Tough choice. New gear or used gear?

[Type. K]

I have never owned a new set of leg pads before, and im thinking i might want some custom spec pads. Most used gear that is sold never has +2 and above thigh rises which I want on my next set of pads. How do you justify buying a new set of legpads for over 1k when awesome deals for gear can be had for 300-500 dollars? I would really like to get some +3 thighrises on my next set of pads but know in order to get those specs, you surely need to go through custom orders. I play normally 5-7 times a week on indoor/outdoor so it isnt like i dont get ice time. My last set of pads had no + sizing so closing the five hole was hell at times. Is it worth the extra cash just to have a thighrise? Its not like i saw lundy's pads and said "omgwtf i need those!" im trying to improve my game, not jump on the latest bandwagon. If i get crap for wearing massive thigh rises it really doesnt matter to me.

[CA-AK#31]

As a past employee of Play it Again Sports and have bought 3 sets of used gear from them and from friends, I have to say it was a whole lot nicer to pay the extra cash for new pads that fit you right.
All of the used pads I got never fit me just right. I had to conform to the pads vice having pads conform to me.

I say spend the extra and get that new goalie pad smell.

[royfan33]

Originally Posted by Type. K

How do you justify buying a new set of legpads for over 1k when awesome deals for gear can be had for 300-500 dollars?

By buying from one of the smaller manufacturers and getting a pro quality custom pad for well UNDER 1k.

[DarkCage]

Hey Type,

Go Viper buddy. I never regreted going with Viper to do my pads. James does great work and you get all your mods, graphics and color choices free.

Good luck.

DC

[spidergoalie]

Originally Posted by royfan33

By buying from one of the smaller manufacturers and getting a pro quality custom pad for well UNDER 1k.

I was going to say the same thing. I haven't done this for pads myself, and I"m not sure I ever will, but If I do I'm quite sure I will be going with Smith, (though Battram is also a possiblity)

[xethicx]

I think the best idea is buying used stuff thats barely used. Broken in a little but not too used. I have bought stuff that was really used and it served its purpose but I ran into a few more bucks and bought some newer stuff and I absolutely love it. Sure if I had thousands of dollars available to me then I would buy brand spankin new stuff but not everyone has that much to spend or invest in rec/beer league hockey. I guess it ultimately depends on how much you have to spend, how serious you are about the sport and what level you play at.

I bought nice stuff that was barely used and I got it for about half of what I would have paid new and I am very happy with how it fits. I havent taken the ice with it but that test comes on Sunday but as of now everything fits really nice.

Last year I bought a really used gear for dirt cheap just to see if after 10 years out of the goal if I still had the passion. Nothing fit right at all, the pads were too small, the C/A and pants were too big but they accomplished their goal and so I bought newer stuff. My Eagle fusion 35+4 set feel amazing, I as well had never played with a + on the rise but now that I have it I love the fit and it closes up the 5 hole very nicely.

[secross2]

You can always ask Mr. Paul if he'll add a thigh rise to a set of used pads is you buy from him! Check out the used miller's in the used bin.

[Ryeno42]

So tell us what size thigh rise you need? "+" size doesn't tell us anything.

A TPS is already a +1" or +2 1/2" compared to a stock koho depending on the TPS.

7" or 9" or 12" or 15" thigh rise?

[Type. K]

Im not a hundred percent sure the size of thigh rise i want. My last set of pads were 34" velo v1's that were possibly a tad small for me so closing the 5 hole was a terrible task. I want a pad that i dont have to always have my stick in front or paddle down when in the bfly.

My atk is 17.5 - 18.

[secross2]

You can find a great deal on some 34 + 2 pads on ebay. There is a thread on this baord with different ATK from different pad designs.

[Ryeno42]

ARE you going to keep confusing people with you "+" jumbo mumbo?

If you don't know what you are talking about just say so.

We will still all be your friend.

[thejustin123]

You can't go wrong with your own custom pads. Go get yourself fitted and get every mod u desire

[oldgoalie]

You may wish to check out this thread:

Pad Size - ATK Database Project


As well, as asked, what kind of + thigh are you looking for?
Does your current pad fit well in the ankle to knee area? Given your ATK you may in fact be better off in a 35-36" pad
How much gap is there in the 5 hole when you are down? IF you go to a longer stock pad, will this fill the gap?
IS your B/fly narrow? If so, enough thigh rise to close the gap, may simply create teepee effect and hurt your mobility.

IF you are playing 5-7 times per week, you would be better off to consider a better quality pad, as the durability is typically a key reason for price differences over rec or senior models.

IF you have a firm idea on the sizing you want, they may be some good deals on the board or ebay for used highend gear. The lower priced lines do not usually offer any beyond standard sizing so it makes it hard to try something cheap to see if you like it.

The boutique manufacturers may be a good consideration if you want anything beyond the usual +! that can commonly be found in the market