In Episode 101 of the InGoal Radio Podcast presented by The Hockey Shop Source for Sports,  Woody and Cam looked at Bauer’s Pro Pants during the weekly gear segment, available as always on video as well. In that segment they  teased this feature video on the integration of your goal pants and your chest & arm protectors.

They chose the Bauer units, in particular, for this episode as they offer multiple options for how you wear and combine the two units for maximal coverage, protection, and of course comfort. This is not to suggest that other companies don’t have their own options but Bauer has shown some key innovations with the Ultrasonic Chest and Arm unit that give goaltenders a reason to consider staying on-brand for both pieces of equipment.

The pants offer the traditional options or belts and suspenders for how they are held up, while combining them with the Ultrasonic Chest and Arm expands and enhances those options beyond what could otherwise done. 

Many, as Woody notes in the video, prefer the use of an inner belt. Available in the Bauer Pro Pants an inner belt is not legal in the NHL; however, most of us play in leagues that allow us to take advantage of this innovation that supports the pants on your waist/hips while not pulling the pant itself closer to the body – thus maximizing coverage. The outer belt on the pant can also be used to secure them, though with a loss of coverage as it in turn pulls the waist snug reducing the width of the pant. 

Bauer also offers the option of using traditional suspenders. We see this choice in most NHL locker rooms as they preserve most of the bulk or size of the pants when an inner belt is not available. Typically worn over the chest & arm unit, suspenders can also keep everything contained but most find this practical only if you like to tuck your chest unit into the pants. Some goaltenders prefer them untucked, outside the pants, which they feel is more comfortable and by hanging looser, can cushion pucks to aid in rebound control.

The Bauer Ultrasonic Chest and Arm offers several innovations to improve this integration, outlined in the video above. The chest unit has bungee straps that can be attached to the pants’ suspender connecting buttons giving the function of suspenders effectively built into the chest and arm unit.

Should you prefer normal suspenders though, the Ultrasonic unit also offers straps to secure them to the shoulder floaters as some goalies find they can slip either off the shoulder or in too tight to the neck. 

Many goaltenders also choose to “tie in,” using either the belt or the laces to tie the pants to the chest unit holding both the pants in place and pulling the chest unit down, preventing it from rising uncomfortably up into the neck. Bauer has innovated by providing a number of loops on the Ultrasonic chest unit to give options as to how high you tie the pants. As Woody and Cam had some fun with in the video, they allow you the option of going skater boy loose or old man high and everything in between – again, it’s all about your preference. 

Lastly the guys look at another option that helps hold the back of the pants up – avoiding that skater boy pant sag by connecting the back of the pants to a “fight strap” built into the Ultrasonic Chest and Arm unit like those available in many jerseys. This isn’t simply a matter of fashion as it ensures lower back coverage where it was intended to be while keeping your jersey from tucking into the pants which is against the rules in most leagues.

The innovations in the Ultrasonic Chest and Arm unit offer multiple options for enhanced integration of pant and upper body protection raising the bar on protection and comfort for goaltenders.

Enjoy the video and let us know in the comments, do you have a preference for how you integrate? Do you have any other tips and tricks you’ve tried?

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