puckmugger's Full Review: Rbk 6K Senior Roller Hockey Padded Shirt
Padded Shirt
It sounds like some Halloween costume—a shirt with sewn in pecs and six-pack abs, right? I saw a few kids this year with Superman and Spiderman outfits sporting this look. I told one young Superman, about 7 years old, “Nice abs!” as he walked by me. He grinned and replied without missing a beat, “Yeah, I’ve been working on them.” Frankly, I think there might be a market for tight fitting performance tees with this design. I mean, if you don’t have it, you could still flaunt it that way.
Sadly, or perhaps joyously (depending on why you’re reading this review), that is not the case with the RBK padded shirt. It’s more of a protective gear item than a cheap alternative to liposuction and a tummy tuck. For most people, it isn’t really going to make them look like they’ve been spending a lot of time at the gym. In fact, I cannot think of anyone who might get that benefit from it.
Come on Scott, What do you need a padded shirt for?
RBK designed this as upper body protection for inline skates. There are a few of these available on the market. Mission and Tour both make them as well. The point of these is to lower the pain value of being struck by a stick of puck for inline hockey. While inline is generally no-check, there isn’t as much of a need for shoulder pads. Still, no-check and no-contact are different things (as I keep telling people who don’t get out of my way).
Now this might come as a surprise, but many players don’t bother with shoulder pads for ice hockey. Most recreational leagues are no-check so the same basic rules apply. Players don’t need to worry about being pasted to the glass (but should still get out of my way). Thus, minimal or no shoulder pads are more the norm than a $150 pair of heavy-duty, the-Hulk-couldn’t-hurt-you-in-them pads.
Lately there has been a definite trend in my area that players not wanting to wear shoulder pads, but still feeling the sting of a puck (or occasionally failing to get out of my way) would like some protection. Frankly, I won’t play without upper body protection. I have a light pair with huge shoulder caps which makes me even more menacing in appearance than my 220 pounds alone. But once in a while those guys who fail to get out of my way lay as good a lick on me as they get. I hate when that happens.
The 6K shirt
The 6K is a probably today’s top padded shirt. I’ve sold quite a few of these to happy customers. It’s as padded as you can get without the bulk of actual shoulder pads. While it doesn’t offer the stunning look of a padded Superman outfit, it does have the appearance of a sci-fi version of a bulletproof vest (I don’t recommend testing out the bulletproof-ness of this item with anything more than paintball guns).
Padding is very good on the 6K. It features anatomical pads on the front back and sides of medium density foam. The shoulders, ribs and arms are also padded. The padding isn’t entirely unlike that of a goalie chest protector in terms of how it’s placed on the shirt. Small pads of various shapes allow for maximum comfort and flexibility while keeping virtually the entire upper body of the player protected.
How well does it work
Protection is pretty good. However, just as with goalie chest armor, there are some chinks in it. Once in a while a puck might find a tender spot. However, as an alternative to no upper body protection, this is about a 12,496 percent improvement. (I just pulled that number out of a hat—there is no scientific data to back it up). Point is, even with the right gear, you’ll take a stinger once in a while—that’s hockey. But you’re a lot better off covered up than with nothing.
Also, keep in mind that this was designed for inline hockey where the puck is a little lighter. If you’re on the ice with someone named Bob “Flaming-slapshot-through-the -glass” Taylor, it’s still likely to leave a mark if he winds up and tags you in the nipple. Further, the 6K lacks the solid sternum protection that you’d find in a real pair of shoulder pads, which could lead to serious injury or death if you stand in front of Bob’s shot. So consider your style of play carefully before picking up something like this.
Comfort
This is the big factor that most ice players who pick up one of these are looking at. RBK did a nice job in this department as well. The fabric in the 6K is CCM/RBK’s playdry. It’s their version of Nike’s Dry Fit. Frankly, I think the Dry Fit is a little more comfortable, than RBK’s material. However, the Dry Fit is better than the material in any competitor’s padded shirt since Bauer/Nike doesn’t make one. Play dry does keep this shirt reasonably cool. The pads however aren’t perforated as they are on some other shirts, which offers better protection, but less breath-ability.
In trying on the 6K the padding floats nicely as well. The fit of the shirt is fairly tight as it should be to keep the pads from twisting out of place during play. But there are enough breaks and they are in the proper location to keep the shirt from feeling like it binds up or inhibits freedom of movement. All of my customers have raved about how comfortable it is on the ice. Interestingly, one of them bought a pair of extremely light-weight shoulder pads from me and wore them only once, but loves the padded shirt.
Sizing and Price
Sizing up the 6K is pretty simple. Just order the same size t-shirt that you normally wear. Senior sizes come in Small through Extra Large. Junior sizes come in Small, Medium and Large.
Typical retail for the Senior version is $45. Juniors will cost about $35. I only recommend junior sizes for inline hockey as youth hockey generally involves checking and your really should pay to protect your kid a little better, you cheap . . .
Final thoughts
A padded shirt isn’t the proper solution for every player. Some should stay in shoulder pads due to their propensity for not getting out of my way. Higher level players who block shots often will probably want to stay in something with good sternum protection as well.
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