Taking shots off the feet - equipment solutions?

[technophile 0]

So as a defenseman I end up blocking my fair share of shots. Unfortunately, due to a lot of time playing soccer, I tend to turn my feet sideways a lot, leading to lots of bruising on the sides/heels of my feet, and lots of worrying about breaking a foot. This is beer league hockey, not pro, but even so some of those guys have hard shots.

I know the NHL was looking into mandating a protective shield that goes over the middle of the boot, and I know Jay McKee had/has some custom boot covers, but I can't find anything like them in stores or on the internet. My skates are Easton Stealth S7s, which are more protective than what I had before, but probably not the stiffest boots available, either.

Ideally I'd like to spend <$50, rather than buying better skates, but I'd honestly just like to know if anyone has any other ideas or any leads on skate covers.

[cptjeff 0]

The good composite skate covers are $300 or so. You really shot yourself in the foot with those skates, as low as the SE10 Easton makes one piece composite boots that are great for protection (having taken more then one 90 mph shot off the side of mine I know.)

I've heard of guys making such things out of old shoulder pads or shin pads, perhaps you could try that? The few guards I've seen in that price range mostly cover the tongue and don't have much side coverage.

This is the one I found, and I think it's the one I saw before. http://www.summitonline.com/ankle-protecto...r:referralID=NA

Not sure how well it works though. Certainly not any coverage on the side of the foot. Heels and ankles yes, so at least it would be progress.

[technophile 0]

You really shot yourself in the foot with those skates

I see what you did there. ;)

as low as the SE10 Easton makes one piece composite boots that are great for protection (having taken more then one 90 mph shot off the side of mine I know.)

Basically, I didn't want to spend more money than I really need to. I know a lot of the upper end skates are more than I need, and might even cause me problems (because they're stiffer, I may not have the leg strength to flex them enough, similarly to a high-flex stick). The S7 was fine for C league, but since I moved up to B2 the shots are harder and they're not really cutting it anymore.

I've heard of guys making such things out of old shoulder pads or shin pads, perhaps you could try that? The few guards I've seen in that price range mostly cover the tongue and don't have much side coverage.

This is the one I found, and I think it's the one I saw before. http://www.summitonline.com/ankle-protecto...r:referralID=NA

Not sure how well it works though. Certainly not any coverage on the side of the foot. Heels and ankles yes, so at least it would be progress.

Yeah, that's an idea. Thanks!

Anyone else have any ideas? :)

[ts.krajewski 0]

I cant find it but there was a video of I believe the Thrashers equipment manager showing off some gear, and he was showing something he made for a player, it was pretty much the same thing as that skate mate. It looked a little less bulky. If I run across the video Ill link it.

[Chadd 916]

Essentially you have three options:

1. Protective add-on pad

2. New skates

3. Stop trying to block shots in a rec league

I know you're looking to spend as little as possible but I would check and see if your size in Kor skates is available. Prices are absurdly cheap for what you get and the protection is outstanding. It's also one less piece to lose or forget, unlike the add-on pads.

http://sporting-goods.shop.ebay.com/Team-S...d=p3286.c0.m282

[technophile 0]

3. Stop trying to block shots in a rec league

I tried that, it's apparently not a breakable habit. :( At least I'm not dumb enough to slide.

I know you're looking to spend as little as possible but I would check and see if your size in Kor skates is available. Prices are absurdly cheap for what you get and the protection is outstanding. It's also one less piece to lose or forget, unlike the add-on pads.

http://sporting-goods.shop.ebay.com/Team-S...d=p3286.c0.m282

"No more than necessary" is probably a better way to put it than "as little as possible". Thanks for the link!

[NorrisContender 4]

3. Stop trying to block shots in a rec league

I tried that, it's apparently not a breakable habit. :( At least I'm not dumb enough to slide.

I know the feeling. My skill level wasn't advanced enough to get the kind of minutes I wanted on the teams I played on growing up. Blocking shots was one way to contribute. I find it a very difficult habit to break.

Have you though about making your own foot guards? My buddy keeps trying to get me to give it a go with Kydex. I guess he uses it to make knife sheaths and pistol holsters. It's a fairly durable plastic that can easily be cut and heat molded in an average oven. I've thought about molding a shape that goes over the laces and along the sides of my foot. Then backing it with a little neoprene so it doesn't sit right against the skate. Maybe cut a slot in the plastic and use a velcro strap through the holder to keep it on.

