CCM Jetspeed FT8 Pro Protective Equipment Review
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Time to read 5 min
Building on the legacy of the FT6 Pro line, the next-generation Jetspeed FT8 Pro protective equipment introduces a few targeted upgrades across each piece of gear, from shoulder pads to shin guards, all focused on the core values of Jetspeed: speed, agility, and comfort. AER-TEC Thermoregulation and Suspension systems work to reduce core temperature and enhance airflow, while impact-ready hybrid foams and new AGI Shield panels keep you protected. This gear is designed to keep you cool and your mind sharp.
While engineered with two-way forwards and offensive defensemen in mind, the Jetspeed line’s temperature-management systems can deliver game-changing benefits for just about every player—from stay-at-home defenders to grinders battling in the corners.
Feel Cooler, Play Smarter: AER-TEC Thermoregulation System
Speed and agility define the Jetspeed line, with the AER-TEC Thermoregulation System ensuring the gear stays featherlight while actively cooling you down. We’ve seen this tech in Jetspeed before, and CCM continues to use it to maximize air circulation, sweat management, and body heat regulation. By focusing on keeping your body’s core temperature cool, AER-TEC ensures players can stay focused, agile, and decisive on the ice, even during the toughest of games.
Anyone who's played baseball or softball in sweltering heat knows how overheating drains energy and clouds focus. Hockey faces the same challenge—intense skating combined with bulky gear can spike body temperatures, leading to that familiar sluggish feeling. When your body isn't fighting heat stress, it becomes much easier to make smarter decisions. This technology is designed to help you manage your body heat, keeping your mind sharp for quick on-ice decisions while maintaining agility. The results include quicker strides and more sustained energy throughout the game.
CCM partnered with the University of Ottawa to create a testing protocol that would quantify how overheating can diminish hockey players’ performance mid-game. The findings shaped AER-TEC's engineering, optimizing both thermal regulation and cognitive performance.
AER-TEC Suspension System
One major part of AER-TEC as well is the AER-TEC Suspension System, which optimizes the use of airflow channels and moisture-wicking liners to help keep your body cool. With these optimizations, AER-TEC goes beyond basic cooling methods, using a combination of standard ventilated mesh and ventilation channels across key heat zones. You’ll notice when putting the gear on that the liner is pulled taut to a point where it doesn’t actually sit against the padding or shell inside, but slightly away from it, creating an air channel. This is the suspension part of the design.
You can relate, whether or not you play hockey or are just interested in finding gear for a friend or your kid—when your clothing is wet and sweaty, it feels awful to wear. That’s what this system looks to tackle: the tough, breathable liner feels light and barely there while keeping your gear “suspended” away from your body.
The resulting airflow channels help prevent sweat buildup and that clammy, heavy feeling you may get from wet gear. With AER-TEC, Jetspeed isn’t just about keeping you safe and absorbing impact—but also helping you feel at your best, so you can play at your best.
Jetspeed FT8 Protective Equipment
Shoulder Pads
CCM pairs the impact protection and comfort of Zotefoam and U-Foam with a mobility-focused Flexmotion base jacket—something we’ve seen in action in prior models. The floating clavicle adapts dynamically to any movement you make, whether it be a controlled motion while winding up for a shot, or more unpredictable motion from battling along the boards.
Zotefoam is specifically molded around the torso area of the pads, while U-Foam is in the shoulder caps. U-Foam is used in place of PE plastic inserts because it is lighter, more flexible, adaptable, and better at repelling moisture. The EPP core additionally increases its overall durability and impact protection.
The shoulder pads now include a new element as well: AGI Shield, which are reinforced, lightweight panels designed to keep you protected while still having good ventilation and flexibility.
Shin Guards
The shin guards are designed to keep you confident in your protection without compromising mobility. The shot block reinforcement liner is fully removable and designed to take high-velocity impact from pucks and checks, fitting well with the FloFoam knee donut, which is made to be both comfortable and responsive to quick movement. Like all elite CCM shin guards, the FT8 Pro employs an asymmetrical, anatomical design—meaning that it is contoured to mirror the natural shape of your leg.
Integrated into the liner is CCM’s AER-TEC system, which includes a mesh liner that suspends your shins away from the padding, creating a ventilation channel. The system serves multiple purposes: the first is to keep your shin from rubbing uncomfortably against the padding—which might be wet and uncomfortable—and create a ventilation channel to enhance aeration, keeping you dry and ready to play. The other purpose is to keep your shin away from initial impacts, allowing the guard to absorb the force without it reflecting directly onto your leg and causing injury.
Note that if you’ve never used high-end Jetspeed shin guards before, it may take you a bit of time to adjust to the way it sits, since the suspension system may look or feel odd at first. However, many players find the close fit and light design of the liner comfortable after a short adjustment period.
Elbow Pads
Elbow pads are notorious for being the most uncomfortable piece of hockey gear. Ask any player, and they will most likely agree. Some even omit them entirely to avoid that discomfort—Jetspeed looks to change that expectation. The previous FT6 Pro elbow pads were regarded as some of the most comfortable elbow pads on the market, and the FT8 Pro wants to build on that.
The AER-TEC Suspension System mesh panel liner cradles your forearm and elbow away from the inner padding, maintaining a channel for airflow to pass through. This design serves three purposes: it offers enhanced breathability, reduces friction from shifting pads, and lowers sweat buildup—all of which are crucial for eliminating that gross elbow pad feeling, keeping you dry and distraction-free while playing.
Pants - Jetspeed Pro
The Jetspeed Pro pants mark a new chapter in CCM’s lightweight protective line, adopting a more streamlined naming convention while building on the FT6 Pro. This iteration retains the series’ core strengths while tweaking the design a bit with a few upgrades in thermoregulation and moisture management.
Built with 400D nylon and reinforced impact panels, the pants deliver uncompromising durability where it matters most. However, the main innovation lies in the ventilated air intake and exhaust system integrated into the shell. This engineered airflow network actively channels heat away from high-sweat zones and accelerates drying time. The combination of nylon breathability and targeted ventilation creates a cooling effect over and through the shell, and the light and flexible build makes it easier to move around without sacrificing protection.
Further Reading and Research
“AER-TEC.” CCM.com, n.d. Source Link.
Donnan, Kate J. et al. “The effectiveness of heat preparation and alleviation strategies for cognitive performance: A systematic review.” Temperature: Multidisciplinary Biomedical Journal, vol. 10, no. 4, pp. 404-433, 4 Jan 2023. Source Link.
“Hot Environments.” Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, n.d. Source Link.
Piil, Jacob F. et al. “Direct exposure of the head to solar heat radiation impairs motor-cognitive performance.” Sci Rep, vol. 10, no. 7812, 2020. Source Link.
