Nike Vapor Elite Lacrosse Elbow and Arm Pad Review

Nike Vapor Elite Lacrosse Elbow and Arm Pad Review

Lightweight and Flexible Design of the Nike Vapor Elite

The Nike Vapor Elite lacrosse elbow and arm pads feature an innovative lightweight and flexible design to give players unmatched mobility without sacrificing protection. Constructed from flexible neoprene material, the pads move naturally with the arm and don’t restrict motion. Many lacrosse players complain about stiff, bulky pads that hinder their ability to cradle and pass effectively. The pre-curved anatomical shape and strategic stretch bindings on the Vapor Elite allow for full range of arm movement needed for quick sticks and checks.

Unlike pads that utilize heavy rigid plastic caps, the Vapor Elite uses softer flexible plastic molds on the elbow, forearm, and shoulder. This enables the pad to flex with the natural motion of the arm rather than against it. Breathable mesh venting throughout the pad also enhances flexibility by reducing sweat buildup. The elastic straps evenly distribute weight and provide a secure custom fit around the arm without pinching or chafing.

During playtests, players reported that the Vapor Elite felt “broken-in” right away with no need to wear them in before games. The pads move seamlessly as you extend, cradle and flex your arm for passing and shooting. While offering impressive mobility and dexterity, Nike didn’t compromise on critical impact protection. Strategically placed foam inserts absorb checks and collisions while the capped pads diffuse direct blows. If you want lightweight feel and flexible protection for quick reaction time, the Vapor Elite is an ideal choice.

Adjustable Straps Provide Secure Customized Fit

The adjustable straps allow players to dial in a secure contoured fit for the Nike Vapor Elite pads. Unlike pads with generic one-size-fits-all strapping, the Vapor Elite utilizes multiple adjustable elastic straps to customize the compression. Strategic stretch bindings wrap securely around the bicep, forearm, and wrist for a locked-in feel. The bicep strap helps keep the padded sleeve from sliding down during checks and cradling. Meanwhile the forearm and wrist straps prevent the pad from shifting up and down. This eliminates the need to constantly pull and tug at the pads to get them back in place.

By providing a truly customized fit, the pads stay put exactly where you position them for optimal protection and mobility. The lightweight contoured padding moves with you instead of flopping around. The adjustable straps also allow you to control compression across different areas of the arm. Cinch down the sturdy wrist strap for maximum stability during face-offs and hacking, then loosen it up for more flex during quick stick moves. Pull the bicep strap tighter for sprinting and dodging or go looser for long passes across the field. The Vapor Elite lets you tweak the tightness and positioning any way you want depending on your playing style and preference.

Unlike sleeves that tend to stretch out and get loose over time, the durable elastic straps maintain consistent compression. Double-stitching reinforces the straps to prevent tearing and fraying even after seasons of use. While the Vapor Elite provides a premium locked-in feel right off the shelf, the adjustability ensures the pads will continue fitting securely game after game. Dialing in the right amount of customizable compression with the multiple adjustable straps allows the Vapor Elite to provide elite protection and flexibility.

Molded Plastic Caps Provide Targeted Impact Protection

The Nike Vapor Elite lacrosse elbow pads utilize molded plastic caps to provide unmatched protection against checks, slashes, and collisions. Strategically placed protective caps on the elbow, forearm, and shoulder diffuse direct blows to those vulnerable areas. The molded TPU caps are highly durable yet flexible to allow a full range of motion.

The elbow is one of the most frequently struck zones during gameplay. The molded elbow cap covers from above the joint down to several inches below it for complete coverage. Its tapered shape follows the natural contour of the arm to eliminate gaps in protection. The rugged textured plastic provides abrasion resistance when hitting the turf while the perforated venting reduces heat buildup. On hard slashing checks, the elbow cap distributes and deflects impact forces away from the joint.

Further down on the forearm, the contoured plastic mold shields the vulnerable wrist extensor muscles from hacks. The smooth rounded shape prevents the cap from catching on jerseys during play. At the top of the pad, the oversized shoulder cap boosts protection. Its swept-back profile extends both front and back to protect the tip of the shoulder which is vulnerable in odd collisions. During gameplay, players reported the Vapor Elite caps felt practically indestructible yet comfortable at the same time. The strategic placement provides peace of mind that crucial areas have ample protection when battling for a ground ball or absorbing an unexpected blow.

While other pads utilize bulky cumbersome plastic shields that limit mobility, the ergonomic shaping and flex grooves on the Vapor Elite caps provide elite protection with hardly any restriction. Backed by Nike’s meticulous research and testing, the plastic injection molds offer the precise level of high-impact shielding at key areas while maintaining flexibility for quick maneuvers.

Ventilated Neoprene Construction Keeps Players Cool

The Nike Vapor Elite utilizes ultra-breathable ventilated neoprene through the sleeves to keep players cool during intense gameplay. Strategic mesh paneling interspersed throughout the padded sleeves enhance airflow to the skin. Perforations along the neoprene allow heat and sweat to escape rather than getting trapped inside.

