True Catalyst Catalyst 9X3
MidRetail Catalyst; intermediate-grade with similar profile to pro
Base price: $849·Style: butterfly·Level ceiling: AAA·Sizing: true
The Catalyst 9X3 is the retail mid-tier of True's Catalyst line — same architecture and profile as the 9X3 Pro above it, stepping down to intermediate-grade materials and a simplified strapping configuration. Junior, intermediate, and senior sizing. At $849 it's the most complete mid-tier pad in the catalog on build quality alone.
True's attention to detail doesn't disappear at the retail tier. The 9X3 gets the same Catalyst geometry — butterfly profile with a softer-than-average feel for hybrid-accessible play — at intermediate core grade. The strapping is simplified from the Pro's full multi-point system but still better than competing mid-tier options from Bauer or CCM.
The direct comparison: Bauer Vapor X3 at $599 is $250 cheaper and has better resale. The 9X3 at $849 has better durability, better build quality, and better strapping. For goalies who keep pads 3+ seasons, the 9X3 wins on total cost of ownership. For goalies who sell and upgrade annually, the Bauer's resale advantage matters.
Best for: AAA butterfly goalies who want the best mid-tier build quality available; goalies who hold pads for multiple seasons and want True's durability reputation in the Catalyst profile.
Not ideal for: goalies who prioritize resale (Bauer X3 sells faster); anyone who'd be fine with the HZRDUS 7X-L95 at $750 if butterfly stiffness is the priority.
Scores
Score breakdown
durability
5/5Best-in-class durability for mid-tier. True's manufacturing quality at retail tier beats every other brand at this price point. Intermediate-grade core is higher quality than CCM or Bauer mid-tier cores.
mobility
4/5Intermediate-grade Catalyst profile is lighter than the Pro tier without being as fast as Bauer's lightweight emphasis. Appropriate for AAA speeds.
rebound
4/5Softer than HZRDUS-line pads, closer to the Catalyst's hybrid-accessible design intent. Solid for AAA butterfly play, not class-leading rebound pop.
sliding
4/5True's slide system is consistent across the lineup — slightly behind Vaughn and Brian's, better than CCM Speedskin. Appropriate for the tier.
comfort
5/5True's strapping quality at retail is better than any competing brand at mid-tier. Best-rated comfort for a junior/intermediate/senior mid-tier pad.
value
5/5Strong value given the build quality premium. At $849 versus the Bauer X3 at $599, the $250 premium buys real durability and strapping improvements.
resale
4/5True's growing brand presence means better resale than two or three years ago. Still behind Bauer's dominant used-market position.