Snydes1987
05-28-2008, 03:46 PM
Well i've had these pads since december, however i've only been able to use them for a few months because of a severe high ankle sprain i suffered attempting to play basketball. So, I figured I'd post a review of how everything's going so far.
SWD 9990 Pads:
Details:
Size - 34+1", 11"
Color - Red/Silver/White
Level of Play - ACHA D1
Use - 4 months
Previous Pads - RBK Premier 1 (35+2")
Aesthetics:
In my opinion, these pads are absolutely stunning. I think the graphic, if used correctly, is one of the best out there.
10/10
Functionality:
Well these were my first 11" pads, so it did take a little bit of getting used to. Aside from the size of the pads, there wasn't a huge adjustment period in getting used to these pads because they are very similar to my old koho 580s that i used prior to my RBK premier 1s.
These pads are very comfortable and for the most part easy to use. The offset toe really does aide in lateral movement while down as well as recoveries. I have found this to be one of the best traits of these pads. They are also very light, which is definately a big plus for any goaltender. Five hole coverage and overall pad flexability is exactly what I have wanted in a pad. It leaves absolutely no holes while bufferflying or butterfly sliding once I adjusted to the smaller width.
There is one flaw that has driven me nuts since I started using them. The knee stacks are either too small or just placed wrong because several times in any given game/practice I find my knee moving past the stacks and onto the ice. This is a major annoyance and distraction while trying to focus. Also, coming from the RBK knee stacks these seem to be made out of concrete making it very uncomfortable while trying to butterfly. This is something I'm working on correcting by either buying some RBK knee stacks from goaliemonkey or making my own. Besides this one flaw I love these pads, but I just can't stand how they designed this area of the pads, nor do I understand why they would make them like this.
7/10 (Should be a 8 or 9 once I fix the above mentioned problem)
Durability:
No complaints here. These pads have held up very well over the short time I have been using them. The only blemishes I have noticed are puck marks (no rips, broken stitching, ect).The toe strings which almost always tear apart within the first couple weeks on most of my pads are even still in one piece.
10/10
Overall Grade: 9/10
http://goalielife.com/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=81
SWD 9990 Glove:
Details:
Size - NHL Legal
Color - Red/Silver/White
Break - 90 deg
Previous Glove - Koho 580
Aesthetics:
Same as above.
10/10
Functionality:
I chose the 90 degree break version of this glove because I have always used Koho gloves (530, 560, 2 580s, and Lefebvre), so I figured this glove would suit me the best. I chose correctly because this is by far my favorite piece of equipment from this set. Once I got used to the smaller size the glove was perfect for me. The closure is smooth and flawless, the protection is solid, and the glove itself is extremely lightweight. Also, stickhandling with this glove felt just like my old 580, which I loved. There really isn't anything about this glove that I don't like or doesn't suit my style of play.
10/10
Durability:
Once again, no problems here. The only sign of wear besides the puckmarks is an inch and a half long skate cut on the cuff.
10/10
Overall Grade: 10/10
http://goalielife.com/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=82
http://goalielife.com/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=86
SWD 9990 Blocker:
Details:
Size - NHL Legal
Color - Red/Silver/White
Previous Blocker - Koho 580
Aesthetics:
Same as above.
10/10
Functionality:
This is one of the best blockers that I have used. It is very comfortable and the grip material used in the palm makes it very easy and comfortable to grip your stick. As far as protection goes, I have yet to feel a stinger or have a puck sneak in and find a gap in the protection yet. It's very well balanced and really just feels natural on your hand. Sherwood seemed to be able to create a well balanced and protective blocker even within the new itsy bitsy guidlines set forth by the NHL.
10/10
Durability:
The blocker's still in one piece without a problem in sight. The palm has held up great without even so much as a stretched seam. Everything is as it was when I first bought it and that is very rare in a blocker (especially the palm area).
10/10
Overall Grade: 10/10
http://goalielife.com/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=83
http://goalielife.com/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=84
http://goalielife.com/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=85
Hope some of you found this review informative and helpful.
