Gearing up for 2011

[MattyChinch 0]

Hey all, how's it going? It's been 4-5 years since I played league hockey, now I'm 20 and I want to get back into the groove of playing hockey. I'm gonna start off casual and since there is an outdoor ice rink just down my street I pretty much have the perfect opportunity to go practice my skating and shooting.

Anywho, I was looking up starting gear minus skates since I have a pair that will last for a good while and just want to get some input on this forum of which pieces of equipment to purchase. I don't really have a budget at the moment but I do want to, after I get my legs going and my shot going, buy a fairly nice stick since the stick I have now is really blade heavy and stiff. But it'll do for now. Also, I plan to buy my gear online from Perani's Hockey World (Pro Hockey Life) since I'm Canadian, plus they allow paypal! :D

Ok so, this is what I need.

1) Helmet with Cage or Visor. (Which way should I go? Cage or Visor?

2) Shoulder pads.

3) Elbow Pads.

4) Gloves.

5) Pants.

6) Shin Guards.

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I did some research and these are the pieces I found that I think could be good pickups. Please tell me if there are better things I could get for a good price! :D

For helmet I was t]hinking of going with CCM Vector V08 (http://www.hockeyworld.com/index/page/product/product_id/3051/category_id/9/product_name/CCM+Vector+V08+Hockey+Helmet) or Bauer 4500 Helmet Combo (http://www.hockeyworld.com/index/page/product/product_id/6752/category_id/9/product_name/Bauer+4500+Helmet+Combo).

- Bauer combo more economical with cage included.

- How is the CCM helmet compared to the Bauer helmet?

- Should I get a cage or a shield?

For shoulder pads I was looking mainly at the CCM Vector V06 Shoulder Pads (2008) (http://www.hockeyworld.com/index/page/product/product_id/3647/category_id/20/product_name/CCM+Vector+V06+Shoulder+Pads+%282008%29-+Senior). I really didn't look at other shoulder pads so if any of you guys can recommend a great set of shoulder pads with a similar price that could last be a good while I'd love to know!

In terms of shin guards and elbow pads I was looking at CCM and Warrior. Mainly CCM because matching would be pretty cool but idc really.

Shin Guards

-> CCM Vector V06 Shin Guards (2008)- Senior (http://www.hockeyworld.com/index/page/product/product_id/4407/category_id/19/product_name/CCM+Vector+V06+Shin+Guards+(2008)-+Senior)? or Warrior Method Shin Guards- Sr '10 (http://www.hockeyworld.com/index/page/product/product_id/6873/category_id/19/product_name/Warrior+Method+Shin+Guards-+Sr+%2710)?

- Which would be better to buy?

Elbow Pads

-> CCM Vector V06 Elbow Pads (2008)- Senior (http://www.hockeyworld.com/index/page/product/product_id/139/category_id/6/product_name/CCM+Vector+V06+Elbow+Pads+%282008%29-+Senior) or Warrior Method Elbow Pads- Sr '10 (http://www.hockeyworld.com/index/page/product/product_id/6867/category_id/6/product_name/Warrior+Method+Elbow+Pads-+Sr+%2710)?

- Which is better? And if you guys can recommend some I didn't even see yet I'd love to check em out! :D

For pants I don't even know what to for, so if you guys show me some good pairs of hockey pants that would be best for me, please, do so! :) I was looking at CCM just because I looked at the CCM shoulderpads but I know matching isn't really important, I just think it's cool! haha

Lastly, in terms of gloves I looked up a lot of different pairs but if you guys can recommend a great pair of ligtweight and good-fitting gloves that would be awesome!

edit: If you guys know good pieces of gear for each please say here, I'd love to get good quality stuff.

Thanks for the all help, I'll probably be asking more questions later on. :P

Cheers!

[IniNew 53]

If you have an out door rink, you've for sure have a LHS within a decent distance. You will save an enormous amount of money if you go to your LHS and buy things that fit right.

[Axxion89 32]

IF you have a LHS near you thats any good, go there and tell them you are buying a whole set up and work a deal out, they may give you a nice break and throw in some goodies along with discounts. As for what you mentioned, IMO get whatever fits comfortable especially for shins, elbows, and shoulders. Mine are all cheap but fit well and I never have any problems but I'd say get good shins because you will be sliding and falling a slot and better pads will protect your knees better. Gloves get whatever you like, just try and see. Helmet, get a decent helmet that fits and start with a cage. And same with pants, they all going to do the same job with higher priced ones offering more protection so try on and see what you like

[bostonjuniorblackhawks 1]

I wouldn't recommend choosing a helmet and just ordering over the internet.

[sharks25 9]

The warrior shinnies and the CCMs are completely different fits. The warriors are more of a low profile and the ccms are bulkier. I cant emphasize how important going to a store to try things on is. It may take time to drive there, but you would waste much more time re-shipping the things that dont fit right. And if pads dont fit correctly they wont benefit you nearly as much or at all. Too big of shinguards can dig into your foot when you tuck them under your tounges or restrict movement. If at all possible, plan a roadtrip to a lhs!

