Bauer Vapor 3x Intermediate Goalie Leg Pads [Special Edition]

Bauer Vapor 3x Intermediate Goalie Leg Pads – Special Edition

Goalies Plus has done it again with our Special Edition version of the Bauer Vapor 3x lines.  We will be offering six unique color ways exclusive to Goalies Plus! These colors are in stock and ready to ship now!

The Bauer Vapor 3x is considered the hybrid style pad in the Bauer line.  Bauer has done a tremendous job creating a flexible pad that can be used by any hybrid type goalie.  The Vapor 3x pad has a great pre-curved  “s” shape that allows just about any goalie to seal the five hole.  Goalies with a narrow and medium butterfly width can use the Vapor pads and know they can still perform at the highest level.  Bauer also uses a CURV Composite material in the thigh rise which keeps the thigh rise stiff and not does not become prone to becoming soft and sloppy over time. The Vapor 3x goalie pad also has good lateral flex which again is ideal for the hybrid style goalie as the pad will move more independently (top, middle and bottom) compared to a stiffer blocking style pad. The boot of the Bauer Vapor 3x pad uses a stock 110 degree break.  Again this is the softest boot Bauer offers and it provides the most mobility possible.

Looking at some new features of the Bauer Vapor Hyperlite goalie leg pads; weight is the first noticeable difference compared to past generations of Vapor pads.  Bauer was able to decrease weight on the new Vapor 3x by reducing the overall profile of the pad.  The 2021 Vapor pad will also be using a Stabiliflex knee block system.  The Stabiliflex is very similar to the Stabilislide knee block on the Bauer Supreme pads but with more flex.  This knee block system has been proven to provide greater stability to the goalie in the butterfly position and also moving laterally in the butterfly slide techniques.  The Stabiliflex also provides a better overall seal to the ice surface.  The stock knee wing on the Vapor 3x is removable, so if the goalie prefers the knee strapping to be angled versus behind the knee – this flap can be easily removed.

Also new for 2021 is the balance plate located on the inner calf area of the pad.  The balance plate creates a stable surface for the lower leg to rest on while in the different butterfly techniques.  By adding better overall balance to the goalies center position, techniques can be performed quicker and more precise because of this new balance plate.

The skin and core of the Bauer Vapor 3x has also been updated for 2021.  Bauer has introduced the C.O.R. Tech Plus material for the new Vapor 3x pad.  This new material has better durability then previous generation Bauer C.O.R. materials.  Along with being more durable, the C.O.R. Plus has great stability when the goalie is moving laterally in the various butterfly techniques. The new core will feature the Rebound Boost Core which is flexible for the hybrid goalie but also provides extremely active rebounds off the face of the 3x pads.

The strapping system on the Bauer Vapor 3x features the Tune Fit 2.0.  The Tune Fit 2.0 is an elastic and velcro strapping system that allows the goalie to customize the fit of the pad in a matter of seconds.

In the toe area, Bauer will continue to use the bungee cord system from past generations of Vapor and Supreme goalie pads. For years manufactures have used a skate lace to connect the toe of the pad to the toe of the skate. In recent years, after market bungee toe tie products have become very popular because they allow the toe of the pad to stretch from the toe of the skate with an elastic type effect. This stretching and recoiling improves the recovery process and creates more power pushes for the goalie. This toe system also takes pressure off the goalies ankles, knees and hips because it eliminates the quick stop and jerk process that skate lace has when it runs out of slack.

Custom colors available at Goalies Plus: White, Red & Black – White base color with red graphic and black spikes running through the graphic.  Black, Orange, White – Black & White base color with Orange graphic and white spikes running through the graphic.  White, Sport Gold & Black – White & Black base color with Sport Gold graphic with black spikes running through the graphic. Vasilevski – White base color with blue graphic and white spikes running through the graphic.  All Black – Black base with black graphic and black spikes running through the graphic.  Black & Red – Black and Red base color with a black graphic with red spikes running through the graphic.  Stock White – All White base color with white graphic and silver spikes running through the graphic (back of the pad is white nylon).   Custom White – All White base color with white graphic and white spikes running through the graphic (back of the pad is black nylon).

The Bauer Vapor 3x is a high level goal pad.  Recommended for A thru AAA travel level goalies.

Bauer Vapor 3x Intermediate Goalie Leg Pad Features:

• Model Year: 2021
• Special Edition: Six unique colors exclusive to Goalies Plus
• Pad Flex: Dynamic Flex – Break above and below knee
• Outer Material: C.O.R. Tech Plus
• Core Insert: Rebound Boost Core with CURV Composite Thigh Rise
• Knee Block Construction: Stabiliflex Knee Block With Connekt+ Grip
• Knee Wing Options: Adjustable
• Strapping System: Tune Fit 2.0 System
• Boot Flex: Free Flex 110 Degree
• Toe System: Offset Elastic Toe Tie
• Calf Wrap: Aerolite with Abrasion Resistant Material
• Calf Plate: New Balance Plate (Calf Pillow)
• Sizing:
  • X-Small = 29+
  • Small = 30+
  • Medium = 31+
  • Large = 32+

Difference between the Bauer Vapor & Supreme Goalie Pads

The main difference comes down to the Bauer Vapor being a hybrid style goalie pad and the Bauer Supreme being a blocking style or butterfly style goalie pad.  The Vapor goalie pad is a softer pad with more horizontal flex and lateral flex while still keeping a stiff face for maximum puck rebound.  The Vapor pad has more pre-curve “S” shape to the pad, this allows a goalie with a narrower butterfly technique to opportunity close the five hole completely.  The Vapor pad also has a thinner profile compared to a Supreme pad.The boot flex of the Vapor pad is a stock 100 degree versus the stock 125 degree of the Supreme.  The Vapor pad comes stock with a Stabiliflex knee block while the Supreme comes stock with the Stabilislide knee block.

The Supreme goalie pad is much more rigid with only one break below the knee, this makes the Supreme pad much stiffer all around. This stiff flex gives the Supreme pad a “L” shape – straight from boot to bottom of the knee and then straight from bottom of the knee to top of the pad.  This design is best for a goalie with a wide butterfly technique – an example being a goalie like Ben Bishop of the Dallas Stars.