Need advice on mid-level gloves

[Desert 0]

I posted a similar question over on IW's board but its not getting any attention. Since this board is much more active, I figured I'd see if any of you have input. My background is that I started playing adult low-level beer league just over a year ago. Prior to that, I bought a starter package of equipment from my LHS which included some cheap CCM 4 Roll gloves. I definitely caught the hockey bug and know I'll be playing for the rest of my life. So, I'm in the process of upgrading equipment to items that are better quality and fit better. Next on my list is gloves.

My CCM's are too big (they're size 14 and the fingers are a good 1/2 inch too long). I went to my LHS and tried on CCM 4 roll Pros in a 13 (they fit better but didn't feel perfect), I tried on Bauer Supreme one60s (hated them, way to tight), and a Bauer 4 Roll Pro...which felt great. The problem is that the Bauer 4 Rolls are $109 which is more than I want to spend. Looking to keep it at or below $75. My LHS does not carry Easton Gloves, and did not have any of the Bauer Vapor lines or the Reebok lines in a size 13 but I can travel to a shop further away to try these on too.

I have a few questions. First, does the Easton EQ30 tend to fit tightly (like the Bauer Supreme line) or loose (like the Bauer 4 rolls)? IW's review suggests that it tends to a slightly contoured, yet still traditional fit, but I have read otherwise.

Second, from a quality perspective in that price range, I am looking at the Bauer 4 Roll Elite, Easton EQ 30, Bauer Vapor X30, CCM 4 roll pro, CCM U+08 and the Reebok 7K. From a purely quality perspective, are any of these gloves super durable or, conversely, will they fall apart quickly? And yes, everything is size dependent and I will buy what tends to fit the best. However, I am trying to cut down on the number of hours spent in a car driving to shops that carry these gloves, and if some of the gloves are crap, no need to try them on.

Any other gloves I should consider?

Thanks!

[Gefiltefish 9]

If you like the way Bauer Pro 4-Rolls fit, then I would suggest either the Bauer Elite 4-Roll (the $70 one) or the DR Legend gloves. Although I have not owned the $70 version of the Bauers, I did try them on and thought they were decent for their price. Everyone has been raving about those DR gloves, but I have no personal experience. Both will have a traditional/wide fit.

[steelnation248 102]

I prefer looser fitting gloves as well. I was never a big fan of Bauers 4 roll. I have a pair of these Warriors that I used to wear before I bought some PPF's for cheap.

http://www.hockeyworld.com/index/page/product/product_id/6961 - So yesterday when I found the link, it was on my phone and it listed that it had 13" but not that I look at the page on my computer, it only says 15". Sorry about that. I think they are sale other places as well though.

Edit: I actualy have the '09 model. These '10's have plastic inserts which is added protection that is nice. I also like the mesh gussets on them. Definitely makes the glove breathe easier.

[nickyb13 9]

I had CCM 4 roll pros and while I loved the glove, they needed to be re-palmed after a year of being used 1-3 times a week. To me the eq30's felt very comfortable when I tried them on and felt like a traditional 4 roll glove. Surprisingly the dickssportinggoods stores in my area carry Easton and Bauer gloves so if you have one in your area it might not hurt to check there too

[Desert 0]

I had CCM 4 roll pros and while I loved the glove, they needed to be re-palmed after a year of being used 1-3 times a week. To me the eq30's felt very comfortable when I tried them on and felt like a traditional 4 roll glove. Surprisingly the dickssportinggoods stores in my area carry Easton and Bauer gloves so if you have one in your area it might not hurt to check there too

Well looks like I can cross off the CCM 4 roll pros. I wasn't thrilled with how they felt when I tried them on, and now I know I don't need to give them a second look. Good to know about the EQ30's which, based on nothing but internet research, seem like what I am looking for. I wish Dicks carried hockey equipment here (Phoenix) since there is one just up the street from my house, but they don't.

[bandits_5 18]

these could be right up ur alley

http://www.hockeymonkey.com/eagle-hockey-gloves-pfx-13.html

[theflash0000 0]

If you're open to used gloves, check out eBay. You can usually score Bauer 4-rolls pretty cheap.

[Zombies #77 10]

These ( http://www.hockeymonkey.com/easton-hockey-glove-synergy-eq3-sr.html) EQ3's are last years model of the EQ30, from what I can tell they are exactly the same and at closeout price. I ended up with the EQ5 on clearance which is this years EQ50. They are the best gloves I have ever tried on.

[AIREAYE 248]

My CCM's are too big (they're size 14 and the fingers are a good 1/2 inch too long). I went to my LHS and tried on CCM 4 roll Pros in a 13 (they fit better but didn't feel perfect), I tried on Bauer Supreme one60s (hated them, way to tight), and a Bauer 4 Roll Pro...which felt great.

