New Guy Here...Need Advice

[sdog55 0]

I'm getting back into a league after 8 years off. I'm not new to hockey, played 20 years, but i am new to all the new equipment. I'm unfortunately in a town in Florida that doesn't have a LHS so trying on equipment before i buy is impossible. I'm joining a non contact league and I'm looking to buy new lighter pants and better fitting skates. A little about me, I'm 5'6 and weigh 175, hopefully that will go down. I need some advice on some lighter pants. my last pair was borrowed from a friend and too big. for me. im looking for something not too bulky and light weight. Same with the skate. I've always worn Bauer skates, size 6.5. I'm looking at the one90's because they're being marked down . I know it's hard to pick a skate without trying them on, but i don't have that option. I've got Bauer 4000's now but i bought them on sale and are an EE width. i bought them just to public skate since my 5000's broke.

Any suggestions on the pants and skates would be much appreciated. Season starts in a couple weeks and i need to get some pick up in first.

Thanks

While I'm at it, what are your thoughts on the Bauer XVI OPS? I've always used wood. I have old Bauer Supreme wood sticks. Very flexible.

again, any thoughts are welcome.

[Stampeder 2]

If a shop lets you return skates with no stocking fee it would be easier to order 2 different types and send one back. I've always liked my Graf 700 series pants.

Also if your used to wood try a shaft and wood blade combo.

[team50 20]

Welcome aboard. There are many members much more knowledgeable than I, but here goes. Shaft and wood blade is a good idea allowing you to experiment with curves and lies. One 90's are desirable but maybe overkill. I have a wide foot and like the volume of the Vapor line. As far as pants, I don't think you can go wrong with a middle of the line CCM, RBK 5K, or something along those lines.

FYI-I'm just a guy like you trying to learn from the hockey guru's on this site.

[Caustic Mick 0]

A pretty good option for wide feet (fair amount of sizes):

http://www.hockeygiant.com/nbhflxlt16icsktsr.html

The Vapor line is actually fairly narrow. Unless you go custom, of course.

[ahearn10 0]

Ive been playing non contact hockey for the past couple years as there is no contact leagues where im going to school. If I could go back though I definately would have bought a smaller pair of shoulder pads like the sherwood 5030's. Just thought I would throw that out there.

As for the skates, the one90 is a good skate but I know a lot of people that had problems with getting a good fit. They had to get them punched out and strectched. Its a good skate no doubt but if you can't try it on I wouldn't be going for that particular line as it is not a standard fit like the vapor line.

[Caustic Mick 0]

Good suggestion on the 5030's. I, too, wear them and think they are ideal for non-contact hockey. I think Itech also makes a low-pro shoulder pad that people enjoy in non-contact hockey.

[sdog55 0]

I had the same idea about the shoulder pads. i was looking at the Bauer Classics. About the same price of the 5030's.

[sdog55 0]

Anyone wear the Bauer Supreme 50 pants? How do they feel?

[blueshirt80 0]

I just got a Nike Bauer XVI 102 flex (PM9)Malkin Curve. It isn't as lite as other more expensive sticks but for me it is priced in that perfect area between $80 - $90. I have tried cheaper, more expensive, and other brands of sticks. I am sure the more expensive XXX, XXXX, or One 90 sticks are nice but they won't improve my shot or make me play like a pro.

I say go with the Nike Bauer XVI. I like mine so much I ordered a second one.

[Vermette20 0]

I just got a pair of RBK 5k Pants, and I am very happy with them. I had a pair of Vapor XX pants, and didnt like the tight fit and no leg zippers. Being this was the first RBK item I have purchased, I didnt realize that alot of the RBK stuff is branded Jofa inside. So looks like the RBK pants and other protective is really RBK Jofa. For the price $59, these pants are nice. Also I was happy with my new RBK 6k Helmet, nice fit and very comfortable. As to skates, thats a difficult one as each brand fits differently, I have a fairly narrow foot so I use a pair of Bauer vapor XX skates, the RBK and CCM skates seem to be a bit wide to me, and just dont feel right. Havnt tried on Mission, Graf or the other models so I dont have any comments on those.

Casey

[Caustic Mick 0]

As a newbie, I suggest getting a good pant. You'll fall on your rear end a decent amount of times, so make the pant quality. I had good success with the Easton Air Pro pant. When you fall on your heiny enough you'll understand what is important.

[D aka speck 0]

As a newbie, I suggest getting a good pant. You'll fall on your rear end a decent amount of times, so make the pant quality. I had good success with the Easton Air Pro pant. When you fall on your heiny enough you'll understand what is important.

I like Tackla pants... that's just me.

3 areas I never draw the budget however...

Jock, helmet and gloves!

Obvious reasons!

[CBJ 0]

I'm looking to buy new lighter pants and better fitting skates. A little about me, I'm 5'6 and weigh 175, hopefully that will go down. I need some advice on some lighter pants. my last pair was borrowed from a friend and too big. for me. im looking for something not too bulky and light weight. Same with the skate. I've always worn Bauer skates, size 6.5. I'm looking at the one90's because they're being marked down . I know it's hard to pick a skate without trying them on, but i don't have that option. I've got Bauer 4000's now but i bought them on sale and are an EE width.

