Prefered Model of Chest Protector

[RedBird1]

There have been numerous threads about box lacrosse goalie chest protectors, and I was interested in what the general consesus is on the preferred upper model. I should be recieving my MaxLax NLLs this week after a patient wait.


MaxLax

http://www.goaliestore.com/maxlax/images/main/large/mxca_1000_2.jpg

Boddam

http://www.boddam.com/popup/lacrosse-9500/9500-front.jpg

STX

http://www.probosslacrosse.com/equipmentclose/harrow/stxchestbluela.jpg

Brown

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v47/White_Mike/ad_1_b.jpg

Warrior

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v47/White_Mike/lacrossemonkey_1853_6400848.jpg

Other

[canadians_eh]

Yah i like the new Nll 1000 Maxlax uppers and the boddams

[slinkyspine]

Maxlax. Then STX, Boddam and then Warrior. Although I don't even think Warrior should be there. It's a terrible unit

[boxlaxman]

MaxLax NLL Plus...

I have my new set and they are great....

This one...
http://www.goaliestore.com/maxlax/rbk/images/Untitled-2.jpg

[Stonewall35]

I have to go with the MaxLax NLL Plus unit (the same ones used in the NLL, but without the RBK labels). It is nice and big, but still legal. I would bet that it would rival the Boddam 9500 unit as far as size goes.

[perfektspace]

All I want to know is, who voted for "other" and what is it?

Warrior wins hands down for "most padded doormat".

[Dadabhoy_Muzzi]

I have used the STX ones and I like them I have not tried the otherones though.

[laxordie14]

i play goal for a D2 school and want to get into an indoor league sometime in the future. can you guys tell me how much to expect to spend to get goalie gear? thanks

[boxlaxman]

i play goal for a D2 school and want to get into an indoor league sometime in the future. can you guys tell me how much to expect to spend to get goalie gear? thanks

Where are you??

I just spet about $1000 exactly on brand new, top of the line, NLL caliber stuff from Maxlax. You don't need special gloves or helmet or stick. If you have access to hockey uppers and pants, thats a good start.

[perfektspace]

i play goal for a D2 school and want to get into an indoor league sometime in the future. can you guys tell me how much to expect to spend to get goalie gear? thanks

You don't want to know! :imparied:

Chest/Arm protector = can be box lacrosse (at least $500+ US) or a good ice hockey C/A with shoulder pads on top (cheaper but less protective).

Leg Guards = around $200

Hockey goalie or box lacrosse pants = from $125 to $250 but you can probably find cheaper ones used

you need a decent pair of hockey gloves = less than $100 but a lot of guys use gloves that are around $250. look for something with a beefed up anti-hyperextension thumb.

A good goalie jock if you don't already have one is a good investment = $50

Thats the "bulk" of it. I'm sure others can add a few things. As you can see the amount you spend can vary a lot and is really dependent on how competitive a league you are playing in (i.e., how much protection do you need?)

[RichWutLax]

ok this may sound stupid but i need to no , you no that extra part on the stx pads the one that hangs down ... are you suppose to tuck that in or let it hang ...a ref told me that its illegal the other day ... someone please explain

[perfektspace]

ok this may sound stupid but i need to no , you no that extra part on the stx pads the one that hangs down ... are you suppose to tuck that in or let it hang ...a ref told me that its illegal the other day ... someone please explain

Why would that be illegal? All the C/A's have a belly flap that hangs down a little. I can't see how it would give anyone an advantage. Is there a rule on this?

[laxgoalieking]

Why would that be illegal? All the C/A's have a belly flap that hangs down a little. I can't see how it would give anyone an advantage. Is there a rule on this?
all your upper padding has to be covered by your jersy, you cant even rool up the arms which i do but i always get told to fix it

[Stonewall35]

ok this may sound stupid but i need to no , you no that extra part on the stx pads the one that hangs down ... are you suppose to tuck that in or let it hang ...a ref told me that its illegal the other day ... someone please explain

I have that extra flap on my chest protector extend outside the pant for extra mobility. The way I see it, it doesn't add any stopping area since it doesn't extend below the crotch.

[RedBird1]

I got my set in the mail today. Its primo! I'm definitly going with MaxLax on this one. Very pricey but pretty much worth it.

[perfektspace]

For Maxlax users

I notice that when I sometimes go to make an arm save I will get a big chunk of the ball but the arm floaters give too much and the shot will squeak in. Happens when my arm is extended and moving in a sweeping motion. Anything I can do to remedy this? Is this a normal thing for all C/A's? Drives me crazy.

[RedBird1]

I didnt think STX would be so popular. Is it cuz thats what most ppl have, or are they really that good? I tried on a pair at the Lax Shack and was quick to conclusion, but now it makes me want to reconsider and actually try them out.

