True vs. Warrior Goalie Gloves & Blockers: Help Me Choose!

[@TOMBUCK2]

Quick Update: I took the True gear to a Stick and Puck and did NOT like the glove at all. The shape of the pocket is really nice, but the stiffness/break angle/ and overall feel were not up my alley. Stick handling was weird too because I felt it put a lot of pressure specifically on my thumb rather than my whole hand when trying to make long passes/clears. So I returned the True's I kept the Warriors because they were so cheap on sale and I can rely on what I 'm getting. But I also ordered a Vaughn SLR4 Pro glove just to try...and I'm REALLY impressed. It has a 60 degree break, which I've never used but fits my hand really well. It seems to be the winner for me!

[@nabby5030]

As someone that has used the True 9x3 glove after using a warrior G4 Pro for several years. I liked it but didn’t love it. The leather thumb loop dug into my skin and could not play more than 1 game per day with it. I have tried finding another glove but haven’t had much luck. I have tried Vaughn V10 and SLR4, Brian’s Optik 4, True 9x3, Bauer Mach, Bauer x5 pro, Bauer hyperlite 1 and 2, and the CCM Axis XF. I keep going back to the warrior. I finally just ordered a Warrior G7 RTL this week and plan on installing a skate lace pocket myself when I get it. There is something about the warriors wrist mobility that feels good to me. Being able to freely move your wrist and place the glove in any position needed is something most other gloves do not do well. I have also not found another glove that seals the ice better when covering a puck. On the blocker side, I’m not a huge fan of Warrior blockers due to the flatness of the board. The warrior 7.1 blocker has a bit more curve to it so that might work for me but I prefer Bauer blockers right now. I’m using the Bauer x5 pro blocker and pads and Warrior G4 Pro glove (soon to be a G7 RTL). At the end of the day it is all personal preference. As for the general feel of modern gloves: Most modern gloves have a tighter hand feel. They loosen over time. I’ve broken in 2 Bauer Mach blockers and both started very tight but break in fine.

[@TOMBUCK2]

This is REALLY helpful, thank you! I think getting the RTL glove might end up being my ultimate move since it has the Warrior feel that seems to work for me, but should be a bit more solid and protective than the base model. I'd love skate lace too, but haven't had the guts to give it a try 😬 I'm actually curious about the Bauer blockers since I've heard great things. My favorite NHL goalie is Joey Daccord who's been using all True gear for years, but switched to a Bauer blocker this year (he said it was because of how much "pop" and control Jake Oettinger had with his rebounds on a Bauer).

[@donbullock-techihound]

Tom, I’m sorry that I can’t really help. The closest I ever got to playing hockey was broom hockey for fun with come college friends back in the late 1960s. Have fun.

[@TOMBUCK2]

Haha, no worries. I'm guessing gear might've evolved a bit since then 😁

[@donbullock-techihound]

@ our only equipment was rental scares and a broom we brought from home. There was no padding or helmets. Our “puck” was a rubber ball about the size of a volleyball. 😁 Yes, I remember being whacked in the head by the ball.

[@exposurebar-andrewhoyle]

Happy belated Thanksgiving Tom. I’m just about to sit down and have my family dinner. My cousin said he always liked the Warrior gear, but the True gear is a nice option too (he also said sorry he wasn’t able to give a deciding answer).

[@TOMBUCK2]

Haha, appreciate the feedback! It's tough to go wrong I guess? I'm just trying to take advantage of all these current sales while also trying to find a way to upgrade and reduce "break-in" time. 😁

[@TheGreatbigsteve]

My son is a goalie. Warrior has the reputation of being the easiest glove to break in.

[@TOMBUCK2]

I think that seems to be true (ironic that it isn't true for the True)

[@sabre3200]

I'm also pretty new to the position, but I've had opportunities to use some True and Warrior gear on "test rides." Personally True is more comfortable and I feel it performs better. Gloves will pretty much always feel stiff new, and there's a couple pretty good ways to break them in that aren't too difficult or time consuming. I'm also a big fan of double-t pockets because I feel like I can see the puck better in them. I wear basically all Bauer gear currently so I can't say much about the long-term.

[@TOMBUCK2]

This is really helpful! Thanks for the insight!

[@My_Kraft_Room]

The Warrior catcher is still the best catcher that my kiddos have used playing goal. They have used CCM and Bauer. A sports store that also sells baseball gloves should also be able to soften the catcher you like the most for you. I used to recommend, to my goalies, all white goalie gear as the players are just looking for open net to score on aka white ice.

[@TOMBUCK2]

Yeah, Warrior seems to be the winner. I did return the Trues because the glove just did NOT work for me on the ice, but I then got the Vaughn SLR4, which I quite like but still needs some getting used to. I didn't realize what a huge difference a new break angle would make! For games, I've been sticking with the Warrior because it just gets the job done and works. It might be a case of "if it ain't broke don't fix it" 😁

[@willgerrol8937]

It takes over a month to break in true gloves but after it breaks in it closes like butter

[@kylebrandon4486]

If your looking for the best protection i would get top end glove for the warrior. I would say you can save money on the pads and blocker since you wont feel pucks. The glove is the one thing i would always say to get the top model so in this case the G7.1 You wont have any stingers and youll still have that easy open a close feel warrior is known for !

[@TOMBUCK2]

That's actually probably the most practical route. I did upgrade form entry level Warrior knee pads and chest protector to the Pro+ versions a while back and even though they look pretty much the same the level of protection is kind of unreal.

[@kylebrandon4486]

@@TOMBUCK2 yes I would agree the price tag might be high but the protection and the life span of the gear will last longer !

[@gj4250]

I’ve been playing goal for 27 years and looking to go either True 7x3 for everything or Warrior G6+

[@TOMBUCK2]

The True glove just did NOT suit me, as much as I love the design/style. I've been sticking with the Warrior and it's been great. I did also get a Vaughn SLR4, which I'm liking (super different break angle) but still needs to be broken in a bit more before I can feel totally comfortable.

[@atlaskicoyyymedo]

Warrior is better fir begginers but if you are more elite then true is the way to go

[@Elijah_heywood]

i have been a goalie for 6 years

[@Elijah_heywood]

i would pick the new warrior and new true and then brake them both in and then use one as game glove (warrior) then use the true as practice glove and i play goalie almost every day i practice but thats just me my gear sucks and is already broken in so that could e one thing

[@TOMBUCK2]

Great plan, thank you!

[@Elijah_heywood]

but i love your gear if you don't or you do but you should bye the brians optik or the brians net zero 3

[@SeanCosgrove1]

A blocker is a blocker. Get one that feels good that is the same color as your set and save a couple hundred dollars.

[@TOMBUCK2]

Yeahthat's pretty much how it seems. I'm leaning towards sticking with the Warriors since I like them and they match.

[@Elijah_heywood]

out of my 10 years of life

[@TOMBUCK2]

DANG! That's awesome! I wish I was a goalie for 60% of my life!

[@Elijah_heywood]

and the pads sell in my opinion Vaghn sucks and brians and bauer are good

[@TOMBUCK2]

I'm actually really liking my Vaighns! But I'd be super curious to try Brians since a lot of people say good things about them.