Where to buy Goalie Equipment?

[lifer]

I'm looking to get a new blocker and glove, but I don't really know where to start. I thought CP was as good of place as any.
My main problem is that it has been so long since I bought new equipment that I no longer know anything about it. I'm not looking for pro model gloves. I want decent stuff. I'm trying to spend about 500 bucks on the set. Will that get me decent equipment or do I need to expand my budget? Where should I go to look? Will I be able to use the old overstized stuff or do I need to get the smaller NHL equipment? What are some of the key things to look for when I'm shopping?

Thanks.

[soulchoice]

Warning, this will be a long post.

One thing is for sure, do not buy in anywhere in Alberta, especially Calgary. Calgary is the most expensive place in North America to buy goalie equipment. The best place to buy is online, through, Goaliemonkey(in the US), Goalie Crease, Dukes, Don Simmons(all 3 in Ontario). You can also buy stuff via ebay.

For example, I bought a set of pads recently from Cyclone Taylor in Vancouver(via phone) and it cost me 1340.00, the same set of pads in Calgary will run you $1850.00. Huge mark ups in Calgary. If you go to places like Sportchek, the prices will be the same nationwide, but selection is limited at best. The other places in Calgary, such as Tuxedo, Goalie shop, Professional Skate Goalie or B&P is way overpriced.

My suggestion to you, for sizing purposee, go to one of the local shops here in calgary, try on some gear you like and see what is best for you. Dont buy from them if you want to save a ton of money, rather order them online or through phone via one of the shops in Ontario or Cyclone Taylor once you have checked out the gear in the local shop here. I use the local shops for one reason only, to see the product and size it.

If you dont mind used gear, then you could check out the sportswaps, but alot of the stuff there is on consignment and most owners may usually have bought from here in Calgary, so even the used prices are too high, as they payed too much in the first place. Ebay is your friend for used gear.

If you are looking for some stuff right away, I do have a full set of goalie gear I may sell, which has only been used a handful of times. I am not a regular goalie as I play out more, but merely bought the gear cause I got a good deal on it and sometimes its nice to have equipment just in case one cant find a goalie. I have some essentially brand new RBK pads, TPS chest, Itech Mask(4600 series), Itech blocker..etc.

Alot of people buy nice pads, gloves, etc, but for some reason skimp out on a helmet. Big mistake! I notice alot of goalies in some of the leagues or shinnys i play hockey in are wearing Itech 1200 or 2500 series of masks. These are the ones at Sportchek, Sportswap that retail for around 200-300 dollars. Do yourself a favor and dont buy those masks. In the goalie world they are considered WIDOW MAKERS.

Those masks look the same as others, but believe me, they are crap. Plastic masks for protecting your noggin, i dont think so. Spend a little extra and get a decent mask(Itech should be at least a 4000, envy7, 4600, 960 or 9600 series). You can look at the top of the itech mask and there is a label as to what model it is. Dont buy anything that says 1200, 1201 or 2500 for Itech models.

For pads, it really depends on what kind of goalie you choose to be, a stand up, butterfly or hybrid. From there, you can decide what kind of pads to get. You may also want to decide if you need NHL spec or not, if you dont, then you will find good deals now on non NHL spec, since most manufacturers have stopped making them and good deals can be found.

If you have any other questions, let me know.

Sorry man, after reading ur original post, i realized you were only seeking glove/blocker advice...

[soulchoice]

Originally Posted by lifer

I'm looking to get a new blocker and glove, but I don't really know where to start. I thought CP was as good of place as any.
My main problem is that it has been so long since I bought new equipment that I no longer know anything about it. I'm not looking for pro model gloves. I want decent stuff. I'm trying to spend about 500 bucks on the set. Will that get me decent equipment or do I need to expand my budget? Where should I go to look? Will I be able to use the old overstized stuff or do I need to get the smaller NHL equipment? What are some of the key things to look for when I'm shopping?

Thanks.

