Need equipment recommendations...quick turn around...please

[mjpisat 36]

Looking for specific brand/model recommendations to get started. I may have to go the online route, but either way I'm looking for some recommendations as far as equipment I need. Don't want to get the cheapest stuff out there, but don't want to break the bank. I saw shoulder, elbow, shin pad combos on hockey monkey for under $200. That is fine. Pants or girdle/shell not sure.

Below is what I have so far and under that is what I believe I need. Ideally I would go to a shop and get fitted, but the only ones near are pro shops at rinks with limited selection so I may have to go the online route. Does anybody know of stores within a few hours drive of Charles Town, Wv? I imagine there are no dedicated hockey shops in Maryland or Northern Va so I'd have to look toward PA. Gettysburg, York, Hanover etc. If somebody can recommend a really good pro shop at a rink in the dc, maryland, northern va that would be great. Here are a few general questions I have:

1. As far as sizing goes, if you are between sizes should you go small or bigger size?

pants or girdle/pants shell?

2. Been a long time since I've played. I see they still sell garter belts for socks, but are there other options?

3. What do you wear underneath as far as shirt/pants?

For reference I'm 5'8 about 195. Waist is usually 34-36 in pants/jeans depending.

Have:

helmet/cage

skates

gloves (for now)

Need:

shoulder pads

elbow pads

pants or girdle/pants shell

shin pads

Bag

Stick

Anything else I'm missing?

[TeamHonda401 54]

A cup would be a good thing to add to the list.

[x-axis 44]

Performance apparel like under armour.

I can't say enough what a bad idea it is to buy equipment without trying it on first or knowing how it will fit. You'll end up spending more money this way because things don't fit properly or are uncomfortable, despite what each hockey brand sizing chart says. If you haven't played in a long time and must purchase online, I'd buy one step above low end or go the hockeytron route. I wouldn't spend money on more expensive equipment without knowing what works for me in terms of fit, protection, and mobility.

[cgrays12 0]

x-axis is right, online purchasing is tough for a newbie because your not sure how particular brands fit. You could get caught with shoulderpads that are sized Large that fit, and Elbow pads sized Large in a bundle but they dont fit at all.

I would go into a respective retail outlet and try everything on twice. Different brands all fit different sizes. As far as price points go, Ive found that SMU (special make up) product give you good quality at a little cheaper price, and with SMU product they make a beginner, intermediate, and advanced level of quality in everything your looking for.

[mjpisat 36]

I forgot to add that I do have a cup.

I'll try to get to a store then. Maybe somebody will chime in with a decent shop in the areas I listed.

Thanks

[althoma1 575]

Performance apparel like under armour.

I can't say enough what a bad idea it is to buy equipment without trying it on first or knowing how it will fit. You'll end up spending more money this way because things don't fit properly or are uncomfortable, despite what each hockey brand sizing chart says. If you haven't played in a long time and must purchase online, I'd buy one step above low end or go the hockeytron route. I wouldn't spend money on more expensive equipment without knowing what works for me in terms of fit, protection, and mobility.

+1 to all of this. I'll add that you can get long pants or shorts with velcro tabs that eliminate the need for a garter. In addition, if you go the girdle route instead of the pants then most girdles have built in cup holders. The performance apparel pants/shorts usually have a spot for this too, but I find wearing the cup in the girdle holder is more comfortable than using the pocket in most of the performance pants I use.

[SirJW 207]

Where are you going to be playing? Go to that rink and or the local Play It Again and even try craigslist you never know what you will find.

+ 1 on most of the info above.

[moreoutdoor 6]

Just started re-entry myself... had the same issues for equipment...

also in an area where there are NO local shops and the rink shop really leans towards youth stock - says they can 'order' anything, but no guarantees...

so I went online ...

however, I've found that some stuff, even 40 yrs old, is still very good...

my old Winnwell Pro level pants are still in top shape, except the buttons, which I've mostly replaced...

other plastic protective stuff, like shins, elbows and shoulders have been replaced.

I went thru Perani's Hockworld online, and they have been great with recommendations and returns/exchanges.

most of the modern stuff is really bulletproof compared to my old crappage (except the pants ... incredible how good the old Winnwells were!)

much of it is 'HUGE/MASSIVE' - I'm having a real time getting accustomed to the shoulder pads, which are at least a level below the really protective stuff - think I'm goin to get a pair of Winwell or Sherwood 'classic' shoulders since I'm doing only pickup and 'no-check' stuff.

Many of the new elbow pads are very restrictive... much too much hard plastic on some. I've settled on some Itech - techlite 455s as a good compromise and fit.

Shins - Cooper SG900s - seem bulletproof

Shoulder - Bauer SPX90 - good fit, light

Fit on all this stuff is all over the place - you gotta find the stuff that fits you best - I've been pretty lucky so far.

base layer shirt - I use my cycling base layers - they breathe and wick well - don;t like the underarmor type stretch stuff at all....

also wicking shorts with traditional jock & cup, although I'm gonna give the new shorts with integrated cup a try... those with sock holders...

you might need Black/dark and white/light 'practice' jerseys if you plan on pickup.... whatever old jerseys I still have WILL NOT fit over the new shoulders - the old stuff was cut much smaller than stuff in the last 2 decades...

you don;t have socks on your list... I'm accustomed to having mulitple pairs to rotate...

sticks... I need to find replacements for my old woodies - KOHO 102s, I luv'd that stick... just bought a lower end Bauer Composite w/ Yzerman type curve/lie - we'll see how I like it...

have now gotten thru 2 stick-time sessions and 3 pickups so far... a lot of 'tuneup' to get done. I'm clearly the oldest at 63 (by some 15 yrs+) but not the slowest on the ice... so far so good.... great fun...

lets us know what you finally settle in with...

