Shins/Elbows Recommendation for Big Guys...

[goblue9280 33]

Hey everyone, I just got back on a pair skates for the first time since my oldest was a baby (~8 years). It was one of my greatest days in years... being able to skate with my kids for the first time was indescribable. Anyhow, I didn't take care of myself over the years, and put on lots of weight. I'm in the process of slimming down. I'd like to get out there during my kids hockey practices, but wanted to pick up a pair of elbow pads and shin guards to wear. I'm wondering if any other big guys (whether muscular or fat) have had luck with certain brands/models. I don't have a quality LHS by me (Houston, TX) so I do the majority of my shopping through online vendors. I saw a thread from a few years ago regarding large calves, and there were a lot of recommendations for Reebok shins... wondering if that still is the case. Experience wise, I started playing when I was 7... last played 8 years ago (adult beer league)... highest level I played at was Midget A, I would have played high school if my school had a team but I probably would have been a 2nd/3rd line winger at best. Anyhow, I'm 30, 6'1" and weighing in around 300 (down ~75 lbs since last summer). Thanks guys/girls!

[Thepandamancan 0]

I too have large calves, due to both muscle and fat, and I find the Bauer Supreme line works for me. The one55 is great and has a very good calf wrap for large calves.

[wrangler 157]

Hey everyone, I just got back on a pair skates for the first time since my oldest was a baby (~8 years). It was one of my greatest days in years... being able to skate with my kids for the first time was indescribable. Anyhow, I didn't take care of myself over the years, and put on lots of weight. I'm in the process of slimming down. I'd like to get out there during my kids hockey practices, but wanted to pick up a pair of elbow pads and shin guards to wear. I'm wondering if any other big guys (whether muscular or fat) have had luck with certain brands/models. I don't have a quality LHS by me (Houston, TX) so I do the majority of my shopping through online vendors. I saw a thread from a few years ago regarding large calves, and there were a lot of recommendations for Reebok shins... wondering if that still is the case. Experience wise, I started playing when I was 7... last played 8 years ago (adult beer league)... highest level I played at was Midget A, I would have played high school if my school had a team but I probably would have been a 2nd/3rd line winger at best. Anyhow, I'm 30, 6'1" and weighing in around 300 (down ~75 lbs since last summer). Thanks guys/girls!

I'm 6', 250, use Reebok 8K shin guards, and 10K elbow pads (L). I think Reebok elbow pads in XL are bigger than other companies' largest elbow pads, and the old Pro Series (or Jofa), if you can find them, run even larger for a given size.

[Gefiltefish 9]

I am 6'0 and about 265lbs. When I started playing again I was 295lbs, so I lost 30. I have short limbs, but thick calves and wide elbows.

I find that Reebok is the best in terms of shin guard fit. They are wide and fit deep. The straps on the 15 inch models fit my calves perfectly but the length is a little long for my short limbs. I switched to the same brand/model but in 14-inch and found that the fit was better (still a little long), but the straps would not wrap around my calf as well. Eventually they stretched out to just make it without having to compress my calf.

I have recnetly been hunting down new gear and was hoping to find a 13-inch guard that would fit around my calfs. So far nothing has worked out well. The Bauer Pro Series (aka Pro Lightspeed) somewhat worked but had a little too much compression on my calf. I ended up ordering them in 14-inch and they are on their way to me... They fit wide/deep like the RBK's and offer better calf protection.

I found that the longer lengths of the Bauer Supreme line (15-inch+) had straps that wrapped well, but the pads ran VERY long. Small lengths like the 13 and 14 inch were too tight.

As for elbows - I am currently using Medium CCM V10's. I love them but they are starting to breakdown and stink. I ordered several pads in the same Medium size and none fit the fat width of my elbow. These were (all medium): Bauer One95, Bauer Pro Series, Warrior Projekt and (in a size large) Bauer Vapor X40... I ended up re-ordering a pair of Bauer Pro Series in a size large and a new pair of the CCM U+ Pro in size Medium. They are on their way - I will let you know the results.

[goblue9280 33]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I really appreciate it. I noticed the reebok protective equipment seems to be out of stock or on clearance at most online vendors, which tells me 2011 stuff must be coming in soon... anyone know when this is likely to happen?

[Reaper 0]

I have tree trunk calves and I've found that the CCM V08 shinguards are a great fit for me. Nice and wide with a good amount of depth. I had Bauer 6000 shinguards before and they were too shallow and narrow for my liking as they moved around way too much for me.

I'm still working on the elbow pad thing too. I'll probably end up going the Reebok route for those.

[wrangler 157]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I really appreciate it. I noticed the reebok protective equipment seems to be out of stock or on clearance at most online vendors, which tells me 2011 stuff must be coming in soon... anyone know when this is likely to happen?

I think by April. Hunting online can turn up a piece here, and a piece there. Gear exchange here might help, too, some stuff is new or close to it.

