SMU gear vs. other gear

[MattyChinch 0]

Hey all, I used to play hockey back when I was 16. Now I'm 20 and I'm looking to slowly get back to skating and shooting pucks around at an outdoor rink just down the street from my house.

Anywho, I just wanted to know the differences/comparisons between normal gear like, for example, Bauer Vapor x60s or Easton SE17s etc versus SMU gear like the stuff that places such as Source for Sports sell.

Reason I ask is I recently bought a pair of Easton Stealth 777 skates and an Easton Synergy 333 stick and wanted to know how they compare to other skates and sticks. I wasn't intending to buy the best stuff right away but after a while I do plan on upgrading my stick, I just needed a quick cheapy to get back into the groove.

Anyways, would just love some comparisons and also, if possible, what are some Canadian stores that sell the best quality sticks?

Thanks guys!

Also, how is Easton overall? Back when I played I used Mission stuff but I outgrew all that stuff and I hear now that Mission is only making roller hockey gear. I just like the way Easton looks and plan on being an Easton guy after the Easton skates fit like a slipper.

[MattyChinch 0]

just gonna quickly bump this up.

Another question, what's a good beginner stick that has some good, whippy flex? I really don't like the feel of a heavy stiff stick.

[ZombieAttack27 1]

I don't shop for hockey gear at Source for Sports or the like very often, but I'd imagine that anything branded as an X:60 there would be the same as an X:60 from HockeyMonkey. You'll start to see differences if you buy a stick branded as "Source for Sports Elite" or something like that rather than Bauer or Reebok.

With regards to your skates, lower end models typically substitute ABS plastic and other cheaper materials for the carbon fiber, felt, and leather components found in more expensive skates. The biggest difference, however, is in the stiffness of the boot. The boots on higher end skates are almost always far stiffer than those on cheaper skates because the players wearing them are probably skating more often, and the stiffness of the boot lessens over time.

I've never had a problem playing with cheap sticks though. Since I break at least four or five a season, I've been using the X:40. As far as I'm concerned, as long as you get the flex and curve right, you're good to go.

As far as stores go, I live in New Jersey, so I have no experience with stores in Canada.

Like all large hockey companies (Bauer CCM Reebok Warrior), Easton makes some awesome stuff and some total crap. I think the expression "you get what you pay for" fits well. Personally I've had bad experiences with their high end stuff, specifically the S15 skates and the S13 helmet. I fought through two seasons with the skates because they were so expensive but they tore my feet up like no other around the ankles. I still have scars. The helmet, although light, didn't have enough padding. I'm in a Reebok 8k helmet now and they weigh about the same but I feel much safer going into the boards now.

To sum it up, you should buy based on a combination of comfort and playing level. If you're hitting the pond once every two weeks, then no, you don't need the $600 skates and $200 stick, but if you're planning on joining a competitive men's league then the investment might be worth it.

[MattyChinch 0]

I don't shop for hockey gear at Source for Sports or the like very often, but I'd imagine that anything branded as an X:60 there would be the same as an X:60 from HockeyMonkey. You'll start to see differences if you buy a stick branded as "Source for Sports Elite" or something like that rather than Bauer or Reebok.

With regards to your skates, lower end models typically substitute ABS plastic and other cheaper materials for the carbon fiber, felt, and leather components found in more expensive skates. The biggest difference, however, is in the stiffness of the boot. The boots on higher end skates are almost always far stiffer than those on cheaper skates because the players wearing them are probably skating more often, and the stiffness of the boot lessens over time.

I've never had a problem playing with cheap sticks though. Since I break at least four or five a season, I've been using the X:40. As far as I'm concerned, as long as you get the flex and curve right, you're good to go.

As far as stores go, I live in New Jersey, so I have no experience with stores in Canada.

Like all large hockey companies (Bauer CCM Reebok Warrior), Easton makes some awesome stuff and some total crap. I think the expression "you get what you pay for" fits well. Personally I've had bad experiences with their high end stuff, specifically the S15 skates and the S13 helmet. I fought through two seasons with the skates because they were so expensive but they tore my feet up like no other around the ankles. I still have scars. The helmet, although light, didn't have enough padding. I'm in a Reebok 8k helmet now and they weigh about the same but I feel much safer going into the boards now.

To sum it up, you should buy based on a combination of comfort and playing level. If you're hitting the pond once every two weeks, then no, you don't need the $600 skates and $200 stick, but if you're planning on joining a competitive men's league then the investment might be worth it.

Awesome, thanks for the info.. At first I'll probably be hitting the rink quite a bit to get my skating back so I would say probably 4-5 times a week for atleast an hour a day but my plan is to slowly buy a full set of hockey equipment that fits really well and would do me justice for a good long while. I'm going to upgrade my stick first just to find the perfect flex and curve for me. Then later on, I will upgrade my skates. After this I'll have a full set of equipment I can casually break in at the rink down my street and, when I'm ready, I can look into joining some pickup games, stick and puck, etc.

I'm just looking to build up a quality set of gear with a nice stick that I play well with then, finally, a great pair of skates that will last a long while. I'm 20 so I don't see myself growing much more so whatever I slowly buy should last me for a good while if I maintain the equipment well. Also, I wanna get some practice jerseys with my name and number on them, that would be so cool!

Thanks all,

if anyone knows a great non-SMU selling hockey shop in Sudbury, Ontario, I'd love to know!