How do STX Shield 500 goalie gloves perform in terms of protection and flexibility. What makes these gloves stand out from other options on the market. Why are lacrosse goalies choosing the STX Shield 500 for their game-day gear.
STX Shield 500 Goalie Gloves: A Comprehensive Review
The STX Shield 500 goalie gloves have been making waves in the lacrosse community, offering a unique blend of protection and flexibility that sets them apart from other options on the market. As a crucial piece of equipment for any lacrosse goalie, these gloves deserve a thorough examination to determine if they live up to the hype.
Unparalleled Protection Without Sacrificing Comfort
One of the most striking features of the STX Shield 500 gloves is their ability to provide excellent protection without compromising on comfort. Despite their sleek design, which might initially suggest less padding, these gloves offer impressive impact absorption.
Do STX Shield 500 gloves provide adequate protection against powerful shots? The answer is a resounding yes. Users report that the impact from shots is effectively absorbed by the glove, leaving hands well-protected. This is particularly impressive given the lightweight and less bulky nature of these gloves compared to some competitors.
Innovative Thumb Protection
Thumb injuries are a common concern for lacrosse goalies, making thumb protection a critical feature in any goalie glove. The STX Shield 500 addresses this with a unique design featuring a plastic piece on the exterior of the thumb. This not only provides sturdy protection but also allows for flexibility, catering to goalies who prefer to wrap their fingers around the base of the head or the top of the shaft.
Flexibility: A Game-Changing Feature
Perhaps the most praised aspect of the STX Shield 500 gloves is their exceptional flexibility. Many users compare the feel to that of regular lacrosse gloves, which is a significant advantage for goalies looking for maximum maneuverability.
How do these gloves achieve such remarkable flexibility? The secret lies in the balance between the materials used and the weight of the padding. This combination results in a glove that offers both protection and unprecedented freedom of movement.
Breaking In Period
While some users report initial stiffness, particularly in the thumb area, this concern is quickly resolved after a few practice sessions. The gloves break in nicely, allowing for full flexibility without compromising on protection.
Quality Craftsmanship Built to Last
The STX Shield 500 goalie gloves showcase exceptional quality in their construction. From the stitching to the STX logo, every detail speaks to the care and attention put into their production. Even after extensive use, including game time and practice sessions, users report that the gloves maintain their shape and fit, resisting the “sagging” effect often seen in other goalie gloves.
Durability Factor
While long-term durability can only be truly assessed over time, initial impressions suggest that these gloves are built to withstand the rigors of regular use. The quality of materials and construction indicate that the STX Shield 500 gloves are a long-term investment for serious lacrosse goalies.
Fit and Feel: Designed for Optimal Performance
The fit of a goalie glove can significantly impact performance, and the STX Shield 500 seems to hit the sweet spot for many players. These gloves offer a firm grip on the padding, allowing for excellent control when driving the stick to make saves.
Are the STX Shield 500 gloves true to size? While they run slightly smaller compared to some other brands, many users find this to be an advantage. The gloves strike a balance between the sometimes too-tight 12-inch gloves and the often too-long 13-inch options, providing what many consider to be the perfect fit.
Grip and Control
One of the standout features of these gloves is their ability to maintain grip and control throughout intense gameplay. Users report that the gloves handle shots exceptionally well, with hands staying firmly in place when set up for shots. This stability extends to clearing passes as well, with players noting smooth and controlled outlet passes.
Comparison to Other Popular Goalie Gloves
When compared to other popular options like the Maverik Rome NXT or Maverik M3 goalie gloves, the STX Shield 500 stands out for its superior flexibility and comfort. While each glove has its strengths, the Shield 500’s balance of protection and mobility gives it an edge for many players.
Size Considerations
It’s worth noting that the STX Shield 500 gloves may run slightly smaller than some other brands. However, most users find that ordering their normal size results in an excellent fit. This slightly snugger fit contributes to the gloves’ superior control and feel.
Performance on the Field: Real-World Testing
To truly assess the performance of the STX Shield 500 gloves, it’s crucial to consider their performance in real game situations. After extensive testing, including wall ball practice, shot-stopping drills, and tournament play, these gloves have consistently impressed users with their performance.
Shot Stopping
How do the STX Shield 500 gloves perform when facing high-velocity shots? Players report excellent impact absorption without the bulkiness often associated with high-protection gloves. This allows goalies to maintain quick reflexes and agility while still benefiting from top-tier protection.
Clearing and Passing
The flexibility of these gloves truly shines when it comes to clearing and passing. Goalies report smooth, controlled outlet passes, attributing this to the gloves’ excellent grip and natural feel. This performance in clearing situations can be a game-changer, especially in fast-paced matches where quick transitions are crucial.
