Mom, dad… I need new equipment!

[fiveholegoalie]

© Bandits Goalie School - 2008



With the summer quickly approaching, it seems routine for goalies to want new equipment around this time of the year. Whether it’s been outgrown, broken down or simply old team colors, the question always remains for parents, where can I find the best deal!

With the internet being such an accessible search engine for buyers these days, it’s no wonder the internet is usually the first place a buyer will look before going out and making their final purchase. Yes, an advantage can be seen in today’s market when a buyer purchases gear online which in turn can save the buyer a few less dollars than in an ordinary retail store setting. However, if you look at the big picture, goalie equipment is extremely expensive no matter if you buy it online or at a retailer store. Customers still need to go out and spend some time doing equipment research. This can consist of comparing one piece of equipment to another, price shopping and more importantly, trying on different products for fitting purposes in person.

When purchasing new equipment at a retail store, you have the ability to not only try it on in person but a chance to speak to a knowledgeable store owner or employee that might be well informed about the equipment you're looking to purchase. While retail stores may tend to be a little more expensive then online store pricing, you can always count on being able to try different pieces of equipment on first hand, possibly demoing the products on the ice and in person customer service. However, some consumers might go to a retail store first, try on several different models, compare them and once their mind is made up on a certain product, they’ll go to the internet to find better pricing, possibly free shipping incentives and a reputable return policy.

You may be wondering what influences goalies to purchase one product over another regardless of the price…..major advertising! For manufactures they tend to use their pro players to showcase new equipment that might not be out on the market yet, using them in print advertisements, yearly equipment catalogs or even TV commercials. By doing this, goalies tend to see what the latest equipment trends are and want to use the same brand, model and color schemes as their favorite pro goalie.

One must also consider looking at the economical aspects of purchasing new equipment to used equipment on a regular basis. Sometimes finding the right size, color or model can be difficult. Whether you’re doing your research at local retail stores and on the internet, you’ll eventually find what you’re looking for. If a goalie is still young and growing like a weed, don’t be afraid to look into purchasing used equipment. You can always find used equipment on EBay, GSBB, local sports stores and even on the cork boards at local ice arenas. Used equipment still serves its purpose especially if you can find a great deal which can hold you over for half a season or even till next year. Parents, make sure you also do your own research along with your child are both on the same page when making your final purchase decision whether it’s buying new or used equipment.

Our Bandits staff fields numerous of equipment questions each year. We encourage parents, coaches and goalies to forward any goalie equipment comments or questions they may have this spring and summer when doing research or shopping to info@banditsgoaltending.com. Ultimately, use your time this spring and summer to research all kinds of different brands and models of equipment and see which one not only fits properly but which one fits into the family’s budget too.

Good Luck!

To learn more about Bandits Goalie School, go to: Bandits Goalie Camp - Learn to Rob the Shooters Blind!

[dwtime]

Hi

My son is a goalie, he is 13 and will be 14 in August. Right now he is using a set of Brian's Beast pads that he got used 2 years ago. He loves the feel of these pads, he is, what I a non-goalie parent would call, a hybrid style goalie. This would seem to fit with his preference for pad style, he loves the s curve and the leg channel of the beasts. He has tried a pair of CCM Gatekeepers, a truer butterfly style pad as I understand, for several weeks last season and never felt comfortable in them, he felt he needed to wear them too loose for them to rotate correctly and did not like the flat-faced style.

Here is our problem. These Beast pads he has are OLD. They were probably used at least 2-3 years before he got them, I've had the side seams repaired on both pads as well has having some clairno added to area's that have worn through in the boot area. Based on the current condition of his pads, he needs a new set or will need newer ones sometime soon. The problem I am having is what to get him because he is growing alot right now, new pads or another set of used pads?

If we got him new pads I think I would have to buy pads that would be USA hockey legal for the 2009-2010 season. Ideally I'd like to get him pads that he can use through High School. Is that possible at this stage in his growth? It worries me is that we won't be able to use this investment because he will grow out of them. Not being a goalie I just don't know how the fit of goalie pads change through adolecence.

Long story and no simple answer I'm sure, thanks!

Steve

[lbr119]

Some pads out there have an adjustable Knee cradle. It can move up or down about an inch.

Perhaps he can try Itech's new RX series. They have the adjustable knee cradle and there are various flex options that might suit his playing style.

Hope that helps.

Cheers.

[fiveholegoalie]

The age he's currently at causes an issue when purchasing new or used gear because he's in a growth period.

You might want to stick with what works and try to find another pair of used Brians.

I found these in the GSBB classifieds: http://www.goaliestore.com/board/Cla...ct/3710/cat/23

How tall is he and what's his teams colors?

