Goalie Pads, Ranked

33 pads from 6 brands. Sorted by composite score (sum of 7 axes, max 35).

Senior prices shown where the model is offered in senior; otherwise category and base price. How we score.

1. #1

   True Catalyst Catalyst 9X3

   $849 sr31/35

   Top axes: durability (5/5), comfort (5/5). Retail Catalyst; intermediate-grade with similar profile to pro

   ⚠ Best build quality in mid-tier; True's attention to detail consistently praised

2. #2

   True HZRDUS HZRDUS 7X-L95

   $750 sr31/35

   Top axes: durability (5/5), rebound (5/5). 30% stiffer than budget norm, 110-deg boot, modern technique

   ⚠ Community favorite at $750; 30% stiffer than budget norms

3. #3

   True HZRDUS HZRDUS 9X4

   $1,500 sr30/35

   Top axes: durability (5/5), rebound (5/5). Stiffest core line from True; max rebound output

   ⚠ Stiffest core True makes; ice seal and stability community-rated unmatched

4. #4

   True Catalyst Catalyst 9X3 Pro

   $1,499 sr30/35

   Top axes: durability (5/5), rebound (5/5). Pro tier Catalyst; stiff core, NHL-favored construction

   ⚠ Pro-spec construction; market-leading strapping

5. #5

   Bauer Vapor Vapor HyperLite 2

   $1,399 sr30/35

   Top axes: mobility (5/5), rebound (5/5). Pro tier; ultra-light streamlined profile

   ⚠ Excellent durability + mobility combo; Bauer's most popular pro pad

6. #6

   Vaughn Velocity Velocity V10

   $749 sr30/35

   Top axes: sliding (5/5), comfort (5/5). Mid-tier V10; legitimate performance at half flagship cost

   ⚠ Half flagship cost, legitimate performance — strong value pick

7. #7

   Bauer Vapor Vapor X3

   $599 sr30/35

   Top axes: value (5/5), resale (5/5). Mid-tier Vapor; balanced stiffness and weight

   ⚠ Best mid-tier value across all brands

8. #8

   Warrior Ritual G7 Ritual G7

   $599 sr30/35

   Top axes: mobility (5/5), comfort (5/5). Value G7; transition tier from youth, top-end performance for the price

   ⚠ Strong value pick; 4lb 8oz weight is class-leading; 180-day warranty

9. #9

   True Catalyst Catalyst Nitro Pro

   $2,199 sr29/35

   Top axes: mobility (5/5), rebound (5/5). New 2026 Catalyst flagship; SCF foam, PCS toe bridge, adjustable knee stack

   ⚠ New 2026 flagship; True's build quality consistently rated highest in community

10. #10

    Vaughn VX1 Velocity VX1 Pro Carbon

    $1,400 sr29/35

    Top axes: rebound (5/5), sliding (5/5). Hybrid sister line to V10; recessed knee cradle for power pushes

    ⚠ Hybrid sister to V10 with stiffer core for power pushes

11. #11

    Warrior Ritual G7 Ritual G7 Pro

    $1,249 sr29/35

    Top axes: mobility (5/5), comfort (5/5). Top retail G7; 75-degree break, removable liner

    ⚠ Top retail tier; 75-degree break, removable liner; 180-day warranty

12. #12

    Brian's Optik Optik 4 Pro

    $949 sr29/35

    Top axes: rebound (5/5), sliding (5/5). Prior-gen Optik flagship; still strong stiff-core option

    ⚠ Prior-gen flagship still strong; same slide tech as X4

13. #13

    Bauer Vapor Vapor FlyLite

    $1,899 sr28/35

    Top axes: mobility (5/5), rebound (5/5). Lightest Bauer pad ever; firm core, explosive movement

    ⚠ New 2026 flagship — no long-term data yet; Bauer SL1D3R slide tech is solid

14. #14

    Warrior Ritual G7 Ritual G7 RTL

    $1,500 sr28/35

    Top axes: mobility (5/5), rebound (5/5). Pro-spec Warrior; HyperComp internals, semi-hinge boot, custom-grade

    ⚠ Pro-spec HyperComp build; 180-day warranty (shorter than industry norm)

15. #15

    Brian's Optik Optik X4

    $1,399 sr28/35

    Top axes: rebound (5/5), sliding (5/5). Top of Optik line; MAX Core profile, aggressive precurve, Primo-Slide edges

    ⚠ MAX Core stiff profile; Primo-Slide inner edges (similar to Vaughn QuickSlide)

16. #16

    Vaughn Velocity Velocity V10 Pro

    $1,299 sr28/35

    Top axes: sliding (5/5), comfort (5/5). Pro tier V10; recessed knee cradle, hybrid feel