[Stonewall35]

For Maxlax users

I notice that when I sometimes go to make an arm save I will get a big chunk of the ball but the arm floaters give too much and the shot will squeak in. Happens when my arm is extended and moving in a sweeping motion. Anything I can do to remedy this? Is this a normal thing for all C/A's? Drives me crazy.

That all depends on how tight your jersey is on the arms, in particular the elbow area.

Personally, I don't have a problem with the arm floaters sticking out, provided that they meet the 9" maximum width.

[Chamoo]

I would be surprised if those NLL Maxlax pads are legal. I don't know what size you bought, but those are meant for NLL rules, not CLA rules.

[Chamoo]

MaxLax NLL Plus...

I have my new set and they are great....

This one...
http://www.goaliestore.com/maxlax/rbk/images/Untitled-2.jpg

Theres no way that person is legal in Canada.

[Stonewall35]

I would be surprised if those NLL Maxlax pads are legal. I don't know what size you bought, but those are meant for NLL rules, not CLA rules.

As far as I've heard, the CLA wants to go with the current NLL guidelines in regards to the size of goalie equipment. Most goalies that play in the NLL actually use the same set of gear in the WLA, OLA Major, and/or Sr. B box. There may be a few exceptions to this rule (ex. Anthony Cosmo uses a different pair of pants while playing for Victoria in the WLA as opposed to his San Jose pants)

[RedBird1]

MaxLax NLL Plus...

I have my new set and they are great....

This one...
http://www.goaliestore.com/maxlax/rbk/images/Untitled-2.jpg

Do you actually have the RBK NLL version?
Or is it this MaxLax one which is virtually the same thing...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v47/White_Mike/MaxLaxTorso.jpg

[boxlaxman]

Mine is exactly like the gray one but just has MaxLax logos. They are the same but RBK pays them extra to keep the Maxlax logo off and put the RBK logo on.

Never seen that yellow one....

[g_tender_69]

I just bought i pair of XL Bodam arm pads and they are great!. they seem to stop alot of shots in midget an SR lacrosse. i use to have small brown hockey ones and they hurt when ever i got hit. these bodam ones are 10 times better. I had to get a 7x jersey made for mine. my other 5x one was way to tight

[CanuckLax]

Boddam is great for minor lacrosse-age boys. I would highly recommend for all youth box. I haven't experienced their pro-line for junior and up so I will reserve judgement...

[THE WALL #00]

Brown is out if business they dont make them any more

[RichWutLax]

As far as I've heard, the CLA wants to go with the current NLL guidelines in regards to the size of goalie equipment. Most goalies that play in the NLL actually use the same set of gear in the WLA, OLA Major, and/or Sr. B box. There may be a few exceptions to this rule (ex. Anthony Cosmo uses a different pair of pants while playing for Victoria in the WLA as opposed to his San Jose pants)

yeah thats very true that they all use there NLL stuff in WLA ,but im pretty sure that everyone is talking about Minor rules and that the NLL stuff is illegal for minor rules in canada , casue i no for BCLA its 5 inches from the shoulder for intermediate and junior and three inches above the shoulder

[Chamoo]

Brown is out if business they dont make them any more

Excuse me? They haven't gone out of business.

[laxgoalieking]

Brown is out if business they dont make them any more

why would you even post that?

i know most if not all nll golaies have switched to their rbk pads

[THE WALL #00]

Excuse me? They haven't gone out of business.

they may have not gone out of business but i know they arent making lax goalie pads

[Stonewall35]

yeah thats very true that they all use there NLL stuff in WLA ,but im pretty sure that everyone is talking about Minor rules and that the NLL stuff is illegal for minor rules in canada , casue i no for BCLA its 5 inches from the shoulder for intermediate and junior and three inches above the shoulder

To the best of my knowledge, all the NLL gear is legal from Midget and up (Category 3) in all of Canada. Category 2 is for Pee Wee and Bantam, and Category 1 is for Novice and lower.

[laxgoalieking]

they may have not gone out of business but i know they arent making lax goalie pads
yes they do, i know they do.

[THE WALL #00]

yes they do, i know they do.
they dont i tried to et ahold of them to get new stuff for my little brother. They told me that they were going bankrupt and that they were not making goalie equpiment as of january 2006

[lax_nb]

MaxLax NLL Plus...

I have my new set and they are great....

This one...
http://www.goaliestore.com/maxlax/rbk/images/Untitled-2.jpg



Those pictures are off a site. Or are you just using those pics to show us, and are those even onthe market yet?

[boxlaxman]

Those pictures are off a site. Or are you just using those pics to show us, and are those even onthe market yet?

Yep, they are off the goaliestore site BUT I do have all of those pads as well. Call Paul at the GS and he'll hook you up....

