Stick Questions high end to low

[AlphaSierra 1]

Sorry if this has been discussed, I could not find any recent topics. I am looking at picking up some new sticks as I am playing a bit more than the last few years. The OPS sticks are still a new area for me, two piece were the normal last time I actively played. I picked up a Reebok 4K OPS on sale just to play around with a different curve and am looking at picking up 3 more sticks.

Is it worth the money to buy towards the top end of a line for durability? From what I have read, the performance can improve as you move up a line, but will the increased cost buy me a stick that will last longer. Assuming game play does not prematurely break the twig! Back when I competitively played, I had my sticks dialed in and could appreciate the finer points of the performance of the stick. However, the current state of my play does not require that much precision, just playing to play.

So does the increased cost buy you a stick constructed with better materials that will last longer?

[Neal 41]

Typically, a higher end stick is biased for performance and may actually provide worse durability than lower end versions. Lower end sticks often have materials (fiberglass especially) that add weight but increase durability.

[Chadd 916]

Usually the mid level sticks have the best combination of durability and performance. The options in the $100-$150 US price rage are absolutely fantastic right now.

[IPv6Freely 2100]

I'm definitely sticking to mid level from now on, for the reasons Chadd just posted.

[The MAD Line 2]

Usually the mid level sticks have the best combination of durability and performance. The options in the $100-$150 US price rage are absolutely fantastic right now.

Agreed. The mid-range market is just full of great offerings that have great all round performance and durability.

[AlphaSierra 1]

Perfect, just what I was looking for. Thanks guys

[Stewie 721]

I usually go for previous years top model closeouts, especially right now with all the manufacturers having just released new sticks within a few months. I find that this helps me offset the durability issue a little but still get the right level of performance i like. I also look out for the right deals in order to further my value even more, IE 15% off everything sales. the current sticks i am using are at a tremendous value right now, and just got a coupon in my email box, so guess where i was before i found this topic =) Perfect timing having just broken one last tuesday.

[hockeyguy1 1]

Are wood sticks just a thing of the past? I played competitively from the age of 6 to 14 then stopped and i am 25 now and going to get back in the sport, going to purchase my gear this weekend and I used to play with wood sticks and had one two-piece stick. seems like now people are using one piece composite sticks. Whats worth buying now that im getting back into the sport?

[XveritasX 13]

Are wood sticks just a thing of the past? I played competitively from the age of 6 to 14 then stopped and i am 25 now and going to get back in the sport, going to purchase my gear this weekend and I used to play with wood sticks and had one two-piece stick. seems like now people are using one piece composite sticks. Whats worth buying now that im getting back into the sport?

Some people do still use wood sticks. I think in that the $100 price bracket OPS have improved enough that they offer a much better combination of performance and durability. A Sher-wood 5030 runs about $35 where I live, I would run through a few of those before I break a OPS most of the time. The main downside to OPS over wood is that many people love the feel of a wood stick, which is something a company has not been able to really replicate.

I would look into getting a two piece set up if your getting back into the sport. That can let you try using various curves for fairly cheap to figure out what works best for you. If you know what you want in a stick, then maybe look at OPS around the $100 - $130 price bracket. There are many great sticks here for the price, the Sher-wood t90 seems to be particularly popular.

[hunt3rsean 44]

Are wood sticks just a thing of the past? I played competitively from the age of 6 to 14 then stopped and i am 25 now and going to get back in the sport, going to purchase my gear this weekend and I used to play with wood sticks and had one two-piece stick. seems like now people are using one piece composite sticks. Whats worth buying now that im getting back into the sport?

Same thing for me. I was played through mites, midgets and some bantaam. Always used a wood stick then. Then I stopped playing and picked up again for adult rec league when I was 25. I didn't know anything about composites or 1pc vs 2pc sticks. I started out with a very low end 1pc Easton stick and have gone up and down the "top end to low end" totem pole. I've found (like Chadd said above) that the mid-level stick market is unreal right now. You can tell this is where the companies are trully competing right now for price point vs value to customer. Most mid-level composite sticks are the way to go right now.

