Probably Too Many Questions

[5xfaster 0]

Hey guys,

First off, I'm terribly glad I found this place...looks like this is the place to go for any and all hockey talk, most importantly as far as gear goes. That being said, I've got a good number of questions regarding gear. But first, a bit of background...

I'm 25 and have been a lifelong hockey fan (grew up watching the Pens & local Johnstown Chiefs of "Slap Shot" fame) but just recently got into the idea of actually playing the sport. My high school didn't have a team and I just never had time to get into playing until recently. About 2 years ago I went out and bought a pair of Bauer Vapor X15 skates and was at the rink just about every other day for a few months. Then, between school, work, and getting engaged I kinda fell off the map as my priorities were directed elsewhere.

Now, I'm ready to get back into it and hopefully go out and get some gear so I can start to get into pick up games at the local rink. Thing is, while I understand the game of hockey pretty well, my knowledge of the gear isn't the best. So I've got a number of questions...if anyone can help with any of these, that would be awesome.

First, and probably the most important question, revolves around me. I was born with about 10% (all peripheral) vision in my left eye and not so good vision in my right eye. I've worn glasses all my life and my eye doctor has strongly suggested against contact lenses for me, as well as lasik or corrective surgery simply not an option due to it being a developmental issue with my eye. I'm fully aware that wearing glasses with a hockey helmet and cage/shield is bound to cause some problems, so I'm wondering if playing the game is even going to be an option for me? I know they make special sport glasses/goggles (RecSpecs and others), but I don't know how good of an option those would be. Any suggestions?

The second question revolves around the gear itself. As I said, I've never played hockey before in my life. I'm a decent skater but have zero experience doing anything hockey related (shooting, defending, checking, blocking shots, or simply holding a stick whilst skating) while skating. I only plan on playing pick up games and maybe once I get some practice and games under my belt, I'd look into playing in a beer or rec league. So my main question is are there any piece of gear that are looked upon as being better for beginners just starting with the game? Being that I don't know what I'm good at or what my preferences are as a player, I really don't know what I should look for in gear. I know I love my Bauer skates and have been partial to Nike products in other sports (although I'm aware that Nike has little to nothing to do with what Bauer puts out), but I don't really have an alliegance to anything. So, any suggestions would be appreciated.

Lastly, regarding sticks, I again have zero knowledge or experience with what I should look for. Again, being that I have no idea what position I'll prefer or have better success with, are there any sticks and/or blade patterns that are most versatile for beginners who don't have a specific style of play or preference?

I've checked out places like HockeyMonkey and TotalHockey, but I've got no idea what I'm looking at or for, so any guidance would really be appreciated!

Sorry about all of the questions and seemingly helpless situation with my vision issues, but I'm hoping that with the help of anyone here, I'll be able to get out on the ice and enjoy playing this game that I love to watch! Thanks guys, I really appreciate any help you'll be able to give me!

[wrangler 157]

Have you asked your eye doctor specifically about wearing contacts only for hockey? As to glasses, I'd expect it's just practical considerations such as thin temples to deal with a good snug helmet fit. I would expect a proper cage to protect your glasses from impact, so I wouldn't worry about special impact-resistant glasses as much as I would for basketball, for example. Some others here who have actually skated with glasses should be able to address this better than I.

Regarding equipment, try it on, and see what you like, as far as bulk and protection vs. mobility and light weight. Most people have their own preferences. If you have the chance to borrow equipment and skate with it, just to get an idea, that's helpful. Some folks don't expect to end up with the equipment they start with. They'll find a Play It Again Sports and buy cheap used stuff, or maybe pick up something cheap from friends or acquaintances, to see how they like it, just for starters.

Some things that may affect your preferences as far as protection are your size, weight, and age. The bigger, heavier, and older you are, the more padding you may like, for protection from falls.

Conventional wisdom is to spend more, or first, on good skates and a good helmet, and fill in the stuff in between with more regard to budget.

You may want a stick with a mild curve to start off, and then see how you like it. For stick and equipment ideas, I strongly suggest you search and browse the forums here. There's a lot of info, and most questions have been asked before, and have a lot of answers already available, so you don't have to wait to get them.

BTW, I believe "Slap Shot" was based on the Johnstown Jets, and the Chiefs came later, capitalizing on the name of the team in the movie.

Welcome aboard.

[AIREAYE 248]

I've worn glasses under the helmet form the start and you really do need to have a cage for safety. It's simply a matter of trying on your helmet with the glasses and see how that plays out. I've never had a problem regarding the fit though fwiw.

I've recently switched over to contacts because I've always wanted to see if they can improve my peripheral and overall vision. I've been trying the soft 8-12 hr disposable ones and they've been really annoying to try and put in. The one time I did try though, it was a noticeable improvement. Not game-changing, but decent. No irritation or anything, but I guess that depends on a bunch of factors.

[5xfaster 0]

100% correct on the "Slap Shot" info...but I was born in '88 so my only memories are of the Chiefs. They left town a few years ago, but now we got an NAHL team, the Johnstown Tomahawks, here and they're getting some decent support from the city, which is a good sign.

Anyway, thanks for the info and I'll keep your suggestions in mind for everything. If anyone has more info on the vision issue, that would be great...and any gear suggestions are welcome! Thanks.

[wrangler 157]

I've worn glasses under the helmet form the start and you really do need to have a cage for safety. It's simply a matter of trying on your helmet with the glasses and see how that plays out. I've never had a problem regarding the fit though fwiw.

