Brian's Optik 3 Chest Protector REVIEW

My name is Chris Dudo and I’m the Goalie Gear Snob.
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Check out my review of the ‪@goaliesonly‬ Optik 3 Chest Protector!
Instagram: / goaliesonly
This Chest Protector is a Demo made for NHL and Professional goalies to try out. Yes, this was sent over to a Dallas Stars goalie who famously wears another brand that starts with a B. There were no modifications on this unit and it is completely stock.
Thanks to Brad Johnson at Brian's for the hookup and the hoodie! If you have any questions on the gear, do not hesitate to send him a message on IG or on the Brian's account!
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Copyright free music by Nurture Nurture.
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Thanks to Avanti body jewelry for the custom 33mm plugs for my lobes!
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CHAPTERS:
0:00 Intro
0:39 Brad Johnson Appreciation Segment
1:09 Optik 3 is NHL Spec
1:54 New Dual Adjustment Points
2:30 New Stock Colorway
2:50 New Neck Protection
3:20 New SmartBlock Stomach Strap
5:14 New Shoulder Adjustment
6:25 New Elbow Cup/Arm Setup
7:24 New Rib/Stomach Protection
8:24 New Tapered Body Shape
8:58 Optik 2 VS Optik 3
9:55 Overall On Ice Thoughts
12:27 Small Specs Noticed
14:25 Anything I Didn't Like?
15:17 It is NHL Spec, Don't Forget
15:50 Neck Protection
17:06 Elbow/Arm Adjustments
18:27 Final Final Thoughts
21:18 Outro

[@normangaudet7919]

I have the Optik 2 and really love the fit, this one looks amazing, I like the all black. I would go back to Brian's, it fits my body style.

[@dudemcmann6936]

I just got my Optik 3 C/A in and it immediately felt weird. I was fighting the arms like crazy so I went back to watch this video again and get some adjustment tips. Lo and behold, it made me realize they put the arms on backward! I switched them around moved them down to the lower adjustment holes and it feels much better! This thing is still super stiff and going to take a few sessions to break in. Its huge and will require a little bit of change in my movements on the ice but that'll most likely come quick. Thanks for the video.

[@chrisxdudo]

Try and play in it with the arms backwards, just once. I wanna see how it works out haha

[@kevinrowley4320]

I remember an older model Brian’s I had that had similar Velcro side straps and the Velcro starting wearing out over time and wouldn’t stick anymore. Also wish they’d add the nylon fight strap to the backplate. I attach that to my pants on my custom optik 2

[@chrisxdudo]

This stomach strap design, IMO, will work waaaaay better overtime. I can’t see how it would fail.

[@sebastianrivera5912]

I was so excited to get this chest. Based off the size chart I should have been in a Medium but I like to size down my chest protectors so I went with a small. This thing was so big even with a smaller size. I could barely move and the arms were just way too long. After two skates I just gave up and sold it. Sucks because I love Brian’s

[@chrisxdudo]

You didn’t try it on at home to ensure it was a good fit? I’m just saying that you could have tried it on at home and returned it. Yeah it’s possible it sized big on you but sounds like you had a lot of time before taking it out on the ice, no?

[@sebastianrivera5912]

I’ll admit, I did try it on at home first. I live in an area with no real goalie specific stores so most the stuff I have to gamble on. I wanted to give the chest protector the benefit of doubt so I wanted to use it on the ice. It made me look bigger in net but it sacrificed a lot of my mobility so I sold it. Besides the goalie I sold it to says it works perfectly for him so I’m glad he got a brand new chest at a slight discount.

[@kylebrandon4486]

Is there any curve composite in the arms or belly area? Also is there customizer to beef the chest protector up more ? Thank you and keepbup the grest work !

[@chrisxdudo]

Curv composite was a Bauer exclusive only material. If you want added protection, I’m sure Brian’s would do it. Head to their website to customize the unit and then go to your retailer to order. I’d suggest Pure.

[@collink7145]

2 of my favorite things: gear reviews and midwest emo!

[@Christopher.Wunder]

What size is the protector in your review? I am struggling to decide what size(L or XL) to go with. I am 6’1” and 195. The Dallas goalie (J.O.)you referenced, do you know what glove break style(580,590,600) he uses?

[@chrisxdudo]

Where’s the fun in me answering? You have to guess!

[@Christopher.Wunder]

Is it the 600 style break?

[@chrisxdudo]

Just skipping the sizing? Alright! I have a Stars warmup video coming out in a week, you’ll have your question answered then!

[@dudemcmann6936]

Why does the NHL require that shoulder adjustment to be sewn down? This looks really solid. Brians has come a long way since the Altramax C/A I used to wear. Way back then that one wss considered the most protective C/A available but I still had some pieces added to it to improve kidney protection. I also hated the way the elbow pads laid on it. The elbows look great on this one. After the Altramax I went to another manufacturer but I'll probably pick one of these up now that im in the market for a new C/A

[@chrisxdudo]

Once measured, you are not allowed to tinker or adjust your gear as there is a possibility of cheating. Therefore almost all “adjustment” points are sewn down or removed.

[@dudemcmann6936]

@@chrisxdudo oh yeah, I keep forgetting those stupid goalie gear rules, as if everyone's going to go out an get Garth Snow specs and dominate the shooters. This alleged "cheating" didn't seem to work out for him very well. Oversized gear only makes a goalie better if he's good enough to move in it.

[@chrisxdudo]

The rules of proportional fitting gear have only made goalies better and more agile… but what do I know 😎

[@denisfrenchforwin]

Why am I doing it wrong if I don't tuck my chesty? Give me the pros and cons. Thanks I was a tucker for 2 decades and found that shots would leak into my body more frequently and my suspenders would push my shoulder blocks apart and expose my collor bones. When a I bought my last chesty, Genetik chest and optik arms I went to chest over and a Patrick Roy strap at the back. Now the air gap between my belly and chesty allows for extra cushion.

[@chrisxdudo]

Sounds like you need to watch my video on how to tuck your chest protector, with correct suspender attachments so you don’t experience those issues.

[@denisfrenchforwin]

@@chrisxdudo I saw it, good ideas in that video but specifically why tuck vs not? Personal preference I assume?

[@denisfrenchforwin]

@@chrisxdudo having done both methods in my 34 years of playing goal I've gone to the dark side lol. I feel this design might be difficult to not tuck due to the strapping.

[@henryhunt6048]

Hey brother - what pants do you use with these?

[@chrisxdudo]

In the on ice portion of the video, they were tucked into Vaughn V6 NHL Spec pants from Hunter Shepard of the Capitals.

[@coolboi2871]

Question what size is the chest protector you use

[@chrisxdudo]

Like the actual size of the model I wear? Or the Brian’s one in this video?

[@coolboi2871]

@@chrisxdudo the one you would use on ice because I’m trying to wonder if I am wearing too big of a chest protector right now I am 6,2 140 lbs Im really kind of skinny I am wondering if I should go down to a medium. Because the chest protector after 15 mins of ice time with it, it makes me feel like I am being suffocated by it. Do you think I should drop a size?