IkeaMonkey*
Guest
How's about listing your current equiptment and giving a quick review of your likes/dislikes about each piece...
Helmets:
Nike 0004-I've got a large melon, so this lightly padded, very roomy helmet fits me well. It's not too lightly padded that it is dangerous(alot of Pros wear it), but certainly not as protective as one of the newer Bauer 5000, 8000 models
Nike Quest. - Ahhh my bike helmet...errr well it feels like it. The padding is hard as a rock, however, it is very well padded in comparison to the 4000/0004.
Sheild/Cages-
Itech Tinted Pro Wave Visor on the 0004 - The nose cut on this visor is perfect for breathability and no fog. The tinted does reduce some glare from arena lights.
Nike/Bauer FM4000 on the Quest - Not much to say. Your basic chrome cage. Pretty good visibility.
Elbow Pads -
Bauer 2000 - Used them primarily for roller hockey. Worked OK there, nothing special. Would occasionally slip if you didnt have the bicep protector strapped TIGHTLY.
Easton Synergy - The benchmark in elbow pads. I prefer them over any other pad on the market for many reasons. One is that it is a 3 piece pad, so it flexes in two areas giving unbelieveable mobility.The pad never slips. It has three straps to hold it secure and silicon gripping on the bicep and slash guards. Speaking of slash guard, the thing is so low profile, you'd think it was flimsy, but man the composite in it is unbelieveable. You could take a Zdeno Chara-like hack and not feel a thing. Gen IV Air Bladder donut on the inner elbow also works wonders. Go ahead, take a fall, the bladder feels like a cushion on your elbow.
Shin -
Bauer 2000 - Ehhhhh It's ok I guess. Used it mostly for roller hockey, so again, it served its purpose. Wouldnt think of taking them to the ice however.
Nike V10 - At first, I hated them. The non-elastic straps can be a hassle at first, however, once you get used to them, you realize they keep that pad SNUG to your leg.When your suiting up in the lockerroom, you may think the pag is clunky, when you step on the ice, you realize the tapered design is great. Very solid protection all around on this pad. Not sure I'd select it for a VERY HIGH level of competition, but I've blocked many a shots in my adult league and felt nothing.
Gloves -
Bauer Vapor X, XV, XX(I'll group em all together) - My favorite gloves on the market. The X line is your entry level into the Vapor line. For the $50-60 dollars its a pretty fine glove, I'd suggest it for open hockey or a casual non-competitive league. However it can take its hacks. The XV line is my favorite. The cuff is adjustable, which allows for a tighter fit(which really isnt needed as they are probably in the top 10% in tightness on the glove market). This pad has better foam than the X line and includes the Nike Dri-Fit materials for helping keep the glove dry during games. The XX, well, its the top of the line Vapor glove, however I do not think it is worth the extra $40-60 over the XV.
Mission M-1 - Fits like a glove. However, I prefer a segmented glove like the vapor line over a "rolled" glove like the M-1 and CCM Tacks. The rolls are good for flash protection, however they make the glove feel a bit bulky. If you can find these gloves on closeout at your local shop, definetly give them a go, just dont schill out top dollar for them.
Ice Skates -
CCM Vector 7.0 - THE. Skate. I loveeee this skate. The CCM F-I-T system gives a "gapless" fit just as the description entails. Very lightweight. Very protective. The new "Lace Lock" technology is amazing for lacing up your skates, gone is the dreaded cuts and blisters from trying to make your skates very tight. In is the locking technology which grabs hold of the laces and doesnt let go. The Plastic toe cap is good for keeping the skate in great shape, performance wise and appearance wise.
Bauer Vapor 10(not the X...these are the old school vapors) - They didnt fit me. I have a wider foot, so I had to squeeze my feet into these. Not exactly what I like. However, they are also very light and definetly protective. If they fit your foot, not a bad skate.
Roller Hockey Skates:
Mission D3 - I tried on the D1 and did not like them. So I went with these babies. Great inline skate. Fit is fine and does the job protection wise in games. Not much more to say about roller hockey skates as protection and weight really arent key factors(to me at least).
Mission RL - Your basic mission design from the early days to now. It has no special boot look like the DNA series and new Helium line, it just went with the flow from the beginning. Pretty good skate.
Shoulder - No need anymore.
Pants - Mission Warp. Paid $30 for them, pretty darn good bang for the buck if I say so myself. Theyve got a high back protection and a nice belly pad in the front.
Sticks -
Mission M-1 - Used these for roller hockey, however they are definetly top of the line ice sticks as well. The blue color is a pretty nice color. The weight was also pretty good. I however could not find a blade curve that I liked.
Bauer XX - Love them. The sticks are verryyy lightweight and come in many blade patters. I prefer the P88/Lindros. The wavebridge blade gives the stick a nice feel when stick handling and shooting.
Easton Typhoon(shaft) - Only a $50 shaft, so you cannot expect much. However with a shaft, you are able to feel out every company's pattern and pop them into the stick. Overall the Typhoon shaft is very durable and not TOO heavy.