I just now started using my first ever 2pc stick. I really like it. For rec league it's perfect. The puck feel is a little different, but I'm no high end player so it doesn't truly effect me. A lot of people like the 2pc design because it's cheaper to replace just a shaft or just a blade rather then the whole stick like on a broken 1pc. However, I very rarily break sticks. I typically will break a stick in its 3rd year of use and I usually play all year long at about 1 to 2 games per week. So if I did want a mid-higher end 1pc stick I don't really worry about breaking it.

If you're interested in a 1pc stick...do it. But I'd highly recommend staying in that mid-level price point. I had a lot of success with the Bauer X:40/X:4.0. I went through 3 or 4 of them because of how happy I was with the stick.

[donkers 31]

I'm seeing TotalONEs for $160 and if you combine it with free shipping and some sort of online 15-20% coupon they're a helluva deal. I'm not rough on my sticks and I don't take slappers unless I'm warming up so my sticks last. I think the last time I broke a stick it was because it got jammed underneath the boards where the ice was slanting down.

[mgd150 0]

I picked up an Easton 65S II (the all black one, not the red/black one) a couple weeks ago, and I love it, fantastic stick. The $100 price point is where its at right now.

[IPv6Freely 2100]

Same thing for me. I was played through mites, midgets and some bantaam. Always used a wood stick then. Then I stopped playing and picked up again for adult rec league when I was 25. I didn't know anything about composites or 1pc vs 2pc sticks. I started out with a very low end 1pc Easton stick and have gone up and down the "top end to low end" totem pole. I've found (like Chadd said above) that the mid-level stick market is unreal right now. You can tell this is where the companies are trully competing right now for price point vs value to customer. Most mid-level composite sticks are the way to go right now.

I just now started using my first ever 2pc stick. I really like it. For rec league it's perfect. The puck feel is a little different, but I'm no high end player so it doesn't truly effect me. A lot of people like the 2pc design because it's cheaper to replace just a shaft or just a blade rather then the whole stick like on a broken 1pc. However, I very rarily break sticks. I typically will break a stick in its 3rd year of use and I usually play all year long at about 1 to 2 games per week. So if I did want a mid-higher end 1pc stick I don't really worry about breaking it.

If you're interested in a 1pc stick...do it. But I'd highly recommend staying in that mid-level price point. I had a lot of success with the Bauer X:40/X:4.0. I went through 3 or 4 of them because of how happy I was with the stick.

I'm truly at a point now where I believe a top end stick is a complete waste of money unless you're playing at a high level. I bought my Mako solely because the pattern/flex combo wasn't available at a lower level. Now I've moved off that curve, I have no reason to ever buy a top end stick again. Even last years top model on clearance just isn't worth it.

I agree with mgd150, the $100 price point is ideal.

[hockeyguy1 1]

Same thing for me. I was played through mites, midgets and some bantaam. Always used a wood stick then. Then I stopped playing and picked up again for adult rec league when I was 25. I didn't know anything about composites or 1pc vs 2pc sticks. I started out with a very low end 1pc Easton stick and have gone up and down the "top end to low end" totem pole. I've found (like Chadd said above) that the mid-level stick market is unreal right now. You can tell this is where the companies are trully competing right now for price point vs value to customer. Most mid-level composite sticks are the way to go right now.

I just now started using my first ever 2pc stick. I really like it. For rec league it's perfect. The puck feel is a little different, but I'm no high end player so it doesn't truly effect me. A lot of people like the 2pc design because it's cheaper to replace just a shaft or just a blade rather then the whole stick like on a broken 1pc. However, I very rarily break sticks. I typically will break a stick in its 3rd year of use and I usually play all year long at about 1 to 2 games per week. So if I did want a mid-higher end 1pc stick I don't really worry about breaking it.

If you're interested in a 1pc stick...do it. But I'd highly recommend staying in that mid-level price point. I had a lot of success with the Bauer X:40/X:4.0. I went through 3 or 4 of them because of how happy I was with the stick.

So the lower price point composite sticks just aren't worth it then? cause on the hockeymonkey website for example they have in clearance a 3pack of bauer supreme one30 for almost $100, obviously thats around 33bucks a stick. sounds like a good deal cause when i purchase my sticks i need/want to get at least two sticks. but everyone seems to be saying that a good price for one composite stick should be around 100. I don't mind spending the money but i want to get the most bang for my buck for my first couple sticks to try out. If i don't want to spend $100 on a composite at first, then i should probably just do wood to get back into the game right then later down the line get the composites??

