CCM’s 452 radioactive gloves sold like they were radioactive.
Written: Aug 15 '04 (Updated Aug 15 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Excellent quality, design and materials.
Cons: UGLEEEE!
The Bottom Line: If aren't vain about what you put on your hands, the radioactive 452 is a good quality glove for $50
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| puckmugger's Full Review: CCM HG 452 Radioactive |
Let me first bash any visions that you had of shady Middle Eastern characters snapping these up for unsavory uses. That’s not really what I meant by these gloves sold like were radioactive. My actual feeling on the matter were more of one that people didn’t really want to touch a pair of them, let alone pay for them.
▪ But why Uncle Scott?
In 2003 CCM’s 452 was actually a pretty decent glove for the money. The quality of the radioactive line was as good as that of the regular 452. In my opinion CCM had one of the best gloves available for about $50. The problem with the radioactive wasn’t the quality of the glove, or comfort, or durability. It was appearance.
CCM’s radioactive line was an attempt by The Hockey Company to increase their market share in the rapidly growing inline hockey segment. Inline players have a tendency toward more flashy gear. Where ice hockey has a long heritage of fairly conservative tradition, inline is embraced by a younger and slightly more radical crowd.
Many inline player have probably seen pro beach hockey - an attempt to fry all the participants alive by forcing them to play outdoors in sport court in miserable heat. The pro players in this league tended to wear bright almost neon colors with bold stripes. Beach hockey stood in stark contrast to the conservative hues of the NHL.
With this market in mind CCM launched the radioactive line which included Lifesaver candy colored helmets and the radioactive gloves. Ice hockey players by and large sniggered at the look. Inline players shrugged and purchased brands that were associated with inline such as Tour, Nexed and Mission. CCM’s diabolical scheme failed.
▪ What about the glove?
The 452 line was, as mentioned, an outstanding glove for the money. Don’t confuse this with the 2004 and newer 452 which is a mediocre glove at any price. The 2003 model however, was a full synthetic leather backed glove.
The palms of the 452 were Nash, a synthetic material of spun polyester that is excellent in durability and wicks water nicely. Nash is second only to Clarino for durability and comfort. This is an excellent palm for a $50 glove.
The fingers are all two-piece in 2003’s 452 line. This enables greater comfort and much quicker break-in time. The one disadvantage to two-piece fingers is slightly less protection. The gaps on the fingers when the hand is closed will sometimes get smacked by a stick or puck. Again, most gloves in the $50 price range will not have two-piece fingers.
One thing that some players have problems adjusting to with CCM gloves is the thumb lock. This is a hard shell on the back of the thumb section of the glove that minimizes thumb injuries by preventing hyperextension. It also minimizes normal movement of the thumb and numerous players have complained about it when trying on the gloves. I actually use another brand that employs a similar thumb and found the adjustment rather painless.
The 2003 models of the 452 were lined with coolmax. This is a premium wicking material that helps to keep the gloves cool and dry during play. It is a another nice feature not often found in a low priced glove.
▪ Specifics to the Radioactive line
CCM made the radioactive in a few different colors. However, common to all of these gloves was a slick paten leather look. This is why most ice hockey players walked right by even the black version of this glove. Hockey gloves aren’t traditionally shiny.
The colors that were available included, Black with Silver and Blue with Silver. Surprisingly these were not available in Neon Green with Yellow, Safety Orange with Black, or Candy Apple Red with Purple. Perhaps the lack of more garish color choices kept the inline crowd from fully embracing them. Who knows?
▪ Final Thoughts
Despite the radioactive being a little bit older model there are still quite a few of them on the market. As I mentioned, they didn’t sell well. So if you are looking for an inexpensive, good quality glove and don’t really care what it looks like, these might be the answer for you.
In all CCM built a fine entry-level glove. The only thing wrong with it was the package they put it in. They still run $50 a pair because despite their outward appearance, the 452 radioactives are as good as, if not better than, the other gloves you’ll find in that price range.
A few of my other reviews that you might find helpful:
Fitting and Selecting Hockey Protective Gear
CCM 852 Gloves
Koho 4440 Gloves
Recommended:
No
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