CCM Jetspeed FTW Series Review

A Brief History Behind "Shrink it and Pink It"

Before getting into the Jetspeed FTW series, it’s important to note that CCM’s FTW line in no way follows the typical “pink it and shrink it” marketing rule . However, understanding the history can help us see why the Jetspeed FTW line is such a big deal in modern hockey today.

The “Pink it and Shrink it” approach to marketing is as it sounds: it involves repackaging existing products originally tailored for men into smaller sizes and pink colors for women, perpetuating stereotypes and offering limited choices for female consumers. As expected, the approach was not well-received; many women found it demeaning and patronizing, as it implies that their preferences were confined to smaller, pink versions of existing products.

"Pink Tax"

There is also the issue of “Pink Tax,” or gender-based pricing. This is a trend in which products marketed specifically toward women are priced higher than similar products for men, despite there being little to no significant difference in quality or function. The name directly references the “Pink it and Shrink it” approach, and a study in 2010 even found that women were charged up to 50 percent extra compared to men for similar products. As more consumers become aware of this phenomenon, prices and products are beginning to change, albeit slowly. 

There is no Pink Tax with the Jetspeed FTW. The FTW series is priced the same as the FT6 while being of comparable quality.

Years of Research in Women's Hockey

The Jetspeed FTW line aims to revolutionize gear for female hockey players. CCM worked with female hockey players to redesign an entire set of gear made by women, for women. In a 2006 study at the University of Missouri-Columbia, female players emphasized the need for gear that offered proper fit but did not differ visually from what the men wore. The Jetspeed FTW looks to make just that— low-profile gear modeled around the female anatomy that still maintains the high-quality construction and appearance of the men’s gear.

CCM isn’t the first to recognize the need for dedicated women’s gear. Research dating back as early as the 2000s highlighted key differences between male and female anatomies when fitting hockey gear. Some researchers even suggested back then that some gear should be redesigned essentially from scratch in order to fit the needs of female hockey players. Such would include but aren’t necessarily limited to:

• Skeletal differences

• Average weight

• Areas of fat placement

With these points in mind, it's evident that simply resizing and recolouring gear designed for men won't suffice for women's gear. Variances in skeletal structure and fat and muscle distribution can mean current options may not be providing an optimal fit.

While some may question the need for women-specific gear, even subtle anatomical differences can greatly affect comfort and safety. Researchers, equipment manufacturers, and the players themselves are all working to address these issues.

Shoulder Pads

Safety-wise, the shoulder pads are equipped with much of the same technologies as the FT6 line, including D3O Zero foams, an Aer-Tec Thermoregulation System, and other high-density foams. The shoulders are also designed to tilt slightly forward.

The big innovation in the shoulder pads is the ADPTFit 3D chest protection and overall adjustability. The pads have been constructed using the diverse body types and sizes of women for the perfect fit, and thus, great protection. ADPTFit 3D incorporates straps enabling customization of width, volume, and length to all be modified for the perfect, all-around fit. This system also makes it easy for young players to adjust their shoulder pads to grow with them as they get older.

Pants

The pants are equipped with all the best that CCM has to offer, including D3O Zero in the spine shield and tailbone pad, 400D nylon, and molded PE caps. The construction is designed to stretch comfortably to mold to a player’s size.

Similar to the shoulder pads, the pants are designed to cater to players of diverse proportions and can be adjusted to achieve the ideal waist size without compromising on other measurements. This means for more form-fitting and less awkward hockey pants, for good protection and a perfect fit.

Elbow Pads

The elbow pads come equipped with tech and a look that seems to be a combination of the standard Jetspeed and Tacks lines. While most of the colours and design looks reminiscent of the Jetspeed family, the elbow cap takes more from Tacks, with a combination of D3O Zero and EVA foam on the cap. True to the Jetspeed label, the elbow pads use a more tapered fit.

The elbow pads have a very low-profile design and have been modeled to fit around the female anatomy. They’re made a bit smaller length-wise than standard elbow pads, with the biceps fitting closer as well. This design complements the shoulder pads, especially at the connection points between the two sections of the body. This attention to anatomical differences is important, considering how male and female torsos and arms often have distinct and differing bone and muscle positioning.

Shin Guards

The full construction of the shin guards is pro-level, from the shin caps to the durability. The shin guards use a tapered construction, same as the rest of the Jetspeed line, this time designed to form fit around varying women’s knee and calf shapes.

Research into rehabilitation and sport injury suggests that athletes are generally more prone to leg and knee injury in dynamic sports that require big, rapid, and unpredictable forces when moving. Women and girls especially tend to be more prone to knee injuries, with one factor most likely being the anatomical differences in the Q-angle. The Q-angle is the angle at which the thigh bone meets the shin. There are ways to reduce the risk of injury, like exercising and wearing support. The shin guard’s shape has been modeled around the female leg and differing anatomy, so it can help give additional support to the knees and shins while skating. 

Please remember that the shin guards cannot 100% prevent injury but offer protection and mitigate the risks.

Gloves

The gloves use a tapered fit, same as the rest of the Jetspeed glove line. CCM also made sure to implement their Aer-Tec Ventilation System for increased breathability, which is a system harmonizes very well with the new glove dimensions.

One noticeable distinction is the feel inside the glove. Players accustomed to standard gloves of a particular size will immediately sense the difference upon wearing the FTW version: initially, the glove may feel pretty snug. However, this is intentional— the gloves are tailored to female proportions, featuring a tighter fit with elongated fingers and a sleek design. 

The knee-jerk reaction might be that the gloves aren’t the right fit, but this isn’t the case at all. The cuff is still made very open, allowing for just as much mobility as you had before. The main difference now is that the gloves can feel closer to your hand than ever for tighter and cleaner control of the puck.

Stick

The stick looks similar to the other sticks on the Jetspeed line, with a green colourway to match the FTW line rather than the signature red. It’s been designed with most of the same technology of the FT6, with the addition of other design choices specifically for women. Major differences come in the size distribution in flex, overall balancing in the weight, and the RR-95 Soft Blade with Peel-Ply . This blade has been newly developed for this stick for better feel, shot speed, and control.

The lengths and flexes offered are tailored specifically with women in mind, with a 70-flex SR stick, as well as INT and JR sizes available.