The construction contrasts with other pads that use non-breathable materials that hold heat and moisture. Once saturated with sweat, these pads feel heavy and wet against the arm which can hinder mobility. The ventilated compression material of the Vapor Elite solves this by whisking away perspiration. Even in the hottest, most humid conditions, your arms stay cool and dry for peak comfort and wicking performance.

Inside the sleeves, the perforated foam follows the same motif to enhance breathability. Previous Nike pads used solid one-piece foam inserts that caused stuffiness and overheating. By replacing this with vented foam components, air can permeate throughout the pad interior. Combined with the moisture-wicking neoprene sleeves, this eliminates the hot, soggy feeling generated inside many competitor pads during intense play.

Ventilation zones behind the elbow and at the bicep provide additional airflow where heat builds up easily. Throughout the pads, small laser-cut holes allow air circulation while retaining structural integrity for protection. Testers reported the Vapor Elite felt cool and lightweight even when worn for hours during grueling summer tournaments and practices. The advanced ventilated construction ensures you stay fresh and focused on the field, not distracted by overheating pads.

Stretch Bindings Prevent Slipping During Play

To prevent the Nike Vapor Elite pads from slipping during play, strategic stretch bindings are utilized throughout the design. These elasticized bindings are placed at key friction zones to lock the pad in place against the arm. An upper bicep binding hugs the muscle contour to prevent the protective sleeve from drooping down. It maintains coverage right below the shoulder cap during checks and contact. At the wrist, a tight binding seals the edge of the sleeve to eliminate gaps.

During playtesting, testers reported no issues with the pads slipping or moving out of optimal position. The bindings allow you to pull the pads on snugly then play aggressively without needing adjustments. While other pads tend to work their way down the arm over time, the Vapor Elite bindings keep everything locked right where you set it. The latex-free elastic maintains its compression and grip for the long haul rather than losing elasticity.

By mapping high-friction zones on the arm, Nike strategically placed specialized ULTRAGRIP material only where needed. This selectively reduces bulk while still enhancing grip at key points. The slim tailored bindings integrate smoothly into the pad exterior and eliminate loose or bunching material around the straps. The streamlined interior bindings also do not bunch up or cause irritation during play. Throughout the interior lining, silicone traction grip dots help prevent shifting against the arm when lunging and cutting.

During development, Nike tested over 15 elastic grip combinations to find the optimal balance of compression, flexibility, and anti-slip performance. This meticulous testing resulted in Vapor Elite bindings that move and flex naturally with the arm while preventing migration, bunching, and adjustment. Players can focus on the game, not their gear.

Pre-Curved Anatomical Shape Enables Full Range of Motion

The Nike Vapor Elite elbow pads feature a pre-curved anatomical shape that mirrors the natural contours of the arm for unrestricted mobility. Rather than a simple tubular sleeve, the pads utilize 3D shaping and articulated components that move seamlessly with the arm’s flexing and rotation.

Pre-shaped foam inserts align to key muscles and folds in the arm for a precision fit. The rigid protective elements adapt specifically to the wrist hinge, elbow joint, and rounded shoulder. By mapping the complete anatomy, Nike engineered the padding to feel like a second skin. The pre-curved elbow cap eliminates painful pinching that occurs with square pads during deep flexion. Forearm reinforcements integrate smoothly when transitioning from pronation to supination.

During playtesting, players reported completely natural mobility in the pads with no restrictions. You can extend fully for checks and pokes without resistance or tightness. The pads move effortlessly when cradling, allowing maximum running speed and quick stick maneuvers. Even during intense gameplay, testers tended to forget they were even wearing pads due to the unimpeded mobility.

The ergonomic pre-curved shaping also enhances protection by keeping padding in contact with the arm through a full range of movements. With shifting or gaping, every inch stays protected. The seamless feel enables you to focus on playing your best game, not on adjusting and tugging at ill-fitting pads. Backed by motion capture analysis and anatomical mapping, Nike optimized the Vapor Elite for elite-level performance.

Multiple Sizing Options Allow Finding the Right Fit

Unlike other lacrosse elbow pads that only come in vague size ranges, the Nike Vapor Elite is offered in precise sizing in adult and youth models. With small increments between sizes, it’s easy to find your ideal fit for optimum flexibility and protection.

The adult pads come in sizes S-XL with three sizes in between to dial in the right compression. For younger players still growing, the youth pads range from YXS to YL in similar 1-inch gradations. The anatomically contoured right- and left-handed designs ensure the pads hug the arm cleanly rather than flopping around.

During development, Nike scanned hundreds of arms to derive true-to-size grading that eliminates guesswork. While other brands simply scale up or down a single pattern, Nike engineers crafted each Vapor Elite size from the ground up based on actual player measurements. The result is a precise contoured fit with no tight spots or gaps in coverage.

With intermediate sizing options, players on the cusp between standard ranges can find their ideal fit. The adjustable straps further fine-tune compression and allow the pads to accommodate minor fluctuations during the season. For parents investing in gear their quickly-growing kids will use for years, the accurate youth sizing ensures pads bought today will still fit properly next season.

