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I've worn Eagle gloves for years, and am always pleased to come across other Eagle fans. The shoulder pads look great - thanks for the suggestion! Based on photos, the Eagle girdle looks spot on - exactly like the Tacklas of the past. Sadly, I can't find them for sale anywhere, other than a stray pair on Sideline Swap.

Thanks for all the help and for sharing the thread!

Many thanks for the suggestions, althoma1! I'd never heard of STÄRK, but these look pretty nice, and I am always happy to support smaller companies putting out good stuff.

That's the cheapest I've seen them (at least in the States)

I'm checking in with the brain trust again because you all were so helpful with my last request. As I continue to look to replace some very worn-out gear, I'm also considering picking up a new girdle and pair of shoulder pads. Girdle: I'm using an old Tackla that I've had for 15+ years. Based on photos of the 4500, it looks pretty similar. I've been happy with it and would gladly replace with one of the Tackla options, but I can't track down one in my size. I'm looking for something that's comfortable and protective, with the usual caveat that I play beer league these days and am not looking to throw any huge hip checks or earn more PK time by laying out in front of slappers. I've tried on the Warrior Covert, the Supreme ACP Pro, and the Jetspeed. I haven't tried the True, new Tacklas, or any other models. Of the three I tried, the Warriors felt most familiar - I'm not used to the "wrap" style. But I also couldn't tell if they were less protective (and, if so, in a way that mattered for my purposes). Any thoughts? Or, has anyone had experience shifting away from a girdle and finding a traditional pant that you liked a lot? Shoulders: I've been using Bauer Supreme Classic shoulders for a while. I'm hoping to stay with something light and flexible. I've found some Sherwoods that look very similar (the "vintage" lace-up look) on Sideline Swap. But, I was just wondering if anyone had other picks for beer league shoulders. (I know a lot of folks don't even wear them for beer league, but I'd rather not take the risk.) Thanks!

Thanks for the great suggestion. Picked up a pair of Alpha DX today on clearance. I remain intrigued by the STX, but getting these for the same price and being able to try them on made the difference. I preferred the Tacks to the other CCM and Bauer offerings (thanks for the recommendation, xstartxtodayx), but found the Warrior to be more flexible

Interesting, flip12. Any sense of the best contemporary analog to the old Jofa JDP 6035? Based on rooting around online, it looks like the 6035 became the Reebok 6k: http://www.sports2k.com/forum/index.php?/topic/44868-jofa-a-guide-to-elbow-pads/. But, I'm curious if there's something on the market today that's fairly similar.

Thanks, Althoma1! The STX Surgeons sound great. I may root around and try to figure out whether the added padding of the RX3 is worth the extra cash as compared the the RX3.1

I picked up the Tacks 710 with a 580 cage, and I'm very happy with it. Thanks for the advice on that front, everyone. I tried on some elbows but didn't bite the bullet. Unfortunately, they didn't have any of the Tacks or Warriors that others had recommended in my size, so I'll see if I can either find another shop that does or try ordering some to the LHS. I was struck by how bulky everything felt that I did try. The protection seemed great for the most part, but everything felt like it would restrict motion. Maybe my impression is distorted because my old Jofas are so broken-in (who am I kidding, worn out) that I hardly notice them and because I'm so far behind the curve on the technology and styles for the pads. Curious if folks have noticed a substantial "break-in" period with newer model elbows, or if you found pairs that struck you as providing more flexibility.

One more helmet question for folks: has anyone had any experience mounting the CCM cages on the Reakt helmets? In my experience cages tend to be standard - I've used the CCM/Jofa on Bauer helmets for years. But the Reakt struck me as having a slightly odd shape, and I have read that some of the newer helmets aren't made to accommodate cages or are only made to accommodate specific cages. If I could only mount the CCM on the 710, I think that would make the decision for me.

Thanks! Will definitely check out the Tacks for elbows and shins.

Thanks, Miller55! Will check out the Supremes. Good call on SLS, but last I checked, Jofa elbows were going for 200+. I love mine, but not sure I could justify that....

Many thanks, Vet88. I tried on a handful of helmets today and am deciding between the Reakt 95 and the Tacks 710.

Many thanks, xstartxtodayx!

althoma1: this is fantastic. Thanks so much for all the advice.

I'm just getting back on the ice after an injury & the pandemic kept me out the past season and a half. I now have an excuse to replace some gear that has seen better days: Jofa elbows pads and Hespeler shin pads that I played with through college and have had since almost the turn of the millennium and a Bauer 5500 helmet. Sadly Jofa and Hespeler have gone the way of white Nike skates, so no chance I'm getting "more of the same." And, I know that helmet technology and offerings have changed a lot in the last decade. Question for the group: what would be your pick if you were looking for a new helmet, and a new set of shin and elbow pads? I play beer league these days (B/C), and I'd rather spend more on the fun purchases (sticks, skates, gloves), but I also don't want to penny wise and pound foolish. Hoping to swing by my LHS to try some stuff on, but any advice would be appreciated greatly!

That's my recollection of how the VacuTacks worked back in the day. The boots came without the blades, and (unless I'm mis-remembering) were heated before being placed in a vacuum bag.

I had a couple of pairs, and I remember the experience being pretty uncomfortable as well. That said, I remember the skates fitting great (the last pairs of CCMs I bought before my current 70ks). JR's point about improving materials eliminating the need for the process/extra piece of equipment sounds right to me (like most of JR's points). But I do wonder if vacuum+heat molding of great materials might make some of us hesitate a little longer before going the custom route.

As a long-time girdle wearer, I've never actually owned a "girdle shell" (if I understand correctly that these are the padded variety) - all the shells I have were bought were from the days where the only shells I could find were the baggy/unpadded variety (which I understand to now be branded as "pant shells"?). Curious in the conversation about mixing and matching sizes where folks have run into fit issues - i.e. length or waist? Also, are the velcro tabs on shells designed to work with only newer girdles (i.e., do newer girdles have velcro tabs to attach to a shell), or do velcro tabs simply latch onto the girdle material? I've only ever worn older shells that simply used a belt as colins describes.

As a big fan of the Lidstrom/Leetch/Getzlaf style heel curve (which I, too, believe is pretty similar to what you were using), I think you'll find the Drury a bit different from what you were used to. The Drury (and similar patterns) is more of a wedge - i.e., the're a slight heel curve, but the most noticeable feature of the blade is how open it is. The Lidstrom is open as well, but perhaps a bit less so and with a bigger curve. FWIW, I like the Drury pattern, particularly for rising slap shots. But I personally find the wedge style to be a bit more unwieldy for puckhandling, particularly if you're someone who likes to break out a toe drag now and again.