Brian’s Sub Zero Pro 3 Goal Review

Few get as excited as we do at The Shop when Brian’s new gear comes out, and that's because we never know what to expect! In 2011, we saw the original, game changing SubZero Pro which became the lightest pad on the market. In 2013, SubZero Pro 2 came out, and although it was a bit heavier, Brian’s definitely made a superior pad to the original. Now, it’s 2015, and SubZero Pro 3 is here, what could they possibly change? A lot, actually. The game never stops changing, and neither does Brian’s.

Brian’s Sub Zero Pro 3 Leg Pads

Beyond the great graphic and the aesthetic appeal of the SubZero 3, there is so much more behind its new look. Brian’s did a 10% weight reduction throughout the core, meaning a 34” pad would weigh roughly 4.6 lbs., compared to a 5.1 lb SubZero 2. This 10% deduction is attributed to Brian’s progression of their signature E-Foam, and their re-designed thin profile. The thin profile shaves off considerable size in the width of the thigh rise—while still rigid—making the pad not only lighter, but makes movements easier by reducing the interference of the two pads on one another.

High on Brian’s priority checklist was a complete seal to the ice. They changed two things to the Sub 3 to achieve this goal: a 90 degree boot taper; and an inset knee stack. The 90 degree boot taper is interesting because one would assume it would be difficult for a goaltender to get in a deep stance without slipping out. You don’t need to worry about that with the Sub 3, thanks to how it sits correctly on your skate. Having the 90 degree taper then gives you a complete seal across the entire length of the butterfly.

The inset knee stack means that the knee stack is not sewn in directly on the binding of the inside gusset, but “inset” a little bit. This makes the goaltenders knee act more like an anchor, while in the butterfly. The reason Brian’s did this is that they found some pads without an inset knee stack bubble up, and give a bit of an opening in the seal.

Turning the pad around, we see some changes to the knee cradle and leg channel. A full primo synthetic knee cradle was a success with the G-NETik Pro 2, so Brian’s went ahead and did the same for Sub 3. Slightly different from G-NETik 2, the knee cradle has also been widened out by segmenting the knee flap, which makes the Velcro knee strap easier to wrap around a large knee pad. Another noticeable change to the knee cradle is the Velcro knee strap; rather than a traditional double elastic band, it is now two 1” double elastics to rid of any strain on the leg, and to easily conform around the leg. Also taking from the G-NETik Pro 2, the Sub 3 features an integrated knee pad that is attached by Velcro for easy removal.

Brian’s has a few marquee materials/technologies, and their Hex-Air leg channel is one of them. This time around, Brian’s has put Hex-Air on the shin portion and sides of the calf for ultimate comfort when playing. Hex-Air’s hexagonal design allows air flow throughout your legs to keep you cool when on the ice. Using No-Slip Grip to line the leg channel gives the goaltender a better control of the pad, and helps avoid over-rotation when dropping into the butterfly. The calf wing’s segmented design assists in the control of the pad by easily being able to conform to the tightness of the Smart Strap system and size of a goaltender’s calf.

Coming into the 2015-16 NHL season, the SubZero Pro 3 is one of the most anticipated lines by goaltenders around the league. It’s been a busy offseason for Brian’s as they’ve been frequently hosted by NHL teams to show off the new line to both prospects and seasoned veterans of the league. Check the links below to order yours today.

Brian’s Sub Zero Pro 3 Blocker and Trapper

Brian’s has been on an upward trend in the gloves department of goalie equipment, and are becoming more and more popular each year. Brian’s isn’t slowing down at all this season, and are set to bring the goalie world a glove and blocker combo that will give goalies the comfort in net that is necessary.

Brian’s Sub Zero Pro 3 Blocker

With a sharp new design, the SubZero Pro 3 blocker is a nice enhancement of the SubZero Pro 2. Compared to their previous blockers, the sidewall is a solid HD foam wall that starts at the very edge of the bindingless blocker face. This design gives the blocker a more rigid structure, preventing it from bending and making it a viable option for making saves. This one feature, alone, makes the SubZero 3 blocker an ‘option A’ for those who play a more set and block style of play; however, it is a great ‘option A’ for any goalie out there. The sidewall is also strategically designed to extend over a goaltender’s index finger, to protect against any shots that ride up the paddle of their stick.

The backside of the blocker has a few features that really complete it. The edge of the sidewall uses Brian’s Primo high abrasion synthetic leather, instead of nylon binding, to reduce overall wear of the blocker. As per usual, Brian’s features a flared open cuff to increase range of motion, but this time around they’ve lined that cuff with their Hex-Air material to increase air flow into the palm and keep the goaltender cool.

One thing not worth changing, and for good reason, is the palm of the blocker. The SubZero Pro 3 has the usual Nash palm with additional ‘No Slip Grip’ SBA material on the palm for increased control of the goaltender’s stick. To keep things clean, the finger gussets are lined with Brian’s anti-microbial X-Static air knit, which kills up to 99% of bacteria.

Brian’s Sub Zero Pro 3 Trapper

Most goalies look for the same thing in a trapper: a vacuum that will increase their save percentage tenfold. While this characteristic is extremely unlikely for obvious reasons, Brian’s may have come extremely close to inventing a vacuum that requires no energy and comes in the form of a glove named SubZero Pro 3.

The most notable feature on the new SubZero trapper is its T; Brian’s has brought back the Anchor-T, inspired by recent Stanley Cup Champion Scott Darling. The Anchor-T literally looks like an anchor. With a wider base that presents the T shape and increase pocket depth, the length of the T is extremely thin which makes space for A LOT more lace. This, in turn, gives the trapper great puck retention, AKA no pop outs. The Anchor-T is partnered with a new concave palm design which gives a funnel effect to pucks that hit the palm rather than the pocket. And, of course, like the previous two SubZero trappers, number 3 has a 40 degree break angle.

Turning the trapper over, it has an exceptional HD foam finger plate to protect the goaltender from any harsh contact during a scrum in the crease. Like previous Brian’s trappers, the cuff on SubZero Pro 3 is flared to increase the goaltender’s range of motion. But, like the blocker, the cuff is lined with Hex-Air material that increases air flow to the palm of the trapper, in turn keeping the goaltender’s hand cool.

Put all these features together, and it will be hard to find a glove that not only closes as effortlessly as the SubZero Pro 3, but offers a seal across the T as seamless. After trying it out on ice while visiting the Kings of Custom, it is evident that lots of effort was put into making what could very well be the best trapper on the market.

Coming into the 2015-16 NHL season, the SubZero Pro 3 is one of the most anticipated lines by goaltenders around the league. It’s been a busy offseason for Brian’s as they’ve been frequently hosted by NHL teams to show off the new line to both prospects and seasoned veterans of the league.

Brian’s Sub Zero Pro 3 Gallery