[hunt3rsean 44]

It's not a bad way to start into composites. I started with a $60 Easton. Then went up from there. If you can....go into a local shop and pick up some sticks to feel weight differences. It's also cool to see blade patterns too.

I'd say One30 isn't a bad way to go to test the waters.

[IPv6Freely 2100]

Nothing wrong with low end composites if that's the level you're at. What we're all saying is that the $100 price point is the sweet spot for cost/performance. That certainly doesn't mean you can't go lower.

For me personally, I'm at a skill level where I should probably be using low end sticks... but $100 every 6 months or so isn't expensive enough to not just get a stick in that range.

[hockeyguy1 1]

It's not a bad way to start into composites. I started with a $60 Easton. Then went up from there. If you can....go into a local shop and pick up some sticks to feel weight differences. It's also cool to see blade patterns too.

I'd say One30 isn't a bad way to go to test the waters.

yea definitely, im going tomorrow to hockey monkey and going to try a bunch of gear, thanks for the advice

[sickwilly 37]

I feel like I get the best bang for the buck with top end 2 piece composite setups. I do most of my shopping on ebay or in the sell topics here, and have been able to score some great deals. I don't notice a big enough difference in performance between these and high end OPS to justify the extra $$$ as a beer-leaguer. I've had great luck with durability that way. Of course, the option of replacing only the part of the stick that's broken is great.

If I wanted to go the OPS route, I'd get an older top end OPS that has been discounted (like a $119 Miken Razor Z9 at Toalhockey or a $75 Dolo from Perani's). In most cases, I feel like I have to give up a little durability for the top end performance. It's worth it to me if I can get it at the price of a mid range stick, but not for 200+ bucks..

[voxyledbetter 9]

I have to agree with some of the other posters. The last two sticks I've bought were close outs on last years top end and I haven't been impressed with the durability. I'm not at the level where I need top end performance. I own two Easton S14 and those sticks have been workhorses. So my future stick purchases will stay in that mid grade range of $100-$120.

[icewalker_bg 126]

I usually go for previous years top model closeouts, especially right now with all the manufacturers having just released new sticks within a few months. I find that this helps me offset the durability issue a little but still get the right level of performance i like. I also look out for the right deals in order to further my value even more, IE 15% off everything sales. the current sticks i am using are at a tremendous value right now, and just got a coupon in my email box, so guess where i was before i found this topic =) Perfect timing having just broken one last tuesday.

exactly how i think! theres no point going mid when last years high end is on closeout! IE: eq50, total one....

[IPv6Freely 2100]

exactly how i think! theres no point going mid when last years high end is on closeout! IE: eq50, total one....

There is a point - I don't need top end. If I don't need it, then it being discounted from $249 to $199 is irrelevant. That's still $100 more than I would pay for a stick that fits my skill level. Now if that $250 RS is on sale for $120, then sure... then I might as well.

Maybe you're at a high enough level where it's worth the $200.. but to say there's no point is just plain inaccurate.

Either way, the point was that the mid-level ($100) is the best bang for the buck. There are plenty of reasons to go lower (beginner) or higher (pro), but $100 is no question the sweet spot.

[icewalker_bg 126]

Eq50 100$.

Total one 150$

Hm has all the time 15% off.

I just ordered 2 to for 280$ shipped to my door.

So yeah there is no point going mid if there are closeouts very often . Every payer can benefit from high end imo, as long as your curve/flex is available.

If there were no closeouts when you need a stick i agree 200% with you.

[IPv6Freely 2100]

Fair enough :)

[Aggie 9]

I agree with what others said about buying older models on close-out. It doesn't matter if it is high end or mid end, as long as it works out for you. I do find that some of the top end sticks really can improve the release and/or velocity of your shots.

[The MAD Line 2]

Eq50 100$.

Total one 150$

Hm has all the time 15% off.

I just ordered 2 to for 280$ shipped to my door.

So yeah there is no point going mid if there are closeouts very often . Every payer can benefit from high end imo, as long as your curve/flex is available.

If there were no closeouts when you need a stick i agree 200% with you.

Closeouts in the States are so much better than what we get here in Canada.

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