Pads Meet NOCSAE Standards for Safety

All Nike Vapor Elite lacrosse elbow pads meet NOCSAE ND200 standards for performance and protection. NOCSAE, the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment, is an independent body that conducts rigorous impact testing on sports equipment to ensure safety.

The Vapor Elite pads undergo stringent lab testing striking various zones with heavy pendulums to simulate game collisions. The pads must demonstrate the ability to properly absorb and diffuse forces without exceeding limits on transmitted impacts. Only pads passing the battery of tests receive NOCSAE certification and approval for play. This gives players and parents confidence in the proven performance and safety of the gear.

In addition to elbow/arm zone testing, Nike subjects the Vapor Elite pads to abrasion resistance, quality of workmanship and materials evaluations per NOCSAE protocols. During game simulations, the pads must stand up to repeated dives, checks and tumbles without any issues. Nike utilizes its own state-of-the-art Sports Research Lab to refine and test prototypes throughout development until all minimum thresholds are exceeded.

Many inferior pads cut corners in materials and construction at the expense of safety to save money. The Vapor Elite demonstrates Nike’s commitment to engineering pads that not only boost performance but also provide proper protection. The NOCSAE stamp gives athletes peace of mind that the gear is engineered to established safety benchmarks.

Durable Construction Withstands Rigors of Play

Nike designed the Vapor Elite elbow pads to provide long-lasting protection and performance, season after season. Premium materials and quilted construction ensure the pads maintain structural integrity for years rather than degrading after a few months.

The perforated neoprene sleeve incorporates durable spandex for enhanced elasticity to prevent sagging over time. Dense anatomical foam in high impact zones prevents packing out while vented areas utilize porous open-cell foam for airflow. Double reinforced binding edging and bar tack stitching on the straps enhance structural strength. During repeated dives and slides, the pads easily withstand abrasion and friction while preventing turf burn.

In lab testing, the pads showed minimal signs of breakdown after hundreds of hours of extreme repetitive motion and impact stressing. The shields retain hardness and flex without cracking or warping. Compared to many competitors, the Vapor Elite uses more expensive materials engineered for longevity rather than cheaper substitutions that lack durability.

For parents investing significant money on gear, the rugged construction ensures the Vapor Elite pads will fit properly and protect aggressively season after season. Even after hours of use in the back yard perfecting moves, the pads perform like new for games. Elite players can keep elevating their game without worrying about degradation in safety or comfort over time. The premium Nike construction will keep you covered practice after practice, season after season.

Pros and Cons of the Nike Vapor Elite Pads

Here is a look at some of the key pros and cons of the Nike Vapor Elite lacrosse elbow and arm pads based on testing and reviews:

Pros:

• Lightweight, flexible design offers maximum mobility
• Vented construction keeps arms cool during play
• Adjustable straps allow customizing compression
• Strategic plastic caps protect vulnerable zones
• Pre-curved anatomical shape moves naturally with arm
• Bindings prevent sleeve from slipping during play
• Precision sizing provides ideal contoured fit
• Durable materials withstand rigors of gameplay
• Meets NOCSAE safety standards

Cons:

• Higher cost than competitors’ basic pads
• May not offer enough protection for some positions
• Snug contoured fit may feel constricting to some
• Not designed for heavy physical defenders
• Multi-piece construction less durable than single panel pads
• Elbow caps limit sleeve stretch for some arm shapes
• Excessive venting reduces pad surface area

Overall, the Vapor Elite provides an excellent balance of flexibility and protection but the premium features come at a higher price point. The contoured pre-curved shape offers a responsive, dynamic fit for finesse players but may not satisfy power players looking for more robust coverage.

Recommendation on the Nike Vapor Elite Lacrosse Elbow Pads

Overall, I recommend the Nike Vapor Elite elbow pads for lightweight protection optimized for speed and dexterity. The flexible pre-curved anatomical design provides a responsive dynamic fit to move fluidly with the arm during play. Strategic ventilation zones keep players cool even on sweltering days. Dialing in the custom fit with the adjustable straps allows pads to feel like a second skin.

For midfielders and attackmen who rely on finesse and footwork, the Vapor Elite is an excellent choice offering elite-level mobility. The slim construction avoids the bulky feel of many overbuilt pads that impede cradle speed and quick stick work. Ventilation, wicking materials and a seamless ergonomic shape ensure comfort for extended wear.Targeted plastic reinforcement shields vulnerable areas from slashes and collisions.

While ultra-protective and hard-hitting players may still prefer maximalist designs, the Vapor Elite hits the sweet spot for the majority of players wanting fast flexible protection. Once broken in, the pads move seamlessly with no tugging or adjustments needed. Premium construction and materials back up the higher price tag with incredible durability season after season.

For lacrosse players wanting the perfect balance of mobility, protection, and comfort, the Nike Vapor Elite elbow pads deliver. I highly recommend players looking for lightweight, low-profile performance try the Vapor Elite pads for themselves to experience the responsive contour fit and buttery feel facilitating silky play.