Itech’s X factor 4.8 Goal pads have a leg up on Tour’s GTL line
Written: Apr 14 '04 (Updated Dec 13 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Hard to beat quality in a very low price
Cons: Still a somewhat basic pad geared towards the novice
The Bottom Line: All around much better than their nearest competitor the Tour GTL
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| puckmugger's Full Review: ITECH 4.8 X-Factor Goalie Leg Pads |
When I first saw Itech’s 4.8 goal pads, I was surprised to see how improved they were over previous models from the company. Itech still makes a pretty broad range of models in goalie equipment that run the gambit from pure street gear to near pro level. The 4.8’s are their entry-level goal pads, but have some features that you might expect to pay at least $100 more.
The knee cradle
Well, I won’t say that the knee cradle is great. However, the fact that there is one in this level of goal pad says something. A couple of years back you wouldn’t have found a pad in this price with any type of knee cradle or possibly even a decent leg channel. Even now I don’t know of another pad that has one for under $400.
For any modern style goaltender, the knee cradle is not an optional part of the pad. Even goalies who play primarily stand up have the butterfly in their arsenal. Going down on your knees in a pad that doesn’t have a knee cradle is painful, even dangerous as you are asking for eventual injuries.
The 4.8 has the normal five-hole rolls and two knee flaps. The strapping system is a little different in the knee, but assures that the goalie’s knee will stay put in the cradle. The five-hole side flap and roll, will help to minimize the impact on the ice.
While I could not picture playing in this pad myself, the knee protection would more than suffice for small players and certainly children. I would say anyone under 150 pounds will be fine with this level of knee padding. As I am just over 200 pounds, I need quite a bit more.
The leg channel
On most inexpensive pads the leg channel seems to be something of an afterthought. The 4.8 has a deep enough channel to make sure that it is comfortable and goalie’s legs stay put. The depth and shape will also keep pads from spinning uncontrollably. I say uncontrollably, because they will need to turn for the butterfly to work properly.
The one thing that I don’t really like about the leg channel is the material that it is lined in. The Itech 4.8 comes with a nylon lined leg channel. While this is probably the material I would expect in a pad of this price, it simply isn’t as comfortable as Clarino. The 4.8’s closest competitor, Mission’s Motion leg pads, while slightly more expensive, do have Clarino leg channels.
The face
The materials on the face of Itech’s 4.8 pads are again a step up in quality from previous years. Most makers still use a fabric face, generally a heavy nylon material, on the front of their pads. Itech’s 4.8 pads are fully faced with synthetic leather materials.
This makes them more attractive pads, and in fact the graphics on the 4.8 are downright striking. For a pad that is less than $400, it is impressive that they come in colors other than simple black and white. We goalies are vain you know.
More important than the color is the fact that synthetic leather will substantially outlast the fabric faced pads. The synthetics will take untold numbers of shots without tearing, while eventually fabric will weaken from the stress and give up. Further, synthetic leathers are far less prone to cutting from skate blades.
The Straps
Itech uses leather straps in the 4.8 and they come standard with toe laces. The 4.8 is a 6 strap pad (plus toe laces). I personally prefer the new nylon straps to leather as they are both easier to put on and take off, and they actually last longer. The other nice thing with nylon is that once they are adjusted they stay put and there is no need to make adjustments. Playing with pads that are too loose or tight will dramatically affect the way they work on the ice.
The leather on the Itech’s 4.8 pads is however of good quality and should last as long as any leather straps on a goalie pad. Some of the cheaper Tour brand pads have such inferior leather on their straps that you will need to replace them within a year. At a cost of $10 a strap, this is not only inconvenient, but will cost as much as the leg pads did. With the Itech 4.8’s this is not a worry.
The Toe bridge is convertible to the traditional leather strap, a feature that is not found in many new pads. The 4.8 comes with the newer style toe laces. If you do prefer toe straps, you will need to purchase the hardware for the conversion separately. Any brand will fit and typical price for the kit is about $25.
The knee cradle strap is unique. Rather than a wide strap that covers the entire back of the pad as is normal in other pads, Itech uses a shorter strap that attaches at the edges of the knee cradle. The strap closes with Velcro, again unique. This strapping system is another of the nice features in the 4.8. It holds the knee securely in place, assuring that it cannot slip out of the cradle and will not directly impact the ice.
Final Thoughts
Itech’s X-factor 4.8 is a budget goalie pad. While it falls short of some things I look for in a goalie pad, it has some very nice features for the price. For a beginner the 4.8 series is probably the best choice on the market today. Cheaper pads will fall short of the minimal requirements that allow goaltenders to be comfortable and safe.
Tour’s GTL pads are the most common choice that I see parents putting new goalies into. While the GTL is the cheapest pad advertised as an ice hockey pad, it simply doesn’t compare to the quality of construction and features of Itech’s 4.8 series. The leg channel is almost non-existent in the Tour pads, the knee cradle poor and as mentioned the straps are pathetic, likely to deteriorate in less than a year. The padding in the Tour pads is so thin that it they are the only pad that I would be hesitant to recommend from a mere impact perspective.
Other than the GTL, there aren’t many pads that are in this price range. Itech has the Tour offering so badly beat that there is little reason to skimp. With a price difference of about $50 between the two models, the less durable straps of the GTL will quickly catch and possibly exceed the price of the Itech.
My minimum suggestion to parents shopping for first time goalies is the Itech 4.8. Putting your goalie in equipment that is going to be a better investment than trying cheap gear because you aren’t certain they will remain interested. Putting a goalie in cheap gear that is uncomfortable and unsafe, will ensure that they don’t remain interested.
For larger adults or players who have some experience under their belts the Itech 4.8 might not be enough pad. If you are over 150 pounds, you might want to look at something with more substantial knee support. Experienced players who know they have a strong butterfly style will also be disappointed in Itech 4.8.
For the money, the Itech 4.8 X Factor leg pads are impossible to beat. But they are still very much a novice goalie’s lag pads.
© Scott Noble – Unauthorized use prohibited
Some of my other reviews that you might find helpful:
Fitting Goalie Gear
Itech 4.8 X Factor Trapper
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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