Equipment Suggestions

[The Kabinet 0]

So it's been about 6 years since I've been away from 10 years of playing roller hockey and am looking to get back into the game. It looks like I'm going to need to buy all new equipment. I wanted to see what suggestions you guys have...

[Rick 0]

Buy good decent gear that fits well and don't get all wrapped up in brand names. I have found that spending a little more on good skates is worth it in the long run because if your skates don't have good support or they hurt your feet playing is no fun. As far as everything else I try to buy the best quality closeout gear I can find. For example I have Franklin 9505 gloves ($50 at Hockey World) and they are pro quality. You can get some really cool and nice quality older gear on closeout at a fraction of the cost of the newer high tech stuff if you are willing to go that route.

Good luck and welcome back.......

Rick

One other thing. I would suggest that anyone who is new or returning to the game check out the Sprung thread. I don't want to go into a bunch of detail here but they are by far the best frame I have ever used.

Rick

[The Kabinet 0]

Ya, I hear ya on the pads and gloves. That's kind of what I figured. I just wasn't sure if there were any huge innovations since I last shopped for equipment. I am a little partial to Mission skates as I have loved them in the past and have been confortable in them. Any suggestions on what type of sticks now days(wood, composite, replaceable blades etc.)?

[jpeaslee 30]

In my experience(I've only ever played roller) wood sticks just don't last on the floor. They crack or split and start wearing down LONG before composites do. There are always some deals to be had on composites, you just have to look around and find something that you like. I'll have to second the sprungs recommendation. Another option if you don't mind buying used is to check ebay and the like.

[Invert 13]

If you are a lefty, I highly recommend one of these composites. The Inno is a rebadged Vapor XX/Warrior Dolomite, while the WinWell is a rebadged Vapor XXX/Super MacDaddy.

http://www.hockeyworld.com/prodHome.ihtml?...&sterm=inno

http://www.hockeyworld.com/prodHome.ihtml?...&sterm=g500

As for skates, I recommend Tour with a hum'er. I'm in the minority with this, but I am not a fan of the High-Low setups at all and love the straight 80's. The Code Carbons and Cobalt Q's have a huge tongue that is very reminiscent of an older style boot.

[interpathway 9]

I am a little partial to Mission skates as I have loved them in the past and have been confortable in them.

Better hurry up and buy, Mission was bought out about 6 months ago and their lines of skates will no longer be manufactured.

[steve66 45]

Mission Roller product remains as far as i was aware.

[Makoto 3]

Well, as far as technological advances, I would say that chassis are going to be your main difference. Back 6 years ago most everything was HiLo if my memory serves me correctly. Now you have the Labeda Hum'er, Sprungs, CCM TriD, and Mission Vanguards to name a few. My advice to you is to try a chassis configuration that you have not used before and see what you think for yourself. I personally converted from many years on HiLo's to the Labeda Hum'er's and I don't regret the change at all.

As far as protective equipment, so much of that is personal preference, dependent upon the shape of your body or level of protection you are looking for. Time to go out and try stuff on and give it a go. You should let us know what type of budget you are working with as well. That will help us to make recommendations.

[The Kabinet 0]

Well, as far as technological advances, I would say that chassis are going to be your main difference. Back 6 years ago most everything was HiLo if my memory serves me correctly. Now you have the Labeda Hum'er, Sprungs, CCM TriD, and Mission Vanguards to name a few. My advice to you is to try a chassis configuration that you have not used before and see what you think for yourself. I personally converted from many years on HiLo's to the Labeda Hum'er's and I don't regret the change at all.

As far as protective equipment, so much of that is personal preference, dependent upon the shape of your body or level of protection you are looking for. Time to go out and try stuff on and give it a go. You should let us know what type of budget you are working with as well. That will help us to make recommendations.

My old set of Mission skates is a HiLo setup. That would surprise me if they stopped making skates considering all of the contracts they have to NHL teams and what not. I've been browsing around at these different chassis and they look similar to a HiLo setup other than they're starting to using different metals to make them lighter weight. So what is the difference between these? For skates I'm not too worried about price as I just want them to be comfortable and I have wide feet. As for other equipment and what I'm looking to pay:

Shingaurds- no more than $50

Girdle+Pants- no more than $50-$75

Gloves- no more than $50(are there still issues with these things getting crusty?)

Elbow Pads- no more than $50

Stick(I'm A Lefty)-- no more than $50/stick(i'll buy two so I have a backup)

[-venom- 0]

If you are a lefty, I highly recommend one of these composites. The Inno is a rebadged Vapor XX/Warrior Dolomite, while the WinWell is a rebadged Vapor XXX/Super MacDaddy.

http://www.hockeyworld.com/prodHome.ihtml?...&sterm=inno

http://www.hockeyworld.com/prodHome.ihtml?...&sterm=g500

What? Really? Same sticks?

[Makoto 3]

From my limited experience every chassis set up has it's pros and cons. There are plenty of threads on this topic, but I'll give you my take briefly. I skated HiLo's for at least 10 years. I had no complaints about them, but it was time for some new skates. I ended up doing an ice to roller conversion w/ the Hum'er chassis.

I feel I have greater top speed and better traction as a whole (both holding an edge and stopping power). I feel the Hum'ers are a much more neutral position as opposed to HiLo's giving more forward pitch. I do not feel as though I lost any mobility or agility by having all 80mm wheels. I personally feel the pros outweigh the cons for my playing style on the Hum'er vs. HiLo's. I look forward to trying the Vanguard set up and the Sprung set up some time in the future.

