Innovation Series: Bauer Twitch Hockey Stick Review
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Time to read 5 min
The Bauer Twitch is the latest evolution in Bauer’s innovation series, crafted for goalscorers looking to capitalize on every scoring opportunity.
At the heart of this new stick is the brand-new Twitch Taper, which pushes performance beyond the previous XE taper used in Bauer sticks. This new taper allows players to load their shots faster and benefit from a quicker, more explosive release, all while maintaining a fluid and more natural feel. With the new taper, in conjunction with the rest of what Bauer has implemented in the stick, the Twitch looks to help you make each shot as effortless and effective as the next.
Bauer Twitch: Highlights
New Twitch Taper
The Bauer Twitch introduces the new Twitch Taper, which has readjusted where the taper sits and how it reacts on the shot. Despite how nice the previous AG5NT felt when handling the puck, there were some parts around the taper that we were hoping would get some improvements—and Bauer has come back on that. The Twitch taper now begins closer to the bottom hand, making it easier for players to load their shots and adding more benefit from a quicker recoil. With this setup, more energy can be transferred with greater power and more efficiency.
This stick is designed to “supercharge” your shot—in other words, it wants to help you take advantage of every scoring opportunity. Whether you're taking a quick snap shot or powering through a slapshot, the taper mechanism will help to enhance your ability to execute those shots and maneuvers.
Low Kick Point
The stick features a low kick point flex profile to further emphasize it as an ideal option for players who rely on quick shots in tight spaces. This flex profile is designed to generate explosive energy with minimal load time, giving you an edge when it comes to rapid shot releases. The Twitch will be particularly effective for beating the goalie on speed—which is exactly what goalscorers will want.
In combination with its lightweight boron fibre shaft and innovative taper design, the low kick point is able to make every shot feel more responsive on the energy transfer and give a snappier shot release.
Graphics
The Twitch greatly impressed us with the new teal accents over a black base. Following the current trend for high end sticks, the stick also features a holographic, iridescent finish, meaning that under a certain light, it will have a rainbow-like shine to it. It’s very eye-catching, and personally, it’s one of my favourite parts of the modern stick scene. You will notice in photos that it may look a bit orange—that’s part of the effect of this shine.
The Twitch text logo has a couple instances positioned near both the top and middle of the shaft, which ties into the stick’s “twitch” theme; its glitchy, static-like appearance is very dynamic, almost reflecting the Twitch’s speed when it comes to how it’s designed to perform on the ice. This glitch effect is mirrored in the Bauer logo above it, giving the entire design a consistent look.
Boron Fibre Shaft Material
Exclusive to Bauer, the ultra-lightweight boron fibre material makes a return in the Twitch stick, following its debut in the AG5NT model. Known for its remarkable strength and rigidity, boron fibre is commonly used in industries like aerospace and high-performance engineering, where materials are required to endure extreme stresses while remaining lightweight. In hockey, this same principle applies to the shaft of the Bauer Twitch stick.
This advanced material is integrated in certain parts of the shaft to deliver an impressive strength-to-weight ratio. Weighing in at just 345 grams (with a variance of +/- 10 grams), the stick feels light in hand for better maneuverability, whether that be while handling the puck or skating down the ice. They did make the stick just a bit heavier than the AG5NT, but the improved balancing and feel on the shot more than make up for it. This construction optimizes energy storage to create a more responsive and accurate stick.
Boron allows the stick to deliver a unique balance of power and precision, which then can help players gain the confidence they need to make quicker passes with greater accuracy.
Rounded Shaft Geometry
The stick features a rounded shaft geometry, crafted to enhance grip and comfort by introducing curved edges that conform more naturally to the shape of your palm. This design provides a more intuitive, comfortable grip, promoting better control and handling.
As the shaft transitions into the taper, the rounded edges complement the advanced taper design, which, as mentioned, has been positioned closer to your bottom hand. This subtle change in the taper's placement allows for more efficient energy transfer when shooting, while the curved geometry gives players a more natural hold on the stick. This combination helps balance out comfort with shot efficiency.
In addition to the ergonomic shape, the stick utilizes TeXtreme Asymmetrical Technology for increased strength and durability, specifically targeting areas that experience the most stress. The use of lightweight carbon fibre enhances the shaft's strength and durability while keeping the stick light.
Stiff Blade Core
The stick is equipped with a stiff blade core, which is an advanced blade construction combining a tough, ultra-light foam core with carbon bridges. This design increases durability while giving players more "pop" in their shots—this is that enhanced recoil that you want when you really want to increase power and responsiveness. The blade of the Twitch snaps back into position quickly after flexing for a more dynamic release.
A stiffer blade is a valuable feature for low kick point sticks like the Twitch. While the location of the kick point allows for a quicker release, a stiffer blade core prevents the blade from twisting as much on impact, helping to maintain accuracy and precision in high-pressure situations.
Final Thoughts
After putting the Bauer Twitch to the test, the feedback from our team at the Shop has been overwhelmingly positive. As advertised, the stick offers a “whippy” feel that really delivers when it comes to shot performance, and our guys have said they felt every shot like a slingshot off the blade.
If you are interested in the Twitch, it’s recommended that you come to the store—or one near you if you are a bit far away from The Hockey Shop—and try out different flexes. The Twitch Taper is a great upgrade, but it may change the stick’s reaction to your shooting style. Making sure you end up with the correct flex is important in not only improving your shot, but also prolonging the life of the stick.
Beyond its performance features, the Twitch also just feels great. The combination of light weight from the boron fibre and the new Twitch Taper makes this stick engineered to feel natural and very responsive during the game. If you're a goalscorer looking for a stick that can give you an edge on the shot, the Bauer Twitch is definitely worth a try.
