Sherwood's Code Photon Line Lands in Three Tiers

Sherwood has rolled out Code Photon, a full protective line that replaces the Code family's previous run and splits into three price tiers: Pro at the top, then 1, then 2. Fourteen products are listed in Sherwood's catalog, the earliest dated September 1, covering shoulder pads, shin guards, elbow pads, pants and gloves.

The pitch is the same across all three tiers: a tapered, low profile fit that sits close to the body rather than building a wall around it. What separates the tiers is foam.

The Pro pieces get FeatherLite XT construction, which combines HPE, EVA and Zotefoams inserts, plus Nitrex impact foam in the shoulder caps and sternum. Nitrex is a closed cell foam meant to absorb repeat hits and shrug off sweat, and Sherwood builds ventilation channels and a perforated base with mesh overlay into the XT shell to move air through the hot spots. Ice Warehouse weighed the senior medium Pro shoulder pads at 1000 grams and lists the heritage as Code Encrypt, Code TMP 1 and Code V.

Step down to Photon 2 and you get standard FeatherLite instead of XT, without the Nitrex inserts. The shin guards still carry a vented molded plastic knee cap, a molded plastic shin shell and a compress molded HD foam calf guard with a PE insert.

Two features run the length of the line. The 360 Wrap strapping is integrated into the structure of the gear, with straps elongated and tapered in key areas so the piece fits more like a harness than a strapped-on shell. CIP, or Customizable Impact Protection, means adjustable bicep coverage and a removable belly pad on the shoulder pads, and adjustable thigh guards with removable liners on the shins. Microban antimicrobial liner treatment is standard.

Pricing, where retailers have posted it: Pro senior shoulder pads $229.99, Pro senior shin guards $199.99, Pro senior elbow pads $169.99. Photon 2 senior shin guards are $109.99, with the junior version at $89.99. HockeyMonkey is also selling three-piece senior bundles at $599.97 for Pro and $339.97 for Photon 2.

Pro shoulder pads run JR SM through SR XL. Sherwood's own catalog does not display prices, but the gear is already in stock at retail.