[lax_nb]

Boddam is the biggest, i have the stx one but for some reason i just dont like maxlax, im sure they are good, but i dont like them.

[RedBird1]

Boddam is the biggest, i have the stx one but for some reason i just dont like maxlax, im sure they are good, but i dont like them.

I dont know how you cant like them. Theyre amazing. Boddams have the largest shoulders but MaxLax's have the largest arms. They have wings on the forarms. MaxLaxs are so solid too. The only place you can possibly get a bruise wearing them is right under the front of the shoulder cap on the top of your bisep. STXs are nice but are way too soft.

[mmlaxplaya17]

I dont understand how anyone moves in those things...

[laborde92]

Well i play hockey and lacrosse both goalies and they look alot like the kind i use in hockey

[slinkyspine]

Well i play hockey and lacrosse both goalies and they look alot like the kind i use in hockey
Yeah except 2 times the size. And a lot less flexible.


To me, nothing beats a good Hockey C/A stuffed with pool noodes and styrofoam. Half the price, the same size and protection.

[laxgoalieking]

Yeah except 2 times the size. And a lot less flexible.


To me, nothing beats a good Hockey C/A stuffed with pool noodes and styrofoam. Half the price, the same size and protection.
but twice as illegal...... :crazy:

[slinkyspine]

but twice as illegal...... :crazy:
Also true... but
Who cares? Refs around here know how poor our associations are.

[laxgoalieking]

haha ur assoactions ref know your poor, our assoacitaion knows the reffing is poor.
what a coincidnece.

[boxlaxman]

I dont know how you cant like them. Theyre amazing. Boddams have the largest shoulders but MaxLax's have the largest arms. They have wings on the forarms. MaxLaxs are so solid too. The only place you can possibly get a bruise wearing them is right under the front of the shoulder cap on the top of your bisep. STXs are nice but are way too soft.

LOL.... :agree:

Thats the one spot I have a bruise. Off stick arm, right at the armpit/bicep....

[lax_nb]

Yep, they are off the goaliestore site BUT I do have all of those pads as well. Call Paul at the GS and he'll hook you up....

Nice, How much did you pay for it?

[lax_nb]

I dont know how you cant like them. Theyre amazing. Boddams have the largest shoulders but MaxLax's have the largest arms. They have wings on the forarms. MaxLaxs are so solid too. The only place you can possibly get a bruise wearing them is right under the front of the shoulder cap on the top of your bisep. STXs are nice but are way too soft.

I didnt say they arnt good, i just wouldnt use them, and the older stx uppers are soft but the new ones are pretty solid, mines great, arn't you aloud to put extra padding for protection?

[laxgoalieking]

no add ons at all, as soon as they are spotted its 10 minute misconduct and a game.

[lax_nb]

no add ons at all, as soon as they are spotted its 10 minute misconduct and a game.

id be pissed, i'd dropmy gloves and fight the ref, haha that would be fun.

[slinkyspine]

id be pissed, i'd dropmy gloves and fight the ref, haha that would be fun.
No it wouldn't. You would never play lacrosse again. Real Fun!


Most refs don't really care if you add on around here for some reason.

[thebrettness]

No it wouldn't. You would never play lacrosse again. Real Fun!


Most refs don't really care if you add on around here for some reason.

Yea becasue in the playoffs, our goalie wore his hockey player shoulder pads, under his goalie shoulder pads, I think all the refs knew too, becasue he was so much bigger all of a sudden.

[lax_nb]

No it wouldn't. You would never play lacrosse again. Real Fun!


Most refs don't really care if you add on around here for some reason.


I obviously wouldn't do that, i was kidding. The refs in my league dont say anything but im wondering if i should take the risk when we go away for a tournament? Where abouts do you live?

[GeorgeUVA]

...STX and Maxlax, I have a question. Which do you prefer? I've used Maxlax for almost 10 years now and am finally getting my own pads (where we played had Maxlax goalie equipment). I thought the Maxlax 1000 were fantastic, but the STX have been getting a lot of props from people in this forum. Plus, they are more affordable thatn the Madlax. So...
1. Which one is larger?
2. Which has the better fit?
3. Which broke in faster/was more flexible?
4. Which one has the best padding?
I'd love some feedback.

[laxgoalieking]

maxlax in all 4 of those categories.

[SundevilGoalie]

personally i just bought the stx chest protector for this season and i loved it. it was amazing, its large, protective and not many people can score high on you, and its so comfy.

[Stonewall35]

...STX and Maxlax, I have a question. Which do you prefer? I've used Maxlax for almost 10 years now and am finally getting my own pads (where we played had Maxlax goalie equipment). I thought the Maxlax 1000 were fantastic, but the STX have been getting a lot of props from people in this forum. Plus, they are more affordable thatn the Madlax. So...
1. Which one is larger?
2. Which has the better fit?
3. Which broke in faster/was more flexible?
4. Which one has the best padding?
I'd love some feedback.