Helmets:
Nike 0004-I've got a large melon, so this lightly padded, very roomy helmet fits me well. It's not too lightly padded that it is dangerous(alot of Pros wear it), but certainly not as protective as one of the newer Bauer 5000, 8000 models
Nike Quest. - Ahhh my bike helmet...errr well it feels like it. The padding is hard as a rock, however, it is very well padded in comparison to the 4000/0004.
Sheild/Cages-
Itech Tinted Pro Wave Visor on the 0004 - The nose cut on this visor is perfect for breathability and no fog. The tinted does reduce some glare from arena lights.
Nike/Bauer FM4000 on the Quest - Not much to say. Your basic chrome cage. Pretty good visibility.
Elbow Pads -
Bauer 2000 - Used them primarily for roller hockey. Worked OK there, nothing special. Would occasionally slip if you didnt have the bicep protector strapped TIGHTLY.
Easton Synergy - The benchmark in elbow pads. I prefer them over any other pad on the market for many reasons. One is that it is a 3 piece pad, so it flexes in two areas giving unbelieveable mobility.The pad never slips. It has three straps to hold it secure and silicon gripping on the bicep and slash guards. Speaking of slash guard, the thing is so low profile, you'd think it was flimsy, but man the composite in it is unbelieveable. You could take a Zdeno Chara-like hack and not feel a thing. Gen IV Air Bladder donut on the inner elbow also works wonders. Go ahead, take a fall, the bladder feels like a cushion on your elbow.
Shin -
Bauer 2000 - Ehhhhh It's ok I guess. Used it mostly for roller hockey, so again, it served its purpose. Wouldnt think of taking them to the ice however.
Nike V10 - At first, I hated them. The non-elastic straps can be a hassle at first, however, once you get used to them, you realize they keep that pad SNUG to your leg.When your suiting up in the lockerroom, you may think the pag is clunky, when you step on the ice, you realize the tapered design is great. Very solid protection all around on this pad. Not sure I'd select it for a VERY HIGH level of competition, but I've blocked many a shots in my adult league and felt nothing.
Gloves -
Bauer Vapor X, XV, XX(I'll group em all together) - My favorite gloves on the market. The X line is your entry level into the Vapor line. For the $50-60 dollars its a pretty fine glove, I'd suggest it for open hockey or a casual non-competitive league. However it can take its hacks. The XV line is my favorite. The cuff is adjustable, which allows for a tighter fit(which really isnt needed as they are probably in the top 10% in tightness on the glove market). This pad has better foam than the X line and includes the Nike Dri-Fit materials for helping keep the glove dry during games. The XX, well, its the top of the line Vapor glove, however I do not think it is worth the extra $40-60 over the XV.
Mission M-1 - Fits like a glove. However, I prefer a segmented glove like the vapor line over a "rolled" glove like the M-1 and CCM Tacks. The rolls are good for flash protection, however they make the glove feel a bit bulky. If you can find these gloves on closeout at your local shop, definetly give them a go, just dont schill out top dollar for them.
Ice Skates -
CCM Vector 7.0 - THE. Skate. I loveeee this skate. The CCM F-I-T system gives a "gapless" fit just as the description entails. Very lightweight. Very protective. The new "Lace Lock" technology is amazing for lacing up your skates, gone is the dreaded cuts and blisters from trying to make your skates very tight. In is the locking technology which grabs hold of the laces and doesnt let go. The Plastic toe cap is good for keeping the skate in great shape, performance wise and appearance wise.
Bauer Vapor 10(not the X...these are the old school vapors) - They didnt fit me. I have a wider foot, so I had to squeeze my feet into these. Not exactly what I like. However, they are also very light and definetly protective. If they fit your foot, not a bad skate.
Roller Hockey Skates:
Mission D3 - I tried on the D1 and did not like them. So I went with these babies. Great inline skate. Fit is fine and does the job protection wise in games. Not much more to say about roller hockey skates as protection and weight really arent key factors(to me at least).
Mission RL - Your basic mission design from the early days to now. It has no special boot look like the DNA series and new Helium line, it just went with the flow from the beginning. Pretty good skate.
Shoulder - No need anymore.
Pants - Mission Warp. Paid $30 for them, pretty darn good bang for the buck if I say so myself. Theyve got a high back protection and a nice belly pad in the front.
Sticks -
Mission M-1 - Used these for roller hockey, however they are definetly top of the line ice sticks as well. The blue color is a pretty nice color. The weight was also pretty good. I however could not find a blade curve that I liked.
Bauer XX - Love them. The sticks are verryyy lightweight and come in many blade patters. I prefer the P88/Lindros. The wavebridge blade gives the stick a nice feel when stick handling and shooting.
Easton Typhoon(shaft) - Only a $50 shaft, so you cannot expect much. However with a shaft, you are able to feel out every company's pattern and pop them into the stick. Overall the Typhoon shaft is very durable and not TOO heavy.