500 bucks will be more than enough for both a blocker and glove.

For blockers, you just want to ensure there is adequate finger and sidewall protection. I would go with a regular board too, as the thin boards have no real advantage.

For gloves, you could get away with a Senior level glove vs a pro level. As most pro level gloves, you are looking to pay at least 400 dollars. There are a few different kind of gloves it seems now, 47, 60 or 90 degree catch area. It really depends on personal taste. Some gloves are considered more of a catching glove (Vaughn Epic) and some are known as more of a blocking glove(RBK, Vaughn Velocity).

You dont neccesarily have to go with a big name to get quality though(RBK, VAUGHN, TPS, EAGLE). There are several manufacturers in Canada that for the price offer good products, just not the brand name (McKenney, Smith, Simmons, Viper). For the price you cant go wrong.

Once again, if you can find a good deal on the older sizing and your league allows it, that is a good way to save some money. However, the NHL spec stuff is a little smaller, thus you will find yourself to be a little quicker with movements. Once again, its purely preference. Though if you ever want to get rid of your gear in the future, it will be much easier to sell if it is NHL spec.

PM if you want to know more....or reply on here if easier.

[lifer]

Thanks Soulchoice. This is the kind of information I've been looking for. I'm glad to see that the equipment is overpriced in Calgary, because the small amount of gear I've looked at have seemed really high. I also had no idea that some gloves were for blocking and others for catching. I'd definately be more interested in one that is designed for catching (anything to help me with rebounds), what do I look for that distinguishes those types of designs?
What do you know about Bauer gloves? I looked at a Vapour XXX the other day and I liked it. I've also seen some McKenney stuff that I liked. Eagle has always seemed like good equipment to me but I've never seen it at a reasonable price.

[Gravitykillr]

http://www.goaliestore.com/board/index.php
this site is also really good if your not sure what kind of gloves you want, lots of information, lots of reviews of a lot of different companies equipment.

[soulchoice]

Originally Posted by lifer

Thanks Soulchoice. This is the kind of information I've been looking for. I'm glad to see that the equipment is overpriced in Calgary, because the small amount of gear I've looked at have seemed really high. I also had no idea that some gloves were for blocking and others for catching. I'd definately be more interested in one that is designed for catching (anything to help me with rebounds), what do I look for that distinguishes those types of designs?
What do you know about Bauer gloves? I looked at a Vapour XXX the other day and I liked it. I've also seen some McKenney stuff that I liked. Eagle has always seemed like good equipment to me but I've never seen it at a reasonable price.

The Mckenney 755 is a senior glove, but actually better than the 852 pro series when u factor in price, which you can get from Dukes in Toronto for bout 269 has a 47 degree catch area, so its more of a catching glove, however, I know some people have had issues with pop outs. I have seen the glove and used it, it seems fine to me. Made in Canada and quality construction. For the price, you cant beat it, to be honest. The degree of catching area all depends on preference.

For a good deal on Eagle gloves, you may want to check out Goalie Crease in Richmond Hill, Ontario. THat is your best bet or goaliemonkey.com.

As far as the Bauer glove, I have not liked much of Bauers stuff other than the SE pro pads. The glove has had good reviews from what I have researched. Though for the most part, I think you would be happy with it. It has a 60 degree break in it, which is kind of a hybrid( good for catching). Popouts are minimal on it, as the puck supposudly stays in well, once in the glove.

The glove is very similar to the Vaughn 5500 glove which was very well received. Much better glove than the old Reactors, which were horrible. The Bauer glove is a little on the heavy side though, from what i recall. For a good deal, you could contact Dukes in Toronto for the vapor xxx glove.

