Warrior GT2 Pro Chest Protector Review
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Written By: Jonothan Holloway
To round out Warriors GT2 line comes the new and improved GT2 pro chest protector, with added protection, new materials and tapered pieces to reduce interference. Just to be clear, I think the GT was already one of the best chests on the market in 2017 without many improvements to be made, but Warrior made sure to only touch on small details that will benefit the user. My first impression when trying this out was how big the chest is, I felt like I would take up the entire net and then some. Surprisingly enough, despite the large and bulky appearance of the chest protector, as with the majority of Warrior equipment, the mechanics of the chest combine each part seamlessly for no interference of stiffness.
In such an interesting and confusing time for goalie gear and chest protectors specifically, Warrior goes outside of the box to introduce the GT2. With the NHL sizing requirements, brands are starting to make their chests more streamlined, but that has the potential to leave you less protected. Warrior has decided to go bigger, adding as much protection as possible because let’s face it, just because the NHL goalies have to shrink their gear, doesn’t mean we all have to settle for smaller.
By working with overseas pro goalies in leagues such as the DEL and KHL, Warrior used their input to create a chest protector that is as protective as can be, arguably the most protective chest available. The chest protectors sold in stores are the exact same as the ones being used by pros, so you know you’re getting top quality protection designed to last and withstand even the heaviest of workloads.
HyperComp Reinforcement
Warrior has added in their HyperComp material (previously used with the G4) to improve durability and protection without an increase in weight over the previous GT chest. The addition of HyperComp adds an extra layer of stopping power, which made me more confident on each save as well as prevents the chest from breaking down over time.
Shoulders
The shoulder shape has changed since the first installment of the GT chest, allowing the mask to move around without any interference or getting caught. This gives you better vision and more comfortable puck tracking, never having to worry about your mask or lexan being restricted by the chest protector.
Arms
The arms on the GT2 have been improved as well, with the biceps being squared off for maximum coverage. Somewhat similar to the G4 chest that has square arms, the squared off biceps on the GT2 provide better rebound control and predictability than rounded arms. This also minimizes the holes on the GT2 chest, enabling a nice seal between the arm and body, while also adding in protection.
Elbows
The new GT2 chest has double shield front elbow floaters, providing more protection while also allowing more mobility. This works by having 2 smaller floaters rather than one large one, eliminating stingers on the front by covering weak spots with the secondary floater. The first floater is the same that is on the GT for those of you that are familiar with that chest, the second floater is composed of HyperComp as an addition to improve overall arm protection. Similar to the GT original, the chest has plastic elbow cups.
Straps and Adjustments
This chest has an endless number of straps, strings and Velcro to guarantee you get the right fit for you. The arms are laced in rather than Velcro, giving a more traditional and solid feel while still being somewhat adjustable. The shoulders have multiple adjustments for the floaters, chest height and shoulder width. Along with many more adjustments, the GT2 also have removable front and side chest extension padding.
GT2 Senior
The GT2 senior chest is shaping up to be a popular one going into the 2019 season. This chest protector in my opinion was one of the best price point chest pieces to date and the GT2 is looking to improve on it in many ways. The GT2 senior chest still looks huge, while also having reshaped shoulders, squared biceps and double elbow floaters. In short, the GT2 senior chest has all the new features of the pro model except the added durability and protection of HyperComp. The GT2 Sr has all the features to make it the best chest going into 2019-2020 and providing a great option for those on a budget.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the GT2 is a great sequel to the original, keeping the main look and feel in the same ballpark while still improving on performance and comfort. The chest itself looks bigger and bulkier than the previous model, but once you put it on, it really is an improved version of the GT. The biggest addition this year would be the HyperComp, improving the durability and protection. Along side that is the new shape of certain pieces such as the biceps, shoulders and elbows, all contributing to the massive top of the line chest. I felt confident in my saves when wearing this chest and felt invincible, it might take a few practices to truly dial it in, but this chest is going to be a popular for goalies looking to gain more size.
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