True A4.5 AC2 85 flex Hockey Stick

When a decent hockey stick costs $100-$200 or so, it's not easy to try a lot out before you buy. I think it can be one of the most difficult pieces of gear to shop for, unless you get an opportunity to try a bunch out first.
I got that opportunity my first season, as everything was loaned to me from the rink's hockey loaner program and was different gear every week. I was given everything from wood sticks to composites of varying sizes, some barely up to my shoulders. I expect that some of the composite sticks I tried out were in pretty bad shape, so I can't say "brand x sucks" because I'm probably didn't try an actual working stick. Stuff doesn't end up in the hockey lending room on accident. It gets there usually because it has seen the end of its usability by the original owner, which usually means it's chipping, cracked or otherwise ready to under-perform.

During one particularly frustrating practice with a wooden stick, a buddy let me check out his True A4.5 stick.

TC2 - Toe Curve, Open Face. a.k.a. Backstrom, Nugent-Hopkins, Hall, Crosby, Kopitar. Lie: 6.0 / Flex: 85

I knew almost immediately that I wanted one. He said it was his second True stick, as he had the A1.0 first and liked it. At the time I was thinking of the A1.0 because it was on sale at my LHS, and was planning on buying one a few weeks later.

The next week, I ran into another buddy who was actually using a A1.0 stick. He let me try it, and I could tell the difference between it and the 4.5. The A4.5 was lighter, more responsive, had a better puck feel, was lighter....did I mention lighter? Buddy said the A1.0 was an okay stick, but he wanted something better.

A week or so later, I went into my LHS, and they gave me such a discount on the A4.5 that I didn't even consider the A1.0 at that point. Two weeks and two practices later, I bought a second A4.5 as a backup. I don't think I actually need a backup, so this was more of an insurance deal. I really like this stick. So much that I want a second one so that I never need another stick.

The A4.5 is extremely light for a stick of its price, and it's incredibly easy to maneuver, making it a great poke-checking stick. It also has an open toe, which while helping provide lift, it doesn't take away from the backhand. Receiving strong passes on the backhand is manageable, and even reliable, as is puck handling. And due to its light weight, you never feel like you're carrying around too much stick.

Great overall stick - the open toe helps lift the puck on the forehand, there's still enough there to make it comfortable on the backhand as well. 

Here's a video review that goes into a bit more tech than I do: IceWarehouse [they call it a mid-kick, while True calls it a low-kick]

Keep in mind: the A-series hockey sticks from True are early models, and can mostly be found on sale at the time of this writing. True is on to more current models now.

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Tech Specs [from True]:

Player Profile	Designed for all types of players who are looking for performance, balance and strength.
Kick Point / Flex Profile	Smartflex technology - Low Kick
Shaft Construction	Axenic technology, SmartPly technology
Shaft Geometry	Traditional with concave walls
Shaft Coating	Light matte grip
Shaft Taper	Slight, Gradual
Blade Core	Foam core with active bond 2 technology. Dual carbon fiber rib structure used to maintain blade stiffness, and promote more pop and feel.
Blade Wrap	100% 3k carbon core with fiber glass wrap
Blade Coating	Matte finish with Non-skid texture (sandpaper)
Stick Used for Measurement	TRUE HK A 4.5 SR 85 TC1 OVI L
*Average Weight (gm)	446
*Average Weight (oz)	15.73
Actual length (in)	61.0

Warrior Dynasty AX2 Hockey Gloves

Another piece of hockey gear that you should consider investing money in is a decent pair of hockey gloves. I've tried quite a few different brands, and they all have their pluses and minuses. Finding a good pair of gloves is important because that is what is between you and the stick. And the more you can feel and the more flexibility you have, the better.

As I was going through my local hockey shop, trying on the various gloves from the major manufacturers, one again I was surprised just how different all gloves feel and fit. And since everybody is different, there's lots of variety to chose from.
My LHS puts their gloves out for sale like many other shops do; most expensive gloves on top, getting less expensive the lower down the wall you look. Naturally someone on a budget would look low, and might even find what you're looking for there. But for me, the temptation to look higher up at the more expensive gloves could not be avoided. I found the higher up I went, the more comfortable they were, and the better made, especially in the palms. Once I hit a particular price point...around a hundred bucks...they all more or less evened out. But one pair I tried on struck me in particular.

Warrior Dynasty AX2

Warrior Dynasty AX2 15" hockey glove.

Putting my hand into the Warrior Dynasty AX2 glove was almost obscene. No other glove I tried felt like it. It molded to my hand and fingers like it was made for it.

The fingers and palm felt especially strong while still having sensitivity. 

