I completely agree with what was said in the last few posts for "shinny and no contact".
However, no check with contact is a different ball game. It can even be worse than full contact because IMO it gets chipier/dirtier. Guys use the stick vs. a clean legal hit.
It really depends on the guys your playing against. Friendly shinny and you aren't getting tackled in front of the net, punched in the head, skates kicked out from under you, and two handers to the forearms and gloves on a regular basis. So yeah a good helmet, top level pants, and wrist guards(I like short gloves) are a necessity if you don't want to get hurt. My teammate is out for months due to broken ribs sustained after being cross checked into the net from behind and hitting the crossbar. This is a no check league. Should he wear no shoulder pads or Sherwood 5030's for more mobility? Again, depends on what goes on in your pickup, league, etc.
In contrast, our friendly Sunday night shinny/pickup games and I could get away with cheap shoulder pads, pants, gloves, and helmet.
I realize the title of the thread is "shinny", but not everyone's definition of shinny is the same and the not everyone is playing against clean, level headed opponents. Protect yourself accordingly.