New Player looking for feedback on my equipment choices (not yet purchased)

[redwing634 1]

I am a long time goalie who hasn't played forward/defense since my 1st two years of hockey (pee wee and squirt levels). I'm finally going to get back to it. I plan to start a league in August as a skater but need a full set of equipment (minus skates). I went through hockeymonkey's clearance section to put together what I'm hoping are good choices.

Level of play: Rec level (beer league I guess you could call it)

Size: 6'0, 175lb, late 20s

My goal was to choose equipment that wasn't overboard in terms of protection, but that was durable/quality build. I recognize I can go pretty cheap on most things due to level of play, but I don't want to sacrifice quality too much.

Helmet: Bauer 5100 combo (having a hard time finding a "Large/Black" it in stock anywhere though)

Chest: Either CCM U+12 LE (medium) OR Bauer Vapor x7.0 OR CCM U+ CS. The CCM U+12 is the cheapest but want to make sure its decent. The only review I could find said it had some deficiencies.

Elbow: Bauer Vapor x 7.0 (medium)

Shin: Either CCM+08 LE or Bauer Vapor X5.0 (14inch) or Bauer Vapor X7.0 (if its significantly better)

Pants: CCM U+ 12 (Medium)

Gloves: Not sure where to start on these; what are considered decent brands for gloves?

Bag: Easton E500 (Medium), not sure if medium would be fine or if I should get a large

Sticks: HockeyMonkey's Mystery composite 2pack

Are any of my choices overdoing it? Should I consider other options in the same price range, or cheaper? General comments?

Beyond that, I'm not sure what else. Are neck guards commonplace in beer league?

[bunnyman666 445]

As a fellow bargain hunter, I have to emphasise "try it on first IF AT ALL POSSIBLE". I have made a few noobie mistakes buying my first new set of gear in 25 years.

Neck guards are not common in beer league, but if it makes you feel secure, by all means wear one. If you get chirped, come up with a clever come back.

[redwing634 1]

I plan to go to my local rink pro shop on Friday to try on difference equipment, but its not an all out store. I know they won't have everything there, so more than anything Im just going there to confirm my home measurements are at least relatively close.

I don't have any dedicated hockey gear stores here. So there's a good chance I will end up buying some gear that I haven't tried on. Care to share some of the mistakes you made when buying yours?

[Stewie 721]

I love CCM gear, it fits me the best. The u12 are great for lower levels of hockey. As far as shoulders, if I were you I might consider trying the RBZ 130. I was super impressed with the weight of these pads and comfort when I tried them on in store, and I know they won't be clearance, but it's something to consider. My ccm fit05 shoulders have done well but the newer ones breathe better and retain less moisture. One thing I'd caution you against is mystery packs for sticks. Thre are so many good middle end options now that you can get cheap. A dt3lt stick on hockey monkey is like 95 after discount code or something like that, and you can pick your curve. Dt1lt is also reasonably priced on there

[JoshV 20]

I think you will want large gear and 15" shins

Can't imagine that you have a large waist, so medium pants are probably fine

You forgot gloves, 14" or 15"

For the bag, I would get something else if I were you. I find that Easton bags just don't last. Try a Reebok 6K in a 40"

[bunnyman666 445]

Vapors fit narrow. I like them, myself.

My mistakes were helmets and shoulder pads. I have rectified my shoulder pad situation with some mods. Had I known how huge the shoulder caps were, I would have picked something else. It looks like you have pretty solid choices for your protective.

[redwing634 1]

I'll measure again but when I did a shin measurement I came up with the 14". And the various sizing charts I looked at put me in the low end of Large and high end of Medium. When I took additional measurements (chest size, etc) it put me closer to the medium than the large. I'll double check sizing/fit when I go to the pro shop this Friday though.

Yeah completely forgot about gloves, probably because I'm completely lost on which would be a good choice. I'm thinking 15" would be too large but will check Fri. Recommendations on brand/models?

I'll look into the other bag. Kinda like the gloves, I didn't have much to go on and mostly blindly chose the Easton.