They have a traditional fit, which means they are loose in the wrist to allow plenty of mobility. They grab me right around the knuckles and the back of the hand. The thumb is comfortable and not cumbersome.

Traditional 4-Roll design.

One thing that appealed to the over-50 part in me was the polygiene inner lining, which boasts being "odor free". Gloves get gnarly, and the stink doesn't stop if you ignore it. So preventing the stink is foremost on my mind. I figure something like the would help more than hurt:

My poor lighting doesn't do the yellow color justice.

The grip on the stick is smooth, well-formed, and doesn't force you to do anything weird with your fingers. The palms are thin enough to be lively, yet sturdy enough to last. The gloves allowed for all the mobility I could muster, and haven't let me down yet. The looks are great. I especially like the big "Warrior" letters, and overall a really beautiful piece of gear. I think of a nice hockey glove like a nice baseball glove. Once you try one, it's hard to play with cheap stuff again. And in this particular case the design and workmanship is so good that you really can't go wrong with them.

I didn't try the other gloves in the series, so I can't really compare them.

Here's an online video review that goes into more tech than I do: IceWarehouse

My guy at the local hockey shopped raved about them, saying that the local juniors team are wearing them, and they're not even sponsored.

They've lasted a half a season so far. I'm hoping they'll go at least two seasons more. I'd be surprised if they wouldn't, as there's virtually no sign of wear on the gloves outside of a bit of tape color rubbing off and a little bit of label ink on the inside of the thumb. Not a stitch out of place.

Tech Specs [from Warrior]:

• Traditional volume fit balances protection, mobility and classic style
• Durable Clarino™ tipped gussets with mesh fingers make for a Butter Soft game ready feel
• WarLite impact protection with plastic inserts
• Performance Clarino™ Authentic Pro Palm
• WarTech performance fabric liner with Polygiene®keeps players dry and comfortably stink free

Hockey Cages - Bauer True Vision 1 and Bauer Profile 2

A tale of two cages, neither I shopped for specifically. One was at the local hockey shop, the other came with the helmet.


Bauer True Vision 1 Cage

Bauer 2100 True Vision 1 Cage mounted on a Bauer 4500 helmet.

Bauer Profile 2 Cage

Bauer Profile 2 Cage mounted on a Bauer 5100 helmet.

When I bought the 4500 helmet, I neglected to buy a cage. I didn't even think about it at the time. On my first hockey night playing with my group, all of them wore cages and suggested that I do the same. I didn't research it or anything, because at the time I didn't have much money, so the decision was made for me. I bought the least expensive large cage I could get at my LHS, the Bauer True Vision 1.
The cage connects to the helmet via two screws in the forehead, then rests in J-clips mounted on the side. The 2100 True Vision cage has a foam chin support mounted to the cage, which is then connected to the helmet via straps to buttons behind the ear. Overall a decent, safe system. A little chin-strappy, but safe.

Something called "True Vision" should live up to its name. I find the cage functional, but not the best as far as vision goes. There are a couple of reasons for that.

In the two photos above, there are obvious differences in shape and design. The True Vision cage is more rounded with the horizontal "wires" running more elliptical than level, like the Profile 2. The Profile 2 also has more pronounced sections to the cage; the upper section covering from above the eyes to the tip of the nose, and the lower, more angled section covering the mouth and chin. This gives me better field of vision than the True Vision does, and has less wires crossing into my sight lines. I can look straight ahead and still pick up the puck underneath me.
Also, about those wires...on the Profile 2, the wires in the front are oval-shaped, not round, therefore they're thinner in width. It keeps them strong but puts less metal in front of your view. Major difference between the two cages, and a definite reason to buy the Profile 2 over the True Vision.

The Profile 2 also has a strap connected to the cage as well as straps that connect the cage to the helmet, so it feels much less like the whole thing is running on the chin strap like the True Vision does. It's a better, overall more stable feeling.


Conclusion: The Bauer True Vision is a perfectly functional cage for the price, but if you're looking to improve your vision on the ice, consider something like the Profile 2.

Bauer 5100 vs. 4500 hockey helmets

I've owned a Bauer 4500 hockey helmet for two seasons now. I bought it in particular because it fit my extra large head [Size 8 - 63cm]. It's important to note that if you have a larger than normal sized head, you're in for not much selection. Only a few XL helmets exist that I've found, and not all fit all XL people.

This is my experience with the 4500 and 5100 helmets.

Bauer 4500

Bauer 4500 XL hockey helmet - two seasons old.

