True Catalyst PX5 Review
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Time to read 6 min
The True Catalyst line up is currently the most popular leg pad in the NHL, chosen by over 25% of NHL goalies. Known for it’s softer core, knee rolls, and reactive playstyle, the Catalyst PX5 builds off the success of the PX3.
New in 2025 is True’s all-new Diamond Glide material, designed to reduce friction on the ice and help goalies move faster across the crease. Beyond the showstopper Diamond Glide material, the True Catalyst PX5 offers minor updates, upgrades, and redesigns to keep the familiar feel goalies love.
The Evolution of True Goalie Gear
True Sports took the goalie world by storm in 2021 when they partnered with Lefevre, one of the top goalie gear designers for decades. With that came a new option for goalies, built by the same company that had made gear for pros since the Koho days. It didn't take long for True to take over the NHL, with over 40% of NHL goalies wearing the True gear.
Catalyst PX5 VS HZRDUS PX4
True sports has two distinct lines of goalie gear, providing options for any goalie depending on their playstyle:
Catalyst PX5
The True Catalyst PX5 is True's newest addition of goalie gear for 2025. Replacing the Catalyst PX3 model, the Catalyst is designed with a softer flex and knee rolls to provide a pad that is reactive to a goalie's every move. The traditional feel has been embraced by goalies at every level with over 25% of NHL goalies using a True Catalyst pad.
HXRDUS PX4
The True HZRDUS PX4 is True's stiffer-style leg pad, designed for goalies who want a solid foundation when in the butterfly. These pads are designed for butterfly style, while kicking out powerful rebounds. With the direction of modern goaltending, stiffer pads are becoming more popular, with over 10% of NHL Goalies sporting a HZRDUS pad.
True Catalyst PX5 Leg Pads
The True Catalyst lineup is known for its softer core, providing a reactive and flexible pad. The traditional feel is complemented by the knee rolls, absorbing energy to dampen rebounds for better control. The new True Catalyst PX5 leg pads are the biggest update to the Catalyst line, featuring the all-new Diamond Glide material, a thinner thigh rise and a redesigned calf warp.
What's New?
True Diamond Glide
The all-new Diamond Glide steals the spotlight on this new line of True Catalyst PX5 gear. Designed to improve the pads slide-ability, it promises to help goalies get across crease faster.
Looking closer, it feels similar to weave, or almost like the dimples on a golf ball, although it has a slick, waxy texture when rubbing your hand across it. The material itself is not weaved together, and rather a imprinted or molded texture. Overall, we’ve heard good reviews and believe that it will slide better than True’s other pad materials.
Thinner Thigh Rise
When looking at the side profile, the True Catalyst PX5’s are going to look much more similar to the HZRDUS PX4 leg pads given the updated thinner thigh rise. Instead of having the notch that was featured on the PX3 pads, the PX5 borrows the sleeker, diagonal cut that was introduced on the True HZRDUS line.
Redesigned Calf Wrap
The calf wrap has also being redesigned on the True PX5’s looking more like a hybrid of the PX3 and PX4 models. The calf wrap still provides a snug, full leg enclosure similar to the PX3, however it doesn’t go as low on the pad, instead being cut-off in the same spot as the PX4.
Catalyst PX5 Graphic
I’m actually a big fan of the graphic on the True PX5 gear, although it does feel quite familiar. I’m personally a big fan of designs where the leg pads work together, combining in the middle. Overall, the design isn’t revolutionary, and some might say it looks like a PX3 if you hold it upside down, but regardless it’s pretty clean, especially when using weave as an accent.
True L95 Graphic
If a retro look is more your style, then the True L95 is the pad for you. True originally released the L87 graphic last year, which you'll see a couple pros like Jeremy Swayman and Scott Wedgewood wearing. The new L95 graphic adds some extra flare to the retro look, and Marc-Andre Fleury has been using this graphic for all three Minnesota Wild jerseys this season.
About the True Catalyst PX5 Leg Pads
Soft Flex
The True Catalyst PX5 is a softer style pad, with a soft flex boot and a single internal and external break. This construction enables a reactive pad with a traditional feel.
Knee Rolls
The True PX5 leg pads feature knee rolls on the pad face, retaining a traditional look while also offering softer rebounds off the knee for more control of where pucks go.
Fast Rotation System Strapping (FRS Strapping)
The Catalyst PX5's feature True’s signature inner calf strapping which provides two internal adjustable straps to create a customizable fit, while improving pad stability and weight distribution.
Bungee Toe Laces
All of True’s leg pads come stock with Velcro bungee laces to create a forgiving toe attachment to your skate.
Stiffer Knee Stack
The True PX5 features a stiffer knee stack to provide a more responsive feel when on the ice.
Knee Zone
The Catalyst PX5 leg pads feature a recessed knee roll with a removable knee wrap to accommodate knee pads of any size.
True Catalyst PX5 Catcher
Break Angles
The True Catalyst PX5 catcher offers 600, 590, and 580 break angles. To learn more about the different glove angles, check out our YouTube video discussing each glove break angle in-depth.
Pocket and T
The True PX5 pocket comes stock with skate lace, offering more absorption to shots for better puck catching. The Catalyst PX5 glove also comes stock with a double T to enhance pocket presentation.
Sure Grip Palm
The Sure Grip palm is designed for better grip, enabling goalies to close the glove more efficiently.
Strapping
The Catalyst PX5 glove features Velcro adjustment straps along the internal fingers and back of hand for a truly customizable fit. The webbing strap system on the wrist allows for quick adjustments to lock in your hand.
True Catalyst PX5 Blocker
595 Blocker Board
The 595 Blocker Board comes standard on the True Catalyst PX5, offering a deeper curvature to directed pucks downward.
Finger Protection
The True PX5 blocker features a straight index protection padding, designed for a better seal and feel by keeping the blocker hand closer to the stick. The finger protection also includes dual elastic straps to keep finger protection closer and more reactive.
Side Wall Board
The Catalyst PX5 side wall features a traditional full board design.
Half Piece Cuff
True’s half piece cuff on the Catalyst PX5 offers goalies optimal wrist mobility without restriction for comfort and performance when making blocker saves.
Sure Grip Palm
The Sure Grip Palm has enhanced grip designed for greater stick control, while providing greater comfort and long term durability.
Thumb Pillow
The Catalyst PX5 blocker thumb features a thick foam insert to provide additional protection and comfort, while still being removable for customizable feel.
True Catalyst PX5 Customizer
Designed and manufactured by hand, in Canada, True offers a wide variety of customizations to help goalies design their ideal gear. When it comes to leg pads, some of the custom Catalyst PX5 options include leg pad stiffness profile, custom strapping, and rebound control. Goalies can also customize their catcher by choosing the type of palm, pocket lacing, break angle, and strapping. Finally, goalies can create their blocker from options including palm, blocker board, and more. Click here for True’s Catalyst PX5 Custom Catalogue.
Final Thoughts on the True Catalyst PX5
The True Catalyst PX5 stays true to what makes it so popular (no pun intended). The new Diamond Glide material is an exciting addition to improve the performance of the Catalyst PX5’s. With every brand doing something special to help their pads slide faster, True has caught up in the one place that other brands previously had the upper hand. Beyond the new material, the PX5 simply offers minor updates to create a leg pad that offers a traditional fit and feel, something that Lefevre is famous for. There’s no question as to why True is the most popular brand in the NHL.
