CCM Extreme Flex E4.5 Junior Goalie Leg Pads

CCM Extreme Flex E4.5 Junior Goalie Leg Pads

New for 2019 is the CCM Extreme Flex 3.5 Junior goalie leg pads. There are some very noticeable differences in the new CCM Extreme Flex 4.5 compared to past generations.  The most noticeable difference in the new Extreme Flex 4.5 Goalie pads vs. the 2017 Extreme Flex 3.5 is weight.  The 2019 version comes in at 20% lighter.  This is because of the new DualLiteCore.  This core is very similar to the 2018 Premier Litecore in weight but they do have performance differences.  The main performance difference is the DualLiteCore has a torsional flex foam in the upper part of the pad (from the bottom of the knee up) which allows the pad to have more lateral flex.  This lateral flex allows the pad to move more independently with the goalie and helps eliminate the feeling of the pad being to stiff or binding the goalie up. This type of pad is generally preferred by hybrid style goalies.  One thing we noticed with the new DualLiteCore vs. the older core in the 2017 series was elimination of the need for a double break.  In the 2017 generation of the Extreme Flex 3 pads, we offered a double break version because the double break allowed for more flex in the pad from the bottom of knee and up.  With the new DualLiteCore, the flex is built into the pad and therefore eliminates the need for that double break.

Another noticeable new feature of the Extreme Flex 4.5 vs. past generations is the strapping systems.  The 2019 Extreme Flex series has gone to all elastic strapping in the knee and calf areas. This elastic strapping allows the pad to be worn tighter on the goalies leg while allowing the pad to rotate properly when the goalie goes into the butterfly position.  Goalies like the tighter feel while adding performance value, it also makes putting the pads on and taking them off very fast and easy.  The elimination of the leather straps also helps reduce the overall weight of the pads.

Also new for 2019 is a new toe tie bungee system. For years manufactures like CCM 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 of a goalie but 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.

The CCM Extreme Flex series is made for the “hybrid” or athletic style goalie.  Goalies that want movement and flexibility choose this style of pad. The CCM Extreme Flex E4.5 Junior Goalie Leg Pads are recommended for Rec thru AAA hockey levels.

CCM Extreme Flex E4.5 Junior Goalie Leg Pad Features:

• Model Year: 2019
• Outer Flex – Single break for maximum coverage.
• Inner Flex – Pre-curved with single break in the core. Creates the classic s-shape for optimum five hole coverage.
• Boot Angle – 90 Degree angle creates flexibility for power pushes.
• Boot Channel – Deep Ultra Soft for comfort and increased pad rotation.
• Leg Channel / Calf Strap Option – Tight fit with no calf strap. Lightweight setup with an optimized QMSS at calf for a quick response.
• Knee Strap Option – No strap – 2″ elastic knee for a custom fit.
• Knee Cradle – Recessed foam with removable knee cradle wrap. Deeper knee cradle to help close the 5-hole quicker!
• Knee Raiser – Nylon / PE foam helps to seal the pad to the ice
• Core – Dualite CoreTtechnology – Lightweight goal pad featuring dual flex profile design for quicker transition into the butterly position.

CCM Extreme Flex Series Pads Vs. CCM Premier Series Pads

Understanding the differences in CCM goalie pads can be a huge advantage when purchasing new pads. CCM makes two very distinct lines of pads – the E-Flex and the Premier Series. The CCM E-Flex is made with the hybrid and athletic style goalie in mind. These pads have knee rolls and one break in the vertical roll to help promote more flexibility in the pad.  The 2019 Extreme Flex pads use a new torsional flex foam in the upper portion of the pad (bottom of the knee up) which creates lateral flex in the upper part of the pad.  Lateral flex being defined as a twisting motion in the pads. The lateral flex allows the pad to move more independently with the goalie and is generally preferred by hybrid style goalies. Another difference is in the boot angle, the Extreme Flex uses a 90 degree boot angle vs. a 60 degree angle in the Premier. In general, the Extreme Flex goalie pads are a softer all around pad compared to a Premier.

The CCM Premier goal pads are a flat faced pad made for the blocking style or “butterfly” style goalie. The Premier series pads have been around for years (formerly under the Reebok Premier name). The Premier pad is directed towards a goalie that likes to use the butterfly technique for a majority of their save selections and make themselves as big as possible. As far as a flat face style pad goes, the CCM Premier has been the number one choice of pro’s for more than a decade.  The characteristics of the Premier pad are very different from the E-Flex pads.  First this pad is made to maximize coverage and allows the goalie to make themselves as big as possible – particularly in the butterfly technique.  This pad has little to no lateral flex in the pad – if the top of the pad is twisting, then the middle and bottom of the pad are also twisting or moving (the entire pad tends to work as one solid unit).  This takes some movement away but is does create maximum coverage.  Generally the Premier comes with one or no breaks on the outer roll.  This is because the pad is to remain stiff to maximize coverage.  If you need a double break on a Premier pad – more then likely this is not the pad for you. The Premier pad is built to maximize coverage and a narrow butterfly technique does not allow the pad to maximize coverage therefore the main benefit of this pad would be eliminated.  However for the goalie looking to create maximum coverage, the Premier pad is ideal.

One main similarity between both the Extreme Flex and the Premier series is the structural integrity of both series.  The core of both series provide the vertical strength needed to execute the butterfly technique properly.  Each core provides stability, energy transfer, durability and a solid seal to the ice surface.  Regardless of your classification of style, these elements are vital to any high performing goalie pad.

Choosing The Correct Size & Style For A Young Goalie

Parents have a difficult job when purchasing new goalie pads for a younger goalie. They want to get the best gear they can to help their child fulfill their potential and they also don’t want gear that the goalie will grow out of right away. Finding that balance can be very difficult, however the goalie manufactures do a very nice job keeping most youth, junior and intermediate goalie pads on par with each other price wise and generally quality wise. You will not see large differences in price ranges within these three categories. The youth size is what we would consider your 4 to 7/8 year old goalies.  The junior size would be the 8 to 11/12 year old goalie.  The intermediate size would be for the 11 to 14/15 year old goalie.  As you go from youth to junior and then junior to intermediate, the quality of materials get better and you will see more protection as you move up. Obviously you are going to have younger bigger kids in larger categories  vs. their actual age and smaller older kids wearing lower categories vs. their actual age.  This cannot be avoided, sometimes the goalie is large or small for their age.  These are general rules of thumb and the actual size of the goalie will determine the final selection.

The decision of what goalie pad to buy really comes down to what type of goalie they are and their particular style of play. Most hybrid goalies – meaning goalies that tend to make saves with several different methods and techniques generally like goalie pads with extra breaks and knee rolls on the face of the pad. This allows the pad to be more flexible and move with the goalie easier in these different motions. Most butterfly oriented goalies tend to like flat face pads which tend to be more stiff and help utilize the butterfly technique. Although the butterfly is not a style of play but rather a technique, goalies are generally categorized as a butterfly goalie if they use this method on the majority of saves they make. These simple suggestions can go a long way in determining what type of pad to purchase for a young goalie.