[sectachrome 40]

I used the old HiLo for almost ten years and just recently got new skates with the Vanguard chassis. At first I felt like I was going to fall backwards all the time but after Ive gotten used to them, theyre awesome. Definitely feel like I can accelerate faster and I can stop better as well, though I think most of that is because the wheels are way better than what I had.

[kuazzi 0]

Well, as far as technological advances, I would say that chassis are going to be your main difference. Back 6 years ago most everything was HiLo if my memory serves me correctly. Now you have the Labeda Hum'er, Sprungs, CCM TriD, and Mission Vanguards to name a few. My advice to you is to try a chassis configuration that you have not used before and see what you think for yourself. I personally converted from many years on HiLo's to the Labeda Hum'er's and I don't regret the change at all.

As far as protective equipment, so much of that is personal preference, dependent upon the shape of your body or level of protection you are looking for. Time to go out and try stuff on and give it a go. You should let us know what type of budget you are working with as well. That will help us to make recommendations.

My old set of Mission skates is a HiLo setup. That would surprise me if they stopped making skates considering all of the contracts they have to NHL teams and what not. I've been browsing around at these different chassis and they look similar to a HiLo setup other than they're starting to using different metals to make them lighter weight. So what is the difference between these? For skates I'm not too worried about price as I just want them to be comfortable and I have wide feet. As for other equipment and what I'm looking to pay:

Shingaurds- no more than $50

Girdle+Pants- no more than $50-$75

Gloves- no more than $50(are there still issues with these things getting crusty?)

Elbow Pads- no more than $50

Stick(I'm A Lefty)-- no more than $50/stick(i'll buy two so I have a backup)

You should have no problem with your budget, and possibly be under budget for Shinguards, gloves, and Elbows if you go cheap or find nicer close-out models.

For Girdle+Pants, you're going to be looking at about $80-$100. I'm guessing $40-50 for Girdle and $40-50 for pants for something decent. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND the Mission Thorax girdle as it is like wearing briefs with a cup and light padding. It is not bulky at all and you don't have to worry about buying larger pants to fit over a clumsy girdle. For pants, anything that fits is good for some people. Then others want the fancy colorful pants with mesh and other different materials scattered across the pant. Those pants will cost you at least $40. You may be able to find some cheap pants for $30.

For sticks, if they are one-piece composites for $50, they most likely are clumsy and heavy as heck, which defeats the main purpose of having a composite stick. I would either spend more (around $100 should get you something decent, or a really nice close-out stick), or buy a one-piece wood stick with a fiberglass/abs insert at the bottom of the wood blade. Those sticks can be used outdoors, and will last a really long time if used indoors. Most people playing roller are using light composite sticks, so you won't have to worry about sticks breaking because of slashes. And if your stick does break, take comfort that it was only $15-$30 a piece.

With skates, since you haven't played in a long time, I would stay away from Missions. I started on Missions and was locked into the HiLo and vanguard chassis, since they both give a forward lean. Since you last played, Mission has patented those setups and no other company can produce a hi-lo style chassis. Getting used to missions again, would possibly limit your future skate purchases. Although I love Missions, their boots have become heavier and heavier, even at their highest end skate. And what they give you has become less quality for the money. i.e. for $150, you an get a pair of Tour Code Blues with Abec-7 bearings, nice indoor wheels, and a decent boot. With Mission, $150 will get you a skate with Abec-3 or 5 bearings, some cheap outdoor wheels, with a soft boot that is really heavy and probably won't last too long. For best bang for buck, I think that Tour is producing a great product. For my next pair of skates, I'm going to force myself off of Missions and go Tour, or custom-ice boot conversion. Bottom line... you can get a really good quality and light-weight skate for $200 or less, if you don't go Mission.

[jpeaslee 30]

I also use the mission thorax girdle and I love it. It gives just enough protection to take any bite or sting out of falls and stuff but isn't restrictive at all. The only thing is is if you play defense and block a lot of shots I might consider something more substantial.

I just got a set of RBK 5k shins for about 50 bucks and I love them. I've heard a lot of talk about how rbk/jofa protective is the best and I've got to say i'm probably gonna stick with them for awhile.

[The Kabinet 0]

I do remember the Mission skates being a little over priced for what you got and it looks to still be that way after looking around. I was always very hard on my skates and overall equipment so they seemed to last longer than any other skate I owned. I do like how those Tour skates look and from some reviews I've read they are wider that other skates which is what I'm looking for. What are your thoughts on CCM? RBK seems like they have too many gimmicks with their skates(RBK Pump).

[kuazzi 0]

I think the CCM and RBK skates are pretty much the same feel, since you're riding on the tri-di chassis. The fit is wider than Mission so that will be good for you.

Yes the RBK skates have the pump gimmick, but I like some of the other features on them. I converted a 6k ice skate to roller using a Mission Wicked 1 Vanguard chassis(Woe is me, for not being able to skate on anything but the Mission chassis). I really like the anti-bacterial microfiber lining they use for the boot. Your feet slide in easier, they don't catch your skin and cause blisters when new, and it keeps the boot from stinking as bad when not aired out properly. I also really like the lace lock around the lower ankle around 4 eyelets down from the top. I like to keep my feet loose and tighten the skates around my ankles to hold my heel in place. Most of the time, I don't even remember to pump up the air-bladders and I skate just fine. (I also skate with a 6k boot on ice) So those are the reasons I like the RBK boot over the CCM boot. For the lace-lock, CCM had it on their boot 2 years ago, so if you can find an old model, you can get that feature.