[Stewie 721]

For ccm pants and your height you might need large, they are a little shorter than others, I'm 5'8" 180ish and in medium. Also I might agree on shins, I'm tight in my 14" myself, ccm RBZ shins. They are good for me due to height and the fact that I flop tongues.If you must go with a medium in pants due to waist, you might wanna look into a Bauer pant like maybe nexus, or going for the newer CCM pant with the added 1 inch length adjustment

[redwing634 1]

If I go try some on in the pro shop, how can I determine whether they're the right fit and not too long / too short?

[althoma1 575]

If you're buying that much equipment you should consider taking a day trip to a hockey store with a good selection. Nothing beats trying things on to see how they fit your body.

With that said, I took a look through the clearance section on HM (since that's where you were looking) and here is the equipment I'd recommend in each category:

Helmet: Cascade M11 (what I currently wear, not everyone loves the looks, but it's very comfortable for my head) or Warrior Krown (a higher end helmet than the 5100 with tool free adjustments and a combination of comfort gel and EPP foam and the combo is only $10 more than the 5100 combo)

Shoulders: CCM CL U+ - extremely light and they don't retain water. The CCM U+ CS would be a good deal, but are only available in S and XL on HM. You could look elsewhere to see if you can find those in a medium.

The U+ 12 pads don't have as much U foam so would be a bit heavier and retain more water, but aren't a bad choice if you want to keep things as cheap as possible. The CL U+ pads may be almost twice as much, but will keep you lighter and drier throughout the games so may be worth the premium. As Stewie mentioned, the RBZ 130 are new pads worth considering - they're new so won't be on clearance, but offer more torso coverage than the U+ series, have quite a bit of U-foam, but are cheaper than the top of the line RBZ pads.

Elbow: Vapor X7.0 if you really want to buy from Hockey Monkey or you can likely find 2012 Warrior Projekt elbows on eBay for around the same price and the Projekts are in my opinion, the most mobile, comfortable pads ever made. You can look at my review and others in the review section of this site.

Shin: I'd go with the Vapor X7.0 vs the 5.0 simply due to the top neoprene strap. It will be more comfortable than the standard elastic strap. If you don't care about the straps and plan to just use tape or shin tights then you could grab the X5.0 or the CCM U+12LE.

I would recommend the U+12LE vs the U+8 because I don't think the 8 has removable liners. Removable liners are nice for drying and washing equipment.

Pants: I personally prefer girdles to pants and use a Warrior Projekt girdle with a Bauer shell, however; if you like pants then the CCM U+12 seem like a fine choice, however; I'd probably go with the LE version for $2 more since it has the upgraded spine protection vs. the standard U+12.

Gloves: The Sherwood Nexon 8 glove for $49 is a good deal - it has plastic inserts for protection and a contoured fit. For $59 the RBK 7KN nylon gloves with plastic inserts is also a good value. The RBK gloves have a snug fit in the fingers and back roll and have a flexible cuff. The Warrior Surge gloves are also a good value at $59 as they have plastic inserts. They have a contoured fit. If you prefer a looser fit then I'd go with a 4 roll style glove like the Combat MF 52 cal knit gloves for $69.

Bag: Didn't see anything I liked in the clearance section. I'm really happy with my Warrior Eraser bag and the closest bag to that now is the Warrior Covert bag for $79. Many people are also very happy with the Warrior Pro bags.

Sticks: I'd never go for a mystery stick as I'm very particular about my curve. Try to figure out what kind of curve you like and what flex you need and then grab a stick where you can choose both the flex and the curve. Going to a store with a shooting range can certainly help with this, but if that's not an option then try using friends and team mates sticks at pick up sessions and during warm ups. You used to be able to buy a shaft and try different blades, but those are now less practical as there are limited curves available in replacement blades and you can find good sticks on clearance deals for less than the price of a good shaft and replacement blade.

The Warrior DT3LT Stewie mentioned is one good option to consider along with the original DT3, the DT2, DT1, Widow and Diablo. Some people had blade durability issues with the Widow and Diablo, but I've used my Diablo for about 6 months now with no issues. Warrior addressed the blade issues with the DT series and made the blade more durable. The Sherwood N12 is often found for good prices on clearance (sold out on HM, but they do have the N10 which is just one step down) and I liked that stick when I demoed it briefly.

Most people don't use a neck guard for beer league, but if you do get one I'd go with either the bauer shirts with thin integrated neck guards or a thin Kevlar neck guard like the Easton EQ5. They're much more comfortable than the traditional foam neck guards and are only a little more expensive (I have to wear a neck guard to referee in Canada).

