The Bauer Vapor 1X OD1N line of goalie pads was one of the most anticipated lines of goalie pads in recent memory.
In this post, we’ll focus on Bauer Vapor 1X gear sightings, with the full Bauer Vapor 1X OD1N goalie pad review detailed below.
Editors note, the Bauer Vapor 1X goalie pads are long since outdated. For the latest Bauer goalie pads, take a look at the Bauer Vapor Hyperlite or Bauer 2X goalie pads.
Bauer Vapor 1X Goalie Pads
The Vapor 1X line followed the 1S OD1N line from Bauer in their “new era” of goalie pads. Bauer made big waves in the industry when they first released their OD1N line and they are alternating lines on a year by year basis.
To better understand this, they released 1S OD1N gear first. This was followed by the Vapor 1X gear we’re following in this article. Finally, Bauer released their 2S OD1N gear, the lineup that followed the 1S.
What makes Bauer Vapor 1X pads different?
From a 30,000 foot level, the main difference in the Bauer Vapor 1X line to the 1S/2S OD1N gear is that the gear offers more of a flex design when compared to it’s predecessors. This is directly in line with the model Bauer has implemented for it’s player gear in recent years.
The new Vapor 1X line is built using Bauer’s C.O.R.TECH SKIN technology, a component they advertise as sliding 50% better than their Bauer Reactor pads.
While it seems as if it were ages ago, we are just several years removed from the days of the Bauer Reactor and Bauer Supreme lines of pads (the last lines that did not use a single one piece skin).
Some of our favorite 1X Pads
One of the unique things about the 1X line from Bauer is the re-debut of their classic Vapor graphic from years of old. While the graphic faced a largely negative reaction at first (what doesn’t, these days), I think it would be unfair to say it hasn’t grown on goalies everywhere.
And, with Bauer’s Digital Printing capabilities on display at the 2018 World Junior Tournament, it’s safe to say stock graphics could eventually be a thing of the past. Ok, maybe that’s a little bit risky, however we do appear to be headed in that direction.
Emma May, goalie for the University of Minnesota
Emma rocks a set of Maroon and Gold Bauer 1X pads, one of my personal favorite color combinations of this line.
Cayden Primeau, goalie for Northeastern University
Primeau, a freshman (spent last season in the USHL with the Lincoln Stars), wears 1X gear in Northeastern Black/Red.
One of the most unique things Bauer has brought to the goalie gear space recently is their digital printing capability.
Bauer categorizes goalies into one of two different pad styles. They’re either a butterfly (2S) style of goalie or a hybrid (1X). Now, with all goalies actively playing (not counting adult leagues) utilizing a butterfly style of play, the biggest difference is a straight pad and a slightly curved pad. Brian’s did this with their newest line of OPTIK gear (FLX / FLY).
