Warrior Ritual G5 Pro Goal Leg Pad Review
Warrior’s new CoverEDGE+ feature is not only a clever play on words, but a functional feature added to their new Ritual G5 Pro leg pad, catch glove and blocker.
With the Ritual G5 line, Warrior has continued to improve on their already impressive track record of providing functional innovation to their leg pads and gloves. The G5 Pro series also continues to be the lightest gear on the market which is no easy task with all suppliers now offering lightweight designs. Let’s dig in!
CoverEDGE+
I’ll admit I was a bit skeptical of what advantage CoverEDGE+ could offer. What haven’t we seen on a goalie pad that hadn't already been done before? What gave me my “Ahh” moment was visually holding a G5 pad and a G4 next to each other and comparing the faces of the pad and outer sides of the pads. For those that can’t hold the pad in their hands, here’s a little side by side comparison.
So, what does it do?
The raised outer roll adds a further dimension to the pad to reduce the chance of pucks skipping or deflecting in off the outer roll. But more importantly, the raised face of the pad helps it seal-up on the post in an RVH position. This makes sure there are no gaps for the puck to sneak in between the post and the pad.
CoverEDGE+ is a simple concept and while subtle, it’s a really smart innovation.
Airslide
Warrior has refined the Airslide design from the Ritual G4 Pro leg pad and optimized it for the G5 Pro. They listened to the feedback received from G4 and have removed the knee landing binding in the slide surface to eliminate the wear that some goalies had with G4. Harder foams have also been added to both the knee and calf Airslide to improve the durability and quality of the slide.
For those that aren’t familiar with this feature, Airslide helps to maintain the consistency of a butterfly slide throughout the game. This means in the 3rd period after you crease has been chewed up you can still slide as you did in the 1st with fresh ice.
Hypercomp
From the pictures, you may have noticed that the thigh of the pad is thinner than the G4. Warrior has been able to thin out the thigh rise of the pad without compromising structural rigidity mainly due to an updated high-density foam and Hypercomp configuration.
Hypercomp is Warrior’s carbon fiber material and exists above the knee and will help with longevity and rebounds. This will also help maintain the on-ice seal of the pad. G4’s Profile Lock has also been removed on the G5 after listening to feedback from goalies saying it was unneeded.
Strapping+fit
Warrior has added a new feature to the G5 Pro strapping this year. They have cut a slit into the calf to put the calf strap through the wrap itself. This allows you to create a tighter or loose fit with the calf wrap as well as the option to have the pad to sit up higher on the calf if desired.
The knee wing remains adjustable as well and the toe bungee has been extended.
360 Activedrop carries over from previous models. This feature allows the pad to sit slightly off centered on the leg while being closer to the ice. Another benefit is that it improves 5-hole coverage and aids in transitions from the butterfly position allowing the goalie to stay sealed and square.
Knee Drive System
The Knee Drive System has been providing goalies with a solid, stable knee landing since it debuted on the Ritual G2 pad. Although the foam of the knee block is an independent piece from the pad’s core, it connects to the pad with a Velcro system that makes it extremely stable while also improving the slide of the pad.
Knee Pads included
Warrior also includes a set of senior knee pads as well as a bonus carrying strap for easy transportation.
Final Thoughts
With upgrades like CoverEDGE+ and the refined Airslide, I see the Ritual G5 Pro being a great choice for any goalie looking for an advantage in RVH coverage with the added benefit of getting a super lightweight pad. Make sure to follow us on social media, by Liking us on Facebook, and following us on Instagram and Twitter!
Written by Cam Matwiv
Read the Warrior Pro G5 Catcher & Blocker Review
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