The Evolution of Goalie Gloves: STX’s Innovative Approach
The STX Shield 500 represents a significant step forward in the evolution of lacrosse goalie gloves. As the position of goalie continues to evolve, demanding ever-greater agility and finesse, equipment manufacturers must innovate to keep pace. STX has clearly risen to this challenge with the Shield 500.
Balancing Protection and Mobility
How has STX managed to create a glove that offers both superior protection and unparalleled flexibility? The answer lies in their innovative design approach, which focuses on strategic padding placement and the use of advanced materials. This results in a glove that protects the most vulnerable areas of a goalie’s hands without restricting movement.
The Future of Goalie Gloves
The success of the STX Shield 500 may well set a new standard for goalie gloves in the lacrosse industry. As players continue to demand equipment that enhances their natural abilities rather than hindering them, we can expect to see more innovations in this direction from other manufacturers as well.
Who Should Consider the STX Shield 500 Goalie Gloves?
While the STX Shield 500 gloves have received overwhelmingly positive reviews, they may not be the perfect choice for every player. Understanding who might benefit most from these gloves can help players make an informed decision.
Ideal for Agile Goalies
Goalies who prioritize quick reflexes and agility in their playing style will likely find the STX Shield 500 gloves to be an excellent fit. The gloves’ superior flexibility allows for rapid hand movements, making them ideal for goalies who rely on fast reactions to make saves.
Comfort-Focused Players
Players who have found traditional goalie gloves to be overly bulky or restrictive may find the STX Shield 500 to be a game-changer. The gloves’ ability to provide protection without sacrificing comfort makes them an excellent choice for goalies who prioritize a natural feel.
Considerations for Different Skill Levels
Are the STX Shield 500 gloves suitable for all skill levels? While they can certainly benefit goalies at any stage of their lacrosse journey, these gloves may be particularly appreciated by more experienced players who can take full advantage of their enhanced mobility. However, the excellent protection they offer makes them a solid choice for beginners as well.
Maintenance and Care: Ensuring Longevity
To get the most out of your STX Shield 500 gloves, proper maintenance is key. While these gloves are built to last, taking good care of them can significantly extend their lifespan and maintain their performance characteristics.
Cleaning and Drying
How should you clean your STX Shield 500 gloves? After each use, it’s recommended to wipe them down with a damp cloth to remove sweat and dirt. For a deeper clean, use a mild soap solution, being careful not to saturate the gloves. Always allow them to air dry completely before the next use, avoiding direct sunlight or heat sources which could damage the materials.
Storage
Proper storage is crucial for maintaining the shape and integrity of your gloves. Store them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Avoid compressing the gloves during storage, as this could affect their shape and protective properties.
Regular Inspection
Periodically inspect your gloves for any signs of wear or damage. Pay particular attention to the stitching and padding. Addressing minor issues early can prevent them from becoming major problems that could compromise the gloves’ performance or protection.
The Impact of Equipment on Goalie Performance
The choice of equipment, particularly gloves, can have a significant impact on a goalie’s performance. The right gloves can enhance a player’s natural abilities, while the wrong ones can hinder performance and even lead to injuries.
Confidence Boost
How can the right gloves improve a goalie’s confidence? When a goalie feels well-protected and unrestricted in their movements, it can lead to increased confidence on the field. This confidence often translates to better performance, as the goalie can focus fully on the game without worrying about their equipment.
Enhanced Technique
The flexibility and natural feel of the STX Shield 500 gloves allow goalies to maintain proper technique more easily. This is particularly important for crucial skills like proper hand positioning and quick stick movements.
Injury Prevention
While no equipment can guarantee injury prevention, high-quality gloves like the STX Shield 500 can significantly reduce the risk of hand and finger injuries. The balance of protection and flexibility helps goalies maintain proper form, which is crucial for avoiding both acute injuries and long-term strain.
The STX Brand: A Legacy of Innovation
The STX Shield 500 goalie gloves are part of a long tradition of innovation from the STX brand. Understanding the company’s history and commitment to advancing lacrosse equipment can provide valuable context for these gloves’ design and performance.
STX’s History in Lacrosse
Founded in 1970, STX has been at the forefront of lacrosse equipment innovation for over five decades. The company’s commitment to advancing the sport through technology and design has made it a trusted name among players at all levels.
Commitment to Research and Development
How does STX stay ahead of the curve in equipment design? The company invests heavily in research and development, often collaborating with top players and coaches to refine their products. This commitment to continuous improvement is evident in products like the Shield 500 gloves, which represent a significant leap forward in goalie glove design.
