Difference between the top and the middle?

[Perry94 0]

I really need to cut down on hockey spending, but I just recently broke my stick :( , and I was wondering what the difference between the high-end models and the middle-of-the-road models are? Would there be a huge difference in performance? As in, would the drop from a Vapor XXXX to a Vapor XXV be a noticable difference (other than minor things like weight and aesthetics)?

[tooomey 1]

I hear you on the spending problem, being a gear whore is expensive. I've found that No stick or any other top of the line piece of equipment helps me play any better. For example, I was playing on sunday and broke my se16, went to my backup an older ST and did'nt play any better or worse. But switching back and forth there is a noticeable difference in feel and shot. Once you start using a lesser of a stick and get used to it, you forget what the other one felt like. Just don't grab a buddies top of the line stick. Vapor xxv heavier and not as well balanced.

[EBondo 242]

I just recently broke my beloved ONE95, and bought an XXV on clearance because I'm not playing as much as I'd like to anymore. The XXV has more than suited my needs, I've actually been quite impressed with the stick. I just wish I got the 77 flex

[dangler16 0]

yeah it doesn't make much of a difference. I'm always switching my stick set up. One Piece to shaft+blade, to wood. I was an instructor for a hockey school and broke my stick during the first day. Bought an Easton wood to use for the week b/c it was on sale and had my curve. Ended up buying 10 of them to take home. Still have 4 left from the summer. But I'll admit I'm using a wood blade and shaft again. Give it 2 weeks and the difference won't matter to you.

remember, its the player not the stick *COUGH*Mike Green*COUGH*

[raygunpk 0]

I hear you on the spending problem, being a gear whore is expensive. I've found that No stick or any other top of the line piece of equipment helps me play any better. For example, I was playing on sunday and broke my se16, went to my backup an older ST and did'nt play any better or worse. But switching back and forth there is a noticeable difference in feel and shot. Once you start using a lesser of a stick and get used to it, you forget what the other one felt like. Just don't grab a buddies top of the line stick. Vapor xxv heavier and not as well balanced.

Same here. I've used many sticks before such as an Mission Axis/TPS R2 to a One90/Ti Pro, back to an XVI, and I've noticed no difference. I think perhaps at a certain level (I'm a lower level player) the stick doesn't make a difference as much as you'd believe.

PS. No offense tooomey, not calling you a low level player, perhaps even higher level players don't feel the difference.

[][ncognito 0]

Huge difference? Not at all. There might not be any noticeable difference at all. I've used sticks from all levels, both top of the line and bargain basement. While the allure is certainly there, buying the top-end sticks isn't necessarily going to make you a better player. The only thing I've ever put a lot of faith into as far as sticks are concerned is the blade (curve, lie, face angle, etc). Unless you're playing professionally, having a slightly better flex point on a stick, or having it weigh a few grams less isn't going to be a game-breaker.

Of course things are going to vary greatly from stick to stick and brand to brand as well. Some sticks are a bargain and others are going to perform below their price point. For a long time I used the CCM V110 sticks. There were the 120 and 130 at the time as well, but man did those 110's serve me well. They were tanks. I had four of them over the course I used them, which was over at least a couple years. Right now I'm using the current Easton Synergy ST. Now I haven't bought or used an S17 or SE16, but I've loved the performance of the ST. I also have used a One95 (albeit not very long as it broke rather quickly :() but I didn't feel it offered a huge advantage of the ST.

It's all down to personal preference in the end though. Some players can really notice a big difference with the high end sticks, others won't. However if you need to save money, the mid-price sticks certainly offer the best bang for your buck. They still have good performance, and often times better durability at the sake of some of the performance level.

[team50 20]

What about protective? Say 9k versus 5k shins or XXXX gloves versus XXV gloves? Is the price difference worth it in this category?

[phunky_monkey 6]

My thinking is that as long as you never try the top of the line sticks out then you won't be dissapointed with what you've got.

For intance, I'm using S11's at the moment, and despite seeing decent dealson S17's around I choose not to buy them for fear of making my S11's redundant for good. If you never know what the top of the line feels like then you won't feel as if you're missing out as much psychologically. Works for me :)

[tips09 0]

What about protective? Say 9k versus 5k shins or XXXX gloves versus XXV gloves? Is the price difference worth it in this category?

Personally i prefer the lower end protective gear( excluding gloves/helmet) just because i enjoy having more movement and freedom and i feel that most of the higher end protective seems quite bulky. Thats just my 2 cents though.

[kovey10 0]

What about protective? Say 9k versus 5k shins or XXXX gloves versus XXV gloves? Is the price difference worth it in this category?

Personally i prefer the lower end protective gear( excluding gloves/helmet) just because i enjoy having more movement and freedom and i feel that most of the higher end protective seems quite bulky. Thats just my 2 cents though.

I agree with the higher end equipment being bulkier than low end. When I was younger I always wore low end elbows, shoulders, and shins. They felt way more comfortable to me than high end stuff and they did the job of protecting me.