inches, but it is pretty much the same as a 26 inch SherWood paddle and very slightly taller than a 26.5 inch Bauer paddle. Overall length of the stick is 58 inches. The stick has a HUGE mid-heel curve. I was able to almost roof the puck (~20 feet) when I went to pass the puck to the refs after the puck had been iced into my end. Lots of flex in the paddle, so I think this is a good stick for playing the puck and passing it ahead. (I didn't have many chances to play the puck last night.)

As much as I love the light weight of the stick, it will take some getting used to. When I would sweep the stick to direct a shot away to the corner, I twice hit myself in the back with the butt end of the stick--it's almost TOO light. I was a little fearful that the puck would react differently with a composite stick and I was partially right. The stick played like wood, but the sound is not like anything you're used to hearing. On long dump in shots, the puck rebounds off the stick more than I expected; one shot bounced back almost 15 feet. The lack of stick wax is partially to blame, but there were a few juicy rebounds that I would not have given up with a wood stick.

There were also a few shots that skipped up and off the stick, but they weren't as dangerous and I was able to catch them with the trapper. I did notice some very slight cramping in my hand as the game progressed, which was probably due to my holding the stick too tightly, given its weight; it doesn't require the same strength to hold a composite stick as a traditional wood stick.

I still have to get used to this new stick, but for $130, I've reduced the weight of my stick by about 50%, I think I will be playing the puck better, AND it comes with a 30-day replacement warranty.

If you're in the market for a new stick, the Bauer Nike Vapor XX is worth considering.

You can see a picture of the exact stick I bought here: http://www.hockey2.com/show_results.asp?thisID=1389

(to boot, it's a better buy than what I paid)

[hextall27]

good review man... I have been looking at that stick, might have to try it out!

[xethicx]

i loved the XX so I bought the XXX and loved it even more. Its taking a pretty good ass kicking thus far but who knows how long thatll last.

[Cujo_64]

I looked at one of these recently... I didnt need it so it stayed at the store... but one of my kids that I work with got one for xmas and he loves it...sadly he is looking at the stick during games vs the puck now... damn shiny objects !

[HotBranch!]

A follow-up mini review.

I went back to the store I bought the stick at and they were sold out of the P31 pattern I had picked up. Instead, they had a fugly yellow and black number with a different curve (P32?), so I passed. A few days later, I saw that the chain in question had opened a new, larger store near my work, so I went to check out the "lumber" at lunch. I noticed a different pattern in a sleeker looking black and silver model. Seeing as Christmas was approaching, I decided I would wait until the boxing day sales.

Luckily, someone asked me what I was wanting for Christmas and I dropped a hint that either model of the stick would look great under the tree. I got the P39 pattern (black and silver model), which is a more open and balanced curve (less of a hook, like the P31). I played a pickup game on the 27th, and I love the P39 more than the P31. The more open curve provides me with more power and accuracy when I shoot the puck. It was an eye opening experience when I took the first shot; not so much that it went where I wanted, but the power of the shot and the sound it made as it hit the boards. I felt that I took a fairly leisurely shot and it sounded like I ripped a rocket onto the boards. Most every shot has been exactly where I wanted it and it got there faster than I had come to expect from my shots. This is the first stick I've owned where I feel I can shoot the puck the length of the ice with accuracy. Should be interesting if I ever get a chance at an open net.

Other than the more open blade pattern, the weight is the same (970 grams) and the paddle is 27.5 inches tall. I wasn't sure if a taller paddle would help or hurt my stance; I haven't noticed the difference in paddle height, but I haven't played a game where I split duties between the two sticks. I'll try to pay attention to any changes if I switch sticks during a game.

All in all, the N/B Vapor XX is the best stick I have ever owned.

[Gregan]

I hope I end up liking my SWD composite RX9 stick that I picked up as much as you like your XX!

[Jase96]

if you are not unlucky to get one of the faulty xxx sticks that break easily, it is the best stick i've ever played with. The concaved paddle makes controlling stick save rebounds a breeze. Don't think I could use any other stick, it got some good whip in it too and is light as a feather. Now if only I could play the puck with any sort of consistency...

[Zay1993]

Hows the stick holding up?

[Punisher]

i recently bought two as well.
They are pretty good sticks, light, stiff but they do give a weird deflection due to being so stiff and smooth.

once you adjust to that it's fine.
i use stick for stick, so one is mint and will be used for the next game the other one saw 3 games and 6 trainings since buying them about 2 weeks ago.
first thing i noticed is that the stickers get flacked off like crazy,
i believe mine now says, [a*ep in stead of bauer :p

the one i used is cracked on the paddle on both thin sides but nothing to serious. it will retire as my training stick.

they see a lot of firepower actually and he's holding up great.
The shaft as well, it has received a good amount of shoots (yes i make saves with the shaft ;))
and it is holding up fine.


overall i really like this stick.

pun

[HotBranch!]

Hows the stick holding up?

