Cascade TP-S Throat Guard Review
Interestingly enough the lacrosse goalie throat guard has probably undergone the most advancements out of any piece of lacrosse goalie equipment in the last 20 years.
In the late 90’s the lacrosse goalie’s throat guard resembled something like a flip-flop.
Before that just a dangling piece of plastic that looked and sounded ridiculous as us goalies sprinted up the field for a clear.
That sandal or dangling piece of plastic is a far cry from the beauty of a throat guard we’ll be reviewing in this week’s post.
In this post we’ll be reviewing Cascade’s latest throat guard, the Cascade TP-S.
We’ll be reviewing the Cascade TP-S on style, fit, protectiveness, durability, and price.
Let’s go!
Cascade TP-S Style
Ah, look good, play good, right?
In the old days I never considered throat as something particularly attractive. Necessary, yes. Good looking, no!
However, Cascade has always done a good job of producing great looking accessories with their helmets, considering they are by far the most popular in the game.
The TP-S’s predecessor, the TPC2, looks good too. Here they are side by side:
In my opinion though, the TP-S looks much sleeker and more modern over the TPC2, and certainly beats out Warrior’s and STX’s current throat pieces as well.
The look of the TP-S has been touched up over the TPC2 and offers more crisp detail that makes the throat guard stand out more, but in a good way.
Small indentions around also help with the style, cutting down on the blockiness that most throat guards seem to have.
The indentations and slightly beefier design make it a little harder to put the customary strip of tape with some message that many goalies love. But where there is a will, there’s a way and it can be done.
Overall, it’s the most aesthetic throat guard on the market right now in my opinion, and by a decent amount.
However, I’m going to be a bit picky here and mark off a couple points due to the fact that there isn’t a large variety of colors available.
It currently comes in clear and smoke grey and it would nice to see some additionally colors in the future for us goalies to pimp out our style.
Points: 8/10
Cascade TP-S Fit
One of my main pet peeves with throat guards is the “clink” you hear when running down the field with your helmet on.
Fortunately, it seems the TP-S has been able to reduce some of that with how it functions as it fits quite nicely on the Cascade helmets.
A quick note the Cascade TP-S throat guard is really meant to be worn on Cascade helmets, specifically the S or the R.
It could fit on the STX or Warrior helmets with string but you’re better off using their own brand of throat guards for their own helmets.
I have personally put the guard on the Cascade R, but I assume the fit is even better with the newer Cascade S, considering the two pieces of equipment came out around the same time period.
The TP-S seems to cover more ground on open areas that the TPC2 was lacking in, giving it a more secure fit around the helmet.
Installation is exactly the same as the TPC2 in that you drill holes for screws for the two side attachments and then attach the bottom with the piece of fabric provided.
Again, everything about this new throat piece improves upon its predecessor, and the fit is no exception.
Not only is it secure around all areas, it also hangs just right, not impeding on your chest or up on the helmet itself.
Points: 10/10
Cascade TP-S Protection
Getting drilled in the throat is never an experience any goalie wants to feel. It unfortunately happened to me during a practice and I was lucky to escape without any permanent injuries.
I think an issue with cascade’s TPC2 was its lack of coverage and how thin it was all around.
Of course, the shot didn’t directly smoke me in the throat, but every goalie has to worry about bouncers sneaking up into the throat area.
Sure, I may be picking on little things here and there, but when it comes to protective equipment, all flaws need to be pointed out, even if it is minor.
I feel comfortable in saying the TP-S seems to do a much better job of covering up any spots for shots to sneak through, as well as a small lip at the bottom of the throat guard, as you can see here.
I have yet to have a bouncer sneak through with the TP-S, and with the extra lip at the bottom, I feel comfortable about it rarely happening.
The material also feels much stronger as well compared to the TPC2, which felt a bit flimsy at times. Overall, it is a much better improvement over the TPC2, and I have trouble finding any real flaws in this field.
Points: 10/10
Cascade TP-S Durability
The durability of the TP-S is by far the best of Cascade, but I won’t compare it to the STX or Warrior piece, as I haven’t had enough time with those guards.
What I can say is that this is stronger material than the TPC2 and after having shots directly taken to the guard, it has held up extremely well.
I can see a TP-S of course getting scratches and stuff throughout time, but they seem as they would hold up for a few years, if not longer.
There isn’t an awful lot to say in this category other than this is one sturdy throat piece and rightfully deserves the ten points.
Points: 10/10
Cascade TP-S Price
The Cascade TP-S throat will set you back $40.
On LacrosseMonkey you can grab the newest throat protect in either the clear or smoke color for $39.99.
For throat protectors, that isn’t a bad price. The STX Eclipse throat protector (seriously guys? the Eclipse throat protector – someone at STX must really love eclipses) also costs $40.
I personally have an issue with just how high these pieces are priced in general. $40 for a throat guard is pricey when you consider its just a piece of plastic.
These babies actually cost even more on Amazon at $49 –
But if we’re comfortable with spending $40 to $50 for throat guard, then the Cascade TP-S is the much better buy out of all throat guards.
