Hockey Makeover

[All Torhs Team 0]

Im going to HAVE to get all new gear for this upcoming season. I cant go another season with my scrub gear hoping it will make it another game. Everything is needed except for skates. I havnt really payed any attention to the hockey lines for a while, couldnt rattle off the nicest series or anything. But Im looking forward to dropping $750-800 on new shin pads, elbows, pants, shoulders, helmet, gloves, and sticks.

Anybody got some input on what they would consider to be the absolute lightest pants/girdle. Right now Im considering those bauer girdles that require a shell, they look like they strap to your leg pretty tightly which means no extra baggage.

[sm326 0]

ive heard great things about the tackala girdle. im not a fan of girdles and pants that are tighter to my legs though.

[interpathway 9]

Right now Im considering those bauer girdles that require a shell, they look like they strap to your leg pretty tightly which means no extra baggage.

i've had great success with the vapor xxxx girdle, comfortable and light, no means nearly the protection of my old 852 tack pants...but more than enough mobility, wouldnt suggest laying down infront of shooters wearing them though. goodluck with all the purchases!

[Jarick 5]

I'm using the Vapor XXV pants, and they are ridiculously light compared to anything else I've seen. Protection is good, not amazing. Lots of mesh to keep it cool as well.

[WhiskeyTango19 0]

If you can find it around you, take a look at the Graf girdle. It's as thin, and as light as an inline girdle, but the foam they use in there is VERY dense and protective. I hated girdles until I used that one, and I won't go back to anything else.

[lampliter87 8]

I have the One90 girdle. It does indeed fit snugly to the leg, but very comfortably so. Weight is not even a factor with them, it hardly feels like you are wearing pants. And yes, very streamlined, no bulk.

[Konig von Kuhlem 0]

I have an old Vapor 8 girdle that looks pretty much identical to the One90 girdle. As was mentioned above, it's very streamlined and because it's so tight to your legs it almost feels like you're not wearing pants. However the protection is not as good as a traditional pant. From a pure mobility point of view, though, I would say the pants are awesome.

[Powerfibers 8]

Just got a Tackla girdle last month and love it so far. the Graf girdle is a lot lighter I was told. Guy in the shop said he would only recommend it for refereeing. The Tackla is super mobile and no issues so far. Dries quicker than my old pants too.

[Chadd 916]

Just got a Tackla girdle last month and love it so far. the Graf girdle is a lot lighter I was told. Guy in the shop said he would only recommend it for refereeing. The Tackla is super mobile and no issues so far. Dries quicker than my old pants too.

The only problem I have with the Tackla is that the stitching always seems to rip out somewhere and the pads shift too much.

[boganz45 0]

The Tackla one is nice and the Reebok 9K is excellent but heavy. However if you've never user a girdle before try it on and wear it around first in shop - I tried it and could not stand it. I use a girdle for inline though. For ice however, I stick to traditional pants. You might be of the same mindset. Good luck. Later,

[Hazard14 0]

what kind of gear are you using in the meantime?

[Powerfibers 8]

Just got a Tackla girdle last month and love it so far. the Graf girdle is a lot lighter I was told. Guy in the shop said he would only recommend it for refereeing. The Tackla is super mobile and no issues so far. Dries quicker than my old pants too.

The only problem I have with the Tackla is that the stitching always seems to rip out somewhere and the pads shift too much.

I guess I have something to look forward too. Darn.

[190sniper 0]

What is your height and weight? That would be helpful and what position do you play?

I'm just going to compare to myself even though I am kinda chubby and by your avatar (If that is you I am assuming it is) you are not like me. I'm 5"8 165

Shins: NB Supreme 50's. I have these and I love them. I don't go tongues out because I have CCM U+ with extremely small tongues. I go tongues in and then supply protection and mobility. Retail: $56-60 on hockeygiant.com

Shoulders: I would suggest the NB Vapor XXXX's. They retail at about 104 at hockeyworld.com. If that's too expensive the Vapor XXV is around $30 cheaper. Granted they aren't as "top of the line" as the XXXX's but overall great pads. $74: Hockeyworld.com

Pants: Since reading that you aren't a fan of girdles, I would suggest the 190 pant. Although they cost around $130 at Epuck.com. If you are pressed on price I would check out the XXV ($95, Epuck.com) Great pants, lite and you have mobility. XXV's would be my choice.

Gloves: I have heard only good things about the NB 4 rolls. Great mobility great protection overall great great glove ($100, Hockeygiant.com). STAY AWAY FROM THE XXXX PROS. Not worth the money except for the weight. They provide minimal protection from slashes an whatnot. If you aren't liking the 4rolls the Eagle X-70 are some of the best gloves around comfort, weight and protection are all there

($160, Hockeymonkey.com)

Helmet: Protection and looks goes to the NB 9500 ($189 Hockeygiant.com . Sharp looking, and Bauer makes great helmets. Depending on what league you play in dropping $150 on a helmet wouldn't be a bad idea because if you are roughing it and getting hit all the time you gotta keep your head safe. Another great choice is the Reebok 6-8k's. They fit nice, the are light, and they offer great protection (6k, $100; 8k, $140 both at hockeygiant.com)

Elbows: CCM Vector 10.0's are nice. Offer great protection and from what I hear they are light and durable. ($85, Hockeygiant.com) Also the RBK 6k fitlight offers great protection, is VERY comfortable. ($50 hockeygiant.com)

Stick: 190 very, very nice. Awesome kickpoint for nice hard shots, great for handling, saucer passes are awesome just overall one of the best sticks out there. ($119.50 Hockeygiant.com.) Vapor XXX lite is another awesome stick with almost the same attributes as the 190.

