Quote:
Originally Posted by Maritime Q-Scout
I'm thinking about getting back into playing hockey again. Well I'm more than thinking about it, I'm going to, just haven't figured out when... as soon as I can afford it I guess.
Regardless, I was looking at the RBK Sr goal pads at Sport Check, which retail for $399.99
I'm curious why so cheap? What difference is there? I've been out of the game for 10 years, the equipment has changed A LOT in that time.
Anyone have any advice?
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I used to play (just houseleague and stuff), but when you invest that much money in something, become a buff and really look into every detail and see what you like and dislike and what you can live without. Funny thing you mentioned the $399 pads at Sportchek. My friend got the Black and White ones and they look SWEET. I picked them up and they are pretty light but they seem a bit hard, but not the type of hardness you want...something that after it breaks in, may deteriorate quickly (like many baseball gloves). But that's just an assumption. Stuff you should look for? Don't get tieups at the bottom of the pads (for you to tie to your skates - make sure they're buckles); Height unless you're under 5'2" get pads at LEAST 34" in height, and personally, if your skill ain't that good, get fatter pads (helps a bit); a cheater on the inside of the pads sometimes comes in handy, but that's no big deal; look for particular materials on the insides of the pads such that when you go down in the butterfly, they won't stick to the ice if you're sliding from side to side (I can't remember what material exactly); and most importantly, look for a solid knee protector so that if you go down early and the puck catches your knee, you'll have some padding there - that may be the worst pain you'll have having a partial or full dislocation. I'm not an expert though, but these are just a few stuff.