Warrior Ritual G7 Goalie Gear Review
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Time to read 7 min
While the G6 was a popular model that both introduced many goaltenders to Warrior gear and reignited previous Warrior users’ love for the brand, the updated G7 line builds off this success by incorporating several user-friendly changes inspired directly by goaltender feedback. In this review, we’ll highlight the innovative features that elevate its performance and set it apart from its competitors.
Leg Pads
Flex Profile
Warrior listened to the feedback from goaltenders that the stock flex profile of the G6 was too stiff, so they looked for a middle ground between it and the G5, which was too soft. The G7 uses a 1-piece core with a single external break, a stiff thigh and medium knee flex, making it softer than was previously seen on the G6. This gives the pad a more forgiving feel on the ice and an improved seal in the butterfly.
Should you choose to go the custom route, this flex profile can be altered by a 1 or 2-piece core with varying stiffnesses, both at the thigh and knee breaks, and either a no break or single break outer roll.
Knee Drive System
The Knee Drive System on the G7’s knee block gives goaltenders a solid platform that is additionally more stable and balanced. Warrior accomplishes this by using HyperComp, a composite material that increases the rigidity of the knee block and its attachments to reinforce the knee landing area. The stiffness of this knee block helps the goaltender drop into the butterfly quicker, as more of their energy can be transmitted through the entire pad, driving it to the ice without the knee block flexing in the process.
Strapping System
The strapping system is one area where the G7 has undergone significant change. The calf wrap has been redesigned, giving the pad a more traditional feel on the leg, making it easier to find your desired strapping method. It also enhances comfort and makes the pads feel more familiar to all goaltenders, regardless of whether they’ve previously worn Warrior pads. The landing area of the calf features an anatomically correct, contoured stabilizing wedge that helps disperse the pressure of the leg on the pad equally, creating an improved seal while also reducing stress on the body.
Warrior eliminated the buckled strapping attachment seen on the G6 in favour of their SlingWrap adjustable calf strap, which provides a comfortable and adjustable fit for all goaltenders, no matter their leg dimensions. The knee strap and the strap that closes the calf are both constructed with sturdy double elastic adjustable by Velcro— making them last longer and fit better.
Similar to the G6, the G7 uses double elastic ARS toe and heel straps, in addition to a removable toe bridge for the goaltender who wants a more traditional toe attachment system. Whether that be with a different bungee system or with skate lace is up to you.
Slide Surface
The G7 utilizes a polycarbonate SlidePlate on the knee block, which makes these pads one of the best sliding on the market. This technology is combined with a high-density foam inner landing area with very few seams, helping reduce friction along the ice and thus giving goaltenders a smooth, quick, and controllable slide. Should you wish to remove the SlidePlate from your G7 pads, you won’t have much to worry about; the knee block is designed to work with and without the plate. Other than trading pure sliding speed for improved control, there is no performance disadvantage in removing the plate itself.
Core Construction
Warrior reinforced the thigh rise of the G7 with HyperComp material to improve the lifespan of their pads, preventing premature breakdown and improving rebound pop. The face of the G7 is very lively, giving off hard rebounds that push pucks out past the dangerous areas on the ice and give goaltenders extra time to recover before their next save.
The G7 also features a thinned-out profile, making it both lighter and more maneuverable, particularly when combined with the outer roll, which becomes thinner towards the top of the pad.
CoverEDGE+
First debuting on the G5 line, the G7 features Warrior’s CoverEDGE+ technology, which helps add an additional dimension to the perimeter of the pad and prevents pucks from slipping past. This is accomplished through cleverly angled foams on the G7’s outer roll that cut down the amount of room the puck has to squeak past. This design helps the pad catch at least a piece of those shots that would otherwise surely make it to the back of the net.
Catcher
G7 RTL Models (7.1 vs 7)
Returning from the G6 line, Warrior continues to offer their two different break options for the G7. The G7 has a more traditional design and will be more familiar to those used to older models of the past, like the G4 and G5. It features a wider catching shape and an index to mid-thumb closure with a 75º liner.