[pens4life29]

[quote=fiveholegoalie;1203464]© Bandits Goalie School - 2008]

[snlsmith]

Originally Posted by dwtime

Ideally I'd like to get him pads that he can use through High School. Is that possible at this stage in his growth?

My son got his first set (28" Tour) at 10 and they lasted him for 3 years due to slow growth. He was always in the bottom 10th percentile on size since the day he was born. We bought him new 29" McKinneys at 13/14 figuring on contiued slow growth. Nope. Those lasted 1-1/2 years, and only that long because we replaced them later than we should have. The next set, 31" Matrix, we got used form another older player on the HS team. Those lasted 1 season. At 16 we bought (he paid half) a set of barely used 33+1 R8's that thankfully he will be able to use again this year since his growing has slowed.

8th grade - 5'-0"
9th grade - 5'-2"
10th grade - 5'-6"
now, near end of 11th - 5'-9"

With 7 inches there is no way he could have used the same pads, even if they have the adjustable knee cradle and such. Just consign yourselves to the fact that it will be expensive, but you can manage that by going used. Ebay and GSBB are your friends.

[dwtime]

Originally Posted by lbr119

Some pads out there have an adjustable Knee cradle. It can move up or down about an inch.

Perhaps he can try Itech's new RX series. They have the adjustable knee cradle and there are various flex options that might suit his playing style.

Hope that helps.

Cheers.

Thanks for the info, I had heard about the RX pads. I'm hoping my son can try some on this summer at a hockey shop we will be vacationing near. Unfortunately here in Indiana there are no shops with pads available to try one.

[dwtime]

Originally Posted by fiveholegoalie

The age he's currently at causes an issue when purchasing new or used gear because he's in a growth period.

You might want to stick with what works and try to find another pair of used Brians.

I found these in the GSBB classifieds: http://www.goaliestore.com/board/Cla...ct/3710/cat/23

How tall is he and what's his teams colors?

Thanks for the info! My son is 5-7 and he is an Indianapolis Racer so his colors are blue, white and red.

I'm keeping my eye out for Brian's Beast pads, the Brian's pads on the GSBB board would be on the small side since he currently has 34" Brian's. Someone on here has a set of Smith SP1000's for sale (I think they are still for sale) they are 32", they appear to be a bit beat up but he would only use them for 1 season at the most.

[dwtime]

[quote=pens4life29;1211041]

Originally Posted by fiveholegoalie

© Bandits Goalie School - 2008]

Where is that store?

[dwtime]

Originally Posted by snlsmith

My son got his first set (28" Tour) at 10 and they lasted him for 3 years due to slow growth. He was always in the bottom 10th percentile on size since the day he was born. We bought him new 29" McKinneys at 13/14 figuring on contiued slow growth. Nope. Those lasted 1-1/2 years, and only that long because we replaced them later than we should have. The next set, 31" Matrix, we got used form another older player on the HS team. Those lasted 1 season. At 16 we bought (he paid half) a set of barely used 33+1 R8's that thankfully he will be able to use again this year since his growing has slowed.

8th grade - 5'-0"
9th grade - 5'-2"
10th grade - 5'-6"
now, near end of 11th - 5'-9"

With 7 inches there is no way he could have used the same pads, even if they have the adjustable knee cradle and such. Just consign yourselves to the fact that it will be expensive, but you can manage that by going used. Ebay and GSBB are your friends.

Thanks for the info, my son is 5'-7" and is in the 7th grade. I'm guessing he will be at least 6'-1" 6'-2" when his growing is all said and done

[fiveholegoalie]

Originally Posted by dwtime

Thanks for the info! My son is 5-7 and he is an Indianapolis Racer so his colors are blue, white and red.

I'm keeping my eye out for Brian's Beast pads, the Brian's pads on the GSBB board would be on the small side since he currently has 34" Brian's. Someone on here has a set of Smith SP1000's for sale (I think they are still for sale) they are 32", they appear to be a bit beat up but he would only use them for 1 season at the most.

Has he gone to a store in the local area to try on new pads to see what size he would be comfortable in? If you guys go to a store in the near future, remember to bring his skates, pants and cup (maybe have him wear some mesh shorts to the store) and then have him put everything on so he can get a better feel how everything will fit when he has bigger pads on. Some kids go to a store in street cloths and try on pads, buy them and the first time they wear them on the ice they don't fit anything like they did in the store and hate them.

What size pad does he want to go into next, 35' +1?

[fiveholegoalie]

Originally Posted by dwtime

Thanks for the info, my son is 5'-7" and is in the 7th grade. I'm guessing he will be at least 6'-1" 6'-2" when his growing is all said and done

LOL...I hate to say it, I think he might be bigger than 6' -1 or 6'-2. The next 4 years he's going to be growing like a weed!

[fiveholegoalie]

Originally Posted by dwtime

Where is that store?

Hockey Giant in Bloomington, MN!