General equipment advice (shins,elbows,shoulders,pants)

[althoma1 575]

Hey althoma1, had a question about this:

Not sure if my shins are big or what, but I have a lot of trouble pulling the girdle over my shins (bought a medium girdle, wear 14" shins). I worry about ripping the girdle since im pulling so hard sometimes to get them on. Been thinking about either gluing or ironing on velcro right on the girdle so I can secure my socks to that. If its easy enough to do and wont rip off or damage the girdle, I think it'll be a lot better for me. Any problem in doing this?

Also which shell do you use with yours? I have a tackla TGS60, and theyre starting to fall apart already. Plus I dont really like the spandex on the top that covers the top part of the girdle, its kinda dumb, id rather just have that part hang out.

I use a Bauer Supreme Shell with mine: http://www.hockeymonkey.com/bauer-hockey-pants-supreme-shell-sr.html

The Bauer shell doesn't cover the top part of the girdle and having both a lace up system and belt allows you to customize the fit a bit more than just having one or the other. I used a CCM PP52 shell before the Supreme and definitely prefer the Bauer Shell - the CCM PP52 was durable and well ventilated, but only has a partial belt (the front has a belt and the back is just an elastic type waist band) and didn't stay in one place as well as the Bauer shell.

I would be very hesitant to go near the girdle with an iron - the risk of burning/damaging the spandex type material would be high. Sewing/gluing on Velcro strips somewhere would be a better option in my opinion, but I haven't done that myself - perhaps someone who has can chime in on that. I just have the belt and stomach flap completely undone and pull them up over my shins without issue, but I do have the large girdle vs. your medium so perhaps that makes it a bit easier.

[start_today 778]

Cages aren't just for pucks, they are for sticks too. I think especially in a beginner league, there's a pretty consistent danger of guys sticks being much higher than they need to be and catching one in the face. Wear a cage; if you start off with it you'll never know anything else.

[Cosmic 178]

Cages aren't just for pucks, they are for sticks too. I think especially in a beginner league, there's a pretty consistent danger of guys sticks being much higher than they need to be and catching one in the face. Wear a cage; if you start off with it you'll never know anything else.

When I play defense, I do alot of stick lifting maneuvers (I just put my stick under the stick of an attacking forward as he is about to receive the puck, and if I time it perfectly, then he does not see it coming, and does not have a chance to brace and counter my stick lift). There is always a chance that the forward who I am interfering with will be caught off balance, and flail his stick (as I did when I was in 7th grade and knocked all the teeth out of the instructors).So, when I do my stick lift maneuvers, I feel really comfortable in knowing that I will be keeping all of my teeth (I use Re-AKT cage).