Maybe Less Is More - downgrading equipment.

[beerleaguecaptain 1004]

For many years I chased the the top end of gear - despite the fact that I have a game that is decidedly NOT top end! Shoulders, elbows, shins, pants, etc were all pro stock or at least pro level. In the last year, however, a search for lower profile shoulders drove me in another direction. I now have found myself moving towards gear that is a notch or two down in each line. For example:

• Moved from JOFA 7K pro stocks shoulders to CCM Fit 09 (2010 model)
• Moved from RBK 9K (2009) elbows to CCM U+ Pros and now lower to a pair of the matching Fit 09s.
• Moved from JOFA shins to One95s several years ago but that was more a width issue.

I am finding the lower lever pads are a bit lighter, less constricting and thus more mobile. With the shoulders I am much cooler as well.

I am happy that I have found pads that I feel more comfortable with but I guess I am sad that I can't be a gear whore any more.... oh well...

Anyone else finding this to be the case for them...

[mojo122 541]

When I was younger, everything I owned fell into the least protective category. Now, as I age, everything has morphed to being the most protective equipment. I have found 2 things to be constant.

1) As you age it takes longer to heal.

2) Today's equipment is better at offering both protection and mobility.

[kovalchuk71 212]

It really depends on the piece of equipment. I don't buy top of the line protective (not in the least bit), but splurge on sticks and skates.

[mojo122 541]

It really depends on the piece of equipment. I don't buy top of the line protective (not in the least bit), but splurge on sticks and skates.

That's how I was when I was much younger. I'd add gloves to that short list.

[Cavs019 710]

Its more that you've moved away from Jofa, which despite the hype and awe, I find to be very uncomfortable and bulky across the board.

[Souldriver 64]

For me helmets are a necessity to spend the money on and I rarely get anything but the top of the line. I can save money elsewhere but you can't save your dome elsewhere.

After that gloves because I work with my hands.

Then I made the mistake of spending my tax refund last year on a top of the line stick. And I'm kind of stick hoarding but buying clearance sticks from last year has saved me money.

After that skates, I rarely get top tier skates but I do need a better pair bc my weight of 250lbs needs better stiffness or they will deal out in a year. With skates I bundle wheels, which the xxx soft wheel every skate comes with doesnt cut it. And bearings but a one time investment in bones swiss has lasted me years.

After that I go mid range with my protective, never really low end, but my shins and elbows are about 8 years old but their still working so I'm not worried.

[t6lock 24]

It really depends on the piece of equipment. I don't buy top of the line protective (not in the least bit), but splurge on sticks and skates.

+1, i believe the biggest parts of your equipment set that affect your performance are sticks and skates. ive bought a couple of mid/top line protective only because either i can fit into junior so it wasnt a big cost difference, or because it provided more essential protection

[lpgbackups 17]

yeah...with crappy skates or crappy sticks...you wont be as good, no matter where you play....other than that...unless you play in a really physical league..Top end protective isnt really necessary. you just want something that doesnt annoy you. as long as you're comfortable out there on the ice, you'll be fine...there's always that one piece of equipment that can annoy you as hell....can be itchy, can be moving all the time (jocks anyone), can be too big , too small, can have a helmet or a cage thats moving all the time or not letting you see properly.

just buy decent comfortable protective, make sure the fit is right, and then spend top dollars on sticks and skates (if youre smart, you can buy last years' top end, not a huge difference from this years' top end) and you'll be good.

hockey equipment is really expensive compared to many other sports. you just have to be smart with your money.

[Chadd 916]

Much like Mojo, the older I get the more protection I want. The new gear allows excellent mobility with high levels of protection and is great for those that can afford it. That said, mid level gear is more than sufficient for the vast majority of situations in the vast majority of leagues.

[Shayzam 0]

Gloves, Skates, and Sticks make the most immediate difference its very easy to tell the difference from low to mid level and mid to high level pieces of gear

Helmets I prefer to spend on to feel safe so I could play at the top of my game, I chose the 9900 over the much lighter s19 a few years back just because I felt as if I couldn't confidently play hockey without feeling like I'd obtain a head injury it just felt too light

Shoulder Pads- prefer a high end model, recently high end shoulder pads seem to provide more mobility in the arms and are more durable

Shin Pads- Whatever fits your leg best who can even tell the difference?

