New Equipment Trends
We have noticed some recent trends in hockey equipment. Composite hockey sticks are fairly expensive and players are becoming frustrated with the cost of replacement sticks when they break. Some players are going back to the two piece composite/wooden blade.
The other idea we learned of is the V edge in sharpening skates. The concept is that the edges are sharp like a regular concave cut but that the bottom of the skate is flat. The purpose of this approach is that there is less resistance in gliding and as a result less effort and more speed.
The Right Equipment
Buying the right hockey equipment can be a
complex and expensive experience. Lifetime Hockey staff have years
of playing and buying experience and we bring this experience to our
equipment store. We have provided recommendations and reviews for
equipment we believe will be of high value to the adult recreational
player. For the basics of hockey equipment design and usage please
visit the equipment section of this website by
clicking here. Hockey Giant is our main equipment provider but
we also think you might want to look at:
-
Hockey Deals - a discount store with limited but inexpensive gear
- Shop USCHO - a place to get college hockey jerseys and gear
- Ice Jerseys - a store to purchase Jerseys for your team along with NHL
and vintage items
Good Gear at a great
right price
Our primary equipment affiliate is the Hockey Giant. Although the
Hockey Giant is similar to a hockey warehouse, we think that with our
recommendations you will get the highest quality equipment. Check
their sales and clearances. There are some good deals here from time
to time! Hockey Giant also has an "Ask the Expert" feature which is
a live text messaging service with their sales department. If you
have questions regarding the proper size, return policy et cetera, try
this feature.
To find the specific item we have
recommended please copy the item number and when you go to Hockey Giant
paste it into their search box.
We have selected a number of items below
we think are appropriate for the adult beginner or intermediate hockey
player. If you find other equipment you really like please let us
know and we will feature it.
Skates
RBK 9K Senior Ice
Hockey Skates
If you have wide feet, you cannot go wrong
with a pair of RBK skates. The Reebok Senior Ice Hockey
skate is the pro model that Sidney Crosby wears. They are made by
CCM. We can attest to the high quality of this skate. We
were able to make cuts and turns that we could not make with other
skates. The RBK has a curved cut-out blade which reduces
weight as well as holes drilled into the bottom of the skate that help
to dry out the skate as well as diminish its weight. It also has
the pump feature which provides additional tightness around the top of
the ankles without restricting flex. Just remember to release the
pressure before you try to take the skates off. We recommend
that you get properly measured for hockey skates. Generally your
skate size will be smaller than your shoe size. For example, Mark
wears a 9.5 shoe but a 7.5 RBK. The tighter the fit, the better in
our opinion.
Bauer Vapor XXV
Senior Ice Hockey Skates
This is the Bauer equivalent of the Reebok
9K. We like the Bauer skates too. If you have a
wider foot, this might be the skate for you.
These are great skates. They mold to your feet and have a good
heal support.
Helmets
CCM
892 Hockey Helmet
This is an excellent helmet. It is very solid and will protect your
head in most situations. We recommend that you purchase a new helmet
about every three years. The foam insert loses its ability to keep its
shape over time and as a result the helmet's integrity is compromised.
There is an "interactive fitting room" listed on the Hockey Giant web page
that has helmets, cages and shields and it works for most of the equipment
sold.
Be sure to purchase a full cage for your helmet. The cage pictured is
a Bauer. Cages are a personal preference. We have tried shields,
half shields, shield/cage combinations and we think the simple full cage is
the best protection and the least hassle for the adult player. Be sure
it has a chin protector so that your helmet is securely attached to you head
and chin. Shields always fog up even with all of the anti-fog agents
that are out there. Half shields really only protect your eyes and
that is not guaranteed. Good stick-handlers go by feel, you don't need
a half shield or a shield to be better able to see the puck. If you
don't think about it, you can see through a cage just fine.
The Nike Bauer Helmet is a good value. It provides great
protection for the head and it comes with a cage already fitted to the
helmet. Remember to replace your helmet approximately every three
years; the foam tends to become compressed over time and the helmet
loses it protective integrity.