[MattyChinch 0]

The warrior shinnies and the CCMs are completely different fits. The warriors are more of a low profile and the ccms are bulkier. I cant emphasize how important going to a store to try things on is. It may take time to drive there, but you would waste much more time re-shipping the things that dont fit right. And if pads dont fit correctly they wont benefit you nearly as much or at all. Too big of shinguards can dig into your foot when you tuck them under your tounges or restrict movement. If at all possible, plan a roadtrip to a lhs!

ally

Oh yea, for sure. Sorry I probably sound like a dumb noob but I do plan on going to get fitted at the Source for Sports nearby. I'll be getting fitted only since I have to wait until the 11th of January to get my money in order to buy the stuff.

Anywho, in terms of the brands (Easton, CCM, Bauer, Reebok) which should I be focusing on for the different pieces? I.e: Out of the 4, which is known to be the best for Shin Guards? I know it's all preference but it could help me in terms of a starting point. :)

I might stray away from Easton and go more with CCM or Bauer just from things I heard about Easton but it would be cool to know your guys opinions!

[sharks25 9]

I like Bauer shins and use them. I switched from ccm and like the fit alot more. I would stay away from warrior, they're overpriced IMO. Bauer gloves are good and their seperate lines vary nicely to accommodate your preference. I use Easton elbows, they're good, but the straps have stretched so they are alittle too loose.

Overall, when you get fitted just feel the gear and materials. Its pretty easy to determine quality through the feel

[zachary 2]

Honestly man any under gear(elbows, shouldies, shins) you can use whatever feels comfortable and you don't need top of the line unless you want supreme protection.

Shins: The popular choice for shins is definitely gonna be Jofa or any Reebok re-brand of Jofa gear.

Shoulders: If you aren't gonna be doing any hitting you can save some good money and buy Sherwood 5030's. Guys on my team who aren't very big and play physical use them so I am sure you'd be fine. http://www.hockeymonkey.com/sherwood-shoulder-pads-tradition5030.html

Elbows: Umm well I use some old Easton ones so I don't really know what to recommend here. Go with something comfortable and gives yo good mobility.

Gloves: I love the way Bauer's fit. I used 4-rolls for two years and those have no break in period. For $90-100 you can't go wrong. I recommend the X:60 glove as well cause they are very soft palms and have the same feel as the 4-rolls. I currently use Easton E-Pros which are $82 and they are more narrow and have a little break in period but I love them as well.

Pants: Comfort is a must for these since you need good mobility. I never used the Reebok 7ks but people seem to like them. My team issue Harrow/Christian pants which I find very comfortable and have great mobility so maybe if you can find those I bet you'd love them.

Helmet: I use a Bauer 4500 and 5500. Both are great. If you wanna wear a visor I hope you don't mind accidentally getting hit in the face and if you do have some good dental insurance.

[bostonjuniorblackhawks 1]

just curious, do you plan on buying from the source for sports that your trying stuff on at when you get money to buy your gear?

[MattyChinch 0]

just curious, do you plan on buying from the source for sports that your trying stuff on at when you get money to buy your gear?

Most likely source for sports, why? Is there a better place to get gear in the Sudbury, Ontario area? I do plan on buying jerseys/socks/gloves/new stick online on a website I found. But that is over time, not right away.

[Chadd 916]

Buy a good helmet. Don't worry about the price and buy the one that fits your head best, regardless of brand or model. As for the rest, go fairly cheap until you know what you like and/or don't like in those products. Cage or visor is your call, but you might as well get used to a cage if you can.

[bostonjuniorblackhawks 1]

Most likely source for sports, why? Is there a better place to get gear in the Sudbury, Ontario area? I do plan on buying jerseys/socks/gloves/new stick online on a website I found. But that is over time, not right away.

Just wondering if you were just going to use sfs as a fitting room.

[pass the bisk 0]

Here's the best advice I can give anyone. Buy everything on eBay lol. I can't even tell you how many good deals I've gotten on equipment. For the most part, gear will fit the same, so just find out what size you wear and go from there.

[bostonjuniorblackhawks 1]

Here's the best advice I can give anyone. Buy everything on eBay lol. I can't even tell you how many good deals I've gotten on equipment. For the most part, gear will fit the same, so just find out what size you wear and go from there.

only if you know what you like.

[adam14 182]

Skater's Edge in Sudbury is a good store, great people. If they're lacking you can always go to the one in North Bay, the owner of that store is great. North Bay also has a Sport Chek, which also sells decent hockey equipment.

[MattyChinch 0]

Skater's Edge in Sudbury is a good store, great people. If they're lacking you can always go to the one in North Bay, the owner of that store is great. North Bay also has a Sport Chek, which also sells decent hockey equipment.

Hey man, thanks for the suggestions. I'll check out Skater's Edge sometime soon! Just a question, do they sell SMU stuff or non-SMU stuff?