The Bauer 4500 is a staple in hockey, used all the way up to the professional NHL level. It's got a lot of padding, but some would argue too much. When I first bought it I accepted it for what it was, which was a decent, solid, if not a bit sweaty, helmet. I also picked up a cage, the Bauer 2100, which I use for games, but not for practices.
The 4500 uses screws to adjust the depth of the helmet, which is a two-piece design. When you loosen the proper screws, you're able to expand the helmet length-wise, which allows it to fit larger heads. The helmet itself sits high in the back, which took a little getting used to, as I felt a little exposed back there. It offers quite a bit of flexibility because of that, especially when in the proper hockey stance. There's no rub or interference caused by the back of the helmet.

First Impressions

I'm always a bit tentative going in when it comes to helmets of any sport for guys with my size head. My first consideration for whether I could play hockey or not was whether I could find a helmet that fit. If that didn't happen, there would be no hockey. Luckily, the 4500 fits.
When I first unboxed it and put it on, it was very stiff and uncomfortable. With some adjustment it fit well on my head, but it needed to be worn for awhile. The foam padding was not very forgiving at first. I spent a few days wearing it around the house before I got it worked in.
The helmet isn't particularly light, but doesn't overly weigh me down. It sits on the crown of the head, as opposed to sitting evenly around it, which is an interesting feeling at first.
The shells have a front piece that curves around to the back of the ears. The ear cover is of a neutral design, and is large enough that your ear doesn't disappear when you fully expand the helmet.

Fast forward two seasons

Aside from the scuffs and dings that happen through normal wear and tear, the helmet has held up well. It eventually formed to my head in a way that was comfortable, although I do sweat a lot in it, even at open skates. I considered taking some of the foam out, but I didn't want to ruin the integrity of the helmet, so I didn't. What also doesn't help is the feeling of wetness when you put your helmet back on after a break in action. Once it's wet if feels wet. There's virtually no breathability, and despite all that foam, it doesn't seem to help regarding sweat pouring into the eyes. So, time to helmet shop....

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Bauer 5100

Bauer 5100 XL - no seasons old.

First Impressions

Right away it felt lighter, much better ventilation, and it had more complete coverage on the back. Within minutes of wearing it, it not only felt broken in, I had almost forgotten I had it on. It was a bit scrunchy on the sides, particularly the ears, but otherwise felt absolutely more comfortable than the 4500 right out of the box.

The mechanism for adjusting the helmet is flipping up the Bauer logo pieces on each side, then making the adjustment. When I first tried it, it didn't move at all, but eventually loosened to the point I could move it. Once in place, it stays in place. It's much easier to adjust than the 4500, and takes minutes to properly set up.
There's more ventilation, and there's also better strategically placed foam, as well as more variety of it. Throughout the front half of the helmet, the 5100 uses three layers of foam, with the innermost layer being considerably more comfortable than what comes in the 4500. It also comes with this layer that is meant to help disperse contact throughout the helmet [HX-SORB], or something like that. All I know is it's a damn comfortable helmet.
The shell configuration is a little different than the 4500, notably in that the 5100 front piece doesn't cover behind the ears like the 4500 does, but cuts back to the temples. I think this might move the weight to the back of the helmet as opposed to the front, making it seem not so heavy on the head.


The Ear Cover Problem

There was still a question about the ears. My wife saw me wearing the helmet and asked me if it was going to be "comfortable like that", and I had to figure out what she was talking about.

The two helmets have two different ear covers. They both mount essentially in the same way, but the cover on the 5100 has more "shape" to it than the more one-size-fits-all design of the ear cover on the 4500. What that means is that the allowable area for the ear is more defined. The bad part of that is, when you adjust the helmet to its maximum setting, the ear covers don't adjust with it. This causes the ears to scrunch, or fold over, from the back towards the front.

This is how the helmet sat upon first adjustment. Note the ear torture.

This lead to a difficult decision. In its current state the helmet didn't fit, as there was no way I could keep it on with what it was doing to my ears. I either return the helmet or come up with a repair solution. I decided to remove the ear covers completely. Removing the ear covers from a Bauer 5100 hockey helmet was pretty easy. I removed the screws holding the J-clips, and the screw holding the button that the cage strap attaches to. The ear covers and bolts came right out. I replaced the bolts, screwed it all back in, and it was perfect. Fantastic helmet, fits wonderfully. Except now my ears were exposed.

I really don't want to take a puck or stick to the ear. Through these past two seasons I've gotten both sticks and pucks to the helmet and cage, so I'd like as much protection as I could get. But what to do? Bauer doesn't make any other replacement covers for large heads, just the same ones.
So then I thought, since it's got an adjustable back, and by the nature of its design, maybe if I just bypass the J-clip screws completely, and just connect it in the back, it would be roughly in the ballpark of my ears.

Reset ear cover. Remove ear cover only from J-clip screws. You'll then be able to slide the ear cover back to meet your ears.

