Shopping for 1st Pair of Gloves

[3mar67 17]

I'm almost finished my series of skating lessons and am looking to start taking adult beginner hockey lessons.

So it's time to start looking at equipment.

I've tried on a lot of different brands and models of gloves and the Reebok 11k KFS gloves feel pretty good on me.

How do they stack up quality-wise?

I can get them (with a coupon) for $65 US (79.99 Canadian).

Or should I look for pro stock?

Would I be able to find any new pro stock gloves for around $100, and would it make a difference to a beginner?

Any other recommendations for gloves in my budget and what I should be looking for (besides protection)?

Thanks

[Utterkaos94 11]

Those look like a nice pair of gloves. They should be really good quality because they were the top model in the last series. I probably wouldn't recommend spending much more than that if it is your first pair. Obviously, you want a good quality set of gloves, but don't drop a bunch of money because you might get something you end up not liking down the road. I don't know much about pro stock stuff, but I know you can get a pair of gloves for around $100.

[CTB 32]

Probably don't need pro stock gloves for beginner lessons but if you find a pair you like then that's what matters.

[Davideo 99]

My vote would be to go relatively cheap. I know a number of folks who went out and bought top of the line equipment and then ended up quitting after a few months.

Protection on pretty much any glove would likely be fine and fit and comfort are more important.

[x-track 8]

rbk 11k's are some of my favorite gloves ....quick break in , held up very well w tackimacs , I rotate two pairs and no holes in the palm after 2 seasons .....no sweaty hands , to torn sewing or anything ...so for the price you get ...go for them ....and let me know where you get em , I might take another pair ...thx

[z1ggy 81]

I'm really partial to Eagle gloves. Stand up quality and materials, great durability and protection. Of course for a beginner, you may need to be more budget friendly.

[x-track 8]

My vote would be to go relatively cheap. I know a number of folks who went out and bought top of the line equipment and then ended up quitting after a few months.

Protection on pretty much any glove would likely be fine and fit and comfort are more important.

....protection gets better if you move up the range ...likewise fit and comfort , my experience !!

if you buy cheap , you'll end up paying twice ....an 11k for the price he quoted is hard to pass on ...and if he quits he will get some cash back selling it .....try selling low end gear and you will see that you loose more than w hi end stuff

[SlaterC42 51]

I would go with what fits you and feels the best. You don't have to spend top dollar, but I wouldn't go bottom of the barrel either, middle of the line is usually a good mix of price / features. If you like the feel of the 11k's I'd go with them, it's all about what's most comfortable for you.

[Vet88 674]

plus 1 for Rbk 11ks. They are a top end glove, if they fit you well then for the price they are well worth the money spent. And x-track has said it all for everything else.

You would struggle to find new pro stock gloves for under $100 and even if you do, the fit may not be what you expect it to be.

imho, for you as a beginner you are looking at the right gear, top end models that are on close out or sales. Ironically, as a beginner you want the best protection you can afford because of the amount of time you will spend picking yourself up off the ice....

[bmess6 2]

Something to keep in mind is that the palm of the glove will wear no matter what skill level you are, so its better to buy a glove with a quality palm one time than having to keep buying cheap gloves. The Reebok seems pretty nice though.

[rawkstar 45]

I've used 9ks for over a year now and they're great. Light, protective, comfortable and durability has been excellent.

You have to consider what you're using them for, if you are just starting out I would suggest get something low end/middle of the roadish, if you are just doing lessons you probably don't need all the crazy protection, you are probably not constantly getting slashed across the hands with full force. Just get something cheap and light that fits comfortably and have enough protection of you fall on the ice (almost any glove will do that) and spend the money on lessons and ice time instead.

[flip12 723]

The 11k is a great glove, if you like the way it feels (which can be hard to gauge on any glove before you try it in real use). I just want to echo what others are saying on here: for a beginner, the protection you'll get in a mid-range+ glove is definitely worth it. Hand bones seem relatively easy to break. Finally, because the Reebok brand is vanishing from hockey, you'll get a great deal on last-generation gloves. Pro stock is probably not going to do anything for you if you don't know that you want some modifications to the retail glove that you won't be able to find on the secondary market. The 11k's move great and are highly protective, and a steal for $65.

[Chadd 916]

I'm almost finished my series of skating lessons and am looking to start taking adult beginner hockey lessons.

So it's time to start looking at equipment.

I've tried on a lot of different brands and models of gloves and the Reebok 11k KFS gloves feel pretty good on me.

How do they stack up quality-wise?

I can get them (with a coupon) for $65 US (79.99 Canadian).

Or should I look for pro stock?

Would I be able to find any new pro stock gloves for around $100, and would it make a difference to a beginner?

Any other recommendations for gloves in my budget and what I should be looking for (besides protection)?

Thanks

great gloves for the price and it sounds like they fit and feel good to you. Jump on them quickly before the deal disappears.

[wrangler 157]

Easy decision. Get the gloves and spend your time agonizing over which other equipment to buy.

[3mar67 17]

Easy decision. Get the gloves and spend your time agonizing over which other equipment to buy.

Yeah, I bought the gloves.

I also bought shin guards.

In this pic, do they look like they are the right length?

They are 15 inch.

I'm 5'10"

[stevelknievel 51]

Fwiw they look fine to me, that's exactly how mine sit.

[althoma1 575]

Yes, if you're going to wear them over the tongue the length looks good. If you wanted to wear them behind the tongues then you might need to drop down to a 14" pad.

[wrangler 157]

Yeah, I bought the gloves.

I also bought shin guards.

In this pic, do they look like they are the right length?

They are 15 inch.

I'm 5'10"

Looks fine on the bottom. If the knee cap's in the proper position, you're good.

[3mar67 17]

Thanks for the replies.

How do these pants look for length?

I lifted one pant leg to show where the top of the kneecap protector is.

[althoma1 575]

The pant length looks good - with traditional pants you want them to overlap with the knee cap (like yours does) by a few inches to minimize gaps when you're bending your knees. If you were wearing a girdle (or ever use one in the future) you'd want it to overlap the thigh protector, but not the knee cap.