Equipment: Taking the plunge and joining a league this summer

[Twist and Shout]

Need to buy new equipment. Here's what I'm looking at:

Skates
http://www.hockeymonkey.com/easton-hockey-skates-synergy-eq40-sr.html

Helmet
http://www.hockeymonkey.com/mission-hhintakehelmetsr.html

Shoulder Pads
http://www.hockeymonkey.com/ccm-hockey-shoulder-pad-uplus-fit09-le-sr.html

Pants
http://www.hockeymonkey.com/bauer-hockey-pants-one55-sr.html

Jock
http://www.hockeymonkey.com/under-armour-hockey-mesh-jock-short-sr.html

Elbow Pads
http://www.hockeymonkey.com/easton-hockey-elbow-pad-stealth-55s-sr.html

Shin Guards
http://www.hockeymonkey.com/reebok-hockey-shin-guards-kinetic-fit-7k-sr.html

Socks
http://www.hockeymonkey.com/firstar-hockey-socks-kevlar-pro-series.html

Picked these mostly based on reviews and pricing online. I'm 5'8, 155lbs, right handed winger..just starting out.

Any advice based on what I've selected? Better alternatives? And stick suggestions?

Also, what other equipment is a must for you? Neckguard, mouthguard etc.?

 

[JoeCool16]

How about a cage or visor? If you aren't wearing a cage, definitely go with the mouth guard!

Also, remember you'll need a bag for all this, and skate guards are kind of nice to have too (those things that go over the blade to protect them while you're carrying them around).

 

[Jarick]

First, check the sticky guides up top for equipment, skates, and sticks.

All equipment, but especially the skates and helmet, are very particular about how they fit. Can't just go by a sizing chart and reviews. Need to try them on in person.

I think your links are iffy, the Intake helmet you linked isn't available anymore. If it was, I'd snatch one up.

 

[AIREAYE]

If you're in Ontario, why are you considering HockeyMonkey?

 

[jordanking87]

If the eq40s fit they are a great skate...I have about 15 hours on mine and im loving them.

 

[TrueBlue86]

yea don't get your hopes up with hockey monkey prices lol

i found all my stuff on hockey monkey last year when i was researching all my stuff, then found out they don't ship to canada (like any US site pretty much)

 

[McMozesmadness]

Just joined a summer league first time skating in 4 years almost died

 

[Twist and Shout]

If you're in Ontario, why are you considering HockeyMonkey?

Expected them to delivery. What is the go-to option for Canadian residents?

 

[TickleMeYandle]

Personally, I would look for a local store and see if they have a beginner package. When I started, I got a full set of equipment - including a bag to carry it in - for $259. Skates were not included, but everything else was.

 

[29Potvins]

If you're in Toronto, try Majer Hockey in North York. Their staff was really friendly when I went, and seemed to know their stuff.
Otherwise, Pro Hockey Life at Vaughan Mills is a pretty huge store.
Finally, there are Source for Sports stores at several locations in Ontario. Try those.

I've been able to pick up some equipment for fairly cheap at Sportchek (during sales etc).

If you are really keen on ordering online, you can try http://www.hockeysupremacy.com although their selection seems a bit limited.

 

[AIREAYE]

If you're in Toronto, try Majer Hockey in North York. Their staff was really friendly when I went, and seemed to know their stuff.
Otherwise, Pro Hockey Life at Vaughan Mills is a pretty huge store.
Finally, there are Source for Sports stores at several locations in Ontario. Try those.

I've been able to pick up some equipment for fairly cheap at Sportchek (during sales etc).

If you are really keen on ordering online, you can try http://www.hockeysupremacy.com although their selection seems a bit limited.

OP: forget the monkey dude, Potvins gave you the options here.

If you're looking for selection above all else and don't care much about deals/pricing, I would head to PHL. Sportchek will have the deals but depending on the store, will be shorter on selection. SFS will have the service, which will be imperative given your needs, and good deals as well.

I recommend scouting out various locations and seeing what you can get.

 

[Jarick]

+1 on that, try on a bunch of different stuff and see if there are any clearance deals. If you aren't 100% on buying something, check in and we can give you an idea if it's good or not. All the stuff you picked out above looks pretty solid but you want to try it on because some stuff doesn't fit right.

FWIW, I'm 5'8 and when I was 165, my sizes were all over the map.

Most medium helmets were too narrow for my head but large helmets were too big.

Usually shoulder pads and pants in medium were fine, but you might need suspenders if they are big in the waist.

At 5'8 you could be 13", 14", or 15" shins depending on your leg length.

Gloves are very personal and depends on your hand size but you could be anywhere from 12" to 14" glove size.

Even when I was 165 I had to wear large elbow pads.

 

[nystromshairstylist]

Need to buy new equipment. Here's what I'm looking at:

Skates
http://www.hockeymonkey.com/easton-hockey-skates-synergy-eq40-sr.html

Helmet
http://www.hockeymonkey.com/mission-hhintakehelmetsr.html

Shoulder Pads
http://www.hockeymonkey.com/ccm-hockey-shoulder-pad-uplus-fit09-le-sr.html

Pants
http://www.hockeymonkey.com/bauer-hockey-pants-one55-sr.html

Jock
http://www.hockeymonkey.com/under-armour-hockey-mesh-jock-short-sr.html

Elbow Pads
http://www.hockeymonkey.com/easton-hockey-elbow-pad-stealth-55s-sr.html

Shin Guards
http://www.hockeymonkey.com/reebok-hockey-shin-guards-kinetic-fit-7k-sr.html

Socks
http://www.hockeymonkey.com/firstar-hockey-socks-kevlar-pro-series.html

Picked these mostly based on reviews and pricing online. I'm 5'8, 155lbs, right handed winger..just starting out.

Any advice based on what I've selected? Better alternatives? And stick suggestions?

Also, what other equipment is a must for you? Neckguard, mouthguard etc.?

IMO:

Skates - try on grafs before purchasing
Helmet - try on a bauer 9500
Shoulder pads - try Bauer one40s
Pants - tacklas 2440s
Jocks - under armour (@ hockey monkey)
Socks - get the reeboks
Don't need/use neckguard (overkill) or mouthguard (if you wear a cage, not sure if you need one)

 

[The Tikkanen]

I'd take a day out of your life and go to a hockey store and try on everything. If something doesn't feel just right don't buy it, take your time and look around. Buying mid-end stuff is a better idea than high end because you're basically buying blind. Some brands of pants just don't fit me, same with skates, gloves, helmets but the one big problem with hockey equipment is you learn over time what you like and what you don't like. That means most of us have wasted quite a bit of money on gear we ended up not liking. So don't get caught up on liking a particular brand. Try it all on, one should fit better than the rest. My only advice on your list is go with kevlar skate socks, you might need to change hockey socks depending on who you're playing for but you'll still be protected from skate blade cuts regardless. And when you do pick out a skate make sure you get them baked-blisters are not your friend. You should be 100% comfortable when you play hockey.

 

[17of26]

I'd take a day out of your life and go to a hockey store and try on everything.

This. A good hockey store can help you a lot in figuring out what you need. Also, if you're not particularly picky about specific brands/models, the hockey store will probably give you a deal on the previous year's stock.

Above all, choose gear that's comfortable to you. This may or may not correspond to price. For example, when I was trying on gear I found that I generally liked the feel of low end gloves much better than the high end gloves.