    ⚠ Direct knee stack improves durability; QuickSlide best slide tech available

17. #17

    CCM Axis A2.9

    $649 sr28/35

    Top axes: rebound (5/5), value (5/5). Mid-tier Axis; intermediate-grade core for AA-AAA

    ⚠ Best value in CCM Axis line; same edge-splitting concern as rest of Axis

18. #18

    Brian's Iconik Iconik 2

    $1,800 sr27/35

    Top axes: mobility (5/5), sliding (5/5). Modern butterfly flagship; lighter refined core, customizable flex profiles

    ⚠ New 2026 line; lightest Brian's pad ever, BRI-CORE Triaxle carbon thigh rise

19. #19

    Vaughn Velocity Velocity V10 Pro Carbon

    $1,799 sr27/35

    Top axes: sliding (5/5), comfort (5/5). Top-end carbon construction; hybrid-friendly Velocity profile

    ⚠ Carbon composite improves durability + pop; QuickSlide system best-in-class

20. #20

    Bauer Vapor Vapor X4

    Junior + Intermediate — $39927/35

    Top axes: resale (5/5), durability (4/5). Value Vapor; consumer construction

    ⚠ Solid value-tier; consumer-grade construction holds up well

21. #21

    Bauer Supreme Supreme Shadow

    $1,899 sr26/35

    Top axes: resale (5/5), mobility (4/5). Replaced Mach as Supreme flagship; mid-flex butterfly with hybrid feel, ShockLite+ foams

    ⚠ Replaced Mach with mid-flex butterfly profile; community split on whether softer profile suits Supreme line

22. #22

    CCM Axis A3.9

    $1,199 sr26/35

    Top axes: rebound (5/5), mobility (4/5). Top retail Axis; stiff core for explosive butterfly

    ⚠ Reports of edge splitting within 1-2 seasons — verify warranty terms

23. #23

    CCM Tacks Tacks Team

    $999 sr26/35

    Top axes: mobility (4/5), rebound (4/5). Mid-tier of new Tacks line; team-grade build

    ⚠ New 2026 line — no long-term community data yet

24. #24

    True Catalyst Catalyst 7X-L87 Heritage

    $949 sr26/35

    Top axes: durability (4/5), rebound (4/5). Heritage-styled Catalyst; classic look with current internals

    ⚠ Heritage-styled with current internals; niche aesthetic

25. #25

    CCM Tacks Tacks Pro

    $1,899 sr25/35

    Top axes: rebound (5/5), mobility (4/5). V-shape thin profile, ADAPTIFIT 360 strapping, new 2026 design

    ⚠ New 2026 line — no long-term community data yet

26. #26

    CCM Axis Axis XF Total Custom

    $1,800 sr25/35

    Top axes: rebound (5/5), mobility (4/5). Top of Axis line; LiteXCore with internal break, DRS Pro adjustable knee

    ⚠ Custom build improves QC; Axis line has reports of edge splitting

27. #27

    CCM Axis A1.9

    $449 sr24/35

    Top axes: value (5/5), rebound (4/5). Value Axis; consumer-grade core, basic strapping

    ⚠ Edge-splitting concern; consumer-grade core

28. #28

    Bauer Prodigy Prodigy

    Junior only — $16024/35

    Top axes: durability (4/5), value (4/5). True beginner pad; multiple sizes for kids trying out goalie

    ⚠ Beginner pad — overbuilt for the purpose, lasts kids 2-3 seasons

29. #29

    CCM EFlex EFlex 7

    $1,199 sr23/35

    Top axes: mobility (4/5), value (4/5). Retail tier of EFlex; softer feel than Axis, hybrid-friendly

    ⚠ Soft core known to break sooner than competing hybrid lines (Vaughn V10)

30. #30

    Brian's Optik Optik 9.0

    $549 sr23/35

    Top axes: sliding (4/5), value (4/5). Older Optik; entry-real-features tier

    ⚠ Older Optik; entry-real-features tier

31. #31

    Bauer GSX GSX

    $400 sr23/35

    Top axes: value (4/5), resale (4/5). Bauer's recreational line; budget-friendly retail tier

    ⚠ Bauer's recreational line; reasonable durability for budget

32. #32

    CCM Axis F5

    Junior only — $29923/35

    Top axes: value (4/5), resale (4/5). Entry-level junior pad; soft core for beginners

    ⚠ Junior-only entry pad; expect 1-2 seasons of use

33. #33

    CCM EFlex EFlex 7 Pro

    $1,899 sr21/35

    Top axes: mobility (4/5), resale (4/5). DUALITECORE soft profile, Cross Glide Technology, spring 2026 release

    ⚠ Soft core known to break sooner than competing hybrid lines (Vaughn V10); CCM warranty service has poor reputation