girdle vs pants

[Blueland89]

I know this has been brought up before but lets give it one more go. I have been playing inline for about 3 years now and I am about to start Ice I am buying my first pants/Girdle I'm leaning toward a girdle they seems like better mobility and I like that I can change colors but Pants are cheaper. My main concerns are mobility and spine protection I am willing to spend $100 can somebody help me on this

 

[Stickmata]

I went from girdle to pants and find the pants offer much better mobility/freedom of motion. I was only using a girdle because I was finding it hard to find pants in a +2 that would fit me.

 

[Thepandamancan]

I'm one of those weirdos that use ice pants for inline as well so my vote is for pants. By using shells, you can still change the colors of your pants. Some people find them cumbersome, but with Bauer pants and shells I don't find it to be a problem.

 

[flyers10]

I went from girdle to pants and find the pants offer much better mobility/freedom of motion. I was only using a girdle because I was finding it hard to find pants in a +2 that would fit me.

What model girdle was giving you the longer length like a +2 pant?

 

[IDuck]

went from pants to girdle...will never go back to pants...like the fact of a girdle being tight fitting, i feel like i have better mobility with it...also check out the CCM girdle

 

[mhkehoe]

I just recently got back on the ice after about a 5 year absence, and playing inline exclusively for the last year and a half. I had to buy new pants because my old ones didn't fit great and one of the hip protection pads disintegrated while sitting in the garage during that time (plastic was missing with no holes in the pants )

In short, I didn't like the hockey pants (CCM U+ Fit 07 if interested) after getting so used to the tight fitting girdle in roller. It felt like I would go from no resistance in a stride to suddenly pushing into the material towards the end. This may be more a commentary of the pant, but it also felt like far more padding than I needed for beer league hockey. It wasn't very obvious until I started playing at a drop in game.

So a couple of weeks ago I bought the Warrior Projekt ice girdle from icewarehouse.com with Syko pant shell since a lot of posts on MSH recommended it for a fairly protective girdle with great mobility. I've only had about 4 skates in them, but I have been very happy. It feels just a flexible as my roller girdle, but with significantly better spine protection, hard plastic inserts, and more protective foam. Obviously it is a bit heavier, but nothing to complain about compared to the pants.

Downside of the girdle is the extra heat from it being against the body. Most roller hockey players are going to be used to the heat since a lot of the rinks are either outside or inside without A/C, so you won't notice any heat difference that a pant wearing going to girdle would normally complain about.

If TL;DR, here is the summary. Played ice, quit. Played roller, used girdle, got used to it. Played ice again, no longer like pants, bought ice girdle, love it.

I'd be glad to answer any questions on the gear mentioned here. I feel like I can add a lot more detail, but I didn't want to make the post even longer.

 

[Stickmata]

What model girdle was giving you the longer length like a +2 pant?

I was using a Bauer girdle, but it wasn't giving me a full 2". It was a little longer and I could wear it a little lower. Plus, it didn't look Pejorative Slured on me like some regular size ice pants do. I've since gone to Tackla +2's and I'll never go back. Much more freedom of movement and actually better protection. What really prompted me to switch were gaps on the girdles I had worn that I kept finding when I hit the ice. My first switch was to an Easton S13 long, but the protection just wasn't there. The Tackla's offer great protection with no gaps, though it was a ***** to find +2s in those anywhere.

BTW, I actually got absolutely demolished in a game this [past Saturday night, hardest hit I've ever absorbed in my life, and went down hard on my ass. I'm glad I had the Tackla's on.

 

[bigbadbruins1]

I play both ice and inline.
I find that girdles are useful because they offer less padding ( street ball/puck do less dmg) and fit extremely well with inline pants.
Ice hockey pants offer significantly more protection in the front for shot blocking, and are also non-form fitting as girdles are the they constrict less and offer more movement.

 

[Guffaw]

I was using a Bauer girdle, but it wasn't giving me a full 2". It was a little longer and I could wear it a little lower. Plus, it didn't look Pejorative Slured on me like some regular size ice pants do. I've since gone to Tackla +2's and I'll never go back. Much more freedom of movement and actually better protection. What really prompted me to switch were gaps on the girdles I had worn that I kept finding when I hit the ice. My first switch was to an Easton S13 long, but the protection just wasn't there. The Tackla's offer great protection with no gaps, though it was a ***** to find +2s in those anywhere.

BTW, I actually got absolutely demolished in a game this [past Saturday night, hardest hit I've ever absorbed in my life, and went down hard on my ass. I'm glad I had the Tackla's on.

This is good to hear. Just ordered the Tackla Air 9000's 50+2" and we are almost exactly the same size so I'm hoping I have the same luck with them. I play no check, but there's alot of contact. If I'm in front of the net chances are I'm gonna be on my butt shortly from something that isn't legal, but they "let em' play" down here so gotta come prepared.

I never wore a girdle or even tried one. They look too hot and restrictive.

 

[nycjock7]

i've been playing since i was in 4 th grade.i've had both pants and girdles. i really prefer a girdle it stays in place, i'm not always pulling it up and tightening the belt and i feel more padded even though its less bulky and you can change shells

 

[Badger36]

Pants because they offer better protection. The added comfort of a girdle isnt going to mean much when youre laid up and cant go to work and pay your bills.