Really good. I used the P31 stick last Wednesday for both games (shutout and 6-3 loss) and the P39 for the Friday and Saturday games. I have a slight preference for the P39 stick, simply because I feel more comfortable playing the puck with it.

The P31 (first stick I got) has a slight crack on the bottom of the paddle from a shot I saved by deflecting the shot away with a chopping motion, but it's nothing that affects the use or play of the stick. It's actually more of an aesthetic thing that I am probably the only one who notices.

The P39 has seen lots of action and is holding up brilliantly, my puck handling with this stick is the best I can ever remember.

Both sticks stand up well to "extracurricular activity" when forwards crowd my crease and I need to "remind" them that they should get off my lawn. Don't know how a composite stick feels on the calf or in the crotch, though.

I haven't had Pun's problem of stickers or decals flaking off. Maybe my Chinese factory workers are more motivated than Pun's...

[Punisher]

I haven't had Pun's problem of stickers or decals flaking off. Maybe my Chinese factory workers are more motivated than Pun's...

LOL
i know Chinese, i'll go and yell at them :D

it really is weird, the sticker is under the finishing coat but they get shot of like mad, i'll take a pic of it later.

pun.

[Zay1993]

Thanks for the update! I'm thinking of picking up a few Vapor 20's when I have some money. I'd like to give a composite a try and I've heard nothing but good about the Vapor 20s.

[IpaddyTECH]

Hey there, nice stick man. Now I've heard it weighs 790 grams, and 970 grams. Which is it? Isn't the XXX 700 grams?

[HotBranch!]

The XX is 790 grams. It's even listed on the shaft of the stick. All 3 patterns I've seen of the Vapor XX are 790 grams.

[jbgd825]

I got the fugly Black and yellow version.....

Love the stick. HATE the curve. But it holds up like a tank so I'm stuck with it...

[HotBranch!]

Hey there, nice stick man. Now I've heard it weighs 790 grams, and 970 grams. Which is it? Isn't the XXX 700 grams?

I see where you got the 970 grams; in my follow-up review, I was typing dyslexic. It should have been 790 grams.

My bad...

[bat-goalie]

I got the fugly Black and yellow version.....

Love the stick. HATE the curve. But it holds up like a tank so I'm stuck with it...

Interesting, I had that same stick (i like the colours ;)) and it didn't last past 2 months of sporadic use.

Shaft broke after a few hard shots.

I might have to rethink getting another one.

[rusto33]

i have been wanting to try a composite stick for a while and have seen lots of good things about the nike/bauers. does anyone know what pattern of the n/bs is similar to a TPS Roloson?

[HotBranch!]

if you are not unlucky to get one of the faulty xxx sticks that break easily, it is the best stick i've ever played with. The concaved paddle makes controlling stick save rebounds a breeze. Don't think I could use any other stick, it got some good whip in it too and is light as a feather. Now if only I could play the puck with any sort of consistency...

I finally saw a Vapor XXX stick last weekend.

When I firstread your comment about the concaved paddle, I wondered what you were talking about. Now I understand. The "top" (or inside) portion of the paddle is turned away from the goalie's body with a textured finish. I'm not sure how the paddle plays, and for the $270 they were asking, I'm unlikely to find out, but it was neat to see.

I did also see the Bauer One 75 goalie stick in a P31 pattern (identical to the Vapor XX P31), at the same price point ($130), but it lacked weight information. I tried comparing the two sticks, but it was hard to tell if there was a difference. Clearly, the One 75 stick is lighter than wood, but I don't know if it's lighter than the Vapor XX. The only major difference I saw with the One 75 was that it has a nicer graphic (purple/blue with black and silver).

Any thoughts on the One 75?

[HotBranch!]

After almost a year, the P31 Vapor XX is holding up fine. Lots of puck marks and some chipping of the decals, along with a few lacerations of the surface due to skaters getting in too close.

The P39 is also holding up great, and given that the stick is mostly black, the puck marks don't show up as much.

Given the way I tap the posts with the the shaft of my stick to locate the right post, the big advantage to composite sticks is that there are no splinters near the top of the stick. Lots of chips where the decal has been nicked from the post, but no splinters.

[Marko35]

I purchased a Nike/Bauer XX about a month ago for my son who plays high school hockey and the only good thing that he say's about it was how light it was. I say was because exactly 2 days past the 1 month warrenty the stick began to fall apart.The heel began to split and it delamenated along the blade.I would apply new tape to this stick atleast once a week so it was taken care of.Not a good $100 investment in my opinion

[DRE75]

What you should have done when it delammed was let it dry, snad down the blade where it was delamming, and painted on a coating of Bondo fiberglass resin. Once it cured, I bet you wouldn't have to keep re-taping it, and it would have lasted a lot longer.

[Marko35]

Good idea.Didn't think of that.What I did do was try the same thing with Duco Cement and that has held up for a little while but just as a back up for me because I only play 2 times a week as compared to the 6 times my son plays.