Itech's pecking order.

[Shawn in Tampa 0]

So from all of you dealers, where does Itech rank as far as quality? On par with the big boys? Better?

I am more interested from a quality versus value standpoint. Particularly on their upper end stuff.

Shawn in Tampa

[lb33knight 0]

So from all of you dealers, where does Itech rank as far as quality? On par with the big boys? Better?

I am more interested from a quality versus value standpoint. Particularly on their upper end stuff.

Shawn in Tampa

I currently do not carry Mission/Itech in my store. I have an account and can order items as needed but I do not place a booking order for one reason only. I have been happy with their products but we are a southern store and the market here simply can't support us if we purchased another booking order. The only way that it would happen is if I reduced our other orders to make room in the budget but I do not wish to because of the reduced booking discount that I will qualify for from the big three (NBH, Easton, RBK/CCM) Mission/Itech in my mind would rank in fourth but I believe that I could easily substitute them for my RBK/CCM order with very few complaints. I have considered doing this but I have yet to pull the trigger. RBK/CCM's invoicing, customer service, etc. are quite the hassle as compared to NBH and Easton. I wouldn't mind not having that headache anymore.

[Cavs019 710]

Mostly solid, underrated stuff. (From what I've heard, I don't use any of their products. As LB said, it doesn't have the mainstream appeal of the big three, maybe now four even with Warrior sticks. This especially holds true with the Peewee aged crowd.

[Monty22 835]

All the shops I've worked in sold a ton of the Shoulder pads and Shins. I have used a few different models of Itech shoulder pads since the late 90's, and I have been very pleased with the quality. Great bang for the buck. AT least with the shoulder pads, if they were branded with a logo from the big three they would have an even larger market share.

[theWB 2]

The store I work at places a booking order with mission itech. It consists mostly of lil' rookie(little kids) equipment and jocks. We bring in minimal protective especially in adult sizes. Durability is average. Better than easton, about the same as bauer and rbk. Its my opinion that the protective isn't as comfortable as other brands, especially bauer. As previously stated, it just doesn't have the mirror appeal of the big three.

[english15x 3]

At the pro shop I work out we do not book a lot of orders through Mission/Itech. The name doesn't sell like NBH,RBK and EASTON. We will take special orders if asked though. But the equipment is underrated, it is just as good I believe.

[sc37 0]

Another +1 for the 'underratedness'. I like their products a lot and I can seemingly buy the Mission/Itech for a tad cheaper too.

[Doctor Hook 0]

I like the tech for certain things. Jock shorts I've been rocking for years. I also rock their pants. Haven't been too down with their facial protection and I didn't like my old Itech helmet.

[lb33knight 0]

I like the tech for certain things. Jock shorts I've been rocking for years. I also rock their pants. Haven't been too down with their facial protection and I didn't like my old Itech helmet.

Facial protection isn't bad. No other full visor out there except the Oakley combo.

[ntwusc 62]

Dr. Hook, how do you like the pants? I have some 6600's on the way and am wondering if they'll fit similar to my old Mision M1's.

[mrusse01 0]

I've got the Mission L7 pants...very happy with them.

I as well use the itech jock shorts, but really they've always fallen apart on me, so I don't know why I keep buying them.

Other Mission/Itech products I've used include M1 sticks (pretty good), Wicked 3 inline skates (very good), and the Mission 10000 gloves (was not happy at all with their durability...performance was good though)

[JR Boucicaut 3810]

MIH makes a lot of underrated equipment, especially protective. The 440 protective is amazing for the price.

[gxc999 7]

MIH makes a lot of underrated equipment, especially protective. The 440 protective is amazing for the price.

I keep agree with JR, this is apparently becoming a bad habit of mine :D

Anyway, I have some Itech shoulders and Helmet from 03, both of which I bought fairly cheap but offer EXCELLENT protection. Me smacking the back of my head off concrete and walking away unscathed and taking X amount of pucks to the chest (thanks to newbies at pick ups who enjoy rising slap shots so much) with no harm has really impressed me. I also like Missions protective gear as well...

[gagner89 0]

Itech is getting better known, meaning their stuff might just be on the price increase... it was all great before when no one knew enough about them to trust them - their prices had to be low.

My old Mission M2 pants were built like a tank. Same with the HC100 helmets I still use now

[nyrslr21 0]

I have shins and shoulders from Itech, the shins are great, but the shoulders usually end up sitting closer to my neck than I'd like and the shoulder caps rub against something and squeak, which annoys the hell out of me.

[hockey1933 0]

I believe that I could easily substitute them for my RBK/CCM order with very few complaints. I have considered doing this but I have yet to pull the trigger.

lb, that surprises me, what does Itech offer that could take the place of an RBK/CCM item?