Sustainability Efforts
In recent years, STX has also been focusing on sustainability in their product development and manufacturing processes. While specific details about the Shield 500 gloves’ sustainability credentials are not provided, this overall commitment to environmental responsibility is worth considering for environmentally conscious players.
Making the Investment: Value Proposition of the STX Shield 500
While the STX Shield 500 gloves may represent a significant investment for many players, their combination of protection, comfort, and durability makes them a worthwhile consideration. When evaluating the value of these gloves, it’s important to consider not just the upfront cost, but also their potential longevity and impact on performance.
Long-Term Cost Effectiveness
Are the STX Shield 500 gloves a cost-effective choice in the long run? Given their durability and resistance to wear, these gloves may actually prove more economical over time compared to less expensive options that need to be replaced more frequently. Additionally, the potential performance benefits could make them a worthwhile investment for serious players.
Performance Benefits
The potential impact on performance should be a key consideration when evaluating the value of these gloves. If the STX Shield 500 gloves allow a goalie to perform at a higher level due to improved comfort, flexibility, and protection, the investment may well pay off in terms of on-field success.
Comparing Options
When considering the STX Shield 500 gloves, it’s worth comparing them not just to other goalie gloves, but also to the cost of potential alternatives. For example, the cost of these high-quality gloves might be justified if they help prevent injuries that could lead to medical expenses or missed playing time.
Final Thoughts: Are the STX Shield 500 Gloves Right for You?
The STX Shield 500 goalie gloves represent a significant advancement in lacrosse equipment design, offering an impressive balance of protection, flexibility, and comfort. Their innovative approach to addressing the needs of modern lacrosse goalies has earned them high praise from players at various levels of the sport.
Weighing the Pros and Cons
As with any piece of equipment, the decision to invest in the STX Shield 500 gloves should be based on a careful consideration of your individual needs and preferences. While these gloves offer numerous advantages, including superior flexibility and excellent protection, they may not be the perfect fit for every player.
Try Before You Buy
If possible, it’s always recommended to try on and test equipment before making a purchase. This is particularly true for goalie gloves, where fit and feel are crucial to performance. If you have the opportunity to test the STX Shield 500 gloves, pay attention to how they feel during various goalie movements and how well they protect your hands from shots.
Considering Your Playing Style
How well do the STX Shield 500 gloves align with your playing style? If you’re a goalie who values quick hand movements and a natural feel, these gloves could be an excellent choice. However, if you prefer a more padded, traditional goalie glove, you might want to explore other options.
Ultimately, the STX Shield 500 goalie gloves have set a new standard in the industry, combining innovative design with high-quality materials to create a product that meets the evolving needs of lacrosse goalies. Whether they’re the right choice for you will depend on your individual preferences, playing style, and budget. However, for many goalies, these gloves represent a significant step forward in equipment design, offering the potential to enhance performance and enjoyment of the game.
STX Shield 500 Goalie Gloves Review
By Coach Damon
Hello to all you lax goalie rats! Today we’re taking a look at one of STX’s premier goalie gloves – the STX Shield 500.
I got these gloves about a month ago and have now had a bit of time playing around with them via wall ball, taking shots, and playing in a summer tournament with the Shield 500’s protecting my hands.
My experience was generally positive through everything, and some areas exceeded expectations above and beyond.
To consider an in-depth review for goalie gloves, there are a few areas we are going to dive into. We’ll take a look at the quality, fit, flexibility, protection, and more!
STX Shield 500 Protection
Protection in goalie gloves is the most important element of the glove. So a huge part of the review is how are our hands and especially our thumb protected.
On the outside of the gloves, there doesn’t appear to have much padding at first glance.
But don’t let the sleek design fool you. The impact from shots I took to the hand using the STX Shield 500 was practically entirely absorbed by glove.
The STX Shield 500 are light weight and don’t have as much bulky padding as other gloves but I felt the protection to the hands was still sufficient.
It was a bit shocking due to how loose the gloves felt compared to other goalie gloves that can be rather stiff and not allow for much hand movement.
However, with the goalie position ever evolving, its good to see lax companies such as STX making strides to make goalie gloves as loose and comfortable as possible to enhance us goalie’s ability to make saves.
Next let’s discuss the most important piece of protection in a goalie glove – the precious thumb.
One of the most common injuries for lacrosse goalies is breaking their thumb, so sturdy thumb protection is crucial.
The thumb of the STX Shield 500 offers a unique protection design, with a plastic piece on the exterior that also allows the thumb to be flexible.
This is great for goalies who like to wrap their fingers around the base of the head, or the top of the shaft.
Flexibility
Personally, I believe the ideal fit for a goalie glove would be for it to have the same flexibility and feel of a normal lacrosse glove.
That’s exactly what the STX Shield 500’s feel like.
