Earlier this year, I brought you a review of the Brians Sub-Zero Goalie Leg Pads, where I said they were among the best I have ever used in my 18 years of playing goalie. This time around, I turn the review process to the matching glove and blocker. I’ve had the gear for a while and after playing with it on a weekly basis for a few months, now is a perfect time to give a fair assessment of the glove and blocker. Just like other top-model Brian’s equipment, the Sub Zero line is crafted and made in Canada.
Glove
Features:
- FULL PRO SPEC CONSTRUCTION
- DEEP SINGLE, TRIPLE DIAMOND T WEB
- RIGID T TOP AIDS IN DIRECTING PUCKS INTO POCKET
- THREE FLEX POINTS IN T, ALLOWS FOR QUICK BREAK IN
- ULTRA-LIGHTWEIGHT AND PRO BALANCED
- PRO INTERNAL PADDING
- INTERNAL GEL-TEK PALM ELIMINATES STINGERS
- TRI-POINT VELCRO HAND HARNESS
- NEW INTERNAL SBA MATERIAL WITH IMPROVED GRIP WHEN WET
- INNER WRIST PAD LOCK KEEPS HAND SECURE
- AIRKNIT INTERNAL FINGERS
- INTERNAL ELASTIC STRAP FOR CUSTOM FIT FINGERS
- WIDE CUFF OPENING FOR BETTER ARM AND BODY INTERACTION
- ONE PIECE THUMB AND CUFF DESIGN PROVIDES A STABLE BLOCKING SURFACE
- CUSTOM COLORS AVAILABLE
- CUSTOM GRAPHICS AVAILABLE
Design
The design of the glove is very modern and futuristic. The one-piece design between the glove and the wrist is something that is starting to become more standard and common in gloves. I loved it because it still has the necessary wrist break on the inside to allow your wrist to flex and bend. I also like the amount of Velcro straps inside the glove that will bring you a true custom fit. There are five straps that can be easily adjusted. Three of the straps are easily visible and seen from the outside while the other two are inside the glove and are hidden from view. One design feature I love is the rigid T web design. It allows the glove to be easily flexed while keeping the puck inside the webbing.
One feature I really like is the sweat band at the hand and wrist area. The SBA material is designed to provide increased grip when wet. This is key for goalies who have hands that tend to sweat a lot. Personally, my hands sweat more when playing inline compared to ice. I’ve played it on both surfaces and I haven’t experienced a significant decrease in grip when trying to catch pucks.
The only design flaw I am critical of is the smaller sweat band on the wrist. I like that it’s there, but I wish it had been Velcro down to the body of the glove because it would ride up my hand when I would insert it into the glove. If I had to quickly put my hand back inside the glove after getting a drink of water it would cause small discomfort until I was able to wiggle my arm/wrist back and forth until it got settled back in.
Durability:
Designed to take a beating already, the glove has stood the short term test of time. I’ve taken several shots at the glove and I have not experienced any significant wear and tear. The weight of the glove is fairly light compared to most top of the line gloves. Out of the box it comes already broken in. If you want to, it can be heat treated for an even more broken in and custom fit.
My only problem with the durability of the glove is at times pucks that hit the palm of the glove have popped prior to the webbing of the glove closing. I can’t attribute it to the glove still being new/stiff but it happened often in the first handful of times using it but it has not happened as often recently.
Blocker
Features:
- ULL PRO SPEC CONSTRUCTION
- BINDING-LESS FACE FOR INCREASED COVERAGE
- RIGID, ULTRA-LIGHTWEIGHT HIGH DENSITY BLOCKER BOARD
- FLARED TOP ELIMINATES SKIP OVER
- THICK SPONGE PILLOW ABSORBS SHOCK ON BACK OF HAND
- LARGE SIDEWALL WITH DUAL DENSITY HD FOAMS
- AIR PILLOW IN SIDEWALL FOR SHOCK ABSORPTION
- HIGH DENSITY WRAP AROUND FINGER PROTECTION
- EXTENDED FINGER TIP PADS
- NEW SBA MATERIAL WITH IMPROVED GRIP WHEN WET
- NASH PALM WITH AIRKNIT MESH FINGER GUSSETS
- BEVELED NOSE FOR PADDLE DOWN PLAY
- ADJUSTABLE VELCRO WRIST STRAP
- CUSTOM COLORS AVAILABLE
- CUSTOM GRAPHICS AVAILABLE
Design:
I love the design of the blocker. It has a large blocking surface, which makes it difficult for shooters to shoot the puck on my stick side. In addition, it has the same color (white) side protection on the inside, which prevents shots from hitting my hand and wrist area. I haven’t used a blocker ever that has this much hand protection. There is even protection for the fingertips. The finger protection features one individually for the index finger then a larger pad for the other three fingers.
With the thumb protection it has a soft mesh material on the inside for ventilation and a thicker pad on the sidewall of the thumb area. There is also a removable-Velcro pad (the air pillow mentioned under features) if you desire mobility over protection. The palm area is reinforced to prevent tear in the area where the hand holds the stick.
My only complaint about the blocker is that the stiff, hard thumb pad makes it difficult to grip a water bottle when trying to take a drink. It is tolerable when the bottle is full but as the bottle becomes empty it’s harder to grip and squeeze the bottle.
Durability:
After using it for several months it’s held up quite nicely. besides the normal puck marks there isn’t much wear and tear. One area I pay particular attention to is the palm. As I mentioned under design, the reinforced palm prevents major tears and wear from where I hold my stick.
I also love the various shock-absorbing features on the blocker. The pillow pad inside the area where the back of the hand goes also features a material that molds to the hand after usage. Their exclusive E-Foam technology is also used in the blocker, meaning that the foam padding will not shrink or change shape over time.
