Itech 4.8 Goalie Trapper: Another winner for Itech
Written: Apr 23 '04 (Updated Dec 13 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great value and quality, assorted graphics
Cons: Off shelf break in might be difficult for some players
The Bottom Line: The X-factor 4.8 is a good quality glove and strong value for novice and low level intermediate goalies.
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| puckmugger's Full Review: ITECH 4.8 X-Factor Goalie Catch Glove |
Itech had a stigma for a long time. The gear that they made was both priced cheaply and built cheaply. It was gear for little kids, not for serious players of any age. Their player helmets looked funny, their goalie pads looked inferior (and were). Only their goalie helmets and accessories were fit for serious hockey players. In 2003, when their new line came out, all of that changed.
The 4.8 Trapper
The 4.8 has one thing in common with Itech products of old. It is still cheap. But this is where Itech made astounding forward progress. They didn’t just decide, Hey let’s make better stuff and move ourselves to the top of the heap. They knew they had a niche in the lower price ranges. Why not stay there and distinguish themselves from the competition by making Itech a little more flashy and high quality? While the prices stayed low, there was a considerable increase in Itech’s quality.
Itech makes this trapper from quality materials, something that was lacking in the low end market for a long time. The catch face is synthetic leather which will significantly outlast cheaper nylon gloves. Some competitors have taken to coating nylon with a thin layer of urethane to make them look like synthetic leather. These gloves do not have the lasting power of a true synthetic leather.
The back of the glove is still nylon, but this is not a negative. Most gloves in any price range will utilize nylon backs. The back of the glove doesn’t take nearly the punishment of the front (unless you have a really odd playing style). Further, using nylon on the back allows for a slightly more breathable glove (trust me, they keep your hands plenty warm).
The padding in the 4.8 X-Factor trapper is sufficient for novice and intermediate ice hockey goalies. Most of the gloves that you will find in lower price ranges will be more appropriate for ball hockey.
The pocket is preformed and deep enough to keep blind shots from easily getting away. Initial break in is good but not great. Some smaller players might have a tough time closing the glove right off the shelf. This is something they will need to work on before using it and in practice as hockey trappers should never be subjected to “artificial break-in methods”.
One of the nicest things about the Itech 4.8 is simply the aesthetics. It is a pretty decent looking glove by most standards. However, for a glove in this price range it is very attractive. It also comes in six color combinations which is unheard of in lower priced gear.
How Good is the Price?
The 4.8 is solidly priced in the ballpark of $100 – a little less for juniors and a few bucks above it for seniors. This might not sound like the deal of the century, but compared to brands like Koho, Heaton and Brians which easily sell for three times that amount, $100 is a heck of a bargain.
The only true peer that Itech has in this line of gear is Mission’s Motion Lite series. I haven’t been able to get a hold of a set of Mission Lite gear, but will review it as soon as I can. I will mention that the other Mission Motion gear is outstanding, but a little pricier than Itech’s 4.8.
On the lower end of the spectrum there are competitors like Franklin, Mylec and Tour who still make substandard gloves for ice hockey. The trappers that these companies sell in the $50 range is not suitable for ice hockey. Instead they are geared more towards ball hockey or inline with a light puck. Catching a quickly moving, rock hard ice hockey puck in these cheaper gloves will often hurt!
Bottom Line
Itech continued to impress me with their 2003 line of equipment. Our rep claimed that they were trying to shake the image of a lower tier brand in hockey and certainly efforts like the 4.8 line will help.
Still, the 4.8 X-Factor line is made to suit a very specific market and if you are playing higher than adult novice, you will need to consider spending more money on your gear. The 4.8 line is a great first set of gear for anyone and will serve most novice and intermediate children up to, and including, Bantam ages.
The durability and resale value of the 4.8 line of goalie gear is expected to be high. This gear is made as well as, if not better than anything in the general price range. Quality materials and craftsmanship will always yield good durability. The appearance of a more expensive pad will help resale as well.
My final recommendation on the 4.8 trapper is to give it the thumbs up for beginners and lower intermediates. Certainly for anyone picking up a first set of goalie gear, I would highly endorse the choice of Itech’s 4.8 X-Factor trapper.
© Scott Noble – Unauthorized use prohibited
A few of my other reviews that you might find helpful:
Fitting Goalie Gear
Itech 4.8 X Factor Pads
Itech Goalie Jock
CCM 220 Goal Pants
Battram Custom Goalie Equipment
© 2005 Scott Noble – All rights reserved. Unauthorized use prohibited.
Thanks to openroad for adding this item so I could review it.
Recommended:
Yes
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