Decent Prices for Hockey Equipment

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by blankall

In my game last night, we had a guy go to block a shot. He was wearing a half visor and caught the puck just below the visor. He was down on the ice for 10 minutes. We all though for sure we'd be out there hunting for teeth. Fortunately, the puck hit him in the neck just under his jaw. Moral of the story...get a full cage.

Originally Posted by red sky

Yeah, it only takes one puck to the face to realize it just isn't worth the risk. Believe me, as it happened to me and now I play with a full cage. You quickly realize you are playing a game and not getting paid.

I gotta say, kudos to anyone that blocks a shot in a manner that might allow it to hit their face. I will rush the D-man, but I will not put my stick out.

Honestly, I don't want my beer and wings consumption affected.

[northcrunk]

Thinking about the cage maybe get a neck guard as well. I haven't used one for years but it's a good thing to use as a beginner. If I'm playing competitive hockey I always wear one. Took a slap shot to the neck once and the neck guard probably saved my life.

[Northendzone]

You clearly value your upper body more than your lower body.

Personally, at the op's level, I spend less on the stick and more on shin pads and a jock

Originally Posted by jayswin

Spend good money

- Skates
- Stick
- gloves
- helmet
- elbow pads

save money

- shin pads
- jock
- pants
- shoulder pads (buy them first, but the most unobtrusive ones you can find, then ditch them once you're comfortable and not falling all over the place)

[northcrunk]

Shin pads are cheap. Get them new. Same with the jock lol. I like the compression shorts jock that has the velcro tabs for my socks.

[squiggs96]

Just wait for the Flames equipment sale at the end of the year and buy NHL quality, sometimes NHL game used, everything. Laugh at people not using NHL level equipment. Make references to your NHL equipment as often as possible.

[Northendzone]

I would also consider getting a pair of knee high cut resistant hockey socks to wear on your feet (as opposed to the other kind of hockey socks). I have no idea if these things really work because I have never been stepped on, but if they save a cut on the back of the leg/Achilles then money (~$50) well spent.

Couple of other thoughts in case you are a real newbie:

- air out you gear after every game, don't be the stinky guy who thinks it is funny, nobody wants to sit beside that guy in the room, or go into the corner with that guy. That guy also has a white jersey that eventually becomes discoloured, that is pathetic
- if you buy any under armour gear, wash it after every game, that stuff retains stink like a baby's diaper
- buy an extra set of laces, your lace will always break minutes before a game and you will be prepared

[MrMastodonFarm]

Knee high socks are always recommended, especially with a cute little skirt.

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Knee high socks are always recommended, especially with a cute little skirt.

If you want to see Polak in a miniskirt, well, who am I to judge?

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Knee high socks are always recommended, especially with a cute little skirt.

Originally Posted by Fuzz

If you want to see Polak in a miniskirt, well, who am I to judge?

[polak]

Originally Posted by northcrunk

Polak you can get a really good pair of skate for $200. The Ribcor 44k are really good and going from old school skates to a new model will be night and day anyway. The new skates are so light.

Looked online and the ribcor skates had pretty good reviews. Got a pair of Ribcor 46k's for 180 today.

Wish I had more time to shop around but Im under the gun.

[Kipper is King]

You may be interested in this Virginia Tech research which rates how effectively various models of helmets protect users.

http://www.beam.vt.edu/helmet/helmets_hockey.php

[CroFlames]

I wear Kevlar socks to protect against cuts.

[GGG]

Originally Posted by Kipper is King

You may be interested in this Virginia Tech research which rates how effectively various models of helmets protect users.

http://www.beam.vt.edu/helmet/helmets_hockey.php

That's a pretty neat study.

A couple of interesting takeaways if you read the foot notes about reporting rates.

The best helmet reduces concussion likelihood by a factor of 3 compared to the worst.

and

The rate of under reporting of concussions is unknown and is the greatest factor in if this is an issue worth caring about. If no concussions are under reported all helmets would receive 5 star ratings and helmet choice while still reducing concussions 3 fold would would reduce concussions likelihood from 1.2% to .4% per year. With the 10 fold under reporting of concussions you get a 12% chance to a 4% chance per year of concussion based on the impacts assumed in the study.

[FlamesKickAss]

Originally Posted by sketchyt

Make sure you get a tinted visor. People love that.

Don't forget the matte black helmet.

[northcrunk]

Originally Posted by polak

Looked online and the ribcor skates had pretty good reviews. Got a pair of Ribcor 46k's for 180 today.

Wish I had more time to shop around but Im under the gun.

They are really good. If you take them into Done rite to get them baked they will feel nice right away. I like the lace lock too.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by northcrunk

If you take them into Done rite to get them baked they will feel nice right away.

follow this advice, it is good advice.

[polak]

People were talking about Stick Wax yesterday.

Worth it?

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by polak

People were talking about Stick Wax yesterday.

Worth it?

nope, not in my opinion, at least not until you can stake and stick handle at the same time.

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by polak

People were talking about Stick Wax yesterday.

Worth it?

Depends what they think it does.

[Rhettzky]

Originally Posted by polak

People were talking about Stick Wax yesterday.

Worth it?

Don't bother. Baby powder is where it's at.