[mjpisat 36]

I may suck it up and take a drive to hockey giant in cherry hill NJ. It's about a 30 minute drive from where I grew up, but three hours from where I live now. May save me time and money in the long run if I get it right. I'm also looking at playing no check rec leagues so I don't need anything crazy. thanks again for all the advice. Again, if anybody can recommenda store or good pro shop in the Maryland, PA (any where 1 hour or so north of Frederick MD) DC or Northern VA region let me know.

[pulax30 1]

I believe the play-it-again in Westminster is still open. If not I think your best bet is the Gardens Icehouse in Laurel MD.

[Stewie 721]

I'd recommend trying to put together some of the old ccm fit lines pieces, good quality for the price, but then again it's all going to be personal fit. The fit05 gear is performing pretty well except I'm a bit iffy on my shins, but they are ok for the price

[mjpisat 36]

I just read about DRM in Rockville. Any good? I could hit it on my way home from work. I live in Charles Town, but work in Springfield so Ashburn Ice House, Reston Skate Quest, Rockville DRM, Frederick Ice rink and Laurel Gardens are all places I could hit up but I didn't know how good the selection is going to be at any of these places.

[x-axis 44]

Definitely hit your local shops first. They always seem to take care of you best because of the personal relationship.

Make sure you watch icewarehouse's learning center to know how to make sure you have the proper fit on gear. I'd rather know a little before shopping for gear than have someone you don't know guide you.

http://www.icewarehouse.com/icelearningcenter.html

Make sure you also know whether you like to tuck in or flop out your tongues on your skates. It will affect how your shinguards fit. I've been through a number of shinguards trying to get them to fit just right.

[pulax30 1]

I've played at DRM Rockville and play now at the Gardens Icehouse in Laurel. Both have a solid selection. I can't speak for Ashburn, Reston or Frederick. In my opinion DRM would be the best one to check out on your way home.

If you find a fit you like, but they don't have it in stock you can always have them order it for you.

[OpenIceHit42 2]

A cup would be a good thing to add to the list.

This would be my first purchase.

[Duante2005 2]

Go to Gardens. They know more there about the products. And will ask if they don't.

[Chadd 916]

The shop at the rink in York can be hit or miss, call to make sure they will be open if you plan to stop there. I haven't been there in a couple years despite it only being 30 minutes south of me. I believe it is still run by "edge".

[hockeyguy1 1]

+1 to all of this. I'll add that you can get long pants or shorts with velcro tabs that eliminate the need for a garter. In addition, if you go the girdle route instead of the pants then most girdles have built in cup holders. The performance apparel pants/shorts usually have a spot for this too, but I find wearing the cup in the girdle holder is more comfortable than using the pocket in most of the performance pants I use.

I just ordered the girdle holder with the cup and im hoping it will be good and comfortable but most importantly do its job. but it does hold up the socks pretty well when skating?

[althoma1 575]

I just ordered the girdle holder with the cup and im hoping it will be good and comfortable but most importantly do its job. but it does hold up the socks pretty well when skating?

You mean performance under apparel with the cup? A girdle and under apparel are two different items - you can usually use a cup in either, but I find it more comfortable to use the cup holder in my girdle.

As far as socks being held up, as long as the performance apparel has velcro and your socks are either the old knit kind or the newer edge style with velcro tabs then yes the performance apparel should hold up the socks you're wearing. I know the under apparel that I use holds the socks up fine (both my bauer and under armor long pants).

[hockeyguy1 1]

You mean performance under apparel with the cup? A girdle and under apparel are two different items - you can usually use a cup in either, but I find it more comfortable to use the cup holder in my girdle.

As far as socks being held up, as long as the performance apparel has velcro and your socks are either the old knit kind or the newer edge style with velcro tabs then yes the performance apparel should hold up the socks you're wearing. I know the under apparel that I use holds the socks up fine (both my bauer and under armor long pants).

sorry i guess i misunderstood you. I was talking about the 3-1 jock girdle http://www.hockeymonkey.com/reebok-hockey-jock-strap-3in1.html I was thinking of getting the compression pants but most of the ones i saw, the cup was sewn into them. So i thought it would be better to get the 3-1 jock strap and it would just clamp to the sock to hold up. And i would just use separate compression pants for a base layer under the jock strap. Im going to try that and see what happens.

[althoma1 575]

sorry i guess i misunderstood you. I was talking about the 3-1 jock girdle http://www.hockeymon...strap-3in1.html I was thinking of getting the compression pants but most of the ones i saw, the cup was sewn into them. So i thought it would be better to get the 3-1 jock strap and it would just clamp to the sock to hold up. And i would just use separate compression pants for a base layer under the jock strap. Im going to try that and see what happens.

I haven't used something like that for years, but yes those will hold any type of socks up well.

[hockeyguy1 1]

I haven't used something like that for years, but yes those will hold any type of socks up well.

haha yea, last time i played hockey was 14 and im getting back into it now, i remember everyone had those back in the 90s (im 25 now) but they look like they will work well

[wrangler 157]

sorry i guess i misunderstood you. I was talking about the 3-1 jock girdle http://www.hockeymonkey.com/reebok-hockey-jock-strap-3in1.html I was thinking of getting the compression pants but most of the ones i saw, the cup was sewn into them. So i thought it would be better to get the 3-1 jock strap and it would just clamp to the sock to hold up. And i would just use separate compression pants for a base layer under the jock strap. Im going to try that and see what happens.

Looks like a jock and garter belt combination, not a girdle, which would account for the confusion.