Candyman
06-15-2010, 12:45 AM
This is a review of my practically new Viper gear and James’ customer service.
It all started in mid December with an ebay auction that I never thought that I would win. The outcome as you guessed was a great bargain on a never used set of Viper gear. I had communicated with the seller early on to determine the exact sizing of the pads and from his measurements (34+1.5”) pad would fit my ATK of 17.5” as he had the same. I knew I was going to get a great quality set as I own one of James’ first pro-spec Evo gloves and it a work of art. I was disappointed when the gear finally arrived, the pads where and inch too short in the knee (the gloves on the other hand were fantastic). I had contacted James at Viper to see if he could make me a set of boot risers to help make up the difference in the knee (who better than the one who made the pads). I received the risers and was in amazed with the detail he put into them, James is a true craftsman. Unfortunately the pads were still not sitting right for me and I was afraid that I would have to sell the entire set to afford just new pads to match my Itech gloves. At the same time that I was going through this James was trying to get his direct sales up and running again. After a few emails and phone calls James shocked the hell out of me with an unbeatable price on a new set of pads to my specs that would have me keep the new gloves and return these pads to be used as demos. I never thought that a small builder like this would be so generous. James’ passion for the game and the gear make him top on my list for future gear purchases.
Now onto the gear review.
2009 Viper Boa Blocker
Like most pro-spec blockers, this one is very light and well balanced. It did take a few games to get used to the cuff as it’s more of a Reebok style and I was coming from an Itech 12.8. Rebound control was as expected, not too lively; but with a little help the puck had no problem hitting the corners. This blocker allows you to feel the puck when it hits you (not in a stinger way) and helps you judge where the rebound would be heading. You can tell if it hits off of the fingers, center or cuff area so you know which direction to look for the rebound in. My only concern with this blocker was the finger protection, it is adequate but looking at the 2010 model; James has beefed it up and improved it. I had no problems gripping my stick or squeezing the waterbottle with this blocker.
9/10 (mark lost on finger protection)
2009 Viper Venom Catcher
The feel of this glove is very similar to that of the older Vaughn Velocity but not exactly. It has a very natural closure to it and according to James, it has a 75 degree break. The glove comes with three adjustment straps and opens easily for drying. Protection is very comparable to my Itech 12.8 and RX9 gloves. You will feel the one that doesn’t get into the pocket, but it’s nothing that a few squeezes can’t shake off. This is a great catching glove and is also easy to play the puck in. I’m not much of a shooter but I have better balance and snap in my stick with this in comparison to my Itech’s. The only thing that I would change on this would be to add a Turco strap, I prefer the feel of a tight wrist throughout the game.
10/10
2010 Viper Venom Pads
The pads came out just as I wanted them, James was bang on with my little modifications. The pads measure to be a 35+2 with two breaks (I need the extra flex to help with my narrow b-fly). I asked for a wider knee lock to accommodate my knee pads (Vaughn 8800) but was told that the knee lock had already been adjusted from the previous model and would have ample room (he was right). I requested a velcro calf lock (that is what I was used to on my Itech 11.8’s) and for one of the knee straps to be moved up above the first break. The overall sizing is exactly what I wanted. I have an ATK of 17.5” and combined with the knee pads I fall just above the middle of the knee stack (gives me a little room for settlement without losing too much of the rise). The one modification that I had to make was to decrease the depth of the inner boot protector. I don’t have the best form and use OD blades and the protector was getting in the way of them engaging the ice. I had cut an inch off the depth and the problem was solved. This was something new that James had added to his 2010 model that was not on the 2009 set that I had originally. Overall the pads are very stable in the butter fly and don’t give off crazy rebounds off of the shins.
9/10 (mark lost on the fact that I had to cut my new pads)
At the end of the day, this was a very positive experience in both craftsmanship and performance. Viper gear is just as durable and protective as any of the big and small names out there. For reference I have used Vaughn, Sherwood, Itech and Battram gear in the past.
If you want to know or see anything different, just let me know and I will try my best to help out.