The G7.1 has a taller catching shape and an index-to-low thumb closure, which will feel drastically different compared to the G7. For those more familiar with CCM and True’s glove closure nomenclature, the G7 would be comparable to a 590 break, whereas the G7.1 is closer to a 580 break, though it is worth mentioning that the Warrior gloves do have their own distinct feel and properties that set them apart from the gloves they resemble.
Tee Construction
The G7 catcher uses a single T construction, while the G7.1 catcher uses a double T. The single T on the G7 allows the glove, which already opens wide, to snap closed easily and effortlessly. The double T on the 7.1 keeps the taller-shaped glove open wide and presented towards the shooter without sacrificing any of the snappy closure, thanks to Warrior’s intelligently constructed, thin T attachment, where the T spine is laced into the body of the palm.
Removable Palms
Another notable difference between the G7 and G7.1 is that only the G7 glove uses a removable liner; the liner of the 7.1 is sewn in, and therefore cannot be removed and replaced. Warrior offers replacement liners for the G7 in a 60, 75, and 90º break.
It’s important to remember that the actual break of the glove does not change, rather the different liners change how the glove is oriented on the hand, making for a slightly different feel.
Redesigned Cuff
The G7 and 7.1 both feature a redesigned cuff that prioritizes wrist mobility. While Warrior gloves have always been known to have a short cuff, to further reduce the interference between the cuff and the chest protector sleeves, a wider opening has been cut on the wrist area.
HyperComp Core
Warrior uses their HyperComp composite reinforcement in the cuff and palm of the G7 RTL catcher to help prevent stingers and improve the longevity of the glove compared to those that only use traditional foams. Their composite material contributes to the extremely lightweight feel of the G7 gloves and does so without sacrificing the pro-level protection that Warrior is known for.
CoverEDGE+
Both G7 gloves feature Warrior’s CoverEDGE+ technology. Like the pads, the upper edges of the cuff and T-trap are angled slightly forward, effectively helping cut down the shooter’s angle.
RTL Blocker
G7 RTL Models (G7 vs. G7.1)
Blocker Board
The G7 blocker board features a 20º angle; this helps the goaltender effortlessly deflect pucks high up toward the glass. This blocker also uses a thicker board, which, while slightly heavier, makes for more lively rebounds. Due to the flatter angle, the G7 blocker appears to the shooter as if it has a slightly larger surface area.
The blocker board on the G7.1 has a steeper 35º angle, encouraging a lower rebound trajectory and more control. In addition, the G7.1 has a thinner profile, making it slightly lighter than the G7 while maintaining most of the rebound pop. The steeper angle prevents pucks from skipping over the blocker by cutting down the angle that the shooter sees in the upper corner.
Mobility
The steeper angle on the G7.1 blocker board and its thinness both increase the wrist mobility of the blocker as it brings the blocker board further away from the goaltender’s wrist allowing even the bulkiest of chest protector arms to integrate with ease. While slightly less mobile than the G7.1 due to the less steep angle of the thicker blocker board, the G7 features an open cuff that also provides good wrist mobility.
Removable Palm
The G7 uses Warrior’s removable and adjustable palm allowing goaltenders to finetune their hand positioning or replace the entire glove itself for cleaning or if it begins to wear over time.
HyperComp Reinforcement
Warrior uses their HyperComp composite material in both the G7 and G7.1 blockers. This material helps to make the blocker board and sidewall stiffer, increasing the lifespan and ensuring consistency in the rebounds throughout the life of the blocker. The composite reinforcement is also partially responsible for the hot rebounds Warrior blockers have been known for in recent years.
Adjustable Thumb and Finger Guards
Adjustment and finetuning are areas that Warrior prioritizes. The finger and thumb guards on the G7 and G7.1 are adjustable to allow the goaltender to tailor the fit to their needs. Warrior uses their X-foam to make an adjustable index finger protection piece that sits tighter to the finger, helping keep it out of the way of the stick while still allowing it to effectively protect the index finger from pucks that ride up the paddle.
Final Thoughts
Warrior has continued their trend of intelligent innovation with their G7 line. They focused on improving the adjustability, integration, and feel of their newest line with new strapping, a slightly softer core in the pads, new cuffs on both the glove and blocker, and an array of adjustments internally in the glove strapping and blocker finger guards. These changes allow Warrior to appeal to a wider range of goaltenders who want to tailor their gear to their game, not the other way around.
