Help with new gear

[Luke 1]

Getting back into hockey after about a 10 year break. I need to upgrade almost all of my gear. I don't have a hockey shop within 100 miles, so I will be ordering online. For various reasons I will be ordering from hockey monkey. I'll start with shoulders, shins and elbows. I'm going cheap since I need to upgrade everything, so my budget for these 3 things are $150. What would you recomendation?

[chippa13 1844]

My recommendation is not to cheap out on shins and elbows.

[althoma1 575]

Fit is key; so I'd recommend driving the 100 miles and trying on as much as you can. If you aren't going to do that, providing general sizing and fit preferences will help people make recommendations. With that said, here are a few options that would work for your budget:

Warrior Dynasty AX LT Intermediate 15" shin guards (only works if you can fit 15" shins) - they're the same length as senior shin guards, but have less depth and are slimmer. They have a comfortable strapping system. Originally $99 and a top of the line pad for 50% off at $50 http://www.hockeymonkey.com/warrior-hockey-shin-guard-ax-lt-int.html

Bauer One.8 Elbows for $45 (reg $80) available in medium and large. Comfortable strapping system and pretty mobile for a 2 piece pad. I personally prefer 3 piece pads like the 2012 Blue and Grey Warrior Projekts, the CCM CL/RBZ or the new STX Surgeon 500, but none of those are available on HockeyMonkey in your price range: http://www.hockeymonkey.com/bauer-hockey-elbow-pads-supreme-one-8-sr.html#

The Intermediate Dynasty AX LT elbows are also available for the same price.

Warrior Dynasty AX LT Senior Shoulder pads for $54 (reg $145) and available in all sizes: http://www.hockeymonkey.com/warrior-hockey-shoulder-pad-ax-lt-sr.html

Your total for the 3 pieces would be $148; just under your $150 budget. You'd have high end protective for a great price, but it's only a good deal if they fit your body well; so it'd still be a gamble ordering those online without trying them on.

[Utterkaos94 11]

http://www.hockeymonkey.com/bauer-hockey-equipment-combo-supreme-one-8-sr.html

with a 10% coupon will be around $150 and this is all one step down from top of the line.

Depends on your size though.

[Luke 1]

Thanks for the suggestions. Some good options so far. I definitely think I can get some pretty decent pads in that price range. Just to clarify, I will be playing in a no checking league so I'm looking for lightweight, mobile gear. I'm pretty smedium on most things. 5'11 somewhat thin

Probably need medium shoulder/elbows. With my height I should wear 15 shins but I've been wearing a 13 which is way too short.

I think all of the gear recommended fits the criteria. Are the warrior shoulders going to be overkill for beer league? If not, those might be what I go with.

Thanks!

[Vet88 674]

There is no such thing as overkill for any league, buy the best you can afford and the suggestions that have been put forward are all excellent choices for the budget you are on. Other than hunting clearance items, and most online shops offer free return if it does not fit, try other peoples gear on for fit and then when you find something you like hunt for it on fleabay, craigs list, MSH sell etc. It may take a while to turn up but eventually it will and you will end up with top of the line gear for a very good price.

[Zorlac 22]

No checking leagues are NOT no contact leagues... I thought the same thing you did about overkill when I got back into rec league hockey. There's plenty of contact, and a body check in our league is only 3 mins. in the box of shame... running time periods... VET88 said it well.

[napsy 1]

+1 on making the effort to try stuff on. i just picked up some new elbow pads to replace my ancient jofas and i spent quite a while in a shop trying on everything. i have a similar build (6' but on the skinny side) and i went through everything in the shop trying to find something that wouldn't slide down on my arm while also offering decent forearm protection. especially when it comes to elbow pads, you want decent protection where they're not sliding down your arm and protect you from slashes.

depending on what level league you're skating in, no checking doesn't necessarily mean no impact. i swear, i've been on the receiving end of way more dangerous hits getting blindsided by someone who wasn't watching where they were going or not being able to evade someone skating fast. not to mention the stickwork that's found in some lower level leagues.

the protective equipment these days is probably a lot lighter than what you were playing in 10 years ago, too.

[MThockeydad 469]

I'm 6'-6", also on the thin side--195# at my height, 33" waist).

I highly recommend the Bauer elbows that both althoma1 and utterkaos94 recommended.

I have an older set of one40 elbows, and they're very similar in design to the new Vapor x60 elbows I just bought--except that the bicep wrap has the Velcro on the inside instead of the outside. the lower wrap and elbow cup are identical except for color.

So..for a skinny guy, I could definitely recommend the elbows. Shoulders ought to fit if you get the right size.

My wife has an older version of the shoulders (one-eighty?), my kid has the One60 shins and one70 elbows.

The vent foam that Bauer puts in the flexible areas (upper cuff and wrap of the elbows, calf wrap of the shins, and lower abdomen in the shoulders) is pretty cool stuff.

I think you will find that the Supreme shins will be too wide for skinny calves. I have a pair of Easton Stealth RS shins that fit my skinny calves very well (you might find some on closeout)..I think Easton shins fit a bit thinner than Bauer.

[Hills 717]

If you need mediums I'd check these out.

Bauer One95 Elbows for $27

http://www.hockeyboss.com/bauer-supreme-one95-sr-elbow-pads.aspx

[Luke 1]

Alright, just ordered the warrior shoulders and shins, the one.8 elbows, tacks 4052 pants, a jersey, reebok jock shorts and socks. Normal price would have been almost $550, final bill only about $260.I think I did pretty well. Chances are with that much gear something won't fit. At least HM has a good return policy. I can live with my gloves and helmet for now. Will be making a road trip for skates.

[althoma1 575]

I think HM had a deal where you receive free rs75 gloves with orders over 150. Saw the offer last week. You were supposed to add them to the cart though. Maybe call oremail and they can add a pair in your size.

[Luke 1]

Thanks. I think that one is over. New deal is 20% off everthing.

[althoma1 575]

Yes, it's no longer on the promo page anymore. 20% off everything is a better deal anyway with the amount you're spending.