I've recently switched over to contacts because I've always wanted to see if they can improve my peripheral and overall vision. I've been trying the soft 8-12 hr disposable ones and they've been really annoying to try and put in. The one time I did try though, it was a noticeable improvement. Not game-changing, but decent. No irritation or anything, but I guess that depends on a bunch of factors.

I prefer glasses to contacts, in general, but wear contacts for basketball and hockey. I wore glasses when I started playing, went to contacts about 1974, and started wearing a helmet when forced to, a few years ago. At that point, I got a cage, too. Mandatory helmets came in during a long layoff from playing.

[AIREAYE 248]

Oh boy, here it comes:

They had contacts in 1974?

[wrangler 157]

They were hard lenses. You'd be amazed how long ago contacts were invented.

Slap-o-gram on the way.

[SmokinApricot 22]

I wore glasses for the first few years that I played. I used the RecSport ones with the stap that you mentioned, but that was only because the glasses I normally wear were more fashion eyeglasses with the square lenses which aren't so great for sports. I never had any issues with interference with the helmet or cage, as someone mentioned above, as long as you try them on with the helmet you will know if there is any discomfort. The only issue I experienced with glasses is that our rink (in Southern California) doesn't have the coolest temperature so my glasses would fog up a few times a game while sitting on the bench, once I would get back on the ice for a shift they would clear up. I recently switched to contacts, but that was only because I was sick of wearing glasses (not just for sports, but in general) so I just keep them in for games and haven't had any issues with them either.

Good luck and I'm sure others will have good advice on the equipment questions.

[AIREAYE 248]

They were hard lenses. You'd be amazed how long ago contacts were invented.

Slap-o-gram on the way.

C'mon now!

Apparently so. Chalk another one up to da Vinci; figures.

I cringe at the idea of having blown glass serve as a lens, gas permeable or not. The hydrogels developed in the latter third of the 20th century are better in that regard it seems, but I still find it very annoying to put on.

[wrangler 157]

For something interesting, google "scleral lens" for images.

[voxyledbetter 9]

I played in glasses for awhile and have switched to contacts. Never realized how much of an improvement contacts were for me until I forgot my contacts for a game and had to rock out the glasses. I realized that my peripheral is much better especially while trying to maintain keeping your head up and glancing downward to catch a pass or handle the puck. It was always a battle to find a pair of glasses that fit well under my helmet too.

Like mentioned above if you have a LHS try on as much gear as you can and go with what fits well and is the most comfortable in your price range.

[strosedefence34 179]

i know a bunch of people who wear the glasses under the helmet with and with out a cage. Now Id say wear a full cage while wearing glasses. So to answer your question yes you can wear your glasses and play.

[5xfaster 0]

Thanks for all of the reassurance that playing with glasses or sport specs (which are probably what I'll go with) is a real possibility. As far as cages, I have two that I've got my eye on, mostly because I'm thinking I need as much visibility as possible:

1 - http://www.hockeymonkey.com/bauer-hockey-cs-combo-deluxe.html - Bauer 920 Deluxe Combo Full Face Protector

2 - http://www.hockeymonkey.com/bauer-hockey-shield-concept-2.html - Bauer Concept II Sr. Full Shield.

I think I want something with a shield for visibility purposes, but I still want the protection of the cage. I know when I played football in high school (because I didn't want the look of the rec specs, I played without any vision correction and my play suffered really badly because of it) pretty much all facemasks bothered me, no matter how large the openings to see through.

Anyone have any experience with either mask? Or have any other suggestions for similar masks?

[Slokey3 0]

How would the TO nxg or nexus 1000 skate fit compared to a reebok 11k or 20k skate? Thanks.

[Hooah4 12]

For something interesting, google "scleral lens" for images.

My dad still has his first contacts from a looong time ago (1940's or 50's). Same size as those scleral lenses if not bigger.

On topic my son just got contacts this past September and notes a large change in his ability to play. He feels he can stay "in the play" much better as it improves his peripheral vision

[Albert1754 0]

I've worn both the Bauer 920 combo and Bauer Concept 2 shield. The concept 2 fogged up too much and had worse airflow for me, but I definitely know people who use it without fogging issues. I have a weird wide head so neither fit perfectly and always felt like they were a vise squeezing the sides of my temples so I recently switched to the Avision Ahead Combo shield/visor (http://www.hockeymonkey.com/avision-ahead-hockey-facecage-the-hockey-mask.html). It's definitely wider than the two and more comfortable from that aspect. If I could somehow safely make the 920 combo wider I would have preferred that because the wire cage has the best airflow. I guess it depends on how much you sweat. For me, if I were still wearing my glasses, I would go with the 920 assuming you have a more normal head shape than me.

[Zombies #77 10]

I use a frameless pair of glasses with a thin temple frame to minimize pressure while using a cage. I only use these glasses for hockey, so I brought them with me when I went helmet shopping. It works fine for me, however I don't think using a visor/wire cage combo would be a good idea since I find myself making glasses adjustments thru the cage and it would be harder to make that adjustment with a combo. As far as rec specs go, it seems like you would lose a lot of vision with them, hence my use of frameless glasses.

[AIREAYE 248]

I use a frameless pair of glasses with a thin temple frame to minimize pressure while using a cage. I only use these glasses for hockey, so I brought them with me when I went helmet shopping. It works fine for me, however I don't think using a visor/wire cage combo would be a good idea since I find myself making glasses adjustments thru the cage and it would be harder to make that adjustment with a combo. As far as rec specs go, it seems like you would lose a lot of vision with them, hence my use of frameless glasses.

I also agree with this. even the best visors still have some level of optical distortion/light defraction (more noticeable to some people). I would imagine wearing a visor + glasses would further increase the optical distortion factor and level of adjustment needed.