As far the lighter pants go, this isn't to hard to come by. Generally the lower end pants are going to be lighter, as they don't have as much padding/protection. Something like the RBK 5k pant would be a relatively light pant with decent protection.

Skates on the other hand will be much tougher to figure out. I would need the following info to try and steer you in the right direction. Shoe size and brand, wide/med/narrow foot, and high/mid/low/flat arch. Give me that info and i can at least narrow your search down to a couple skates.

[sdog55 0]

I wear a shoe size 8 in Nike, Adidas, Saucony, Ive got a narrow heel and gets a little wider towards the toe. the arch is normal. i wore Bauer 5000's for 8 years and they were your normal width skates; I think that would be a C or D width. My current skate is an EE but i bought them because they were $100 and i didnt think i would be skating hard on them. Now i need a real skate to play in, not just public skate.

Again, thanks for all the advice.

[Hazard14 0]

i reccomend trying to find prostock sticks. they run at about $100, and are the same sticks that you see selling for over $50 more. if not go high end wood over low end OPS

as for pants look into the vapor XX-lite pants

and skates is a whole different story, based on you foot shape i'd say try Graf 703's

[flyerman 0]

I'm a little more old school, so I offer a slightly different approach...

If you are used to and like the older Bauer Supreme series, why not stick with them? I used Bauer 3000's for a long time, and then went to the Classic Gold and then to 8090s, which I love. Great skates IMO. The fit is similar to the older Bauers, but the toe box is wider for added comfort. But these are rather hard to find.

That said, you could always try some old 7000's, which would fit very similar to your old 5000s. You should be able to find these for cheaper, but here's a link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Bauer-Supreme-7000-Hoc...7QQcmdZViewItem

If you are used to woodies, I'd recommend getting a decent shaft (e.g. Easton Ultralite, Easton Z-bubble), and using wood blades similar to the ones you have. This is a great combo and gives you the best of best worlds.

Pants: PP, but I really like my Tackla Air 9000s -- light, comfortable, protective.

WECOME BACK TO HOCKEY!

[MR.Bobby.Orr 0]

I highly recomend the NBH Vapor skates, whether it be the xxxx or the xxv, I used to skate on Supreme 8000 and seemlessly went to a xxx. They felt exactly the same just much lighter. You can get your the 6.5 and then bake them and they will feel exactly the same if not better than the supremes you have.

[CBJ 0]

I wear a shoe size 8 in Nike, Adidas, Saucony, Ive got a narrow heel and gets a little wider towards the toe. the arch is normal. i wore Bauer 5000's for 8 years and they were your normal width skates; I think that would be a C or D width. My current skate is an EE but i bought them because they were $100 and i didnt think i would be skating hard on them. Now i need a real skate to play in, not just public skate.

Again, thanks for all the advice.

Working under the assumption that your 5000 skates fit you and didn't kill/hurt your feet, leads me to believe the One90 skates would workout well for you. While the heal of the skate isn't narrow, it's not extremely wide either. So it could work out, though I can't promise you anything as i'm not physically fitting you. As far as size goes, you would either be a size 6D or 5.5D. The 5.5 might be that perfect fit, but since you're probably going to have to buy skates online you might be safer just going with the 6D. At worst it will be a half size big..if that's your biggest problem, you're making out pretty well considering the situation you're in.

Another Company that might work well for you.

Easton - a mid level S series skate (like an S7) in size 6 or 6.5.

Based on the information i have, I would say your best bet would probably be the One90's. If you can find a LHS within a 100 miles of you, it would benefit you greatly to go there and try on everything they have to offer and buy it from them.

Best of luck to you, and if you have anymore questions let me know.

-Brian

[sdog55 0]

Thanks for all the advice. I think i will try a 6 in the one90's. That seems to be the consensus size to get. i actually found an old pair of CCM pants that seem light and loose, so i will try them first.

[flyerman 0]

If you decide against the One90s, I have a brand new pair of Bauer Supreme 6500, size 6D, that need a home. PM me if you are interested.

[sdog55 0]

Thanks Flyerman. I just ordered them this morning. I'll let you know if they don't work out.

[JR Boucicaut 3805]

I'm unfortunately in a town in Florida that doesn't have a LHS so trying on equipment before i buy is impossible.

Two hrs to Orlando from Jacksonville. Exit 90B on I-4.

[chiab 0]

- pants = old mission M-2 pants. So damn light and maybe $45 or xx-lite or xxx-lite nike bauers.

- skates = synergy 1200 to 1500c. Bauer one 90 series or wait till one95 series. Or even get s7, s11 or custom s15. The synergys are the most durable, light and protective as hell. NB xxx and xxxx aren't too bad but i found them to flex like crazy. I personally like the xxx better. Go for the synergys because they cost like 400 bucks instead of 650+. Or go on ebay. 320 bucks for one90s with shipping

[sdog55 0]

JR, what's the place in Orlando? I don't make it down there too often but its good to know if i need something.

[duckshockey48 0]

best skates for wide feet right now are nbh flexlights or s15's