Equipment older than dirt

[martywest 0]

In the group of guys I play pickup with, there has to be at least 8 or 10 of them that use gear that is so old, that I cannot believe that it is even safe anymore. I'm talking holes in the pads, duct tape holding pieces on, one guys socks are so thread bare that I think there is more tape holding them up than actual fabric. Is there a level of sentemental value going on that hockey players have? Granted, I only started playing last year, so I needed to buy everything brand new, but when something starts to break down, I'll just go out and replace it. Not one piece of equipment except for the skates cost more than 60 -70 dollars on average to replace. Some of the stuff like hockey socks can be replaced for about 10 bucks. Is it a semental thing, or are these guys just extemely cheap?

[hocckey77 0]

In the group of guys I play pickup with, there has to be at least 8 or 10 of them that use gear that is so old, that I cannot believe that it is even safe anymore. I'm talking holes in the pads, duct tape holding pieces on, one guys socks are so thread bare that I think there is more tape holding them up than actual fabric. Is there a level of sentemental value going on that hockey players have? Granted, I only started playing last year, so I needed to buy everything brand new, but when something starts to break down, I'll just go out and replace it. Not one piece of equipment except for the skates cost more than 60 -70 dollars on average to replace. Some of the stuff like hockey socks can be replaced for about 10 bucks. Is it a semental thing, or are these guys just extemely cheap?

Kind of both maybe. If they only play pick- up there's really no need to have state of the art equipment. I'm assuming it's just for fun and there's no concact.

How much of your stuff have you replaced since you started?

[Doctor Hook 0]

Hockey players are weird like that. It may also be superstition or a "If it's not broke (too much) then don't replace it" kind of mentality. I know plenty of beer leaguers who think a few strips of hockey tape and the piece of equipment is good to go.

Personally, I'm using almost all replaced equipment from the past season or two, but I've been using the same pants and shin guards for about 5 years. I plan on wearing these until they disintegrate.

[Jake 0]

I see a lot of guys at pickup with equipment older than I am (21).

[Hordie Gowe 17]

I wear shoulder pads that were my dads and are at least 20 years old (I'm guessing they are older). I started wearing them in midgets and have loved them ever since, they are perfect for the games I play in now. Although, they were a litte thin for the full checking days.

[Doctor Hook 0]

Just another thought...with the cost of ice time, sharpenings, OPS, beer, etc. etc. the dollars may be spread thin when it comes to gear, so what they rock, they will rock for life. I'm sure that has something to do with it, at least it does for me.

[Viking 1]

I currently use three pieces of equipment made by manufacturers that no longer exist, and I have no plans on replacing these things any time soon.

[TheProfessor 2]

When I find something I like, I stick with it. Finding a replacement for a piece of equipment that fit well in the past is a pain. I think I'm the same as a lot of guys in that you get used to the feel of certain equipment and anything else feels weird. This is especially true of skates, gloves, and blade patterns.

[odp 0]

I can't find any shin pads that fit my weird-shaped legs better than my Gordie Howe endorsed Eaton shins. I even picked up a second pair from ebay for when the first pair bites it or I get a little too adventurous with modifications.

Those shins and my Bauer EP100 elbows are all that remain from my first set of gear. Would have still rocked my Pallas gloves if they didn't have holes, smell so much, and then discovered 2-piece fingers. Nylon gloves from well over 10 years ago, baby.

[Zamboni 6]

How many of the guys with equipment 20 years old have a OPS that's worth more than everything in their bags? Seen that a few times-whats worse is the kids under 10 with $200 sticks and improperly fitting crap equipment(including skates!) handed down from older brothers etc. I'm seeing kids in Ontario house leagues with 'vintage' pants that don't properly protect to knee pads holding Stealth Jr's. At least my sons rep teamates all have good, properly fitted equipment with parents (including myself) spending way more than necessary to buy latest model skates etc....the skates do take take precedence.

I'm shocked at my sons classmates who come over to use our backyard rink. I get to tie up skates handed down from older siblings in appalling condition, I'm not exagerating one iota.....skates that cost $50 new 5 years ago needing new steel on the runners and the kids sporting a $150 vector.....and talking about getting a new stick. What's wrong with these dads, their happy little Johnny wants Sundins cnt model stealth instead of a gaming console for Xmas....2 single moms wanting stick advice(not that kind ) at the neighbourhood xmas party sure didn't want to hear my opinion.