($79.50 Hockeygiant.com) Easton S17 is another awesome one. I used it once or twice at a hockey camp and I loved the feel and the weight of it. Not too thrilled about the Easton curves, but that's just me. ($209, hockeygiant.com)

I'm a die hard NB user so I may be a bit biased. NB makes some of the best gear around though. All in all it comes out to 1591 for EVERYTHING. Which isn't bad. Here's my suggested set up.

Shins: Supreme 50's (56)

Shoulders: Vapor XXXX (104)

Pants: XXV (95)

Helmet: 9500

Gloves: 4 Rolls (100)

Elbows: RBK 6k fitlight(50)

Stick: 190 (119.50)

Total: $715.50 + shipping if you choose to order online.

[gelowitz 0]

Helmet: 4 Rolls (100)

Cool, where can I buy some 4 Roll helmets?

[190sniper 0]

My bad. I realized after I posted (About 3 hours) that I did that.

[boganz45 0]

I disagree with much of what 190 Sniper had to say. For padding check out RBK (Jofa) - I own both NBH Pro Lightspeed shins, elbows, and shoulders (chose them over the Vapor XXXX gear after having seen them both in person) and RBK 9K shins, elbows, and shoulders. The RBK (Jofa) is nicer quality and more protective than either the NBH Pro Lightspeed or Vapor XXXX lines of gear. And in regards to gloves, while the Vapor XXXXs may not have the most protection of the gloves out right now, of my 5 pairs I own, they are my favorite to date being very lightweight, not bulky, close fitting to the hand, and they have an awesome nash palm for great feel. Definitely worth a look but you can have some comparably nice gloves for less. Other gloves I compare to include some old top end Nike ones, some top end Eagles, some RBK 8Ks, and some OLD Coopers. I am not gear biased to one brand or another except for skates (CCM because their style of boot always fits my foot best) and sticks (wood, usually Sher-wood, because they make one of the nicest wood sticks). I like whatever product is the nicest (in terms of quality and features) and more importantly, what fits me the best, regardless of who makes it. Find some gear in your price range (RBK 6K, CCM Vector 8.0, NBH XXV or Supreme 70), go to your LHS, try the different brands' comparable models, and buy what fits you best. Later,

PS - I still wish Douglas made their gray, black, and red Douglas Defender shoulder pads. I have a set in XL but have been trying to find some in L. Most people hated the size and bulk of there shoulders but they were my all-time favorites. Modano or Sakic too if I recall. Anyone know where to get some?

[JR Boucicaut 3805]

I'm pretty sure all of the forwards not named Lindros wore Douglas Wingers.

[gelowitz 0]

My bad. I realized after I posted (About 3 hours) that I did that.

Just kidding around...

[AmoriZep 0]

Gloves: I have heard only good things about the NB 4 rolls. Great mobility great protection overall great great glove ($100, Hockeygiant.com). STAY AWAY FROM THE XXXX PROS. Not worth the money except for the weight. They provide minimal protection from slashes an whatnot. If you aren't liking the 4rolls the Eagle X-70 are some of the best gloves around comfort, weight and protection are all there

($160, Hockeymonkey.com)

while the pros may offer minimal protection, i can assure you that the regular Vapor XXXX gloves are AWESOME!....i have a pair and they've been nothing but FANTASTIC in every regard....they fit tight enough, but not overbearingly....the protection is fantastic, but the 2 best features of these gloves are that they are 1) so lightweight and 2) the maneuverability in these gloves is just out of this world!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

[Cove 39]

oh man, I thought about a hockey make over but once I saw the final price on my cart on hockey monkey.. no thanks :) oldies are still goodies :)

[eric42434224 1]

After not playing hockey for a VERY long time, I bought all cheap equipment online, being unsure that I would even be able to play. Now that I am playing 2-3 nights a week and in a league, I have been replacing all my equipment with more high-end equipment. I do like the better feel/comfort/protection/performance of the new equipment, but lets be honest....it hasnt truly improved my game to any great extent. Go to the LHS and tell them the level at which you play and I am sure you can find what you need for a reasonable price. Also check the sell forum here and ebay to find some great deals....half off list after only being used a month is a great deal for some equipment. I found Easton 4roll pro gloves for $85 shipped (used once) and brand new TPS R8 Pro Lites for $60 shipped. You can find deals if you have the time and patience to replace a piece at a time.

[jm47 0]

I have the One90 girdle. It does indeed fit snugly to the leg, but very comfortably so. Weight is not even a factor with them, it hardly feels like you are wearing pants. And yes, very streamlined, no bulk.

I'll second this, I love my one90 girdle.