I'm with laxgoalieking on this one, MaxLax all the way as far as chest protectors go, preferably the MXCA-1000 NLL Plus unit :thumbsup: :thumbsup: .

[laxgoalieking]

I'm with laxgoalieking on this one, MaxLax all the way as far as chest protectors go, preferably the MXCA-1000 NLL Plus unit :thumbsup: :thumbsup: .
im not a fan of the nll arms, IMO with the arms the less padding means more movement and flexibilty and i like to play the ball so i like the 1000 arms.

[perfektspace]

Since they cost about the same the Maxlax NLL is my pick (and also because I own it and know it better).

Protection is adequate on both (i.e., your not gonna get hurt). I don't care for the shoulder design on the STX. Not sure why, I just don't like it. Also not sure if there is much difference in weight between the two.

A friend who uses STX says that when he takes a rocket to the gut he sometimes feels it a bit too much. Almost like getting punched in the stomach. Not sure if that is a design problem or not. I don't get that with my Maxlax.

The size differences are trivial. You are taking a lot of net up either way.

My Maxlax took about 5 games to feel broken in. Very adjustable overall so you can pretty well adjust to fit in all key areas.

[lax_goalie_00]

Ok. Well I have done many hours of research, and trying on, and gathering the opinions of people I respect in order to properly state the best Box Lacrosse Goaltender Chest and Arms unit.

1. Boddam 9500 - Although you pay for it, this C/A comes ready to go, right out of the box. As far as size, protection, and mobility is in the best unit. The fabric is lower quality, but the construction and design is perfect, and does the best job. Biggest pads around without sacrificing mobility, quickness, or comfort. Protection is unmatched, and the is the largest unit untampered. This is the only unit that does not require major modification in order to be used at a highly competitive level.

2. Maxlax NLL-Plus - This recently modified unit is large and protective when it comes to shoulders, chest, and stomach. But the arms on this unit are terrible. Once you have them in place to protect yourself from shots, you lose all mobility. Once you have them in place to make a pass, or move slightly, it completely exposes your arm, by sliding outwards off of your arm. Although the material is high quality, as well as the contruction, the design is very poor.

3. Brown 9000 - This unit is small and pricey, but provides the best protection. Mobility is sacrificed to protection and the arms make the throwing motion difficult. Overall size does not compare to either Boddam or Maxlax. Not so great design in the arms does not allow mobility. Akward looking shoulders make this unit look funny, and unpopular, but the protection is one of the best. Although I have heard that Brown is no longer making Lacrosse units, so this unit will probably dissapear

4. STX Pro Blue Series - This unit looks the flashiest and feels the best, when you try it on in the store, but it doesn't go far past that. Bad quality materials, as well as poor overseas construction lead to poor protection in many places, particularily the arms. The thickness of the padding throughout the chest and stomach is also a concern. Although the extra long flap near the bottom is helpful. I cant see a set of these pads lasting longer than a few seasons "endurance" is a concern. The rise of the shoulder pad leaves a gap, where a ball coul easily roam to and hit your unprotected shoulder. Also the extra flare piece attached to the outside of the shoulder piece, gives a false sense to the goaltender. This piece is only fabric, to make the unit look bigger than it actually is, and will not hold up to a fairly put lacrosse shot. Very mobile "out of the box" so to speak, but that mobility forces a sacrifice in protection and quality.

I am sorry for downing those who own any of the units who may think I have unfairly judged these C/A. It is my honest opinion that the people who have puchased certain units, and now swear by them, are in denial. I do not mean to "down" your unit, if it was all that you could afford as well. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and these are just some of mine.

[LaxG-oalieSJ.NB]

i thought that the max lax was illegal in midget and below

[laxgoalieking]

no, they use the same measurements for midget and up

[Stonewall35]

As of this year, all Category 3 goalie equipment is legal for BANTAM and up.

In Junior and Senior games, all goalies are subject to a MANDATORY measurement prior to the start of a game in the referee's room.

What the referees check (in order) for all Junior and Senior games:
- add-ons must be removed
- arm pads no wider than 9"
- pant legs no wider than 11.5"
- shin pads no wider than 11" at the knee
- shin pads no wider than 9" below the knee
- shoulder padding no higher than 3"
- shoulder padding cannot extend past 5" on each side going outward
- jersey can't have any webbing effect to take away the net when put on over the chest protector
- helmet must be CSA or NOCSAE approved with a throat protector

If any of these measurements are illegal during this inspection, goalies are allowed to use tape to bring the measurements down to regulation.