Roller Hockey Girdle advice

[Stewie 721]

So things are being set in motion here and finally I will be hitting the sport court by early jan. I am looking for feedback on different girdles, specifically Alkali, Mission, and the CCM RBZ stuff. any assistance would be wonderful!

[sss1987 55]

Not seen the Mission stuff properly..but quite like CCM's offering (if you want a compression short type). What i like about it was insert for the tailbone is hard plastic rather then just a bit of foam. Pretty much made me decide on going that route come january.

[Cosmic 178]

I had the Mission top of the line lime green ones, and did not like them. The plastic inserts blocked air flow, and the pads were gummy and got trashed when I took a hard fall on my hip. My hip was fine, just he pads were a bit shredded. I have not seen or tried the RBZs but I would be inclined to think them to be best.

[althoma1 574]

I use and really like the Valken V-Elite girdle. It's light, well ventilated (the grey strips in the pictures are mesh) and provides enough protection for my needs (dual density foam in key areas). Before switching to the Valken I used the older Mission Thorax girdle - that one was good too, but the Valken is a little lighter and breathes better:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1_zQiLr0gc

http://www.amazon.com/Valken-Hockey-V-Elite-Senior-Roller/dp/B002ZCCN6U

HockeyTron also makes a version with their name on it that's basically the same (I picked one up on sale as a backup a while back) if you decide to go with that and you can't find the original in your size: http://www.hockeytron.com/Tron-V-Elite-Senior-Inline-Hockey-Girdle.html

They regularly go on sale for around $35 (plus shipping or you can get free shipping if you order over $99 worth of products).

I did have a chance to look at the Alkali RPD Max girdle in person and looked like it'd be plenty mobile, but didn't have the ventilation that the Valken has and the thigh and hip pads felt less substantial (maybe a bit thicker, but not as dense). I haven't seen the CCM RBZ girdle you mentioned, but looked it up and it seems like it'd offer very good protection for the hips, has some protection around the waist like the Mission and Valken (and unlike the top end Alkali), and has some ventilation.

I'd either go with the Valken or the RBZ girdle. The RBZ is $89 and would offer more substantial hip/side protection. The Valken or the Tron version is available on sale for about $35, provides good protection and ventilation.

I also really like the Valken Pro pants I have with the articulated knees - they're heavier than some pants, but are very durable and aren't baggy like hammer pants: http://www.hockeytron.com/Valken-V-Pro-Senior-Inline-Hockey-Pants.html

[specs78 33]

I have tried a few different setups and finally landed on Crashpads http://www.derbywarehouse.com/descpage.html?pcode=CP

I like these because they have pretty good tailbone protection that actually covers my tailbone, they vent really well, and seem to cover just as much on my thighs as my old roller girdle. Downside is no back or kidney protection and I have to wear a jock with them. I play in a pretty chill roller league so I am really trying to protect myself from falls more than crazy slappers and slashes. I have a Bauer Vapor APX girdle and an older Mission Thorax Wrap girdle, neither one of them did much to cover the tailbone. The APX has great padding everywhere else but has a very thin pad with a insert for the tailbone, so I was looking for something better. So far, a good, cheap, cool and light alternative.

[sheffy92 3]

I personally like the reebok 11k girdle as they breathe well and are nice and light! The tailbone lacks in protection but the hip bone protection is solid.

[sss1987 55]

I use and really like the Valken V-Elite girdle. It's light, well ventilated (the grey strips in the pictures are mesh) and provides enough protection for my needs (dual density foam in key areas). Before switching to the Valken I used the older Mission Thorax girdle - that one was good too, but the Valken is a little lighter and breathes better:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1_zQiLr0gc

http://www.amazon.com/Valken-Hockey-V-Elite-Senior-Roller/dp/B002ZCCN6U

HockeyTron also makes a version with their name on it that's basically the same (I picked one up on sale as a backup a while back) if you decide to go with that and you can't find the original in your size: http://www.hockeytron.com/Tron-V-Elite-Senior-Inline-Hockey-Girdle.html

They regularly go on sale for around $35 (plus shipping or you can get free shipping if you order over $99 worth of products).

I did have a chance to look at the Alkali RPD Max girdle in person and looked like it'd be plenty mobile, but didn't have the ventilation that the Valken has and the thigh and hip pads felt less substantial (maybe a bit thicker, but not as dense). I haven't seen the CCM RBZ girdle you mentioned, but looked it up and it seems like it'd offer very good protection for the hips, has some protection around the waist like the Mission and Valken (and unlike the top end Alkali), and has some ventilation.

I'd either go with the Valken or the RBZ girdle. The RBZ is $89 and would offer more substantial hip/side protection. The Valken or the Tron version is available on sale for about $35, provides good protection and ventilation.

I also really like the Valken Pro pants I have with the articulated knees - they're heavier than some pants, but are very durable and aren't baggy like hammer pants: http://www.hockeytron.com/Valken-V-Pro-Senior-Inline-Hockey-Pants.html

Agreed. Thats Why i liked CCMs offering... compression fit of the alkalis, but with much more substantial protection in key areas. Mobility and protection seems spot on imo.

[Justin 1933 134]

You need to ask yourself how much protection do you want? Do you need a ton of padding, because your are constantly falling? I personally prefer to have just enough padding on my hips and tailbone to prevent injury from falling.

[Stewie 721]

You need to ask yourself how much protection do you want? Do you need a ton of padding, because your are constantly falling? I personally prefer to have just enough padding on my hips and tailbone to prevent injury from falling.

I haven't played inline in probably 10ish years? maybe even more. Before buying my team skates, I had I think they were mission proto vsi so whatever year that was, and played a year on those, and before that I played inline in a sweet pair of K2 Zspecials that I beefed up the spacers/bearings/wheels on. all this said, I didn't fall down much then and don't think I would now either, but maybe I should try a higher protection to start out just in case. do people use shoulderpads or inline specific padded shirts nowadays, or mostly no padding at all up top?

[sss1987 55]

No padding up top for me( other then elbows/gloves and helmet LOL).

[gokdog 11]

Got some of the padded shirts and shorts (jock combo) from CCM this year, was super light, as was the new mission padded stuff, but the CCM fit better.

For pants, the new Mission DS3 pants are kinda nice, but honestly still like the old Reebok pants, less flash but still going strong.

[Stewie 721]

update on this. Total was out of the RBZ girdles, so i opted for the next step down. Its been wonderful thusfar. i quickly ditched the proformance cup for a bioflex, happy with the purchase, we will see how it holds up. I think im going to purchase a second girdle to rotate soon, probably the RPD max.