Bauer Supreme Mach Leg Pad Review

May 20, 2022 || Written by Cedric Hastings

You’ve likely seen and learned about the existence of these pads already, whether that be from sneaky NHL appearances, inside leaks, or the rather stealthy switch from Bauer themselves on their online customizer. And now, Bauer has finally come out with the answers to all our questions in one of their biggest launches to date. The Supreme Mach pads sound exactly as they perform—providing that explosive power and unmatched speed you need to reach the next level.

SL1D3R Skin

New and exclusive to the Mach pads is Bauer’s newest version of their skin: SL1D3R Skin. This new material is a one-piece, thermoformed skin that is tightly wrapped around the core of the pad. This construction method creates the hard, fast rebounds and incredible slideability that Bauer pads are known for, while additionally being more durable than previous C.O.R.Tech skins that Bauer used in the past.

Calf Support System

First seen on the Ultrasonic, Bauer has been playing with different calf pillow designs for a couple of years now. With this new chapter in the Supreme line, we are seeing an anatomically correct, molded pillow that does a great job of supporting the calf comfortably in the butterfly. Just like the other calf pillows that Bauer has used in the past, their new Calf Support System helps keep everything aligned from the knee right down to the ankle, reducing stress on your joints.

Bauer has also redesigned the way the calf plate attaches to the pad. Taking a page out of what they’ve learned with their knee plates, the Mach calf plate is now attached directly to the core of the pad using a bracket. This increased stiffness provides even better balance and stability when carrying out saves and on-ice maneuvers.

Tune-Fit+ Strapping

Bauer has redesigned their Tune-Fit strapping system to better balance the Mach pad on the leg while allowing for more adjustability than with previous systems. Tune-Fit+ uses a triangular wrap that sits around the calf, offering better pad support and stability. Sitting slightly higher up on the calf than previous Bauer strapping systems, Tune-Fit+ eliminates the need for the extra “Professor-strap” that was included on the Ultrasonic and Hyperlite leg pads, giving you the same sort of rotation you want—all wrapped into a single strap.

Core Construction & Flex Profile

The Mach pad retains a similar core to that of the Ultrasonic while making some key changes. Shocklite+ is now used throughout the core of the pad and paired with a CURV composite thigh. In addition to increasing torsional stiffness, the new core makes the pad stiffer and straighter than the Ultrasonic along the pad at the knee and thigh. The core also ensures the pad stays stiff and square throughout its lifetime. Bauer still classifies the Mach pads to be mid-flex pads, even though they are stiffer and straighter than the Ultrasonic.

Boot Construction & Flex

Rather than the 125º boot that we saw on the Ultrasonic, Bauer has swallowed out the boot on the Mach to 120º. Although the 5º change may not seem like a lot at first glance, it does make quite a noticeable difference when playing with it, especially after you combine it with the deeper boot channel. The boot channel permits the pad to sit deeper on the leg, making it feel more attached to your foot while keeping it slightly steeper than Vapor in terms of look, feel, and rebound deflection. With regards to flex, the Mach pads come with a soft-flexing boot, which is necessary on a stiff pad to enhance overall mobility.

Knee Block

The Stabilislide knee block is once again observed in the Mach goalie pads. Designed to both help decrease the amount of time it takes to drop into the butterfly and create a solid, stable base when in the butterfly position. With the Mach pads, the pad core is connected directly to the knee block via a rigid "L"-shaped bracket, which reduces flex between the pad and knee block.

Final Words

Bauer’s Supreme Mach pads have earned quite a few big praises here at The Hockey Shop since we had a chance to trial them. Our goalie department was quite impressed across the board, including with the SL1D3R skin, Calf Support System, and redesigns of the boot, core, and strappings. With this launch, Bauer is reminding us just how competitive they are in goalie gear manufacturing, as well as just how competitive they can make you and your game out on the ice.

Piqued your interest? Take a look at the Mach collection here!