If you wear an XL helmet and come here looking for what to do regarding the Bauer 5100 ear covers, hopefully this helps solve your problem. It did mine. Despite only being connected by the back screw, the covers are still well-seated and do not move. I could take a puck to the ear cover with as much confidence as any other helmet, so problem solved.

This is now the perfect helmet for my head. Everything fits great and it's incredibly comfortable. On ice it's well-ventilated, feels much lighter, and doesn't gross me out if I take it off for a minute or two and then put it back on.

There was a pretty controversial report released a year or so ago on helmets and their ability to take abuse and how good they are regarding protection against concussions. Thing is, they aren't. That's a different type of thing, and hockey helmets just aren't designed to take that into consideration. With that said, the results of the test for the two helmets put the 4500 as "not recommended" and the 5100 as a "good" helmet. So there's that.

Do I feel safer in the 5100 than the 4500? I'd have to say yes. There's a feeling I get with the 4500 that it's like a bucket with foam in it [okay, maybe that's a little unfair], and that makes it feel like there are limitations to it. The 5100 on the other hand feels like some research and effort went into it, as well as consideration to more protection and comfort.

So what am I going to do, just toss the 4500 in the dumpster? No. Like I explained to my wife...I can have two different color helmets.

Here are a couple of video reviews done by IceWarehouse: 4500 / 5100

Now....regarding the two different cages I got with them.....

Why this?

I started playing hockey not long after turning 50. I know my experiences aren't unique, but I still want to write about them. I'll be doing that here.

I'm not a professional, nor do I have the wealth of knowledge to be the perfect critic. I'll comment on the things I buy and try, as well as other stuff related to an old guy playing hockey. I think there are something things that are important to older guys that might not be as important to younger guys. Hopefully I'll be able to cover that with some success here by sharing my experiences.

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Buying Your First Hockey Gear

I think it's important when first starting out not to get in the trap of buying something online because it looks cool or you saw someone else using it. Unless you're lucky, you'll be doing a lot of returns. I went down to my local hockey shop [LHS] and consulted them there. As time went by and the relationship grew between me and the people at the shop, I felt that I'd like to support them, so I bought my gear from there as opposed to online when I could. The only things I bought online were helmets, which I was extremely lucky both times.

I looked at stuff online, and what people wore, and thought that I'd just get that same stuff. Thought it didn't matter what your body shape was and all that, outside of "yeah, I'm probably an XL in everything." Turns out I'm not an XL in everything. When I went down to my LHS and tried stuff on, I couldn't believe the differences, not only in manufacturers, but in each of those manufacturer's lines, and the sizes and shape differences in those lines. So each item needed to be fit to me, and it ultimately didn't matter what brand it was. The nice thing is that, even though I'm tall [6'4"], I weight about 225lbs, and have what I would consider a pretty normal body shape, if not a little lanky and long-armed. So chances are I could find an entire line of gear by one manufacturer's line and be pretty well off.
And that's exactly what happened, even though I tried other things first. After finding out that a lot of traditional fitting gear fits loosely on me, I ended up fitting very well in the Bauer Vapor gear. It's advertised as "tapered fit", so it gets thin in all the right places for me. Almost all my protective gear ended up being Vapor, except the elbow pads [Reebok 18k] and gloves [Warrior Dynasty AX2].

It's important to note that although I thought I would find a complete line that fit well, this was not the line I expected to fit, nor would it have been my second or third choice. Once I dropped the conception that I'd buy based on looks alone, I didn't really care which manufacturer my stuff came from, as long as it fit me. While each piece of gear alone isn't terribly expensive, together they are costly, and I didn't want to buy a bunch of bad-fitting gear.

I also decided early on that I wanted to go a step above entry level for most, if not all of my gear. Even the first step above entry level is usually an improvement in just about every piece of gear I've found, and I ended up with mostly Vapor 800 stuff, although I did pick up a set of Vapor 700 shin pads.
Due to the size of the shop, most of the gear wasn't current, with exception of the gloves. Not that any of that mattered, though, as it was all still new, still covered under warranty, and still very good gear. A lot of hockey players buy last year's model, as it's often discounted to move when the new model is released. Savings can be huge. I got my True A4.5 sticks for a fraction of the original price, all because newer models came out.

Deals can be had, especially if you shop wisely. Going through my LHS gets me deals on everything now, all the way down to tape. The know all my gear and can help with all of it. They can even suggest what might not help me, which is always helpful.

So head down to your local hockey shop, buy all that gear, and sit around in it in your house for a few days. Everybody does it. Get used to wearing it. Get used to putting it on and taking it off. Adjust it so it feels right. Experiment. Then get on the ice with it. Chances are you'll see right away what works and what doesn't. Having good-fitting hockey gear improves your game, no doubt about that.