They are by far the most flexible and most comfortable goalie gloves I’ve used in my lacrosse playing career.
I will say when I first strapped on these gloves I was concerned by the initial inability for the thumbs to bend well. But after a few wall ball sessions they were broken in just fine.
The flexibility of the glove boils down to the material used and the weight of padding used. Its well-balanced and allows for the best fitting goalie glove on the market, in my opinion.
Quality
The quality of the STX Shield 500 goalie gloves is exceptional.
Everything from the stitching to the “STX” logo, it all stays nice.
Granted, I’ve only had these gloves for about a month but you just see and feel the quality that went into the production of these beauties. I can tell the STX Shield 500’s are built to last.
What I personally like about how they’re made is even after several sessions and game time with the gloves, they still fit just as if they were brand new.
Other gloves tend to “sag”, meaning the padding and material hand down from excessive use, sweat, water, and other factors.
However, these gloves do not seem to be effected by this nearly as much as most goalie gloves, giving them a rather unique edge over other choices.
Fit
Okay, the big question, how do they feel around the stick?
Well, the grip on the padding is firm, and will allow for great control when driving your stick to the shot as I teach in the basics of making save.
The issue with some goalie gloves is they have a tendency to be too stiff, not allowing a comfortable grip around the shaft and/or base of the head.
The stiffness of some gloves also impedes a goalie’s ability to be fluid and quick to the ball.
The STX Shield 500’s however, allow for excellent mobility when moving.
Compared to other goalie gloves that I’ve tried, such as the Maverik Rome NXT goalie gloves or the Maverik M3’s, the Shield 500’s run a tad smaller. But for me, I feel it’s a positive rather than a negative.
Why? Well, I always felt that 12-inch gloves were just a bit too tight and that 13-inch gloves ran too long. Maybe that’s a personal problem, but the Shield 500’s seem to fit perfect.
I would suggest ordering your normal size glove and I think you’re going to like the fit. At least I do.
They also handle shots great as well, and the grip allows your hands to stay where they were placed when you set up for the shot.
As I took shot after shot on the field and rep after rep on the wall, the STX Shield 500’s never slipped as I’ve had happen with some gloves.
Lastly, clearing with these gloves is as smooth as ever.
Every outlet pass I threw felt consistent and again, the hand placement never budged.
Maneuvering the stick itself was easy as well, and with the grip thick enough to hold wherever your hands were placed, I always felt secure when I had the ball in my possession.
Design
The overall design of these gloves is wonderful. The coloring and design pops out nicely and is vivid.
Deion Sanders classic quote – “When you look good, you play good” – well I think that applies to the STX Sheild 500s.
STX did a great job of making it simplistic, but also popping out areas of detail that make them stand out from other gloves.
Normally goalie gloves won’t have as much detail embedded into the gloves themselves as STX has done here with the Shield 500’s.
The thumb design is unique as well and is in my opinion, how every goalie thumb protector should act.
The plastic protection piece does not bend all too well, however the thumb itself is able to move with ease.
This allows for a stiff protection, but still gives the goalie flexibility inside the glove, which is a great design an to me, and something many other gloves don’t offer.
Price
In terms of the price of these gloves, they are a bit on the higher end.
On LacrosseMonkey.com you can get a pair of STX Shield 500’s for $160.
While they’re not the highest priced goalie gloves on the market, they’re certainly up there. Despite the higher-end price, I can’t stress enough just how good these gloves actually are.
They’ve held up tremendously and sometimes with lacrosse goalie equipment, you get what you pay for and more.
I’d say the quality even matches up better than most gloves, despite that $160 price tag.
I could see them being a lot more expensive than what they really are, but luckily for us goalies balling on a budget, they aren’t.
Where to Buy the STX Shield 500 Goalie Gloves
As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, my online vendor of choice is LacrosseMonkey.
com. I’ve made all my recent lacrosse gear purchases through them and have had nothing but great experiences.
Checkout the STX Shield 500 on LacrosseMonkey.com.
They also have a price guarantee where if you find a better deal in North America – they’ll beat it!
Conclusion
Overall, I don’t think it gets much better for goalies than the STX Shield 500 goalie gloves.
I really searched for some negative element or some criticism that I could include this review but it just wasn’t there.
In terms of how the gloves fit and feels, its right on where it should be. The balance seems to be nearly flawless.
The only real issue I found when using these gloves was the initial inability for the thumbs to bend well, but warmed up after a few wall ball sessions. Therefore, I don’t really see that as a downside to the overall product, rather just breaking them in.
Besides that, these gloves are ready to go and feel immediately conformed to your hand. They seem to run a tad smaller than most gloves overall, but I believe it’s better.
