Gear suggestion for someone brand new to ice hockey?

[tougeteahouse 0]

Hi guys I've enrolled myself into ice hockey school, I'm 28 btw (bit late maybe??) and I've only skated 4 times in my life just for fun.

I've chosen to take up ice hockey school because I'm super keen to learn how to ice skate, but particularly interested in the the techniques used in ice hockey (stopping, sharp turns, backwards etc).

We will be wearing all the ice hockey gear so I was wondering if you guys could give some suggestions as to which brand/model I should take a look into when purchasing my own.

I don't really intend to take up ice hockey as a hobby but the reason why I would like to buy my own gear (as opposed to using the free rental provided gear) is mainly due to hygiene, and also I like owning my own stuff.

While I (obviously) don't necessarily need pro level gear, I rank protection highest up on my needs with mobility following at a very very close second.

Would you guys be able to provide some suggestions as to which brands I should look to, or maybe even which models I should check out?

In terms of skates, I will get myself fitted at a local shop here in Australia.

Height - 5'7"

Weight - 150 lbs

Level of play: absolute beginner

[B1scu1t 15]

There are plenty of different models of each piece of equipment from each company at each price point. I'd say if you have a shop that sells equipment near you the best thing to do is try stuff on and see what fits. I recently got back into playing after a long (12 years) layoff. Like yourself, I don't need pro level gear and I'm not keen on wearing someone else's used equipment. so I bought all new. Some things were the lowest priced entry level equipment. (My Easton elbow pads and Bauer shoulder pads). Some stuff I went more mid level (My Bauer gloves and Bauer Supreme shin guards and Bauer pants) And when I pick up new skates I am going higher price point and quality.

Sometimes it's not about price or name brand so much as it is about fit and protection. My Bauer helmet was more expensive than a Warrior or comparable CCM was, but it fit my misshapen head better.

And it's never too late to take up hockey. Even though you don't intend to take it up as a hobby you may find that it is an awesome game and great fun and exercise. If you buy all the gear I'm sure you'll continue to want to play.

[Buzz_LightBeer 963]

I would prioritize your money towards skates and a helmet, an adult player can find a good value in most any other piece of equipment.

[shoot_the_goalie 277]

Number one priority, IMHO, is fit. With proper fit, you get better mobility and better protection, since improperly fit equipment can cause problems and hinder your development. If that means getting a more expensive skate (for example) cause the fit is right, IMHO, it's worth it in the long run.

[tougeteahouse 0]

Thanks for the replies guys. Had my very first ice hockey class today and I was already quite under-prepared not having the correct under garment wear.

I will be heading to a shop tomorrow to get fitted for my very first ice skates as my number one priority. I also hope to walk away with pants, shoulder pads, a helmet and gloves, as these were the stinkiest of the gear that was available for hire. Can I rely on the sizing guides online when buying these things? Or do you guys suggest I also get fitted for these at the shop as well?

[strosedefence34 175]

Thanks for the replies guys. Had my very first ice hockey class today and I was already quite under-prepared not having the correct under garment wear.

I will be heading to a shop tomorrow to get fitted for my very first ice skates as my number one priority. I also hope to walk away with pants, shoulder pads, a helmet and gloves, as these were the stinkiest of the gear that was available for hire. Can I rely on the sizing guides online when buying these things? Or do you guys suggest I also get fitted for these at the shop as well?

Sizing guides are just suggestions. For example according to my height I should wear a 15" shin guard, but my shins aren't that long so I wear a 14". Icewarehouse has some pretty good videos as to how to size different equipment. Having a knowledgeable sales person there helping you is always best.

[shoot_the_goalie 277]

Thanks for the replies guys. Had my very first ice hockey class today and I was already quite under-prepared not having the correct under garment wear.

I will be heading to a shop tomorrow to get fitted for my very first ice skates as my number one priority. I also hope to walk away with pants, shoulder pads, a helmet and gloves, as these were the stinkiest of the gear that was available for hire. Can I rely on the sizing guides online when buying these things? Or do you guys suggest I also get fitted for these at the shop as well?

Since you say you're new to the game, I would go to a shop and have someone help fit you (though make sure you get someone who knows what they're doing!) Personally, I buy a fair amount of gear online, since I'm very familiar with what fits me and what doesn't, however I never buy skates online. I will always buy them at a LHS cause skate fitting can be very finicky. With that said, please do not go to a LHS to fit equipment, and then turn around and go buy online. It's your prerogative if you do so, but imho, it's not fair to the LHS. LHS prices may be higher than online, but you're getting additional services from the LHS, so bear that in mind. When I buy gear online, I'm putting the risk of proper/improper fit solely on me.

I agree with a previous poster too. Online sizing guides are just suggestions. For instance, I normally would wear 14" shins, but since I started to prefer wearing them outside the skate tongue, I know wear 15" shins.

[tougeteahouse 0]

I will no doubt be purchasing skates from a shop with the aid of someone (hopefully) knowledgeable enough to determine which skate would suit my feet the best as well as which pants and shoulder pads.

As for the other protective gear, I was hoping I could get away with purchasing online such as gloves, elbow pads and maybe shin guards.

[strosedefence34 175]

I will no doubt be purchasing skates from a shop with the aid of someone (hopefully) knowledgeable enough to determine which skate would suit my feet the best as well as which pants and shoulder pads.

As for the other protective gear, I was hoping I could get away with purchasing online such as gloves, elbow pads and maybe shin guards.

is there a reason you're looking more online for these items vs you LHS? Most of the time the prices are the same unless you are looking at a big online retailer and getting some of last years stuff on close out.