Shin Pads
RBK 9K ASD Senior Hockey Shin Guards - 2007
These are expensive shin pads
but worth the price. You will never feel another slap shot
again. When you wear them put the bottom flap over the top
of your skate and you will maximize its protection.
Mission Fuel
110 Senior Hockey Shin Guards
The Mission Fuel 110 Shin Guards are light
and provide excellent protection. They are adjustable to
fit your knee and leg size. The shin pads fit your right
and left legs (anatomically designed for each leg).
The Easton shin guards wrap around the back of the leg and
provided added protection to blows from behind. This is a nice
shin guard.
Sticks
Easton Synergy ST Grip Senior Hockey Stick
This is an incredible hockey stick. It
is expensive--probably $169-$189 but is worth it. It
really has some snap to it. Snap shots and wrist shots
really take off. The slap shot is heavy off of this stick.
If you like to flip the puck off the glass or out of the zone,
try the Lidstrom pattern. It has a mid-heel curve that is
fabulous.
This is also a very good stick.
It is extremely light and has a very touch when handling the puck.
We would recommend the 85 flex for the amateur player. 100 and 110
are too stiff for the average adult hockey player.
This is the pro stick. It
has a great feel and serious whipping action. We would recommend
the whip flex for adult amateur player.
Elbow Pads
Easton Stealth S5
Senior Elbow Pads
Try these elbow pads if you are looking for
solid protection. We are not sure why they are called the
Stealth S5? It sounds a bit like a piece of military
equipment. One tip with elbow pads, once you get "your"
fit, don't undo the Velcro straps, just slide the elbow paid on
and off your elbow. You will get the same fit each time
without the Velcro stretching and grabbing at your jersey.
This is the enhanced version of
the S5. It has more adjustments to make this elbow pad stay
precisely where you place it to provide the maximum elbow protection.
Easton makes a nice elbow pad.
The RBK pads have the 3D mesh
technology which means that they wick moisture and dry more quickly.
These are a good value for an elbow pad.
Gloves
CCM 892 Senior
Hockey Gloves
These CCM gloves are smaller in size so they
give you great flexibility and agility in working with you stick
but they also provide good protection for your hands and wrist.
Unless you are a smaller person, go with the 15"/38 cm size.
You might want to skimp here, but shoulder
protection is especially important for adult players. Take
it from someone who has separated both shoulders: one shoulder
with a $20 shoulder pad and the other shoulder with an $80
shoulder paid. Shoulder one--grade 2 (separations are
graded 1-3) and shoulder two (with better protection--barely a
1).
The Mission Fuel 110 shoulder pads have a
unique look but provide great protection to the sternum and the spine.
You will be a knight in armor with these shoulder pads.
These shoulder pads are a great value.
They are light but provide excellent protection for the shoulders, spine
and sternum.
Hockey Bags
Nike Bauer Team Canvas
Senior Hockey Equipment Bag
Hockey equipment bags are a person choice.
Some players like the "back pack" style and others like bags
with wheels on them. One thing to consider is the more
pockets and zippers the greater chance that they will break or
rip out. This is especially true of the "external" skate
pockets and other types of features that are outside the
equipment bag. Our experience is the more simple hockey
bags will last the longest and this is why we recommend
something like the Nike Bauer Team Canvas bag.
This hockey bag is unique for those players
or their spouses that don't like the smell of sweaty hockey equipment.
The Shock Doctor claims that it can it keeps itself dry and kills
bacteria. It has a hose port in which an option dryer can be
connected to blow out the bag.
Other equipment to consider purchasing:
Stick wax (it helps keep the snow and ice off your stick);
spread it liberally on the tape of your stick).
Skate toe protection (with leather skates, it helps protect and
prolong the life of skate by putting extra protection where
the puck strikes the skate).
Bagball Hockey Equipment deodorant (this is an equipment
deodorant that you an place in your hockey bag and it will help mask
the smell and will kill some of the bacteria that is there.
Hockey ball; if you want to improve your stick handling,
purchase a hockey ball--it feels likes a puck and weighs about the
same--practice indoors on carpeting or any flat surface. Mark
keeps his stick and a hockey ball next to his television and he
practices 5 minutes every evening and now he can stick handle with
his eyes closed.
