Growing up goalie, the gear I was in would reflect whatever Dad researched and found me to wear. In the mid-2000s there was not a lot of guidance for new goalie parents on what gear to buy, and as long as they had straps and were about the right size, they were perfect.

Dad did a great job always keeping me in something that fit well and did not inhibit my movement that much. He was also my on-ice goalie coach throughout youth hockey, so he had a reputation to uphold! Around my 10U years, he found a small Canadian company that made quality equipment at a lower price than offshore counterparts. I stayed in this brand through high school and into college, and even bought my first custom set from them while at Franklin Pierce University in 2016.

Around that time, Bauer had released their new OD1N Technology 1S pads, and Warrior, their G3’s. The modern butterfly pad craze was hitting the market in a big way. I was intrigued by these flat faced, ultra-light, minimalist pads, and had to find out if the hype was worth it. I soon determined; it was.

I used my small savings to buy a pair of 1S pads for the upcoming season and loved almost everything about them. Then, after a quick, unsatisfying stint in Warrior G3s, I was back to Bauer in the 2S form. When the company released the Ultrasonics, I figured this would be the last fully custom set of pads I’d buy (until the next model is out!) and jumped on a custom order (Vapor Graphics, Ultrasonic Construction!). I’ve had my Ultrasonics for a few months now, and Bauer hit it out of the park with this model.

Check out my FULL VIDEO REVIEW of these pads here:

The Slide-Ability

The main reason I switched to Bauer back in 2016 was because of how quick I could move in them. A sliding push in Bauer would catapult me twice as far as the same strength push in my old pads.

The Ultrasonics have made sliding even better. The calf wing is angled for better stability in the butterfly, and better stability means faster, more balanced slides. Because the calf landing area is angled, you’ll find that you will stay balanced in the butterfly even if you lean back. This is a great feature that works well.

StabiliSlide Knee Block

The knee block on the Ultrasonic pads is where the biggest change is from the 1S and 2S Pros. On the Ultrasonics, the knee block is locked into the core of the pad. Essentially, it’s made up of one piece shaped like and “L” that hinges into the internals on the face of the pad.

Having the landing gear and knee block locked into the pad’s internals means greater stability in the butterfly, a faster drive to your knees from the stance, and much better balance during slides. Also, because it’s so thick, you find yourself sitting higher up in the butterfly as well.

Out of all the new tech and updates on the Ultrasonic pads, the StabiliSlide Knee Block is by far my favorite part of Bauer’s latest offering. The balance and connected feeling you have to the pad is unparalleled to anything I have worn or tried on.

The Weight

Goalie equipment is getting lighter…much lighter, and when Bauer’s 1s pads hit the market in 2016, they were the lightest, comparable only to Warrior. Today, equipment companies have shaved off unnecessary weight everywhere they can, and most brands’ pads are similar in weight and balance.

The Ultrasonics follow their predecessors’ footsteps and are an extremely light pad. This lightness transfers over to quicker pushes and less fatigue over the course of a game. Weighing in at 4.6lbs, you feel like nothing is even strapped to your leg!

Thinner Thigh Rise

Bauer has slimmed down the thigh rise and strengthened it with a stronger CORTech Skin that you saw in the 2S’s. The result is a better overlap in the butterfly and an even more weight reduction. No interference when dropping to your knees is a huge advantage!

Strapping

Bauer decided to stray away from the old CRS Strapping system from their 1S and 2S models. Instead, they moved to a strapping set up that is like the widely successful 2X Vapor pads. Bungie cord toe ties, a removable boot strap, one “triangular” shaped strap that splits into two goes around the calf, and a behind the knee strap that can be placed down to your calf if you prefer, is the make up of the leg channel. The Ultrasonics also come with a “Professor” style strap under the knee that locks your leg into the pad better, allowing for a tighter feel while not compromising rotation.