[Stewie 721]

helmet i think is the most essential piece to try on before you buy, at least from my perspective, as its the hardest to get that perfect fit.

[t6lock 24]

I personally do not like the Vapor elbow mobility at all. Felt really stiff when I tried them. I currently use NXG and they fit tight and are great with mobility.

For gloves, I'd suggest the x7.0 there are plenty of size/colour options left for those and are a really good glove overall.

[BRUINS_FAN_74 19]

I'm using full APX2 gear at the moment and don't like it. The elbows especially... I was using NXG before and found the shoulders too bulky, but liked the elbow and shins. I'm going to make the switch to either CCM or WARRIOR.

[althoma1 575]

helmet i think is the most essential piece to try on before you buy, at least from my perspective, as its the hardest to get that perfect fit.

+1 - The helmet and skates are the most important things to try on before buying. It seems he already has skates so that leaves the helmet. If they fit well I think either the Krown or M11 offer the best value out of the clearance helmets on HM.

I personally do not like the Vapor elbow mobility at all. Felt really stiff when I tried them. I currently use NXG and they fit tight and are great with mobility.

For gloves, I'd suggest the x7.0 there are plenty of size/colour options left for those and are a really good glove overall.

I've only tried on the Vapors, the old X series felt a little tight and not nearly as mobile or comfortable as my projekts, but the neoprene strap was nice and they were definitely secure and wouldn't slide around on my arm. Next to the Warrior Projekts I'd say the CCM U+ elbows were the most comfortable, but I didn't recommend the CCM series because based on what I've read here and several reviews many people had issues with the straps falling apart. I think the best option is to track down Warrior Projekts if at all possible.

I'm using full APX2 gear at the moment and don't like it. The elbows especially... I was using NXG before and found the shoulders too bulky, but liked the elbow and shins. I'm going to make the switch to either CCM or WARRIOR.

From trying them on I liked the APX2 elbows better than the old X series, but they didn't feel nearly as nice as the Warrior Projekts I use and I'd also say the CCM U+ and RBZ pads felt more mobile than the APX2s (but not the Projekts).

The RBZ shins I tried on felt really nice and fit my legs well. I liked the new neoprene strapping.

Right now I'm happy with my Farrell shoulders and Projekt shins, however; if those needed replacing the RBZ pads are certainly the pads I'd lean toward at the moment. I still prefer the Warrior Projekt elbows, Girldle and gloves to anything else on the market and if any of those needed to be replaced I'd be looking for more Projekts (for some of the items I'd look no further than the spares I picked up at good prices in my closet).

A lot of it comes down to how things fit different bodies which is why people can make suggestions, but nothing can really take the place of trying things on.

[TitanG 5]

I would also say the M11 is a good choice, but the only problem with the Krown is it fits differently than most other helmets and may feel very bulky.

I'd suggest possibly trying the Reebok 8K (New one, not clearance one) because it's also around the same price.

Bottom line, you should probably at least try on a helmet in store (doesn't need to be HM) before buying it.

[JoshV 20]

Great write-up, althoma1. I will add my two cents to this.

Helmet: Try on a Reebok 8K/11K, a Warrior Krown, and possibly an IMS 7.0 (We only have the M11 in XS, I doubt that will fit). If Reebok fits well, I think the 8K are a great deal.

Shoulders: U+12 will be fine. Of course, the higher model U+CL will be better, but the U+12 is the best bang for your buck, which I believe is what you are after.

Elbows: X7.0 are great. RS II are great as well. I have the RS II and APX, and prefer my Eastons.

Shins: I really suggest a 15" if you get CCMs. U+CS are probably the best deal

Pants: U+12 LE in a medium. My only concern is the length (CCM gear runs a tad shorter than other brands in protective)

Gloves: More so depends on the color(s) you are after. I can check everything in a certain size for you and find the best deal

Bag: I'll stick to my suggestion of the Reebok 6K

Sticks: It sounds like since you are just getting back into hockey, that you aren't sure of your preferences. Mystery sticks are a great deal and I can make sure I send great sticks out for you to experiment with. If not, Warrior always have the best clearance stick prices IMO. Widow and DT1 are fantastic sticks

I think that covers everything :]

[x-axis 44]

I find it weird that people will give you suggestions about gear purchases with just your height and weight.