 

[mhkehoe]

Pants because they offer better protection. The added comfort of a girdle isnt going to mean much when youre laid up and cant go to work and pay your bills.

The padding is nearly identical to hockey pants, it is just held closer to the body. If you are talking about inline girdles, then I agree. But the girdle I have has all the same hard plastic inserts the pants had.

And just like with any piece of gear, you can buy ones with more or less protection based on needs. The Bauer Vapor and Supreme girdles are highly protective, and from all comments I've seen on them are identical to the pants beyond being tight fitting and no outer material.

 

[Stickmata]

The padding is nearly identical to hockey pants, it is just held closer to the body. If you are talking about inline girdles, then I agree. But the girdle I have has all the same hard plastic inserts the pants had.

And just like with any piece of gear, you can buy ones with more or less protection based on needs. The Bauer Vapor and Supreme girdles are highly protective, and from all comments I've seen on them are identical to the pants beyond being tight fitting and no outer material.

I have a Bauer Supreme girdle and a Tackla 951 pant and they are definately not identical in terms of protection. Not saying that either one is better or worse, but they are not identical in body coverage. I find that my girdle actually has slightly thicker padding, but more gaps, while the pants have better overall coverage around the hips and waist. May be just the way they fit my body shape.

 

[Oowatanite]

LOL I quickly looked at the title and thought I saw girlie pants and was like what the hell?

 

[Guffaw]

I have a Bauer Supreme girdle and a Tackla 951 pant and they are definately not identical in terms of protection. Not saying that either one is better or worse, but they are not identical in body coverage. I find that my girdle actually has slightly thicker padding, but more gaps, while the pants have better overall coverage around the hips and waist. May be just the way they fit my body shape.

That's impressive given the 951 isn't even marketed as a top level pant. I was curious if the 951 would be enough for me, but my bruised hip still keeps me up sometimes months later so I went Air 9000Z.

 

[SelleckStache]

Don't you guys have problems with the top of your shin pads rubbing against the thigh-piece of your girdle?

 

[mhkehoe]

Don't you guys have problems with the top of your shin pads rubbing against the thigh-piece of your girdle?

The girdles are different heights based on brand. I was initially looking at the CCM girdle until I saw a review by someone my size stating that it was a little long for them.

 

[Stickmata]

That's impressive given the 951 isn't even marketed as a top level pant. I was curious if the 951 would be enough for me, but my bruised hip still keeps me up sometimes months later so I went Air 9000Z.

The 951 is definitely a mid level pant. Not near as protective as the 5000's, but it was the only Tackla I could find in the States in a +2. They're much better than the Easton's I was wearing before.

 

[Clarkington III]

Rather than start a new thread, I'd figured I'd ask my few questions here.

I am also looking to make the switch from pant to girdle for ice as the lady friend agreed to finance it for Xmas.

I am mainly looking at the X60 adaptable core as everything I have read is great plus is has the spine protection I haven't had in the two pants I got at PIAS. I also like the adjustable thigh straps as I may get a slightly bigger size and loosen the strap to get a hybrid feel or pant and girdle. I have about 3 weeks before I actually get to go to hockey monkey or hockey giant to go try on a bunch to make sure I get what I want and I pretty much have cut off any chance of traditional pants.

Do most girdles act the same as pants as they won't have velcro for socks or a holder for a jock? In other words, they would just go over my jock shorts like a pant would?

Other than the standard shells offered by most manufactures, is there anywhere to get NHL shells besides eBay?

I noticed that the major retailers seem to be running low on sizes for the x60 girdle. Is Bauer planning on releasing another version or is it a circumstance of the holidays?

 

[Pog Form]

I wonder if it's because of where I live, but in my 10+ years of playing hockey with and against hundreds of players, I've literally never once seen anyone wear a girdle.

 

[Clarkington III]

I wonder if it's because of where I live, but in my 10+ years of playing hockey with and against hundreds of players, I've literally never once seen anyone wear a girdle.

I've seen a few and they seem to be gaining speed in the NHL.

My trio of choices will be both Bauer options and the Warrior Projekt.

 

[leftwinger37]

It's all personal preference. Like some others stated, It depends what is more important to you: mobility or protection.

I just switched from a pair of CCM V08 pants to a RBK 9K girdle a couple of months ago just to experiment. The biggest reason I chose the girdle was because you can customize the length of the thigh padding. With pants, I was a Medium +1 or +2 (depending on the brand) which was often difficult to find. I often settled for a Large which meant I was swimming in them and had to wear suspenders.

When my girdle arrived my first thought was "this is so much less protective than my pants." It's not that bad, but there are more gaps and softer padding in some spots, but that's the trade off for mobility. Also,the girdle does add extra heat because of the proximity to your body, but I have actually found this helpful as it helps to keep my muscles loose.

I have never been one to skimp on protection, but I do make adjustments where I can. So far, I've stuck with the girdle don't plan to switch back. That's my two cents, anyway...