Brian’s Sub Zero 6.0 Review

Brian’s continues to innovate the way they develop their equipment.

One of their more recent success stories has been the Sub Zero Pro II series, which is considered their "butterfly" style pad; stiff profile, lightweight and maximum coverage. Brian’s has taken these characteristics and created a lower price-point version, the Sub Zero 6.0. Made in the Philippines and using all materials sourced by Brian’s main factory in Ontario. The Sub Zero 6.0 line closely resembles its pro counterpart, both in looks and performance.

Brian’s Sub Zero 6.0 Leg Pad

Like the Sub Zero Pro II, the Sub Zero 6.0 leg pads are designed with a unique flex layout to play out ideally for a butterfly-oriented goaltender. When it comes to flat-faced pads, the assumption was to make the entire pad stiff, and, while that may work for few goaltenders, it doesn’t cater to most.

The Sub Zero 6.0 leg pad has a soft boot, a soft knee flex, but a stiff thigh rise. While the soft boot and knee allow for the goaltender to be mobile and comfortable while moving within the crease, the stiff profile of the thigh rise allows the pad to keep a certain shape over time.

The importance of the soft boot and knee is to allow the goaltender to get in a low stance while the puck is in tight, whether it’s utilizing the VH stance or crouching down low, as well as getting full ankle flexion when performing a push.

While normally a pad will curve throughout its lifetime, the extremely stiff thigh rise keeps its integrity and provides a consistent seal on the ice, every time. Like the most recent leg pads from Brian’s, the 6.0 series uses the Smart Strap System; customizable, comfortable, and most importantly, adds to the already lightweight design.

Stiff pad? Loosen up the straps and let the pad hang out for the best rotation. Yes, you can also do that with Brian’s Sub Zero 6.0. But, you’ll always be in control of it with Brian’s No Slip Grip material that's featured on the knee cradle and leg channel, which enhances grip throughout your ice time. This ensures that, most importantly, your knee stays in control and centred on the IIHF spec knee stack.

Brian’s Sub Zero 6.0 Trapper

Continuing with the concept of control, Brian’s uses the No Slip Grip as the liner in the Sub Zero 6.0 trapper. The 6.0 trapper, like the leg pads, are based directly off its pro counterpart. The Sub Zero series uses a 40 degree closure on the trappers.

This closure forces the goaltender’s hand to open wide, and create a large blocking/catching surface. Using a flared and floating cuff, it is easier to present the surface area of the trapper to the shooter, especially in close-quarters situations.

Another feature on the backhand of the trapper is seen on the fingers; goaltender’s fingers are protected from crease battles with an HD foam finger pad.

Brian’s finishes the trapper with a one-piece cuff & thumb, and a rigid single-T pocket—these features complete the idea of total coverage sought after by Sub Zero 6.0. The trapper come surprisingly game ready out of the box, as they have been worked on by a machine that Brian’s uses to wear in all their trappers.

Brian’s Sub Zero 6.0 Blocker

It is established that coverage is key with , and Brian’s made the Sub Zero 6.0 series blockers exceptionally well in this regard. With a bindingless edge, the Sub Zero 6.0 blocker fulfils the legal size limit it is allowed, and has a clean look while doing so. *Binding is accounted for when measuring the perimeter of a blocker face. Therefore, a bindingless edge provides a marginally larger blocking surface*

The 6.0 blocker is very well balanced, with palm positioning in the centre of the hand and a lightweight HD foam design.

There is also no need to worry about the pain of getting a puck to your fingers with the finger protection used on the 6.0, thanks to an accordion style HD foam layout that comfortably wraps around the fingers with ease.

In the end, it’s always "a blocker is a blocker, right?" Sure, that may be so, but what differentiates Sub Zero from G-NETik is the sidewall. The 6.0 blocker’s sidewall is attached directly to the face of the blocker, and creating a ‘not-so-straight edge’ design. This allows the goaltender to maneuver the sidewall in a way that makes the actual blocking surface larger.

The Brian’s Sub Zero 6.0 line is about having control of your game and create a total seal of coverage on the ice. Using a soft flex in the knee and ankle, but a stiff thigh rise, the 6.0 pad is the optimal build for any butterfly-oriented goaltender. In combination with the 6.0’s lightweight design, this gear is extremely mobile, comfortable and effective. The best part is that it’s all lightweight, HD foam constructed with no plastic. So, if you’re looking for a quality set of equipment to get your hands on, and not break the bank, the Brian’s Sub Zero 6.0 series is for you.

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