Anybody use top level gear for beer league?

[martywest 0]

I'm just wondering. When I started my quest about 2 months ago to get back into hockey, after not playing for about 15 years, I just started out by buying mid-level equipment. But soon after, I started to find clearance Jofa and CCM gear, and before I knew it, I had almost 2 complete sets of pads, 1 mid level, 1 near pro level. I'm a litttle embarrased showing up to a beer league game with this pro level equipment, especially since I'm definately going to be rusty. I don't consider myself to be the type of guy who buys the best of everything just for show, I just want to be as safe as possible, and I want my gear to last, which is why I started to buy better stuff. Does anybody else do this?

[pantherfan 0]

You shouldn't feel embarresed about having good gear i'm sure there will be a couple people there with 8090's XX's or somthing like that

[Neal 41]

Don't worry about it. Lots of guys in beer leagues have top end equipment.

[wickedwrister 0]

I have 8090s and an XN10. I am an average hockey player in a beer league who has a good job. If you can afford it than treat yourself.

[johnpace2 0]

No one will even notice.

[jimmy 194]

No one will even notice.

Well, folks do make fun of people who deck themselves out in top line everything, but can't skate or play worth a crap. If your good, no one says anything.

[pantherfan 0]

But hey if you find a good deal on top of the range stuff dont let that stop you.

[chk hrd 164]

What is pro level anyways, alot of pros where oldstyle cooper shoulder pads and 652 helmets.

No one will really care that you showed up with top of the line gear. I for one couldn't tell you what anyone wears in our locker room.

The only thing that they will care about is that you showed up and played hard.

[hockeysew 0]

<_<

I have always tried to use the best gear I can. Two reasons for this line of thought.

1- Higher quality gear will last longer if taken care of.

2- My vocation has strict physical restrictions ( If I'm hurt I cant work) I think of top level gear as a little added insurance.

Besides, if you can afford it why not?

Skates- 7000 pro stock Supremes

Shins- Jofa 8090

Breezers-Easton pro stock

Shoulders-CCM Supra SG 500 (old school gladiator armor-will probably replace soon)

Elbows-Bauer 8000's

Gloves-SherWood 5060 pro stock

Helmet-Bauer 4000

Overkill for beer league? Probably, but considering that at 40+ you dont heal up as quickly and bumps and bruises seem to last longer I think it's worthwhile.

[sn1per 0]

A lot of the time, people have no clue what gear you're wearing. They might think low level equipment is so good just based on aesthetics. From far, you'd never be able to tell anyways.

[johnpace2 0]

No one will even notice.

Well, folks do make fun of people who deck themselves out in top line everything, but can't skate or play worth a crap. If your good, no one says anything.

Around here the guys are much more concerned with making sure the beer arrives.

Besides, to someone that isn't always shopping for gear, almost everything looks the same. I think the exception is the obvious case of a beginner using a top end composite stick.

[Guy Incognito 0]

Who cares what others think? If you are happy, go out there and strut your stuff like Rupaul...

[johnpace2 0]

But hey if you find a good deal on top of the range stuff dont let that stop you.

Hell yeah, I got some sweet Bauer 5000 pro's for $49 smackers.

The Salming Protector Lites are basically NHL quality protection. $70.

etc, etc.

[yipperzz 28]

i don't think most beer leaguers will notice. but if you're playing pickup with some highly skilled players, they might have a good laugh. but who cares? you're out there to play for yourself not for some strangers. as long as you're having fun and being protected right? :D

[CHIEF22 0]

I have high end stuff and I'm just starting out. I got good deals on all of it and I have a decent job where I can afford it. I look at it as "self-preservation". Like one poster said when you get older it takes longer to heal when you get hurt.

[Jason Harris 31]

I spend too much time flapping my gums in the locker room to notice what other people are wearing. And most of them are too preoccupied with covering their ears to notice either. B)

Bottom line is you want to be well protected.

[chilaxin12 2]

As long as when your out there your trying, they wont care, theres this one ass clown at shinny I go to, that shows up late, then during his shift, instead of playing, he stretches and just kinda fruits around for the first half hour hes there, it gets so bad that we have to throw a extra guy out there at times so he gets the hint to get off because he hurts the game for everyone. Yet he thinks hes pro in his fancy gear, as long as you show up and play hard you have no problem.

[BGM 0]

For actual equipment (padding) I don't think there should be a limit to what you want to get because you want to be protected. But I don't understand why guys that play in lower levels (C, D , etc) have $150 sticks and Vapor XXXs if they can't skate or shoot. To me, that's like Forrest Gump getting the best running shoes. But to each their own. It doesn't matter to me.

[mack 44]

But Forrest Gump was fast

[yipperzz 28]

so if you're in a lower level, you don't deserve to use a good stick and be comfortable in higher end skates?

[Dupes 1]

I've always had high end equipment.

I like looking good! ha ha j/k

High end equipment usually lasts me longer then lower end stuff. I play more or less 175 times a year.

Every 3-4yrs I change almost everything.

Im more often in my equipment gear then in my office clothes!

[chk hrd 164]

For actual equipment (padding) I don't think there should be a limit to what you want to get because you want to be protected. But I don't understand why guys that play in lower levels (C, D , etc) have $150 sticks and Vapor XXXs if they can't skate or shoot. To me, that's like Forrest Gump getting the best running shoes. But to each their own. It doesn't matter to me.

just because you are playing in a beer league doesn't mean you are a C-D player. There are alot of guys (usually older) who have played thier share of competitive, fast paced hockey and now just want to have fun. Sometimes we like to have the high end equipment and are at the point in our lives that we are able to afford it.

Equipment doesn't make the player, but having nice equipment doesn't hurt.

[johnpace2 0]

For actual equipment (padding) I don't think there should be a limit to what you want to get because you want to be protected. But I don't understand why guys that play in lower levels (C, D , etc) have $150 sticks and Vapor XXXs if they can't skate or shoot. To me, that's like Forrest Gump getting the best running shoes. But to each their own. It doesn't matter to me.

We have novice, C, B and A.

People in C can skate decently and certainly could use good skates and sticks.

I skate in B and C and certainly benefit from having excellent skates. The low to mid end skates just wouldn't have the support.

[Sniper#39 0]

There are alot of guys (usually older) who have played thier share of competitive, fast paced hockey and now just want to have fun.

So true....

Many of us have played competitive hockey at some point in our lives (I have the mouth full of porcelain to prove it..) and as we "mature"..*lol*.. we continue to play for the sheer joy of it.

The fact that we are able to afford higher end gear is a "bonus" - anyone who makes an issue of it is merely jealous....

[evor1 6]

i have all top of the line stuff and i only play rec league. i always buy top of th eline stuff regardless of what i buy. it never even occured to me(because its so ridiculous) that i might be looked down upon just because my gear is good but my skills may not be...but i am one of the better players on my team anyways. i think its pathetic if anybody actually does make fun of anybody jsut because of their gear...its obviously jealously.