Goalie - RBK #1

Helmet - RBK or CCM #1 or #2, Bauer is still strong here

OPS - although not even close to a number 1, RBK or CCM out sell Mission in 98% of LHS

Protective - RBK #1

Skates - RBK or CCM #2 and #3 depending on market. Mission Itech is a tough sell here in almost every ice market

Visor - Itech, but Oakley still makes a better quality product and RBK/CCM do not manufacture a visor

Jock - Itech is still #1 or #2 following Shock

Just curious, on your opinion, thanks!

[sc37 0]

I believe that I could easily substitute them for my RBK/CCM order with very few complaints. I have considered doing this but I have yet to pull the trigger.

lb, that surprises me, what does Itech offer that could take the place of an RBK/CCM item?

Goalie -----Lots of goalies use Itech, even in pros like DiPi. Lots of goalies use the 960 mask too. Tons of Rec goalies use the lesser models too.

Helmet ------Intake has quite a few users

Skates -----Fuels and the s-series are used quite a bit.

Visor -----I think Itech actually is used more with the full shield being available and it being cheaper and less of a pain to maintain.

[TBLfan 25]

Pro goalies wear itech because of $. Argueably, because they will also ghost other manufacturers' gear.

[atomicpunk5150 2]

MIH makes a lot of underrated equipment, especially protective. The 440 protective is amazing for the price.

We book quite a bit of MIH out here in California.

I'll 2nd what JR said above.

We used to stock primarily Itech package stuff, but their upper end/middle protective line is now good to so we have been selling quite a bit of that as well.

As for Mission, lots of Helmets, Gloves, Sticks and belive it or not...skates.

[chippa13 1844]

Around these parts the skates don't have a good reputation and it isn't exactly easy to find much in the way of sticks, shafts, or blades. About the only thing you'll find much of are the Mission helmets.

[duch 0]

I've always found Itech stuff is pretty decent quality for the buck. Their high end shoulder pads offer incredible protection for the money you pay and their shins are also very well made ,again, especially the higher end models. I've always used their jockey shorts because I love the velcro holders for the socks. I had a HC-100 helmet that was cheap monitarily but just as protective as any on the market. My only concern was the fit wasn't always as nice as with Nike/Bauer,Reebok or Easton products however not a major issue as it wasn't something unbearable. All in all not a bad bang for your buck overall.

[Doctor Hook 0]

Dr. Hook, how do you like the pants? I have some 6600's on the way and am wondering if they'll fit similar to my old Mision M1's.

I rock an old set of HP1000s and they're still going strong after 6 years of use.

[Zac911 317]

Pro goalies wear itech because of $. Argueably, because they will also ghost other manufacturers' gear.

that statement applies more to RBK than it ever will to Itech. i disagree that Goyer copies other mfgs. have you actually looked at his product? he designs stuff with DiPo that REALLY works. the XWing Goal Pads are unreal....how did he follow it up? RX series. TBL i respect your opinion and presence on this board, but if you really spend more time around the Itech line.... there is without a doubt a difference. graphics is such a small part of the package-- there is SUBSTANCE behind the Itech line.

[hockey1933 0]

I agree with TBL as many of the goalies are paid, but either way, Itech only has 9 goalies using thier pads compaired to RBK's 23 in the NHL. Only one of which is a starter, (Gerber), with Manny and Dipi both injured. I wasn't attacking Itech or their NHL exposure, just saying it doesn't make sense to drop RBK/CCM to pick up Itech. True the Itech lower price point goalie sells well and it is good stuff for the money, but the RBK brand is much stonger.

Mission helmets and ice skates just don't sell as well as RBK and/or CCM. They are the worst selling items in those respective catagories in most areas. I am not saying you won't sell some of them, but really sc37, would you dump the RBK/CCM line to sell Itech skates and helmets instead?

[Zac911 317]

I agree with TBL as many of the goalies are paid, but either way, Itech only has 9 goalies using thier pads compaired to RBK's 23 in the NHL. Only one of which is a starter, (Gerber), with Manny and Dipi both injured. I wasn't attacking Itech or their NHL exposure, just saying it doesn't make sense to drop RBK/CCM to pick up Itech. True the Itech lower price point goalie sells well and it is good stuff for the money, but the RBK brand is much stonger.

Mission helmets and ice skates just don't sell as well as RBK and/or CCM. They are the worst selling items in those respective catagories in most areas. I am not saying you won't sell some of them, but really sc37, would you dump the RBK/CCM line to sell Itech skates and helmets instead?

not on features and substance. but hey... why bother being the best player you can be.... when you can LOOK like the best player.