Bauer GSX Goalie Stick Review — What You Get for $140 CAD
Bauer's entry-level goalie stick: a 28-inch shaft, 720 grams and a matte finish, at C$139.99
Kevin Woodley finishes the walk through Bauer’s GSX line at The Hockey Shop Source for Sports with the goalie stick, and Cam has the week off: Jonathan “Jono” Holloway, The Hockey Shop’s social media specialist and a former junior player, sits in to break down what $140 Canadian gets you in a goalie stick.
- Weighs 720 grams at $140 CAD — competitive for an entry-level goalie stick with a carbon-glass layup over the entire shaft and blade.
- The 28-inch shortened shaft gives beginner goalies more leverage when playing the puck and helps keep overall weight down.
- Expancel foam core in the paddle absorbs vibration on rebounds, a feature more commonly found in mid- to upper-tier sticks.
- Expect roughly 120 grams more than a top-end stick and a slightly bottom-heavy feel — trade-offs offset by better durability at this price point.
- Available in junior, intermediate, and senior in left and right, with only the stock P31 curve and no custom grip or custom options.
The GSX is the bottom of Bauer’s goalie stick lineup, and it is built for the goalie at the start of the climb: a stick that feels good in the hands and holds up, at a real value price.
What you get
The shaft is shortened to 28 inches, which gives an entry-level goalie a little more leverage playing the puck and keeps the weight down. Weighed in the shop, it came in at 720 grams, which is not bad at this price. A carbon-glass layup runs over the entire stick for durability, and the paddle has an Expancel foam core that kills the vibration when a rebound comes off your stick.
What you give up
Next to a top-end stick you are carrying roughly 120 more grams, and the balance point sits a little lower, so it feels slightly bottom-heavy. There are no custom grips or custom options, and the only curve is the stock P31. That extra weight also has an upside: at lower price points the layup tends to be thicker, so the stick is a little heavier but usually lasts a little longer.
The look and the feel
It comes in red, blue and black, all with a matte finish. Last year’s GSX gear was full colour; this year’s is mostly white with coloured accents, so a bold stick stands out against it. Jono’s favourite detail is the matte finish itself, which gives your hand a little grip but still lets it slide easily when you go for a poke check.
Sizes and who it’s for
The GSX comes in junior, intermediate and senior, in both left and right. It fits the entry-level and recreational goalie who wants a good-feeling stick that lasts. Questions about sizing, curve or lie go to the goalie experts at The Hockey Shop Source for Sports at goalie@thehockeyshop.com, or @THSgoal on social.
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