Cracked shin guards

[greyskull 21]

So after about 6 months of fairly light use playing rec hockey between 1 to 2 time a week, I got my reebok 11k shin guards out my bag today to discover a crack from where the stitching goes through on the knee cap, beginning to spread towards the centre of the knee.

I've taken unbelievable care of all my gear since I started playing again ( air drying after every use, never leaving in bag etc etc) as It ain't cheap and I wanted it to last.

Pretty disappointed if I'm honest! Anyone else had this? Do ya think I could get a warranty replacement?

[Souldriver 64]

Had this happen to my shins within a game or two. I wanted to bring them back but I never got around to it. It creeper little by little over many years and heavier use and it's about 1.5 - 2 inches but it hasn't reached the middle.

If there isnt any type of warranty (i doubt there will be) and depending on the size a little epoxy or super glue to fill the gap has helped me. I tried looking for new ones but none of the strap systems are correct for me and honestly the straight strap across on my eastons are the best and have held up.

[beerleaguecaptain 1001]

So after about 6 months of fairly light use playing rec hockey between 1 to 2 time a week, I got my reebok 11k shin guards out my bag today to discover a crack from where the stitching goes through on the knee cap, beginning to spread towards the centre of the knee.

I've taken unbelievable care of all my gear since I started playing again ( air drying after every use, never leaving in bag etc etc) as It ain't cheap and I wanted it to last.

Pretty disappointed if I'm honest! Anyone else had this? Do ya think I could get a warranty replacement?

Go back to your LHS. They should be able to help. Mine always does.

If they will not send it back for you then contack Reebok customer service yourself. It never hurts to ask.

What I would NOT do is play with busted equipment. You are just asking for trouble.

[Stewie 721]

Go back to your LHS. They should be able to help. Mine always does.

If they will not send it back for you then contack Reebok customer service yourself. It never hurts to ask.

What I would NOT do is play with busted equipment. You are just asking for trouble.

especially on something like a kneecap which is designed to take impact and spread it from your cap. a significant crack can cause impact to instead go right to the cap and cause some damage

[Neal 41]

If you end up stuck with these, take a small drill bit & drill a hole right at the end of the crack. I can't explain the physics, but the hole will very likely stop the crack from spreading.

[greyskull 21]

Ahhh yes I know what you mean. Often do that to cymbals that are on their way out!

[adubb13 0]

If you end up stuck with these, take a small drill bit & drill a hole right at the end of the crack. I can't explain the physics, but the hole will very likely stop the crack from spreading.

From Wikipedia:

A counter-intuitive method of reducing one of the worst types of stress concentrations, a crack, is to drill a large hole at the end of the crack. The drilled hole, with its relatively large diameter, causes a smaller stress concentration than the sharp end of a crack. This is however, a temporary solution that must be corrected at the first opportune time.