Hockey equipment stores

[Schraderbrau]

Where does everyone tend to go to get their gear in Calgary? I have always bought most of my gear from hockey experts on Deerfoot meadows but I live close to 130th so I always walk through hockey life when I'm in the area but they always seem more expensive.

I recently convinced the wife that I can get some new skates so I went online today to see what stores had grafs in stock (off topic but I heard they are closing Graf Canada). Anyways, I found some Graf G8035 85 flex that looked decent, however they are listed as $699 at hockey life and $299 at hockey experts. I was surprised to see a potential 400 dollar swing in price for the same skates from one store to the next.

Where do others in town get there gear and do you find certain stores have better prices then others?

[squiggs96]

It would be awesome if this is the start of CP threads asking where something is, and we don't ruin a hilarious Simpsons' scene, with a lame version of the joke.

[nickerjones]

Originally Posted by Schraderbrau

Where does everyone tend to go to get their gear in Calgary? I have always bought most of my gear from hockey experts on Deerfoot meadows but I live close to 130th so I always walk through hockey life when I'm in the area but they always seem more expensive.

I recently convinced the wife that I can get some new skates so I went online today to see what stores had grafs in stock (off topic but I heard they are closing Graf Canada). Anyways, I found some Graf G8035 85 flex that looked decent, however they are listed as $699 at hockey life and $299 at hockey experts. I was surprised to see a potential 400 dollar swing in price for the same skates from one store to the next.

Where do others in town get there gear and do you find certain stores have better prices then others?

299 is a great deal on those and btw Graf Canada is already closed.

[Schraderbrau]

Originally Posted by nickerjones

299 is a great deal on those and btw Graf Canada is already closed.

I might have to make a stop there on my way home from work tomorrow to check them out. Thanks.

[N-E-B]

I'd double check the skates you're looking at. Barring a very good sale, there is no way on earth there would be a $400 difference between stores. You may be looking at the lower end model.

[Schraderbrau]

Originally Posted by N-E-B

I'd double check the skates you're looking at. Barring a very good sale, there is no way on earth there would be a $400 difference between stores. You may be looking at the lower end model.

I thought that as well, or perhaps the website has a mix up. I won't know until I go down and take a closer look.

[nickerjones]

Yes maybe you're seeing the 9035 ( which was the top of the line skate) for that price.

Btw 9035's are a great skate. I use them and think they are the most comfortable skate I have ever owned.

[manwiches]

food for thought, for those looking at Grafs. I've worn grafs for years, was going to buy new 703's last year, but was hoping in the past 10 years they've changed the technology to make them lighter. Yes, they have, but the holder is exactly the same (corbra) and is amongst the heaviest out there. I fit in the Bauer Vapour X100 as they were clearing them out last year, and they fit identical to my 703s, and are significantly lighter.

That being said, I've loved my Grafs all the way through playing, even as minors. Bauer just made a cheaper and lighter skate that fit and felt the exact same.

[Lubicon]

I'm all over the map when it comes to equipment as it really depends what I need and what the urgency is. However for sticks one place i really like is B&P Cycle on Forest Lawn as they have the whole basement full of older models that you can sometimes find a great deal on. The only trouble is they are closed Sundays and not open evenings which tends to be the only times I can get over there so it's tough to shop there.

[Canehdianman]

I never understood the love for Graf. They were probably 3x heavier than a CCM or Bauer.

maybe you are all faster skaters than me.

[northcrunk]

I usually order from Hockey Supremacy online. Usually have a good discount plus you get credits towards buying more stuff (loyalty points). I think $15 off for referals too. You even get loyalty points for making reviews. I spent $600 buying a complete set of gear and have $80 in loyalty credits to spend.

[Tapestar]

http://www.albertahockeyshow.ca/ Aug 13-14

Don't know if the exhibitors will have stock for sale, but maybe a chance to try some competing brands.

[Schraderbrau]

Originally Posted by Schraderbrau

I thought that as well, or perhaps the website has a mix up. I won't know until I go down and take a closer look.

I managed to get down to hockey experts after work and they didn't have any 8035's on the shelf so I asked the sales guy stating that they showed them online. They did have a limited number of pairs of 8035s regular $699 on for $299 in the back. Luckily they had some in my size so I feel like I scored a good deal.

I went from a set of eastons that I loved 5 years ago to a set of rbk 12Ks that I have hated since I bought them to this pair of grafs. They felt good in store and seem to have a lot of padding and support so hopefully they make the grade. There is also a 30 dollar gift card when you buy 150 worth of hockey gear right now so I also scored that for when I load my son up in a couple of weeks.

[Schraderbrau]

Originally Posted by Lubicon

I'm all over the map when it comes to equipment as it really depends what I need and what the urgency is. However for sticks one place i really like is B&P Cycle on Forest Lawn as they have the whole basement full of older models that you can sometimes find a great deal on. The only trouble is they are closed Sundays and not open evenings which tends to be the only times I can get over there so it's tough to shop there.

Good to know. I have a old reebok 10k stick that is falling apart but has been a good one. I might need to stop in there and see if they have any as they gone the way of the dinosaur.

[CroFlames]

Can we use this thread as a heads up for hockey sales? I'm going to play in the fall again and I need some new gear.