Warrior Alpha Surge Goalie Pads & Gloves Review — Nearly Every Pro Feature in the S50
Goalie pads, glove and blocker — nearly every pro feature, one price point down
On this week’s InGoal Radio gear segment, Kevin Woodley and Cam from The Hockey Shop break down the new Warrior Alpha Surge S50 — the pad, glove and blocker that bring the Alpha Surge line down to a second price point. The headline is how much of the Pro carries over, and how little you actually give up.
- The Warrior Alpha Surge S50 retains nearly all Alpha Surge Pro features — the G7 side plate, removable knee stack, removable outer knee flap, and pro-style strapping all carry over.
- The only meaningful downgrade from the Pro is the absence of HyperComp — the S50 lacks the double layer, meaning it will flex more and soften faster over time.
- The flat 90-degree boot positions the skate slightly behind the pad, making RVH post attachment easier, and the toe and boot straps are the same length — giving you a built-in spare.
- The S50 catch glove is a new shape (not a renamed 7.1), featuring more catching surface, a bigger pocket, a double-T, and an updated backhand — and it requires oven baking to reach its best form.
- Removable knee stack pieces allow goalies to sit taller and wider in the butterfly, taking stress off hips, knees, and ankles — with thicker replacement pieces available as an affordable upgrade.
Warrior’s Alpha Surge line finally has its second price point on the floor. Kevin Woodley and Cam from The Hockey Shop went through the S50 pads, catch glove and blocker feature by feature — what carries down from the Alpha Surge Pro, the one material you give up, and why you shouldn’t judge the glove until it has been in an oven. Cam’s short version: almost all of the same features. Kevin’s: a second price point that is as good as pro was just a few years ago.
The pads
The G7 side plate is back, bracketed in and easily removed if you would rather run without it. The landing surface is very stiff and very flat — testers pulled the plate off and still found it about the fastest-sliding pad they had been on. The knee stack is removable, with thicker replacement pieces coming, which is a cheap way to sit taller and wider in the butterfly and take stress off the hips, knees and ankles. The outer knee flap is removable, the strapping is pro-style, and the straps use double-sided Velcro so you can run the knee strap over the top without hunting for an attachment point.
The boot
It is a flat 90-degree boot with elastic toe-tie and boot options, and the toe and boot straps are the same length, so you are carrying a built-in spare. That flat boot also sits the skate slightly behind the pad, which opens up an easier attachment to the post in RVH. Senior and intermediate sizes are available.
What you give up versus the Alpha Surge Pro
No HyperComp. The S50 is still stiff out of the box, but without the double layer it will flex more and soften faster over time. That is the trade for the price.
The glove
Two closures, a 75 and a 90, and the 90 is what is stocked with the S50 in these colours. This is not a renamed 7.1 — it is a new shape with more catching surface, a bigger pocket, a double-T and an updated backhand. It needs an oven: three minutes in a skate oven transformed a glove that came straight out of the plastic. A removable wrist strap and neoprene cuff sleeve keep your hand from slipping out. The 90 has a non-removable palm; the 75’s palm is removable.
The blocker
High curve and mid curve options, with a removable palm. There is more openness through the cuff side to help present the blocker forward, and a little extra weight along the bottom edge for a natural forward tip. The board is stiff and rigid with excellent pops — again, without HyperComp at this price point.
Colourways
Black and gold, and navy and white. Both are Source for Sports exclusives.
Who it’s for
Goalies who want the Alpha Surge feel without the top-end price, and anyone who has been waiting for a second price point in the line. The S50 is available in senior and intermediate at The Hockey Shop Source for Sports, along with the matching catch glove and blocker.
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