CCM EFlex 2 Pad Review - Shane Brink

CCM Eflex Pro 2 Review

These leg pads have some major differences in my opinion over the first series of Eflex Pro pads. I will list some of these differences and what I noticed the pro’s and or con’s of these in a short list for some of you.

First I will touch on weight, when a forward on my team last week picked up a  pad and said “wow these new pads are REALLY light”, you know they have made some changes in weight. These are no Ritual G2’s or Brian’s in terms of weight but they are noticeably lighter than any other CCM or Reebok pad that i have used. I have noticed that the profile seems to be a touch thinner than the XLT pads I am also currently using.  

The CCM EFlex ll pad (left) & A Reebok XLT pad (right).

The new soft boot is also one of the very noticeable new features. Immediately when you strap these on you will notice how soft the boot is, you can get deep in your stance but at the same time point your toe to direct the puck to the boards. I even though at first that they were “vaughn soft” or “too soft” for me. I enjoy them very much so far but myself am worried about the longevity of them as i don’t want them falling apart during use, time will tell as I have only been using them for around a month. For now I have not had any problems or anything to make me think they will prematurely fall apart though.

Great look at the side of the new EFlex ll pad.

Here's a closer look at the softer boot.

These pads have a very flat and solid sliding surface as well. They seal the ice very well and allow for very fast and easy sliding. One of the reasons why I am switching from the XLT pads over to the CCM pads is because of the ice seal. Although the XLT pads seal well also I get a  lot of “squeaker” type goals that slip under the medial edge of the XLT pads. While the CCM pads sliding surface has a defined corner it perfectly seals the ice and allows no room for any puck to slip under neath the pad. 

Here's a look at the EFlex ll's strapping setup, leg channel, and knee cradle.

Solid seal. Need we say more?

Now being asked to compare these to my XLT pads quite often, my first answer is normally “do you like the rebounds softer to stay close and cover them or to shoot out to give you time to recover to them”? From my personal experience these pads do give off softer rebounds than the XLT pads, but they are perfectly capable of kicking the pucks to the corners. The rebounds by no means “die” after they hit the pad, but when they hit the knee rolls they tend to shoot the puck back out in front for an easy cover up. Both my XLT pads and CCM Eflex 2 pads have tight leg channels and other than the boot feel similar, other than the weight. Transition between them has been easy and to be honest, I play well in both anyways! 

Normally I would be the first to say that usually the differences between models for CCM and Reebok can seem “gimmicky” and are negligible. But these are leaps and bounds a better pad than the original CCM. Weight, the softness of the boot requiring little to no break in what so ever, and the new leg channel/strapping along with them maintaining the same great things that I did love about the first Eflex series pad make this a pad that I will fully endorse when asked any questions about it.

1 Month Opinions of the Pads:

After using these for 1 month I am very happy with these pads, I have actually placed another order for another set in the same specifications. The torsional flex, weight, ice seal, rebound control, fit, and feel of these pads are my favorite from the vast array of pads that I have previously used in the last 2 years. Obviously the pro level protection features a protective but flexible wrap around calf wrap to protect the back of your legs from the odd shots or bank in shots from the odd shooters. Being able to make it from one post to the other in butterfly with one push and reach out and flex the soft toe to make the cross crease pass save is one of the many huge benefits from the soft breaks of the pad. I have not noticed any break down issues or any defects in the pads to this point, they seem very well made and have not had any problems in the durability regard. 

Shane in action testing out his new pads!

Great gear. Great butterfly.

Modifications:

I have made some modifications to these pads, as I do to almost every set I have or do own. I obviously started by cutting the leftover adjustable strapping tabs, I know how I like my strapping and my custom order pads will not have the adjustable strapping option. I also cut the outside knee flap from the pads via Carey Price. The reason for this is the bulky knee pads that I currently wear. Getting rid of the knee flap and attaching the velcro to the tight fit calf wrap feels and functions better for me to open up the knee cradle  and allows for less pad interference for my knee pads and pants while in butterfly. On my custom set of pads I have ordered the recessed knee with out outside knee flap so they will come this way without them needing to be modded.

They're new, and they're spectacular!

Here's a closer look at the graphic on the EFlex ll's. Tons of colour options for goalies to have fun with!

Thanks Shane for submitting your EFlex 2 pad review!
You can Follow Shane on Instagram @Brink_01
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