I have a few questions. First, does the Easton EQ30 tend to fit tightly (like the Bauer Supreme line) or loose (like the Bauer 4 rolls)? IW's review suggests that it tends to a slightly contoured, yet still traditional fit, but I have read otherwise.

Second, from a quality perspective in that price range, I am looking at the Bauer 4 Roll Elite, Easton EQ 30, Bauer Vapor X30, CCM 4 roll pro, CCM U+08 and the Reebok 7K. From a purely quality perspective, are any of these gloves super durable or, conversely, will they fall apart quickly? And yes, everything is size dependent and I will buy what tends to fit the best. However, I am trying to cut down on the number of hours spent in a car driving to shops that carry these gloves, and if some of the gloves are crap, no need to try them on.

Any other gloves I should consider?

Regarding length of the glove: if you put your hand all the way in and open up your palms, are your fingers pushing out of the gusset in the 13"?

The Synergy line is a traditional fitting line with tendencies towards a tapered fit in the fingers (ie. Vapor). Try to find older gloves, like the SE16 on clearance : http://www.sportchek.ca/product/index.jsp?productId=11612220

The U+ series fit similar to the Vapor line, though you might find a bit more room in the backroll area.

The 7K (if I assume the Reebok lettering) KFS glove is an anatomical fitting glove similar to Supreme

Regarding a good glove for you, you need to try on a bunch and see what you like the most. Like Gefiltefish said, the 4 Roll Elite would probably be your best bet.

Have you tried the Warrior Bully glove? http://www.sportchek.ca/product/index.jsp?productId=11612543

They are also a traditional fitting glove and have gotten amazing reviews, although they should be priced just slightly below the 4Roll Pros.

Another option, like a previous poster mentioned would be Eagle gloves, particularly the PFX and the X65.

[Desert 0]

Regarding length of the glove: if you put your hand all the way in and open up your palms, are your fingers pushing out of the gusset in the 13"?

Not really. When I put on a 13" the tips of my fingers either go right up to the gussets or just short. In 14", my fingers are a good half-inch shy of the gusset. I can also feel the crease between my thumb and index finger in a 14" whereas in a 13" my thumb feels natural. After work yesterday I went and tried on an EQ50 (they didn't have the EQ30), a Vapor X30, and a Bauer 4 roll pro again...all in a 13 and in a 14 and, invariably, the 13 felt better in each. I have to say that I slightly preferred the tapered fit of the Easton and Vapor lines over the traditional 4 roll fit. I think I'm going to look around the web to see if I can find a previous year's model on clearance.

Can't thank you all enough.

[Desert 0]

So, I've narrowed it down to Easton EQ30, Bauer Vapor X30, and Bauer 4-roll Elite. I have tried them all on, and they all fit differently obviously, but they all fit my hand well. However, none of them feel "better" than the others and I am confident that I could get used to any of them in very little time. My question relates to quality of these three...are any of them a better quality, particularly in the palm? I am hoping these gloves last me awhile (I play 1-2 times a week in low-level just for fun leagues).

[Desert 0]

Closure - I know you are all riveted with my search for gloves. LOL. Anyway, I ended up getting CCM U+08s. Shocked the hell out of me too. I went to three different shops here in Phoenix and tried on damn near every glove in my size. While I had it narrowed down (I thought), I just couldn't pull the trigger. Based on what I heard about CCM palms wearing out quickly, I really didn't look at them. Finally, at my local shop, the guy suggested the U+08s. I told him I wasn't interested because I heard the palms wore out too quickly. He said that while he agrees on other CCM gloves, the U+08s have actually been good and for my usage (low level beer league 1-2 times per week) they should be more than enough for me. With great reluctance and being convinced I would not like them (b/c I HATE the fit of the Reebok gloves) I tried them on...they fit absolutely perfectly. In every way. So, I pulled the trigger and will use them for the first time tonight.

Now what should I buy???....LOL!

[yrhmblnr8r 69]

Closure - I know you are all riveted with my search for gloves. LOL. Anyway, I ended up getting CCM U+08s. Shocked the hell out of me too. I went to three different shops here in Phoenix and tried on damn near every glove in my size. While I had it narrowed down (I thought), I just couldn't pull the trigger. Based on what I heard about CCM palms wearing out quickly, I really didn't look at them. Finally, at my local shop, the guy suggested the U+08s. I told him I wasn't interested because I heard the palms wore out too quickly. He said that while he agrees on other CCM gloves, the U+08s have actually been good and for my usage (low level beer league 1-2 times per week) they should be more than enough for me. With great reluctance and being convinced I would not like them (b/c I HATE the fit of the Reebok gloves) I tried them on...they fit absolutely perfectly. In every way. So, I pulled the trigger and will use them for the first time tonight.

Now what should I buy???....LOL!

A tackimac command grip to keep the palms in good shape.