Knowing what size you need is a good start, but it sounds like you may not.

[bigdmac 12]

The bauer supreme line shins has tons of room for big calfs. I would also try some Reebok elbows they seem to fit bigger than other compaines

[wrangler 157]

The bauer supreme line shins has tons of room for big calfs. I would also try some Reebok elbows they seem to fit bigger than other compaines

Yeah, I remember trying X60 and One95 elbow pads, and they were too tight. I tried an Easton that wasn't bad, but I thought the Reebok had better protection. I wanted more protection, with more weight landing on my elbow, if I went down. I've only hit the ice on my 10Ks a couple times, but didn't feel anything, so I'm satisfied.

[niXon 4]

I too am of the large variety (lol) and have found the Warrior hitman elbows a great fit. Shins have always been a tricky fit as I typically need 18"s and they are somewhat rare. I just recently picked up a pair of CCM U+09's in a 17" and they are awesome.

[bdh13 1]

For the other side I'd say avoid the Vapor line. I had a pair of XXXX shinguards that were nearly too thin for my bird legs!

[goblue9280 33]

Thanks again!

I'll probably hold off on buying until the new Reebok gear hits the stores, so I can get some feedback on it.

Need to pick up a helmet too. The last helmet I wore was a Bauer 4000 XL... so I'll probably look at the Bauer 4500, as I think it's one of the few that will fit my fat head.

[skyscrape 5]

I am 6'7 320 and for shins I am wearing the bauer pro series shins and jofa 9177 elbows. You can still find the 9144's on hockey giant I believe in a large. And the large is almost too big for me.

[wrangler 157]

I am 6'7 320 and for shins I am wearing the bauer pro series shins and jofa 9177 elbows. You can still find the 9144's on hockey giant I believe in a large. And the large is almost too big for me.

Are those about the same as the Reebok 8K pro? And the 9144 similar to the Reebok 7K pro?

I think it was the 8K pro I tried, they gotta run a size larger than the non-pro Reeboks.

[goblue9280 33]

I am 6'7 320 and for shins I am wearing the bauer pro series shins and jofa 9177 elbows. You can still find the 9144's on hockey giant I believe in a large. And the large is almost too big for me.

Just went to hockeygiant and tried to add the 9144 to the shopping cart, but got an error message that they aren't in stock... so no go, unfortunately.

[almack 0]

Ive been there the only elbow ive found that fits and I can still move in is the graf 500 soft shell and older soft cap elbows ie supreme classic and easton s3 soft, for shins ccm's are very deep rbk's were but the new line is not nearly as wide or deep a ccm would prol be the best for you and they offer a good level of protection for the dollar, good luck in getting back out there I got up to 330 after a acc now im 260 so wed love to here the wieght loss success

[wrangler 157]

Just went to hockeygiant and tried to add the 9144 to the shopping cart, but got an error message that they aren't in stock... so no go, unfortunately.

If you're interested in the 9177, there's a pair on ebay, and someone might have the 8k pro in the gear exchange here or on IW.

[th6252 25]

Thanks again!

I'll probably hold off on buying until the new Reebok gear hits the stores, so I can get some feedback on it.

Need to pick up a helmet too. The last helmet I wore was a Bauer 4000 XL... so I'll probably look at the Bauer 4500, as I think it's one of the few that will fit my fat head.

just an fyi, the literature in the new reebok catalogue states the shells on the new shins are a new "slimmer" design. hopefully someone who's already seen them can comment as to how big a difference it is this year.

[ekeating 0]

Tree trunks here too. I have found the CCM or Reeboks to accomodate larger calfs. I use 8K elbows in large (6) and they seem to fit perfect with maybe being a smidge long.

[Tailboard Jockey 25]

Are those about the same as the Reebok 8K pro? And the 9144 similar to the Reebok 7K pro?

I think it was the 8K pro I tried, they gotta run a size larger than the non-pro Reeboks.

Jofa 9177 pro = RBK 8K pro, and Jofa 9144 pro = RBK 7K pro. They also make non-pro versions of both.

I have the 9144 pro in large, with floating slash guards, and they fit me perfectly. I think you might be right about the non-pro Jofa/Reeboks being smaller (maybe somebody who knows for sure can chime in) because other non-pro Jofa elbows in large have been too small for me.

[CharlesC 0]

Just went to hockeygiant and tried to add the 9144 to the shopping cart, but got an error message that they aren't in stock... so no go, unfortunately.

I tried ordering the 9144's through hockeygiant two weeks ago, but with no luck. I then headed over to hockeyoverstock.com and I believe that I bought the last pair of Jofa 9144 they had, and they are no longer listed on their website.

I'm 6ft and 280lbs and my previous pair of elbow pads were Koho 4440 in a size medium. I purchased these gloves in high school and they seemed to grow/stretch with me as I got bigger. Trying protective equipment personally is key to a happy and long lasting relationship between the player and the equipment.

Charles