What gear should I get?

[Michaeld20 0]

So, its been about 5 years since I last played, as a goalie, and i'm coming out of the net because of recurring injuries in net(sadly)

I was wondering, what gear should I get to play a winger position, I dont exactly need specifics, but some suggestions would be nice, i'm a bit of an Easton guy, i'm 17, and I dont have that much money, maybe 700$ tops

So what gear would I need, so far I got...

Pads(Shins, shoulders, and elbows.)

Helmet w/ Cage

Stick(Obviously)

Gloves

Forward skates

Pants

Oh and could you include clothing articles too? Like socks and that garbage, thanks, Mike.

[wrangler 157]

Hockey socks and jersey, and cup "(important). You can get by with athletic socks, underwear and t-shirt underneath, unless/until you want to allocate budget for good stuff there. I wouldn't, with your limited budget. Make sure you get good skates and helmet; fit on these is critical. Other equipment can be picked up used, if necessary, considering protection, fit, mobility, comfort, etc. Look at the MSH gear exchange and check Play It Again Sports regularly for deals.

[bg9 12]

I agree with everything Wrangler posted, especially about the helmet.

I would get a cheap wood stick, and then watch eBay for a good deal on a stick from a year or 2 ago. You can probably find a good pro-stock stick for under $100, if you are interested in such a thing.

Don't forget a bag to put all of this in.

[SCOMPL 14]

If you purchase an Ice Warehouse promo item for as little as $10, you automatically become a member. When you order online through their website, you will then automatically receive a 10% discount. Currently, they are running a limited time 20% discount for members. Unfortunately the discount cannot be applied to manufacturer's price restricted items (basically anything new and top-of-the-line). You also get free shipping on orders over $50.

If you choose to go the local hockey store route, be sure to ask about a combo discount. Also, I think that with your limited budget you should look to purchase a lot of it previously owned.

[wrangler 157]

Manufacturers cannont set retailers' prices, no matter how much they'd like to, without running afoul of the antitrust laws. The IW discount is not inapplicable to "basically anything new". You need to call IW to determine whether the discount applies to any particular product.

[Stewie 721]

Close out gear items are the way to go. As far as someone suggesting pro stock sticks, I'd avoid those if your just learning winger, you will need consistency and learning curve or multiples.

[Michaeld20 0]

Close out gear items are the way to go. As far as someone suggesting pro stock sticks, I'd avoid those if your just learning winger, you will need consistency and learning curve or multiples.

Its just been a while, I have inline experience, with a buds equipment, and I know what I got in mind with my stick, probably a Mako with a Roy blade or something very curved, It helps my elevation

On another note, IW I have found some good deals, with mainly the old Easton Stealth gear(55RS-II) DO you guys know anything about them?

[wrangler 157]

IW is great, as mentioned earlier.

[Cosmic 178]

IW is great, as mentioned earlier.

I appreciate IW and bought just about all of my gear from there a few months ago when I got re-outfited, but they do not overstock and then severely discount stuff like some other vendors. This is not a criticism of IW, but rather an observation of an apparent feature of their business. They just seem to sell out and re-load the new season's models without having huge back stocks of gear. You will need to find gear that was over ordered and never sold, which is being severely marked down, and IW IMO is not gonna be the most ideal in this type of scavenger hunt that you are embarking on (it is gonna be tough to get decent stuff for $700). So, my advice, get familiar with pages like this, and time your purchases so you get the 20% off (HM and HockeyGiant extend the 20% too at their whim):

http://www.hockeymonkey.com/clearance.html

For example, if you are playing non checking, and have a small head, then this (Mission Intake helmet, size Small is all that is presently left) will be perfect, for $20?!?! That is a STEAL!!

http://www.hockeymonkey.com/mission-hhintakehelmetsr.html

Have a large head, and want a cage, then here ya go:

http://www.icewarehouse.com/descpage.html?pcode=B30G

Speaking of high value/ low cost and the IW, check the reviews on the Vapor X3.0's, and with the 20% discount, this is a steal too:

http://www.icewarehouse.com/descpage.html?pcode=B30G

For skates, I would go eBay CCM Tacks (1152/ 852/ Pro lite). I never skated in them, but people around here seem to long for them, and what was recently enough $800 skates (I think) can now be had for $100. There are always new pairs popping up.

And then for sticks, I went 2 piece. Whether one has a bigger budget (which I was lucky to have as I am working a decent paying job and child free), or is on a limited budget, I think 2 piece is the way to go, simply for the ability to swap out broken blades. For me, sticks break at the blade, so no need to throw away $$ and toss out a perfectly good shaft, when I do not need to. I have seen shafts on the Gear Exchange for $25, and there are always blades on closeouts at the big vendors (TotalHockey, HockeyGiant, HockeyMonkey, etc.). Pure Hockey has the TotalOne tapered shaft (which I use) for $75 right now, all flexes. Get em while you can, I got 9 of em (yes, nine). You can find some tapered blades at various spots on closeouts. If you are ok spending $50 or so on a blade, then the Warrior Dynasty AXT1 has been doing me well (Kopitar is what I use when I play Wing).

People do not seem to place much importance on elbows, but I think they are of huge importance. I used to wear 2 piece and was pretty restricted. I got my first 3 piece (CCM CL) and the difference is remarkable. $70 (minus the 20%) for CCM Crazy Strong for elbows would be my choice, if I were in your predicament.

People also say you can skimp on shins. I got a funny knee, so I went high end, but if I were trying to save, then I would likely go:

http://www.hockeymonkey.com/bauer-hockey-shin-guards-supreme-one60-sr.html

** only have 17 inch though. I am 6'2, 225 and use 17s over the tongue of my skate on ice. If I knew your height and weight then I might get something decent dialed in for ya here.

I would hold off on the undergarments until you get the basic pads first, and come into more $$. Old school pros just used long johns. If you have any UnderArmour/ dry fit tech stuff, then just use this to get you by. I like the Shock Doctor cups, just go with something like this if you want the comfort it offers for cheap:

http://www.icewarehouse.com/descpage.html?pcode=SDCLJ

* If you have a goalie cup, then maybe just get by with it until you get some more $$

As far as pants, ya just missed out on HM's clearance of some Eagle X88 or something like this, $150 pants for $65 or so. Not sure what "the deal" on pants is now, but there is one out there to be found.

Good luck.

[wrangler 157]

I would not blindly accept recommendations on skates and helmets, the two fit-critical pieces of equipment. You need to try these on.

[Stewie 721]

Yeah. Also don't discount brick and mortar stores for sweet deals too as they don't have to follow MAP. My last two pieces were steals (ccm u10 midnight skates for 100 new, reebok 11k Helmet combo 160 new)

[Chadd 916]

I would not blindly accept recommendations on skates and helmets, the two fit-critical pieces of equipment. You need to try these on.

Agreed, the last thing you want to do is get helmet and skates that don't fit well. One can make playing the game miserable, the other could lead to a concussion and/or brain damage.