NEW TO GOALIE EQUIPMENT

[rangers1234 0]

I have an option to buy; What do you guys think is the best deal? I will be playing Bear League Hockey / Drop-ins maybe 1 time per week and skating out 2 times per week. The main reason I'm playing is because no-one else playes (and it's fun).

I'm not sure the exact models for the ITECH's b/c it does not say it anywhere on the pads and they both have been used about 1 x per week for 1 year.

ITECH X-Wing (Non Pro) with glove and blocker for $300 (Used)

ITECH - PRO w/ Glove & Blocker for $500 (Used)

TPS Summit Plus Sr. Goalie Equipment Combo from GoalieMonkey for $400 (New)

I told the guy I would buy the first option on Wednesday after he let me try them out, so I sort of feel obligated, but if I'm getting screwed on the price, then I won't mind telling him no. I've never played or researched prices when I told him yes, which is dumb on my part.

Thanks

[Law Goalie 147]

Of those, I would strongly suggest that Itech pro gear. Pro-level goalie equipment is always a good investment, not only in terms of how it plays and its durability but mainly in how it holds resale value. Buying lower-end gear means that you're more or less locked into it: you'll never get back even close to what you paid, it degrades more quickly, and you're left looking to get a new set instead of using your old set to start you into a new (or new-to-you) one. You never know if a few months down the road you'll have to give up the position; you might discover that you much prefer a different kind of pad; etc.

It really should say somewhere on the pads what model they are. Most Itechs came with an X.Y model number (eg. 12.8). Without knowing which models they are, it's hard to advise, but it's a little surprising that neither seller can tell you what they are.

The other big question is whether the gear is NHL-spec. 12"-wide pads and the old, larger glove sizes (48" perimeter on the glove, 8x16" blocker) have very low resale value these days. There are also two kinds of 11"-wide pads out there: those that are simply 11" wide, and those that are actually NHL-spec (ie. with flat knee- and calf-wings set 1/2" back from the medial gusset, etc.). Those that are actual NHL-spec will hold their value much better, simply because more people can use them. Beer leaguers can use anything; people in sanctioned leagues are gradually moving to meet the NHL specifications.

The TPS Summit Plus is a relatively low-end line slotted in between the Summit 5 and Summit 6 in terms of features and quality. It's a decent deal, but it will not hold up very well, and it will have very poor resale value.

[rangers1234 0]

Hey thanks for the advice. The Non-Prow ITECH are 12" wide pads. They feel realy restrictive as well, so I'm going to say no on the pads tomorrow.

Of those, I would strongly suggest that Itech pro gear. Pro-level goalie equipment is always a good investment, not only in terms of how it plays and its durability but mainly in how it holds resale value. Buying lower-end gear means that you're more or less locked into it: you'll never get back even close to what you paid, it degrades more quickly, and you're left looking to get a new set instead of using your old set to start you into a new (or new-to-you) one. You never know if a few months down the road you'll have to give up the position; you might discover that you much prefer a different kind of pad; etc.

It really should say somewhere on the pads what model they are. Most Itechs came with an X.Y model number (eg. 12.8). Without knowing which models they are, it's hard to advise, but it's a little surprising that neither seller can tell you what they are.

The other big question is whether the gear is NHL-spec. 12"-wide pads and the old, larger glove sizes (48" perimeter on the glove, 8x16" blocker) have very low resale value these days. There are also two kinds of 11"-wide pads out there: those that are simply 11" wide, and those that are actually NHL-spec (ie. with flat knee- and calf-wings set 1/2" back from the medial gusset, etc.). Those that are actual NHL-spec will hold their value much better, simply because more people can use them. Beer leaguers can use anything; people in sanctioned leagues are gradually moving to meet the NHL specifications.

The TPS Summit Plus is a relatively low-end line slotted in between the Summit 5 and Summit 6 in terms of features and quality. It's a decent deal, but it will not hold up very well, and it will have very poor resale value.

[Law Goalie 147]

That is the other huge advantage of 11" pads - mobility.

There are ways to cheat that by shifting the entire leg-channel to the inside of the pad, so that the pads 'stick out' from the outsides of your legs, rather than in between them, but personally, I still found that awkward for skating.

A small aside: the principle reason I continually harp on about used pro-level pads and resale value when advising guys who are new to the position and looking to equip themselves is that it gives them an easy out. Not only have they invested less in the gear up front, and will lose less percentage wise if they quit/get hurt/need their money back, but if they do one day fall totally in love with goaltending, they've got a set they can easily flip towards buying a set at retail.

IME, most of the time a prospective goalie - whether an adult or a kid leading his parents - enters a shop, sticker-shock puts an end to it then and there. At best, the response is to scrape together a set of not very well thought-out used gear as quickly as possible, because it's a last-minute thing either right before the season, or right before a game. Far too few rinks have decent loaner gear, and those that do are woefully underutilised.

[hamstercaster 2]

What he said.

Pro gear is just a better buy altogether. It's offers much better protection as a whole, more durability and more often than not much better playability. There's not much more to add as Law Goalie has pretty much said it all already.. as usual lol

[Law Goalie 147]

hams, that's maybe the best in situ translation I've seen of si tacuisses philosophus mansisses. :D