Pants/ Elbow pads- I play with really beat up g700 pants they've a lot of protection however their mobility is too die for, Elbow pads recently I have found some elbow pad from mine or someone's childhood they are old and just cover my elbows its living on the wild-side but not having bulky elbow pads definitely seemed to improve mobility

[SCOMPL 14]

I think the lesson to be learned (or has been learned by the OP) is that you should use equipment that YOU are comfortable with. Just because Lord Stanley uses a BFG-9000, doesn't mean that's the best for you. Price, skill, weight, protection, appearance, are all relative to you, your skill level, and the level that you play at. In the hiking/backpacking world, weight trumps all - and I foresee high-end hockey equipment following this trend in the years to come. Lighter weight equipment that serves the same purpose will be superior.

However, we can always look to the Pros for what they 'trend' to use. If 90% of all Pros are using something, perhaps there's a reason (other than marketing contracts).

If you're in the market for something, try it on, and/or try it out.

[beerleaguecaptain 1004]

When I was younger, everything I owned fell into the least protective category. Now, as I age, everything has morphed to being the most protective equipment. I have found 2 things to be constant.

1) As you age it takes longer to heal.

2) Today's equipment is better at offering both protection and mobility.

I actually went from Jofa shoulders to Sher-Woods and then back up to the CCM Fit09s for that reason. I felt pretty unprotected in the Woods but the CCMs are enough for beer league. Just a matter of getting dialed in I think.

It really depends on the piece of equipment. I don't buy top of the line protective (not in the least bit), but splurge on sticks and skates.

My skates, helmet and sticks are still stupidly expensive.... I do find a performance advantage there

That's how I was when I was much younger. I'd add gloves to that short list.

I've aways used TPS R8s.

Its more that you've moved away from Jofa, which despite the hype and awe, I find to be very uncomfortable and bulky across the board.

Good point.

.Top end protective isnt really necessary. you just want something that doesnt annoy you. as long as you're comfortable out there on the ice, you'll be fine...there's always that one piece of equipment that can annoy you as hell....can be itchy, can be moving all the time (jocks anyone), can be too big , too small, can have a helmet or a cage thats moving all the time or not letting you see properly.

Getting it all dialed in has been quite the journey....

[Souldriver 64]

...BFG-9000...

Me and my avatar know this reference too well.

[CTB 32]

I suffered a broken collarbone when I was playing full contact hockey as a kid. So for the rest of my youth hockey career I was wearing top end protective gear that was incredibly bulky. As I got back into playing a couple of years ago I gradually replaced my equipment piece by piece and found that I could get away with midrange shoulders, elbows and shins.

Amongst the pads that get covered up though there seems to be less of a price difference between midrange and top end (when compared to the difference between prices of sticks and skates) so if the top end gear isn't price prohibitive then why not spoil yourself?

[Beflar 55]

I went through the same thing as the OP. Now I'm much more open minded when it come to the equipment i buy.

CCM CL are hard not to buy though. They forced me back to the top...

[beerleaguecaptain 1004]

Amongst the pads that get covered up though there seems to be less of a price difference between midrange and top end (when compared to the difference between prices of sticks and skates) so if the top end gear isn't price prohibitive then why not spoil yourself?

Oh - I LOVE spoling myself. I have bought just about everything. I'm just finding a step down to be better for me. I find it surprising.

I went through the same thing as the OP. Now I'm much more open minded when it come to the equipment i buy.

CCM CL are hard not to buy though. They forced me back to the top...

I had the CLs. Just too floppy for me.

[wrangler 157]

I got shin guards (8K) and elbow pads (10K) to handle falls without pain, considering my age and weight, pants (520) at a bargain price to do the same. I got older top-end skates (One95) on sale to last a while at my weight. I got the RE-AKT helmet for fit and protection, and the best cage. I've been happy with low-end shoulder pads, which have been sufficient to handle falls. I haven't tried many gloves or sticks; maybe I'm not hard to satisfy, though I'm a big fan of the MSH2 palm.

Oh yeah, I got the 10K jock for protection that never pinches or squishes the wedding tackle.

[sickwilly 37]

I prefer lower end shins. I find them to be lighter and more mobile, in general. Beer league only , though. If I wear shoulders, I go with Bauer Classics. Otherwise, I stick with higher end stuff that's on clearance if I need gear.

[stick9 905]

Me, I am a bang for your buck guy but I will never sacrifice protection and mobility. I tend to lean towards model or two down from the top of the line. This is where I feel you get the most for your money. Top of the line gear is nice, but not necessarily what I need and all areas. Some of it can be pricey and while very protective, it's also bulky. That's I look for that happy medium.

[AIREAYE 248]

For one, I'm glad this thread didn't turn into a back and forth about needing high end gear like other threads had.

in my situation, I'm a skinnier guy and ive found that I need good protection overall because I feel more of the impacts than if I were heavier set. I prefer high end gear because I can afford it and am able to enjoy discounts.

I've also been considering a lighter set of gear I'm the interest of portability if I ever had to walk to the rink.