(Pictures were taken when I first recieved them, updated pictures can be taken if requested)
SWD 9990 Pads:
Details:
Size - 34+1", 11"
Color - Red/Silver/White
Level of Play - ACHA D1
Use - 4 months
Previous Pads - RBK Premier 1 (35+2")
Aesthetics:
In my opinion, these pads are absolutely stunning. I think the graphic, if used correctly, is one of the best out there.
10/10
Functionality:
Well these were my first 11" pads, so it did take a little bit of getting used to. Aside from the size of the pads, there wasn't a huge adjustment period in getting used to these pads because they are very similar to my old koho 580s that i used prior to my RBK premier 1s.
These pads are very comfortable and for the most part easy to use. The offset toe really does aide in lateral movement while down as well as recoveries. I have found this to be one of the best traits of these pads. They are also very light, which is definately a big plus for any goaltender. Five hole coverage and overall pad flexability is exactly what I have wanted in a pad. It leaves absolutely no holes while bufferflying or butterfly sliding once I adjusted to the smaller width.
There is one flaw that has driven me nuts since I started using them. The knee stacks are either too small or just placed wrong because several times in any given game/practice I find my knee moving past the stacks and onto the ice. This is a major annoyance and distraction while trying to focus. Also, coming from the RBK knee stacks these seem to be made out of concrete making it very uncomfortable while trying to butterfly. This is something I'm working on correcting by either buying some RBK knee stacks from goaliemonkey or making my own. Besides this one flaw I love these pads, but I just can't stand how they designed this area of the pads, nor do I understand why they would make them like this.
7/10 (Should be a 8 or 9 once I fix the above mentioned problem)
Durability:
No complaints here. These pads have held up very well over the short time I have been using them. The only blemishes I have noticed are puck marks (no rips, broken stitching, ect).The toe strings which almost always tear apart within the first couple weeks on most of my pads are even still in one piece.
10/10
Overall Grade: 9/10
http://goalielife.com/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=81
SWD 9990 Glove:
Details:
Size - NHL Legal
Color - Red/Silver/White
Break - 90 deg
Previous Glove - Koho 580
Aesthetics:
Same as above.
10/10
Functionality:
I chose the 90 degree break version of this glove because I have always used Koho gloves (530, 560, 2 580s, and Lefebvre), so I figured this glove would suit me the best. I chose correctly because this is by far my favorite piece of equipment from this set. Once I got used to the smaller size the glove was perfect for me. The closure is smooth and flawless, the protection is solid, and the glove itself is extremely lightweight. Also, stickhandling with this glove felt just like my old 580, which I loved. There really isn't anything about this glove that I don't like or doesn't suit my style of play.
10/10
Durability:
Once again, no problems here. The only sign of wear besides the puckmarks is an inch and a half long skate cut on the cuff.
10/10
Overall Grade: 10/10
http://goalielife.com/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=82
http://goalielife.com/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=86
SWD 9990 Blocker:
Details:
Size - NHL Legal
Color - Red/Silver/White
Previous Blocker - Koho 580
Aesthetics:
Same as above.
10/10
Functionality:
This is one of the best blockers that I have used. It is very comfortable and the grip material used in the palm makes it very easy and comfortable to grip your stick. As far as protection goes, I have yet to feel a stinger or have a puck sneak in and find a gap in the protection yet. It's very well balanced and really just feels natural on your hand. Sherwood seemed to be able to create a well balanced and protective blocker even within the new itsy bitsy guidlines set forth by the NHL.
10/10
Durability:
The blocker's still in one piece without a problem in sight. The palm has held up great without even so much as a stretched seam. Everything is as it was when I first bought it and that is very rare in a blocker (especially the palm area).
10/10
Overall Grade: 10/10
http://goalielife.com/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=83
http://goalielife.com/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=84
http://goalielife.com/picture.php?albumid=12&pictureid=85
Hope some of you found this review informative and helpful.
(Pictures were taken when I first recieved them, updated pictures can be taken if requested)