I’m a bit torn on how to point this, but since I’m all for lacrosse goalie gear dropping down in price a bit, I’m going to deduct some here.
Points: 7/10
How to Mount the Cascade TP-S
Just like it’s predecessor, there are two methods to attach the TP-S throat guard to your helmet.
- With string or zip ties
- With screws
The first and easiest method is to simply attach it to the helmet with shooting string or zip ties.
Remove the TP-S drill pieces on either side and attach the Cascade throat guard with the string/zip ties to the side and at the bottom.
A benefit of connecting the throat guard with string/zip ties is that it can (somewhat) easily be removed in the event a goalie wants to spend a little time playing in the field.
A lot of goalie don’t like the amount of movement and rattle that this method gives.
So the second method is with screws which I think is more secure.
Here are the Cascade TP-S mounting instructions vs. the Cascade TPC2 installation instructions.
Please note the side drill hole locations are slightly different compared to the TCP2. The center bottom hole is the same.
The Cascade S recommended drilling spots are only 1/8″ away so you can squeeze it. But most other helmets do require new holes to be drilled according to Cascade installation instructions.
Has anyone switched from the TCP2 to the TP-S on those helmets? What was your experience? Leave me a comment down below.
Conclusion
Cascade’s TP-S throat guard brings in a final score of 45/50, which represents just how great of a piece of equipment this is.
I must say, I feel like the TP-S in the best looking, and one of the most protective throat guards on the market currently.
However, there isn’t many competitors or a real variety to choose from when it comes to choosing throat guards.
For the most part, goalies are better off sticking with the same brand of throat protector as their helmet. Warrior for Warrior. STX for STX. Cascade for Cascade.
There are a few exceptions, as I’ve seen the STX throat guard on Cascade helmets and vice versa.
On the full spectrum, I feel like the TP-S is the top throat guard in the game right now with its sleek design, strong makeup, and its protective fit.
Get yours on LacrosseMonkey for $40.
Until next time! Coach Damon
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Sure, it’s a throat guard. It’s a very expensive piece of plastic that you really can’t dismiss as trivial, for fear of serious injury. If you like the look of the Cascade helmets and especially the S, then there really isn’t another choice. They are peas and carrots. Just mounted one to an S in the last week and found it a bit annoying how the guard gets bound up if you drill the holes crooked. By crooked, I mean straight into the helmet. I would have appreciated the reminder that you need to drill the side holes more horizontal to the ground rather than plumb going into the helmet. There’s room on the instructions sheet!
Good point about drilling the holes – hadn’t thought of that but yeah that’s important.
I’m currently using a Bauer hockey goalie throat guard. So far so good. What are your thought’s on using one made for hockey?
It’s interesting because in the rule book it specifically states throat guards must be made for lacrosse. That said I think the ice hockey danglers work great and I’ve never seen a ref or anyone complain about it.
Coach,
I am an adult player so in general those sort of rules are not enforced anyway. I started with the hockey protector because my son is a hockey goalie and that is what I had access to. It also works better at the youth level since you can easily move it from helmet to helmet when the goalie position is shared.
Like I said I’ve never seen it enforced anywhere but there is that weird provision in the rule book. Not sure why.
Any chance you know were to find the warrior goalie neck guards? Cant find them anywhere online.
I remember looking for one awhile back and couldn’t find it either. Not sure what’s up with Warrior these days.
I’m pretty sure warrior throat Guards are just the hockey goalie ones but I could be wrong
Yeah they pretty much look the same. Just search for “Hockey Danglers” and you should see plenty of options.
I bought one of these throat guards for my son who is seven and just started playing goalie. I thought the price was a bargain compared to the heart palpations I had the week before at his game when half way through it I realized I had not tied the throat guard that the coaches have in their bag onto his helmet. I watched the rest of the game with great anxiety praying there were no throat shots. Not only does the guard look good but I can no longer forget to put it on because it is now mounted with screws. The wonderful manager of the lacrosse store mounted the throat guard for us when we went in to buy it. The price was great considering this momma did not have to figure out how to drill the holes. I am a big fan of this throat guard and my son’s coach was duly impressed with it as well.
Oh wow. Reminds me of when I played half a game before I realized I had no cup on. That coulda been tragic. Glad you like this throat guard!
Coach,
I am an adult player so in general those sort of rules are not enforced anyway. I started with the hockey protector because my son is a hockey goalie and that is what I had access to. It also works better at the youth level since you can easily move it from helmet to helmet when the goalie position is shared.
I feel like Murphy’s law and karma both came through big, the game after I read this article my tps shattered and I took a rip straight to the Adam’s apple
Ah crap that sucks. At that it wasn’t your throat that shattered 🙂
Just bought this for my son. The guard looks good and fits right, but the t nuts are to long. None of the three will tighten up. The holes are in the right place and when I hold the screws tight like they should be, it works perfectly. Has anybody had this problem?
Weird! Haven’t heard of that before. Anyone else?
Cut the t-nuts to 3/8s and the design works perfectly. Having the t-nut inside your kids helmet 1/2 inch on both sides is not safe. Casade needs to correct this flaw to prevent injury.
Boom!