[MThockeydad 469]

IMHO, you need to try on skates and helmets to find what fits best. These are also the items worth paying more for--and for which a lousy fit will be the most irritating!

You can mail order your elbows/shoulders/shins/pants, and possibly gloves.

Pretty good combo deals to be had on elbows/shoulders/shins combos from HockeyMonkey.com

[tougeteahouse 0]

is there a reason you're looking more online for these items vs you LHS? Most of the time the prices are the same unless you are looking at a big online retailer and getting some of last years stuff on close out.

In Australia the stuff available locally is really expensive, which is why it makes online shopping so much more enticing for us. I'm all for paying (and even over-paying) for gear in order to ensure it fits correctly, but I was just wondering if there were maybe a few pieces of gear from a full ice hockey kit that I could pick out to buy online.

By the way I'm not really sure what "LHS" means could you shed some light on this noob?

[MThockeydad 469]

Local Hockey Store. :)

[strosedefence34 175]

In Australia the stuff available locally is really expensive, which is why it makes online shopping so much more enticing for us. I'm all for paying (and even over-paying) for gear in order to ensure it fits correctly, but I was just wondering if there were maybe a few pieces of gear from a full ice hockey kit that I could pick out to buy online.

By the way I'm not really sure what "LHS" means could you shed some light on this noob?

Local Hockey Store. :)

tougeteahouse i did not know you where from Australia that makes sense then. MThockeydad said it LHS= Local Hockey Store/Shop. As far as ordering stuff online goes every manufacture fits a little bit different for example from experience a 14" easton shin pad runs a bit longer than a 14" bauer. I would go to ice warehouse.com and check out their fit guide videos. I would also search these forums for an idea of how things fit. You can also ask here people will give you some advice. Good luck in your search!

[shoot_the_goalie 277]

In Australia the stuff available locally is really expensive, which is why it makes online shopping so much more enticing for us. I'm all for paying (and even over-paying) for gear in order to ensure it fits correctly, but I was just wondering if there were maybe a few pieces of gear from a full ice hockey kit that I could pick out to buy online.

By the way I'm not really sure what "LHS" means could you shed some light on this noob?

No big deal buying stuff online. Like I said, I buy a lot of stuff online (except skates), but I'm pretty familiar on my own with what fits me properly. However, IMHO it's not good form to go to a LHS and use them as a "fitting room" so you can use up their time and then buy online to save money. If you do this, at least be upfront with the LHS, and who knows, the LHS might be willing to compete with the online retailer price-wise or offer you perks that you won't get from an online retailer (free baking/sharpenings, free repairs/adjustments, etc.)

With that said, if you're not very familiar with equipment, I would definitely buy my skates and helmet at a LHS. Then possibly buy my shins and gloves at the LHS as well, as they are more finicky and are more about preference in sizing than just S,M,L. Pants, shoulders, elbows, undergarments, etc... those are more forgiving in sizing (especially the models with sizing adjustment straps/zippers), so those you can use the online guides and are more likely to get a good fit buying online. I find Ice Warehouse has good online sizing guides/videos.

[tougeteahouse 0]

Hi guys I got fitted yesterday at an LHS and while the guy told me he didn't have anything in my size, he was happy to recommend that I purchase online having now known my size is 6EE. I went to another store that doesn't specialise in ice hockey, but just all thinks skate in general, and the salesman there initially told me I was a size 7, until they brought out a few pairs and got me to try them on. They also didn't have any 6EEs in stock but they suggested a pair of Bauer X60s for the budget I gave them. I did walk away with a pair of Reebok 5k pants and a Bauer 2100 helmet + cage though after trying them on because I had no idea how to size for these.

I'm now looking to purchase my skates online as it seems nobody in my state seems to have X60s in stock (the rink where I learn ice hockey sells X60 however for $430aud that's around $370usd and $417cad just to give you guys an idea of the gouging down here).

Hockeymonkey, Pure Hockey and Total Hockey are on my radar now, but have you guys ever come across fit hockey store online? Their prices are so good so I'm a bit dubious as to the authenticity of the stock.

[shoot_the_goalie 277]

Hi guys I got fitted yesterday at an LHS and while the guy told me he didn't have anything in my size, he was happy to recommend that I purchase online having now known my size is 6EE. I went to another store that doesn't specialise in ice hockey, but just all thinks skate in general, and the salesman there initially told me I was a size 7, until they brought out a few pairs and got me to try them on. They also didn't have any 6EEs in stock but they suggested a pair of Bauer X60s for the budget I gave them. I did walk away with a pair of Reebok 5k pants and a Bauer 2100 helmet + cage though after trying them on because I had no idea how to size for these.

I'm now looking to purchase my skates online as it seems nobody in my state seems to have X60s in stock (the rink where I learn ice hockey sells X60 however for $430aud that's around $370usd and $417cad just to give you guys an idea of the gouging down here).

Hockeymonkey, Pure Hockey and Total Hockey are on my radar now, but have you guys ever come across fit hockey store online? Their prices are so good so I'm a bit dubious as to the authenticity of the stock.

Any company that will give you a full guaranteed 90 day return policy on new models should be fine.

However, I would ask your LHS to order you a pair of 6EEs to try on (some LHS will not obligate you to buy the pair) or find a LHS that has that size in stock. I'm not sure how that salesperson can say you're a 6EE for sure in x60s when you weren't actually able to try a pair on. (I would be weary of that salesperson too...imho good fitters would never recommend you a size/model without trying that size/model on) Assuming you're a 6EE in that model without trying it on is still guessing...and you could run into problems with fit.

[tougeteahouse 0]

Sorry I should have mentioned. I was fitted in a pair of Bauer X80 in 6EE and we both agreed it was a good fit. Would the X80 fit like the X60?