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g318/Candyman31/Viper%20Venom/Viper_Venom_B_Set.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g318/Candyman31/Viper%20Venom/Viper_Venom_Gloves_SetJPG.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g318/Candyman31/Viper%20Venom/Viper_Venom_B_Pads-02.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g318/Candyman31/Viper%20Venom/Viper_Venom_B_Pads-03.jpg
It all started in mid December with an ebay auction that I never thought that I would win. The outcome as you guessed was a great bargain on a never used set of Viper gear. I had communicated with the seller early on to determine the exact sizing of the pads and from his measurements (34+1.5”) pad would fit my ATK of 17.5” as he had the same. I knew I was going to get a great quality set as I own one of James’ first pro-spec Evo gloves and it a work of art. I was disappointed when the gear finally arrived, the pads where and inch too short in the knee (the gloves on the other hand were fantastic). I had contacted James at Viper to see if he could make me a set of boot risers to help make up the difference in the knee (who better than the one who made the pads). I received the risers and was in amazed with the detail he put into them, James is a true craftsman. Unfortunately the pads were still not sitting right for me and I was afraid that I would have to sell the entire set to afford just new pads to match my Itech gloves. At the same time that I was going through this James was trying to get his direct sales up and running again. After a few emails and phone calls James shocked the hell out of me with an unbeatable price on a new set of pads to my specs that would have me keep the new gloves and return these pads to be used as demos. I never thought that a small builder like this would be so generous. James’ passion for the game and the gear make him top on my list for future gear purchases.
Now onto the gear review.
2009 Viper Boa Blocker
Like most pro-spec blockers, this one is very light and well balanced. It did take a few games to get used to the cuff as it’s more of a Reebok style and I was coming from an Itech 12.8. Rebound control was as expected, not too lively; but with a little help the puck had no problem hitting the corners. This blocker allows you to feel the puck when it hits you (not in a stinger way) and helps you judge where the rebound would be heading. You can tell if it hits off of the fingers, center or cuff area so you know which direction to look for the rebound in. My only concern with this blocker was the finger protection, it is adequate but looking at the 2010 model; James has beefed it up and improved it. I had no problems gripping my stick or squeezing the waterbottle with this blocker.
9/10 (mark lost on finger protection)
2009 Viper Venom Catcher
The feel of this glove is very similar to that of the older Vaughn Velocity but not exactly. It has a very natural closure to it and according to James, it has a 75 degree break. The glove comes with three adjustment straps and opens easily for drying. Protection is very comparable to my Itech 12.8 and RX9 gloves. You will feel the one that doesn’t get into the pocket, but it’s nothing that a few squeezes can’t shake off. This is a great catching glove and is also easy to play the puck in. I’m not much of a shooter but I have better balance and snap in my stick with this in comparison to my Itech’s. The only thing that I would change on this would be to add a Turco strap, I prefer the feel of a tight wrist throughout the game.
10/10
2010 Viper Venom Pads
The pads came out just as I wanted them, James was bang on with my little modifications. The pads measure to be a 35+2 with two breaks (I need the extra flex to help with my narrow b-fly). I asked for a wider knee lock to accommodate my knee pads (Vaughn 8800) but was told that the knee lock had already been adjusted from the previous model and would have ample room (he was right). I requested a velcro calf lock (that is what I was used to on my Itech 11.8’s) and for one of the knee straps to be moved up above the first break. The overall sizing is exactly what I wanted. I have an ATK of 17.5” and combined with the knee pads I fall just above the middle of the knee stack (gives me a little room for settlement without losing too much of the rise). The one modification that I had to make was to decrease the depth of the inner boot protector. I don’t have the best form and use OD blades and the protector was getting in the way of them engaging the ice. I had cut an inch off the depth and the problem was solved. This was something new that James had added to his 2010 model that was not on the 2009 set that I had originally. Overall the pads are very stable in the butter fly and don’t give off crazy rebounds off of the shins.
9/10 (mark lost on the fact that I had to cut my new pads)
At the end of the day, this was a very positive experience in both craftsmanship and performance. Viper gear is just as durable and protective as any of the big and small names out there. For reference I have used Vaughn, Sherwood, Itech and Battram gear in the past.
If you want to know or see anything different, just let me know and I will try my best to help out.
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g318/Candyman31/Viper%20Venom/Viper_Venom_B_Set.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g318/Candyman31/Viper%20Venom/Viper_Venom_Gloves_SetJPG.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g318/Candyman31/Viper%20Venom/Viper_Venom_B_Pads-02.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g318/Candyman31/Viper%20Venom/Viper_Venom_B_Pads-03.jpg