Sorry for the rant but how did sticks become such a prestige item, guys in 'no-slapshots' beer leagues with SL's and cracked shin pads, house league 8 year olds who rarely touch the puck with Macdaddy Jr's and $50 used ccm's a size too big.

[Hooah4 12]

Factor in a mortgage, orthodontist bills, paying for your kids' ice time, etc....and you can understand why some of them stretch it out so long.

[nicksmission14 0]

I think what zamboni was saying is, People should be investing in proper equipment not 200.00 dollar hockey sticks. I agree, Having the right skates and protective equipment that feels and fits is the biggest thing. Sticks should be the last thing people spend $$ on.

[Viking 1]

I don't see why they even make jr. sized OPS. A kid that small can barely lift the puck, and is using that stick to keep them from falling down more than anything. Even if people can afford it, it's still a collosal waste of money. I have a nephew who's 8 years old, and when I go to his games, every kid on the ice is using a more expensive stick than I do.

[Go Pio's 0]

While not that old, it is old enough to laugh at...

...There is a guy in my men's league who religiously wears his old Cooperall pants from 1983. They are skin tight on him and he looks like a fool, but you've got to appreciate his dedication to the brand! Man, are those things horrible looking!

[Oberon 0]

These are my gloves from high school (as seen in the 'show it off' thread). They're retired, though sometimes I'll wear them down at the park for shinny - gives me street cred with the old timers.

[Ti-girl 0]

While not that old, it is old enough to laugh at...

...There is a guy in my men's league who religiously wears his old Cooperall pants from 1983. They are skin tight on him and he looks like a fool, but you've got to appreciate his dedication to the brand! Man, are those things horrible looking!

We have a girl that wears her ringette pants, aka the women's version of cooperalls.

I always try to take a shot and nail her in the @$$ in warmups, just because its fun.

[sensrock15 0]

i wear old bauer supreme shins and elbows from a couple years back and an easton cyclone chestpad....and i also use old bauer supreme 1000 gloves...they are the best gear ever made...light...protective and old....what a combo...other than that thats alll the old gear i use...and oberon, what kind of gloves are they originally

[jimmy 194]

While not that old, it is old enough to laugh at...

...There is a guy in my men's league who religiously wears his old Cooperall pants from 1983. They are skin tight on him and he looks like a fool, but you've got to appreciate his dedication to the brand! Man, are those things horrible looking!

haha, we have a chain discount store near us (BLDG 19) that has brand new Cooperalls. Kelly Green, but if you like that kind of stuff, nothing is more ugly than that.

[Viking 1]

Cooperalls SCREAM to be paired with an XL7 helmet!

[Doctor Hook 0]

Besides aesthetics (terrible), Cooperalls actually make sense.

But being a traditionalist, I stick to pants and socks.

Big ups to dudes who insist on rocking old sweat pants in lieu of hockey socks.

[Viking 1]

I started playing hockey a year or two too late to have done so in Cooperalls, but I would think aside from the obvious (they're so god awful ugly), that they'd be hot, and constrict your movement, no?

[Go Pio's 0]

Actually, I think they promote movement rather than restrict. It's kind of like playing shinny hockey on the pond with sweatpants and shin pads. They really are no warmer or colder than wearing socks/breezers. The worst thing about them is when you are playing outdoors and you run around in a mound of snow (kids do stupid things when they are waiting to get on the ice), you get a ton of snow that goes up your leg and down into your skates. It makes for quite the chilly experience.

[JR Boucicaut 3810]

Actually, I think they promote movement rather than restrict. It's kind of like playing shinny hockey on the pond with sweatpants and shin pads. They really are no warmer or colder than wearing socks/breezers. The worst thing about them is when you are playing outdoors and you run around in a mound of snow (kids do stupid things when they are waiting to get on the ice), you get a ton of snow that goes up your leg and down into your skates. It makes for quite the chilly experience.

That sounded like an anecdote from your younger days.