Maverik M6 EKG Shoulder Pads Review
An EKG-certified pad that protects like a tank and moves like a speed pad. Here’s how it held up after months of checks, dives, and ground ball scrums.
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Maverik dropped a new set of shoulder pads and called them the best of the year. I’ve spent plenty of seasons in pads that felt like a cardboard box strapped to my chest, so I wanted to know if the Maverik M6 EKG shoulder pads actually live up to that.
I’ve worn the Maverik M5 for a long time, so I trusted the build quality. What I really wanted to test was the flex. Do they let you move like a middie, or do they lock you up? After a few hard, physical practices and a stretch of games, here’s my full Maverik M6 EKG shoulder pads review.
The M6 EKG has been replaced by the Maverik M7 EKG Shoulder Pad at BattleLax.
Key features, pros & cons
Let’s run through the key features before we get into how they played.
- High level of impact absorption
- Snug fit to the body
- Unrestricted movement
- NOCSAE ND200 tested EKG guard
- Breathable, temperature-regulating liner
- Expensive
- Velcro loosened after three months
- Replaced by the M7, so stock is limited
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Protection
The M6 comes with Maverik’s External Kardiac Guard (EKG), which meets the NOCSAE ND200 standard for reducing the risk of commotio cordis. That’s the heart-stopping chest impact every coach worries about. The chest plate does sit out a little, with a gap that makes it look slightly puffed up, but there’s no question about the protection.
I took shots off the chest working the rebounder and ate plenty of checks in practice, and I didn’t feel a thing. The plate absorbs and spreads out the impact so very little force reaches your body. The segmented shoulder caps don’t shift when you move, so you get real freedom of movement without giving up coverage.
The DuraLight Foam adds another layer of safety. It’s light, but thick enough to soak up a shot. I felt well protected without being weighed down, and the hard front plate plus that foam did a great job when I took a check straight on.
Maverik also built in extra sternum and rib coverage for the areas that get hurt most. I got leveled going after a ground ball, the kind of hit that usually rattles you or cracks a rib. In the M6, it felt like a firm nudge.
I got leveled on a ground ball. In the M6, it felt like a firm nudge.
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Comfort & flexibility
The M6 EKG moves with your body. Whether I’m dodging from up top or getting low to fight for a gritty 50/50 ground ball, I barely notice them.
The segmented shoulder caps and chest padding are built with mobility in mind. Every piece sits right and flows with you instead of feeling bulky or stiff. I went with a medium for my build, and it comes in three sizes.
- Small
- 71–90 lbs
- Medium
- 91–130 lbs
- Large
- 131+ lbs
The Velcro adjustment at the waist is a big help. I could dial in the fit exactly how I wanted it, snug enough to stay put but loose enough to keep my full range of motion.
That snug fit kept the pads locked in during tough man-to-man coverage. They didn’t ride up into my stomach like the STX Cell V does when I stretched out to block a shot or knock down a pass.
Sizing can run a little different for some guys. I’m 122 lbs and the medium was the right call, but if you’re between sizes, try them on with your gear before game day.
They’re also really light. I never put them on a scale, but I never felt like I was carrying extra bulk.
Breathability
From the first practice, I noticed how well these breathe. The liner is a quick-dry material that helps regulate temperature, so you stay comfortable from the first whistle to the last.
The liner wicks sweat instead of trapping it, and the soft foam padding pulls moisture away too. During sticky summer tournament weekends, like the ones down around Virginia Beach, the pads handled the sweat and dried out fast between games.
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Durability
The durability genuinely impressed me. After a lot of practices and some chippy games, they still look and feel close to new.
The Velcro did lose some grip, but the rest of the build is rock solid. No loose or busted stitching on the seams, and the stretch elastics and arm pieces don’t have a scratch.
The hard front plate held up to dents and scuffs after three straight months of direct checks and diving on loose balls. I play physical, and my shoulder pads usually look beat up within six months. These showed no real wear.
The DuraLight Foam is another reason they last. It hasn’t lost its shape or its shock absorption after hours of repeated hits. Most foam gets soft and flat over time. The M6 EKG padding stayed firm and protective practice after practice. And it’s not just me. A lot of guys I play with have run the M6 EKG and say the same thing.
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Maverik M6 EKG vs M5 EKG shoulder pads
I didn’t see a huge jump in build quality or sizing from the M5 to the M6. The M6 is more protective, though. The front plate is harder than the M5’s, and the foam on the inside is even softer.
The M5 had some adjustability issues in fast games, where it would slide around. The M6 EKG stays snug. I also played D in it with and without the bicep pads, and it was comfortable both ways.
Maverik clearly did its homework and built a smart upgrade.
If you want something lighter, a speed pad is the way to go. It’s less bulky and a good fit for younger players in less physical games. The M6 EKG Speed has since been replaced too, so look at the Maverik M7 EKG Speed Pad or the budget-friendly Maverik M5 EKG Speed Pad at BattleLax.
See it live
Want to see how Maverik’s EKG pads look on a player? Search YouTube for up-to-date reviews and fit videos.
Watch M6 EKG videos on YouTube
Who are the Maverik M6 EKG shoulder pads for?
Buy them if you’re an experienced attackman, middie, or defenseman who takes contact and wants real chest protection without losing mobility. Skip them if you’re a younger player in a less physical league who’d be better served by a lighter speed pad.
Maverik rates them for intermediate and advanced players, and that matches what I felt. They’re expensive, but you’re paying for an ND200 chest plate, a fit that stays put, and pads that last.
Key details
- Position
- Field players
- Level
- Intermediate+
- Safety
- NOCSAE ND200 EKG
- Cost
- $149.99 MSRP
- Sizes
- S / M / L
- Biceps
- Detachable
- Features
- DuraLight Foam
- Quick-dry liner
- Velcro waist
- Segmented shoulder caps
- Sternum & rib coverage
Maverik M7 EKG Shoulder Pad$149.99 · the M6 EKG’s replacement
Maverik M7 EKG Speed Pad$129.99 · lighter, less bulk
Maverik M5 EKG Speed Pad$79.99 · budget pick
Maverik M6 Arm Pads$79.99 · finish the M-series setup
People also ask
Do you need shoulder pads in lacrosse?
Yes. Shoulder pads are required in boys’ and men’s field lacrosse for upper body protection. The Maverik M6 EKG gives you good mobility and cuts down risks like commotio cordis with its certified cardiac guard.
Are lacrosse and football shoulder pads the same?
No. Lacrosse shoulder pads like the M6 EKG are built for mobility and airflow. Football pads are bulkier and made for full-contact blocking and tackling.
What’s the difference between hockey and lacrosse shoulder pads?
Lacrosse pads like the M6 EKG are lighter and more flexible so you can move. Hockey pads carry more padding for high-speed collisions on the ice.
How big should lacrosse shoulder pads be?
They should fit snug without limiting your movement. The M6 EKG uses adjustable Velcro so the pads don’t shift during play.
Are Maverik M6 EKG shoulder pads worth it?
Yes. They offer strong protection, flexibility, and durability, which makes them a great fit for experienced players who want comfort and impact absorption in fast, physical games.
Final verdict
The Maverik M6 EKG shoulder pads are expensive, but they’re worth the money. They’re built for attackmen and middies in fast, physical games who need protection without giving up agility.
Going defense to offense in transition, I felt fully covered diving for ground balls, absorbing checks, and battling for position. The quick-dry liner and light DuraLight Foam kept the heat from building up.
Overall, the M6 EKG is one of the best lacrosse shoulder pads for balancing protection and flexibility. Since Maverik has moved on to the M7 EKG, that’s the pad to grab at BattleLax today.