Innovation Incoming: Bauer Pulse Stick Hockey Stick Review
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Time to read 5 min
Bauer has finally released the PULSE stick, the next iteration of their innovation series of equipment—and a stick we’ve been literally anticipating for years at the shop. The Bauer PULSE is neither a low kick nor a mid kick stick, but Bauer’s first official fused kick point stick, designed to use the defining features of both low and mid kicks to offer you the best of both worlds. In this article, we’ll break down exactly why the PULSE has had us at the Hockey Shop on the edge of our seats since it was first teased.
Bauer PULSE - Features
Boron Material
Bauer has been using boron in their innovation sticks since the AG5NT, and that hasn’t changed with the PULSE. Originally used in aerospace and military applications, boron fibre is renowned for its unparalleled stiffness-to-weight ratio and ability to endure extreme compressive forces without deforming—all qualities that make boron a solid choice in hockey stick design.
To integrate boron into their innovation sticks, Bauer partnered with Specialty Materials Inc., which is the only manufacturer that fuses boron with carbon to create a stick that is both lightweight and highly effective at storing energy and channelling it into shots and passes.
Special Fused Kick Point
The kick point of the Bauer PULSE stick is best described as a fusion of a mid kick and a low kick stick, but not necessarily just in the shooting aspect.
The fused kick point provides two energy zones, resulting in a stick build that releases like a low kick and feels like a mid kick. It feels solid and powerful through the load phase, allowing you to really lean into your shot, but then transitions seamlessly into a lightning-fast release that gets the puck off your blade in an instant. This technology is designed to maximize both shot power and release speed, and in today's game, having both is a major asset.
This special kick point is a major feature of the PULSE stick and what makes it stand out among Bauer's innovation sticks. If you're looking for a new stick, or even if you're just curious, be sure to come in and check it out!
Grip - Raised-Ink Design
Another interesting design choice that Bauer made with the PULSE is the raised-ink grip. This grip, like the name implies, involves textured patterns and ridges that run along the “ink” of the stick’s graphics, which both look visually appealing and feel great in your hand. You may not notice it in photos, but you can definitely see how the grooves of the grip run along the graphics when looking at the stick in person. The grooves are aligned naturally with how you would hold the stick during a game.
The PULSE is all about hard and quick shot releases while still providing the control of a higher kick point—exactly what the raised-ink grip looks to enhance. The tactile bumps are subtle but effective, curling along where your hands naturally hold the stick. The design translates to tighter puck control in traffic while reducing the grip pressure needed, minimizing fatigue and helping you maintain a powerful and accurate shot when it matters most.
Shaft Technology with Boron
The kick point of a stick is integral to its function—and how energy is stored and transferred. For the PULSE, which combines two kick points, that system becomes even more important, and it all starts in the shaft.
Bauer constructed the PULSE shaft using a combination of TeXtreme carbon fibre and a Monocomp one-piece molding process, a fusion that creates a remarkably consistent and responsive feel. The Monocomp technique involves molding the stick as a single, seamless piece, eliminating fusion points and ensuring unparalleled consistency from the shaft to the blade. Paired with TeXtreme—an advanced, ultra-lightweight carbon fibre—the shaft then provides elite-level strength and reactivity, helping your shots really explode on the release.
Like Bauer’s other high-end innovation series sticks, the PULSE utilizes both carbon and boron in its design. Boron is also ultra-lightweight and rigid, which gives the stick a high strength-to-weight ratio and even greater responsiveness for transitions and puck control. It also optimizes energy storage, which is crucial for a stick that looks to combine kick points.
Raised Balance Point
As mentioned, the PULSE features a fused kick point, characterized by a low kick release and a mid kick feel. Part of what makes the feel of the PULSE that of a mid kick is in the adjusted balance point. The balance point is the point of equilibrium, where the weight in both directions of the stick is even. This differs from the flex point—while the flex point determines where the stick bends to generate power for a shot, the balance point relates to weight distribution, which affects how it feels while handling and makes puck control easier.
The balance point on the PULSE has been raised, which makes the stick quicker and easier to maneuver when puckhandling and shooting. This adjustment also reinforces the mid kick profile, allowing it to load and channel more energy into shots without sacrificing durability—and with the low kick release, this means your shots will fire quicker and harder than ever before.
PULSE Blade Core
The new PULSE blade core delivers elite performance through its stiff and lightweight design. This construction provides a comfortable and precise puck feel, and its efficiency in load and energy transfer can help bring some explosive pop to your shots. It's the perfect complement to the stick's fusion design, seamlessly bridging the controlled power of a mid kick with the release of a low kick profile.
The stick’s fusion kick point design means that the blade core is designed to play a large part in enhancing both qualities. The core's toughness delivers the stability and power associated with a mid-kick for enhanced control, with the responsiveness and durability to minimize torque and hand fatigue. The blade is also light and stiff, to match the speed and efficiency of a low kick release and provides an extra pop in your shot.
Final Thoughts
The Bauer PULSE surpassed our expectations. It’s definitely one of the most visually appealing sticks we’ve seen recently from Bauer, but the appeal is in the performance. The raised grip and innovative Fusion kick point are game-changers for dynamic players who like to be everywhere on the ice at once. I know I’m a defenseman who likes to skate up into the play once in a while, and that style of play requires a stick designed for all situations, like the PULSE. The stick also returns to a traditional, comfortable square geometry for those who want a familiar feel with more modern technology. We're genuinely impressed and can't wait to see the PULSE in action.