You'll save more money by going to a store and trying everything on together. You're almost assured of something not fitting correctly by purchasing everything blindly, online, and with suggestions from people who don't know your body type.

Bring your skates also so that you can see how much over lap there is between the tongues and shinguards, as well as the shinguards and pants, if any.

[JoshV 20]

I find it weird that people will give you suggestions about gear purchases with just your height and weight.

You'll save more money by going to a store and trying everything on together. You're almost assured of something not fitting correctly by purchasing everything blindly, online, and with suggestions from people who don't know your body type.

Bring your skates also so that you can see how much over lap there is between the tongues and shinguards, as well as the shinguards and pants, if any.

The OP said he is going to his LHS on Friday to try on gear to check sizing, but they don't have everything there. Not everyone has the luxury of having a good selection (If any) at their LHS.

So, many people are forced to buy gear online. I fit plenty of people daily with full setups of gear via email/phone conversations. Obviously fitting in person is best, but I'm working with what I've got

We are all just trying to help him out to make sure he gets the best gear for his money! :]

[redwing634 1]

Not to mention I don't expect to get much assistance in terms of sizing at the pro shop. Maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised, but who knows. I appreciate the help and advice Josh, and will get back in touch with you / HM sometime this weekend.

[Pucks & Palm Trees 3]

For whatever it's worth, HM has a 25% off sale on their clearance stuff through Monday...

On the gloves, the clearance Winnwells are really nice gloves for the price -- not flashy, but light, comfortable and durable.

[redwing634 1]

Yeah that was one reason I was considering buying most of my gear from HM. However it seems most of the gear I liked is not available in my size; so I may need to start looking elsewhere.

[x-axis 44]

The OP said he is going to his LHS on Friday to try on gear to check sizing, but they don't have everything there. Not everyone has the luxury of having a good selection (If any) at their LHS.

So, many people are forced to buy gear online. I fit plenty of people daily with full setups of gear via email/phone conversations. Obviously fitting in person is best, but I'm working with what I've got

We are all just trying to help him out to make sure he gets the best gear for his money! :]

Very understandable points. This board is the most knowledgeable on the internet, but despite that fact, I found that my best options never came from the opinions on this board in regards to protective equipment fit. Too many variables especially when you mix and match brands. What one person considers mobile and protective, may not be his. Then again, I am picky about gear fit and don't want gear that feels annoying or distracting while playing.

[z1ggy 81]

Just my two cents based on my exp:

I am 5 10, 185 fairly stocky build. I think my head shape is more on the oval side of things as well. I went with all Bauer supreme One80 for body protection as it seemed like the thickest/sturdiest for that price point at the time. The Vapors and Easton RS were just too skinny for my tree trunk calves. I'm also probably going to soon get RBZ 130 shoulders as well, b/c I was just in a reebok padded shirt (not good enough for hard slap shots IMO). Helmet, I have a newer Bauer, although honestly I don't remember which. I believe it was the one that was 2nd or 3rd from the top tier. It cost about $100. Gloves, I got Easton 75S which I really like. Nice tight fit with out being too bulky.

Sounds like you've got skates already?? I've got a regular D width foot, with slightly narrow heels, low arch. I fit into Vapors pretty well although the hell hock isn't 100%. I can't tell if its because my heel is too narrow so it slips, or if my heel is too wide so it's not seated all the way in the pocket properly. It's pretty close though.

For stick, I think Warrior has some amazing value. I got a Warrior Diablo for around $100 (normally $200) that I am in love with. I will cry the day the day this stick breaks.

If you are within driving distance from a hockey monkey, or hockey giant I highly suggest you go there to try the gear. I bit the bullet and drove the 90 mins to HM and tried on everything I could get my hands on one day. That's how I came out with everything I currently wear, minus the skates which I already had.

[Stewie 721]

you can get a dt3lt for 85 bones shipped to your door on Total Hockeys site right now with their sale. You will probably need a lawyer afterwards. their top line dt1lt is at 153. if you like lower kick sticks, this is definitely the route id go, and I would do it now.

[Zjack38 46]

The dt1lt is only 134$ on hockey monkey with the promo code. Incredible price on a top of the line stick