As far as distinguishing blocking vs catching, you can look at the pockets for one, its kind of hard to explain. If you get some images on the net of the Vaughn gear, you can see the small difference. When the glove is open on the Velocity 3, its more of a rectangle shape, whereas the Epic has a bump or curve around the pocket areas of the glove when opened up. Like i said the Vaughn Velocity 3 glove is more of a blocking glove and the Vaughn Epic is more of a catching style. I will put a couple links up for you to see, though like i said, its hard to tell by images, you almost have to see the gloves in person.

http://www.vaughnhockey.com/product/T%208000 Epic

http://www.vaughnhockey.com/product/T%207500 Velocity 3

[lifer]

Originally Posted by soulchoice

The Mckenney 755 is a senior glove, but actually better than the 852 pro series when u factor in price, which you can get from Dukes in Toronto for bout 269 has a 47 degree catch area, so its more of a catching glove, however, I know some people have had issues with pop outs. I have seen the glove and used it, it seems fine to me. Made in Canada and quality construction. For the price, you cant beat it, to be honest. The degree of catching area all depends on preference.

For a good deal on Eagle gloves, you may want to check out Goalie Crease in Richmond Hill, Ontario. THat is your best bet or goaliemonkey.com.

As far as the Bauer glove, I have not liked much of Bauers stuff other than the SE pro pads. The glove has had good reviews from what I have researched. Though for the most part, I think you would be happy with it. It has a 60 degree break in it, which is kind of a hybrid( good for catching). Popouts are minimal on it, as the puck supposudly stays in well, once in the glove.

The glove is very similar to the Vaughn 5500 glove which was very well received. Much better glove than the old Reactors, which were horrible. The Bauer glove is a little on the heavy side though, from what i recall. For a good deal, you could contact Dukes in Toronto for the vapor xxx glove.

As far as distinguishing blocking vs catching, you can look at the pockets for one, its kind of hard to explain. If you get some images on the net of the Vaughn gear, you can see the small difference. When the glove is open on the Velocity 3, its more of a rectangle shape, whereas the Epic has a bump or curve around the pocket areas of the glove when opened up. Like i said the Vaughn Velocity 3 glove is more of a blocking glove and the Vaughn Epic is more of a catching style. I will put a couple links up for you to see, though like i said, its hard to tell by images, you almost have to see the gloves in person.

http://www.vaughnhockey.com/product/T%208000 Epic

http://www.vaughnhockey.com/product/T%207500 Velocity 3

Thanks again, those pictures really illustrate the difference well. I'm certainly more interested in that Epic. That's a nice looking glove. I'm going to head out to Tuxedo and look at some in person. I really like the way that McKenney 755 looks too.

[soulchoice]

If you like the Vaughn Epic, i have a place that you can order from that will sell it for 400, plus bout 10 dollars shipping. Will usually take bout 2 days to arrive from ordering. I bet in Calgary(Tuxedo, Goalie shop) it sells for 580-600 still. A rip off.

Also, the McKenney 755, you should be able to get it for no more than 270.00 or so. Do not pay more than that, otherwise once again, its overpriced.

Like I mentioned, use the local shops as a place to see the actual gloves and sizing, but unless you feel like paying way more than you need to, order elsewhere.

[Sample00]

I am er my son is the local (Alberta rep) for a new goaltending equipment company called Vortek.
My son has a new set and loves them. Light weight, pre-formed glove, great stuff.
Have a look.
www.vortekhockey.net.

[CMPunk]

Originally Posted by Sample00

I am er my son is the local (Alberta rep) for a new goaltending equipment company called Vortek.
My son has a new set and loves them. Light weight, pre-formed glove, great stuff.
Have a look.
www.vortekhockey.net.

Ummm where are my samples there Axel???

[Sample00]

Originally Posted by CMPunk

Ummm where are my samples there Axel???

next time I come down I will bring the demo set that were made for me, they are ultra nice.

I will be bringing them to the Heckle and Pete will most likely wear the new gear.

[CMPunk]

Originally Posted by Sample00

next time I come down I will bring the demo set that were made for me, they are ultra nice.

I will be bringing them to the Heckle and Pete will most likely wear the new gear.

Haha when do I get mine for the Rep price???