Bauer’s strapping is a simple, but effective, set up that allows a fully custom fit without allowing over or under rotation. You will feel locked into the Ultrasonic but never restricted. The customizability of the strapping also means that you are getting the most of every push and movement. If a pad fits too tight or too loose, your pushes can be compensated, and your energy transfer is lost. With companies getting creative with their strapping setups, Bauer remains a solid choice here, especially for an easy custom fit.

Rebound Control

Remember when the 1S pads first hit the retail market and promo videos of King Henrik in 1S gear were released by Bauer? In one of the videos, Lundqvist is trying to score a goal in the far net…on a rebound off his pads. That should give you an idea of how fast rebounds fly off OD1N technology pads.

WATCH Lundqvist *almost* score a goal on a rebound deflection:

Growing up goalie, you learn about rebound control and the importance of placement of the puck and timing. The Ultrasonics won’t suddenly make you an NHL caliber tender, but they will make controlling rebounds easier. The shape of the pads, almost a “Z” design, give even an inflexible goalie a solid butterfly each time you drop. Because of this, some rebounds will naturally deflect off to the corner without much effort on your part.

The Curv Composite internals of the pads coupled with the CORTech Skin on the outside, not only mean the Bauer’s are the stiffest pad on the market, but that pucks explode off them leaving a trail of fire on the ice.

125 Degree Boot

I’ve been a big fan of Bauer’s 125° boot since day one. It allowed an easier RVH into the post and never felt boxy or sluggish when moving across the net. Bauer has made a slight change in this model’s 125° boot and have softened it up a bit. Bauer says this will allow for greater flex when pushing off the post in the RVH and during shuffles across the crease.

*When I ordered my Ultrasonics, I kept the stiff 125° boot (grateful that Bauer left it as a choice) from my 2S pads, but I’ve been lucky enough to try out the softer boot on a different set. I did find pushing off the post easier, and more flex in my shuffles, but there was not enough difference to make me switch from what I was so accustomed to.

Graphic Options!

Bauer’s revolutionary screen printing has been a hot topic in the goalie community since the release of OD1N technology. The 1S and 1X pads where underwhelmingly ugly, the 2S were boring, and then Bauer found its stride with the 2X model. Their printing has become vibrant and colorful while allowing for fully custom designs to be printed onto the pads. There are awesome custom designs being churned out by Bauer now, and screen printing in some form could be the way of the future for many gear brands.

Durability

Durability of the Ultrasonics is greatly improved over earlier models. The thicker CORTech Skin is more resistant to skate cuts, and the reinforced binding areas on the boot and toe mean less wear and tear. I never had an issue in durability on my 1S and 2S pads, and they both saw about 6 ice sessions a week. The Ultrasonics feel more premium, both on the outside and in the leg channel. The “suede” like leg channel and inner landing area will uphold to a lot of friction and feels like a high-quality build. Bauer raised the bar with quality.

Price

The price of new “pro spec” goalie equipment is reaching a ridiculously high level. Right now, the Senior Pro Ultrasonics retail at $1699.00, a high price to pay for innovation. To curb that high price point, Bauer offers their senior pad (dubbed the 3S) at $899.00. The senior pad, according to Bauer, has the same technology and innovation, but made with slightly lesser quality materials that make it a bit heavier and less durable. For the average high school goalie or men’s league superstar, these senior levels pads will be a good fit at a decent price point.

Final Thoughts

Bauer has done a great job with improving on every new model they release. The company has put a lot of priority into research and development, and the results show. The Ultrasonics are the top performing pad on the market right now. They are perfect for butterfly style goaltenders that are looking to maximize their on-ice coverage, quickness, and stability. The pads are suitable for a hybrid goalie that does not mind a stiffer pad either. I’m not a strict butterfly goaltender, but I feel more comfortable in a pad like the Ultrasonics than I do in a soft, single or double break more traditional pad.

Do your research, try on lots of different brands, but give the Ultrasonics a serious look, you won’t be disappointed.

*Bauer Hockey did not send me their product or ask that I do a review. I purchased the Ultrasonic pads, and this is my honest and unbiased review of them. I am not being compensated by Bauer Hockey in any way*