Am I on the right path?

archi2this · Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 8:24 pm Post subject: Am I on the right path?

Quick intro:

-i'm 27
-only worn pads 5 times in my life (starting in 2003): 1 roller league game with puck, 1 drop in with puck and 3 times with some friends. Borrowed equipment each time.
-Plan on playing drop-ins and eventually roller league with puck
*anything else you need to know just ask

What I already have:

-scored some itech 7.8 x-wing pads w/matching glove/blocker, used for 1 season of high school ice hockey.
-went with 33+1 because I found a deal and because the 32's i've worn felt small and the 34's felt bulky. (guy at perani's told me I NEED 34's, i've tried on 32/33/34 there)

Here's the question part, what i'm eyeing to complete my first entry level set:
-itech x-wing pro chest (i think its 12. Cool

from GM cleared out 190
-nike bauer supreme one75 pants from GM sale 110
-itech N14 neck protector from GM cleared out for 25
-eagle goalie bag 40x18x18 from GM cleared out for 40
-stick = unknown...was eyeing reebok 7k composite from GM cleared out for 60, but after review's idk.
-helm = unknown...was eyeing itech profile 2500 from GM cleared out for 130 with free neck guard...after reading review's, i'm not sure if this is good enough for plain old roller hockey with a puck.

My thoughts after reading some reviews (tell me if i'm on target or what)
pads/glove/block-happy with the purchase, awaiting them in mail
-chest, seems overkill for roller hockey
-legs seem like they'd align with the midlevel pads well, but may be a small overkill for roller hockey
-neck guard n14, fine
-eagle bag, fine
-stick...idk here, reading some stuff leads me to think a foam core would be better
-helm, itech profile 2500 ought to be plenty for basic roller hockey with puck, but i havent found one reviewer who has owned one that wasnt dying to get out of it.

If the helm is not going to cut it for what i'm going to use it for, i'll have to downgrade the chest and pants and even then prolly save up more cash for a better helm, as the next step up seems to be 250+

So there it is...please and thank you for any advice and help.

PS: I plan on playing roller drop/league with puck. The couple times I did wear the gear i had people impressed with how good i was for how little i have played. Not that i'm good at all, but vs my experience and playing time they said i was pretty good...may have just been being nice lol.

Barring finding out that i'm a goalie god, i have zero plans on playing ice with the set i'm putting together. Should I end up good enough then i'll use my experience here and either replace certian items or just buy all new stuff in a couple years. At 27, i'm old enough to know going in that this is just for fun, but young enough that it is something i could end up enjoying for many more years.

Anyway, i'm new to the forum and thanks again in advance.

archi2this · Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 8:29 pm Post subject:

Addition:

FYI, the 33+1 pads, blocker and glove itech 7.8 x-wing used for 1 season of high school ice hockey were $250usd for the whole set. 20 bucks for shipping. I think thats a decent price after having looked around a bit, but it wouldnt hurt to know if i got hosed or not. I found some good deals at GM on cleared out sets for around 100-120 more, but judging by the pics and the small bit of usage the 7.8's have seen, i felt saving the 100-120 was worth it...you tell me though.

Also, trying things on and listening to the guys at perani's, the pants are sized medium and so is the chest. I'm about 5'8-5'10 (lol, honestly dont know) and 180lbs.

bullsandscars · Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2010 5:19 am Post subject:

I am currently using an Itech 2500 helmet. I play B level tournament hockey but face a fair amount of A players. Ive taken some 80+ mph slapshots off the cage. It held up well so far. My only complaint is the fit, i have not been able to get it as tight as id like but maybe that cause its too big for me. I'd say its probably sufficient for roller hockey if you like the way it fits.
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archi2this · Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2010 11:44 pm Post subject:

Just got the 7.8 catch/block/legs from mail, wow. I know they're old to many of you, but these look pretty darn good and at an amazing price too. Used VERY slightly, no frays or tears and all straps/etc are 100%. I'm so damn excited now, got my first piece's of the puzzle.

After i won the auction, I was worried when I couldnt find a brown/white 7.8 pad, but then I found them at GM, turns out its the "special edition" colors. Pretty sweet to see the same glove/block(well GM only has full right glove/block) and same size pads that currently would sell for near twice what i paid for very slightly used ones.

Bullsandscars, thanks for the first hand experience, I was on the fence with the mask because of all the bad press...But then again i'm not going to be doing anything but low level drop ins for a long time i suspect.

Anymore advice or input is very much appreciated .

canadian_man_44 · Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2010 3:52 pm Post subject:

I'll be honest with you....I really don't care what mask you use. It's your head. If you want to use a mask that is commonly known as a widow maker, go ahead. Regardless of how many people tell you how great this mask was for them, it is still known as a bad mask for concussions and injuries. Some people have harder heads so it doesn't affect them as much, but, I wouldn't put one on my head for a ball hockey game.
Your head is your most important asset. Do you really want to chance messing it up with a piece of crap helmet? Do yourself a favor and buy a good mask. You might pay a little more but it's worth it.

EDIT: I did a little re-read of your post and laughed when I saw this.
"itech profile 2500 ought to be plenty for basic roller hockey with puck, but i havent found one reviewer who has owned one that wasnt dying to get out of it."
Pretty much sums it up for me. LMAO
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archi2this · Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2010 12:29 am Post subject:

Do you happen to know if the bauer masks that appear to be the same as the itechs have the same problems? Kind of a dumb question, but I havent seen any word on this at all.

Returning2MyNet · Minors Joined: 09 Mar 2009 Posts: 379

the deal is simple you need buy a mask that will protect your head. If your playing with guys where you can see the puck on every shot, a 2500 or the new baure or cheap rbk is honestly plenty of mask. If the shots are fast enough that you can not see them in flight you need a mask with lower compressibility.
MAtch your gear to the level of play. you are better to spend a 550 on A GM pad combo and 350 on a hackava mask than spending 800 on leg pads and 400 on gloves.
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montreal961 · Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2010 7:14 pm Post subject: