Just starting roller hockey. Some help on gear.

[Nappy 0]

Hey guys, this will be my first season playing inline roller hockey (or any hockey for that matter) it's the lowest level league, of which a few of the kids I have watched have literally never skated. I'm good on skates, as I have skated all my life (granted I was a fruit booter and did aggresive inline skating) but none the less I am good on skates.

Looking for good entry level gear, I'd like to keep my total budget under $300 for every thing. I don't mind buying from multiple websites/retailers either.

What I'm looking for;

• Skates

• Stick

• Gloves

• Shins

• Pants

• Helmet

Skates I'm looking at are Bauer XR2 / Alkali RPD Lite / Alkali CA4

It's an Indoor league as well if that helps.

[ChunkyThunder 2]

For most things, the cheapest of the cheap would suffice. If I were you, most of my budget would go towards getting solid skates and a good helmet. If you buy cheap skates, then you'll need to buy another pair very soon. I got the lowest of the low skates when I was starting and they only lasted me 8 months, and there's some guys who have been using the same skates for like 10 years. Don't worry too much about what stick you get at first, I'd just pick up something cheap. Make sure you get soft wheels since you're playing indoor if your skates don't already come with soft wheels.

Inline warehouse has a good selection, free return shipping (might need to be a pro member but you can become one by buying tape) and they even have 20% off right now. I usually order from them because their warehouse is close to me so I usually get the item the next day. There's also hockeymonkey, hockeygiant and hockeytron. Hockeymonkey has good stuff on clearance so you can look there as well.

[PinkApe404 4]

For most things, the cheapest of the cheap would suffice. If I were you, most of my budget would go towards getting solid skates and a good helmet. If you buy cheap skates, then you'll need to buy another pair very soon. I got the lowest of the low skates when I was starting and they only lasted me 8 months, and there's some guys who have been using the same skates for like 10 years. Don't worry too much about what stick you get at first, I'd just pick up something cheap. Make sure you get soft wheels since you're playing indoor if your skates don't already come with soft wheels.

Inline warehouse has a good selection, free return shipping (might need to be a pro member but you can become one by buying tape) and they even have 20% off right now. I usually order from them because their warehouse is close to me so I usually get the item the next day. There's also hockeymonkey, hockeygiant and hockeytron. Hockeymonkey has good stuff on clearance so you can look there as well.

Skates ! If I may make a suggestion Don't be afraid to find a good pair of used skates... there is a floodgate of skates on sale on ebay now from parents whose kids feet grew out. Either way - Chunky is right - skates man. Don't sell yourself short - A good pair taken care of properly will go a long way; here is how I would approach this:

Protective - go with hockeytron - they have deals on protective that is insane ..I used them and they are no better or worse then my top end Bauer gear - Email Chris and they will take care of you - I just saw knee and elbow for like $15 a pop.. I love em! $ 50 total for something Bauer would run you $200 - also can get their wheels .. ure set there.

Helmet - Yes protect that mellon - get a RBK ..very soft and good - can find one on the cheap on Ebay

skates - tough one ... X60R Bauer is a good mid level skate.. Do some digging around and post here we will help you pick what size are?

Stick - you need 2 sticks - Monkey has a ton of clearance sticks - you should be fine there - also can post here and we will help. You issue may be deciding on Flex - Go with an 87 Flex and you will be fine.

Edit - PureHockey just cleared a million Sticks

[Nappy 0]

Thanks for the quick response guys. My shoe size is 12, and my buddy wears 11's in skates. I tried his on and they are nice and snug (while not killing my feet) So I'll be buying Size 11 skates. Hope this helps!

[Justin 1933 134]

Nappy,

For skates, find a pair of skates that are on closeout. Both Inlinewarehouse and Hockeymonkey have great deals on skates. IF you can find a Alkali CA4 in your size, I would recommend going with that. It is a great boot, with a decent indoor wheel.

[mickz 107]

Do you have any local shops that you can try the skates on at? The last thing I would recommend is blindly buying them online. Same goes for helmets. Each brand/model will fit slightly different. Your skates and helmet are the two most important pieces of equipment IMO. They should fit properly otherwise you'll find yourself spending even more money shortly down the road.

Without knowing your height and weight it may be a bit premature to start recommending specifics like stick flex.

[MThockeydad 469]

Thanks for the quick response guys. My shoe size is 12, and my buddy wears 11's in skates. I tried his on and they are nice and snug (while not killing my feet) So I'll be buying Size 11 skates. Hope this helps!

Boot fit is extremely subjective, but if you found a pair that fits you're in a good position to buy online. Skate in his for an hour or two instead of 5 minutes in your living room--double check that they will really work for you. Get the same brand and line if they truly fit you.

Look for last year's or two years' ago closeout skates instead of this new model line--you get more skate for your money.

Get the best skate you can afford--you get a stiffer, more durable boot and better bearings and wheels.

I found Bauer XR5's on hockeymonkey's eBay site on clearance for $200 because one wheel rubbed the boot. They're $250 on regular clearance--XR4's will be ~$180-200.

AlkaliCA4's are great, too--again, completely depends on your foot shape and boot fit. Get what your buddy has or buy in a shop where you can get fit.

[devils17 0]

Do you have any local shops that you can try the skates on at? The last thing I would recommend is blindly buying them online. Same goes for helmets.

Same goes for everything. I would try on everything I could at your LHS. Because a Reebok helmet fits better than a Bauer for me, personally, but somebody else's cranium would be better fitting in a Bauer than a Reebok.

Every brand is pretty much amazing when it comes to equipment. You can't go wrong with any choice. It's just gotta be tailored to you and your game.

[jonwalker36 4]

Helmets and skates are solely personal preference. For helmets I tend to use bauer, however ccm and reebok work for my head as well. Skates I've been a Bauer person since I've switched over from Graf's. Gloves, shins, pants etc just get on a decent price point for value and comfort. Like everyone already said most of your budget should go to bucket and wheels. A nice stick has never hurt anyone either!