RBK Premier Pro Blocker – Can a shoe company really make decent goalie gear?
Written: May 25 '05 (Updated Dec 13 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Excellent overall protection, very light, comfortable
Cons: No roboweave on standard models
The Bottom Line: This is one of the best blockers on the market
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| puckmugger's Full Review: RBK Premier Pro Blocker |
Shoe Companies
Let’s face it, the track record for shoe companies in the hockey industry isn’t all that great. Nike hasn’t quite set the new standard for quality. Yes, they’ve been a driving force, but they cannot keep up with the competition they’ve created yet. Adidas, in their brief stint at making skates, succeeded in making the ugliest thing on the ice since Mike Reechi. (My apologies to Mike, hockeydom loves you because you’re so ugly).
Reebok even was in the game briefly during a joint venture with CCM. The famed Reebok pump-up-tongues were found for a short time on some upper end CCM skate models. Hockey proved a little tough for the Reebok pump as most of them popped early in their lives.
So what makes this shoe company think they can come along and make great goalie equipment all of a sudden? Well, so far they’ve been smart enough to not think that. The good folks at Maska have been doing it for them. You see, Reebok purchased the world’s largest hockey conglomerate this past spring. Since then they’ve done it right but just slapping a little fancier wrapping on wares that would have otherwise been labeled as CCM/Heaton or Koho.
Origins of the Premier Pro Blocker
First off, I’ve been busting Mylec’s chops lately for tossing the word pro around lightly. I’m not going to do that here. The Premier Pro is every bit a top of the line blocker. This unit sports both excellent quality and top-notch protection. It earns the right to have pro in its name.
While the Premier Pro trapper wasn’t the most impressive part of RBK’s new line, the blocker is outstanding. It is something of a hybrid cross between the new super thin profile blockers and more traditional ones. The blocker itself is about ½ the thickness of a traditional model. It is also quite a bit lighter.
While the catch glove sporting the RBK Premier Pro model designation is most certainly a re-branded Koho 590 Pro and the Leg pads are updated CCM Gatekeepers, the blocker is apparently a brand new item. The design doesn’t seem to have been recycled at all. I would guess that this was a new model that CCM or Koho had been developing. Reebok came along and said, “Thank you very much, that will do nicely!”
The Premier Pro in person
The first thing that I noticed about this blocker was the substantial amount of inner hand protection. Having been struck by more than one puck in this area, I’m pleased to give the Premier Pro a big thumbs-up here. The inside of the hand, specifically the thumb and index finger is one of the toughest areas to protect. Goalie trappers are getting more aggressive in padding this area, but that isn’t always a good thing.
I’ve tried a few models where there was not only enough padding to keep you from ever getting dinged, but in fact so much that you couldn’t comfortably hold your stick. The RBK has a nice three-pronged attack in this area which keeps pucks out without making the glove uncomfortable.
The first level of protection is the reinforced thumb. This is a basic expectation in any goalie blocker. However, the RBK has a unique, longer thumb protector that extends to and connects to the cuff of the glove. A floating baffle similar to the reinforced thumb protects the forefinger. This again is pretty standard in a decent blocker. From there a second layer protects the still semi vulnerable finger. Lastly a larger side of the hand protector adds the third layer of protection. This is the best protection that I’ve seen for the inner hand on currently on the market.
Of course the RBK also has split finger protectors that cover the ends of the fingers as well. These are the typical two-piece, one for the index finger and another for the remaining three fingers. Finger protection is this way to allow goalies to hold the stick properly. Index finger and thumb should grasp the paddle to keep the stick from spinning on a hard shot. The other fingers hold the shaft of the stick. RBK did a nice job in making these flexible yet protective. They also have decent wrap around protection that covers the sides of the goalie’s fingers.
The glove has a reinforced Nash palm and fingers. Breathable nylon gussets connect the front of the glove to the Nash back. Nash is an excellent material for goalie gloves. It is comfortable, dries soft and is highly durable. Typically a Nash palm will outlast cowhide. Only Clarino is better in gloves for longevity. The breathable gussets will keep goalie’s hands a little cooler and allow the glove to dry out more quickly lowering the overall stinkiness of the glove substantially.
The blocker pad itself is something of a unique shape. While the face is square as you would expect and the size is the typical 14 X 8 inches, the thickness and curve are a little different than normal. The pad is actually a bit thinner at either end. Rather than the beveled end you would typically find on a blocker to assist in paddle down saves the RBK is more of a gentle sweep to a point. This shape will make stick down saves even more painless.
The blocker pad is also slightly more curved than a traditional model. This is going to be pure personal preference, but having played with several shapes of blockers, I didn’t notice a big difference in this shape.
Construction
The blocker itself is covered in high quality synthetic leather. This material will last for a very long time. One minor issue is the lack of a zipper or laces to remove the pad from the blocker case. This will make repairs more difficult and likely more expensive. If extensive work is require on the glove, the blocker pad will have to be taken apart and re-sewn as part of the process.
The glove as mentioned is Nash with vented nylon gussets. This type of glove will last a long time so at least you shouldn’t have to worry about the repairs being required soon. I would expect this glove to last at least three years under hard use. My cowhide glove on the blocker I currently use has lasted longer than that and sees at least two hours of action every week.
The overall quality of the materials and construction is excellent. While I haven’t always been inspired by Lefebvre’s designs, the gear with his name on it has always been well made. The RBK Premier Pro blocker is no exception.
While the blocker is lighter than a typical traditional unit. It is not quite as light as the ultra thin blockers that are on the market now. If you are looking for light weight, the Blockade Blocker is excellent and possibly still the lightest on the market.
While RBK opted not to use the flashy Roboweave materials in favor of more traditional JenPro style synthetic leathers, they do have custom ordering available on all of the Premier Pro line. Roboweave is a personal choice. I like the way it looks, some people don’t. However, either way the durability is about the same.
Final Thoughts
RBK’s Premier Pro blocker might be the best of the goalie gear that bears their name so far. It is light, well made and very comfortable. While none of it has been in any way bad, this is head and shoulders above the rest of their goalie line.
Are there other blockers on the market that I would prefer over this one? There are a few that I would consider including the CCM Blockade and Sher-Wood’s Cerberus Pro. But the bottom line is that when I’m on the market, the Premier Pro will be one that I will seriously consider.
Some of my other reviews which you might find helpful:
Fitting Goalie Gear
CCM Blockade Blocker
Itech 4.8 X Factor Blocker
Koho 14 Pro Blocker
RBK Premier Pro Trapper
RBK Premier Pro Leg Pads
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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puckmugger
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