Kydex

[chippa13 1844]

Put your stick blade in front of your foot when blocking a shot. Broken foot or broken stick, you decide.

[technophile 0]

Put your stick blade in front of your foot when blocking a shot. Broken foot or broken stick, you decide.

I'd rather not rely on my own reflexes to keep me from getting hit if at all possible. :P

Plus there are those situations where my stick is tied up with a forward and someone takes a point shot right into my foot.

3. Stop trying to block shots in a rec league

I tried that, it's apparently not a breakable habit. :( At least I'm not dumb enough to slide.

I know the feeling. My skill level wasn't advanced enough to get the kind of minutes I wanted on the teams I played on growing up. Blocking shots was one way to contribute. I find a very difficult habit to break.

Have you though about making your own foot guards? My buddy keeps trying to get me to give it a go with Kydex. I guess he uses it to make knife sheaths and pistol holsters. It's a fairly durable plastic that can easily be cut and heat molded in an average oven. I've thought about molding a shape that goes over the laces and along the sides of my foot. Then backing it with a little neoprene so it doesn't sit right against the skate. Maybe cut a slot in the plastic and use a velcro strap through the holder to keep it on.

Kydex

That might be a workable idea, thanks!

[adictd2b00st 0]

I was actually just about to make a similar topic, I'll just add to this one if you don't mind?

I too am in a similar situation, playing defense the puck always seems a way to find my feet even when I don't want it to (yes I do block some shots on purpose, but other times its just unavoidable) so protection is going to be a decent factor in the next pair of skates I get.

I've always skated on the older CCM Tacks, my current pair is from a few years ago and finally getting to the point of needing replacement. I dont play anything super intense (C level adult league stuff) but a good 3 times a week so I do also get a good amount of use from them and want something comfortable too.

I was looking at something along the lines of the Stealth s12, NB Supreme one75 or vapor xxxx's as all are in the ~$250 range now. Would any one of them be better than the other from a protection standpoint? I've only ever skated on CCM's so I really don't have alot to compare to!

and to the OP, I feel your pain, literally haha

[GimpIndustries 1]

I ordered a small carbon fiber kit off ebay and am going to attempt to make the same thing the thrashers equip manager made for kovalchuk, i will post back with pictures and my results.

[cptjeff 0]

I ordered a small carbon fiber kit off ebay and am going to attempt to make the same thing the thrashers equip manager made for kovalchuk, i will post back with pictures and my results.

Composites are tough to do right without a proper setup. Be warned.

BTW, those composite ones are often from these guys:

http://www.afterhourscompositeworks.com/skateguards.html

New skates would be cheaper then the NHL style composite guards.

[jds 20]

I ordered a small carbon fiber kit off ebay and am going to attempt to make the same thing the thrashers equip manager made for kovalchuk, i will post back with pictures and my results.

Composites are tough to do right without a proper setup. Be warned.

BTW, those composite ones are often from these guys:

http://www.afterhourscompositeworks.com/skateguards.html

New skates would be cheaper then the NHL style composite guards.

I love the faux laces on some of these. Is it safe to assume that players wearing guards get their feet shot at more hence the need to hide them with "stealth laces"?

[Chadd 916]

I ordered a small carbon fiber kit off ebay and am going to attempt to make the same thing the thrashers equip manager made for kovalchuk, i will post back with pictures and my results.

Composites are tough to do right without a proper setup. Be warned.

BTW, those composite ones are often from these guys:

http://www.afterhourscompositeworks.com/skateguards.html

New skates would be cheaper then the NHL style composite guards.

I love the faux laces on some of these. Is it safe to assume that players wearing guards get their feet shot at more hence the need to hide them with "stealth laces"?

Shot at? No. Guy from the other team chopping you across the top or side of the boot? Yes.

[adictd2b00st 0]

I know this thread is old, but might help someone..... my buddy was looking for something and I told him they are crazy expensive and gave him the link to the c/f ones that were previously posted, he came back with this link, wonder if they are any good? for $50 they are a much cheaper option? http://www.spats.ca/about.html

[epstud74 24]

I would not bother sliding in a rec league. Had a guy do that the other night, a shot split his chin open. So we lost a good forward for the rest of the game due to blood

[SirJW 207]

An old style but an option.

http://torontohockeyrepair.com/c_ankle.htm