Best entry level gloves?

[narlougue]

the best entry level glove is a used pro glove

[hahny1&33]

agreed, u dont really want to slack and buy the low end stuff when it comes to a catcher especially, do some looking around for used pro stuff and then make your decision, and best of luck.

[kevin0807]

i too, agree with most people.
i say go medium/low level pads and blocker or something, but get a pro catcher.
i have 8k pads but i have p2 gloves just for protection. i dont want to get stingers all the time. i say its a good investment.

just my 2 cents.

[showstopper]

Gloves are the one thing I hate buying used.

[designissues]

I would say go with your gut. Trust your instincts. If you don't want pro level gear don't get pro level gear. If you have your doubts and think pro level is the way to go, do that. For some people the senior level gear is plenty protective enough. For others they just don't like the idea of used gear. Whatever your situation is, trust it. There are a lot of goalies out there who need and demand the best gear that money can buy. For them pro gear is the only option. In fact a lot of pro gear isn't even protective enough for them. But for a lot of people that just isn't the case. I laugh that some of the same people that say how little point there is to buying brand new gear since it will be used after just one game are the ones that are buying brand new gear after just one season. Some of the time people buy gear and just aren't happy with the gear. That I understand. But I am talking about always wanting to have the newest and greatest gear. Wouldn't your one game old 2009 model be the same as your one year old 2008 model you are replacing? Not to mention, how much experience do they have with current senior level gear? Its one thing to say its not nearly protective enough for you to use, its another to say its all crap.

Personally, of course I would love pro gear but is so far beyond what I need. I don't deny that there is a big quality difference between pro and senior level gear. I have tried on entry level, senior level, and pro level gear. Side by side comparisons. There is a definite difference no doubt about it. But different people have different needs. For me, I feel completely totally safe in senior level gear. Never doubted it for an instant. I have an X-wing 7.8 glove and blocker that I absolutely love! They have been wonderful to me and I have never had a single complaint about the quality or the protectiveness. I would whole heartedly recommend these to anyone, and the price is right. I am getting the RX7 glove very very soon and can't wait to compare the two. At the level of hockey that I play at, and the frequency of which I play I can't ever imagine buying pro level gear. I hope my level and frequency both increase to the point where the senior level gear isn't good enough for me anymore. But for now, I will keep enjoying getting my gear for less than half the price and still being completely protected for my needs.

I know this isn't a popular opinion and I probably am offending alot of people and I really don't mean to. Frankly I just wished I played as often or as well as those that require the best gear. For me though, senior level gear is amazing!

[neilff61]

Pick up some used gloves, I did the wrong thing when I first got into goaltending and spent over $250 on entry level gloves. Then 6 months later I bought a used set of Koho 580s for $200. Sold the blocker for $80 and picked up a used ******* blocker for $100. So for $220 I had an awesome set of gloves. Not only did they provide way better protection, but the 580 glove improved my game. It was way easier to catch with than any entry level glove.

[thrdeye]

Originally Posted by designissues

I would say go with your gut. Trust your instincts. If you don't want pro level gear don't get pro level gear. If you have your doubts and think pro level is the way to go, do that. For some people the senior level gear is plenty protective enough. For others they just don't like the idea of used gear. Whatever your situation is, trust it. There are a lot of goalies out there who need and demand the best gear that money can buy. For them pro gear is the only option. In fact a lot of pro gear isn't even protective enough for them. But for a lot of people that just isn't the case. I laugh that some of the same people that say how little point there is to buying brand new gear since it will be used after just one game are the ones that are buying brand new gear after just one season. Some of the time people buy gear and just aren't happy with the gear. That I understand. But I am talking about always wanting to have the newest and greatest gear. Wouldn't your one game old 2009 model be the same as your one year old 2008 model you are replacing? Not to mention, how much experience do they have with current senior level gear? Its one thing to say its not nearly protective enough for you to use, its another to say its all crap.

Personally, of course I would love pro gear but is so far beyond what I need. I don't deny that there is a big quality difference between pro and senior level gear. I have tried on entry level, senior level, and pro level gear. Side by side comparisons. There is a definite difference no doubt about it. But different people have different needs. For me, I feel completely totally safe in senior level gear. Never doubted it for an instant. I have an X-wing 7.8 glove and blocker that I absolutely love! They have been wonderful to me and I have never had a single complaint about the quality or the protectiveness. I would whole heartedly recommend these to anyone, and the price is right. I am getting the RX7 glove very very soon and can't wait to compare the two. At the level of hockey that I play at, and the frequency of which I play I can't ever imagine buying pro level gear. I hope my level and frequency both increase to the point where the senior level gear isn't good enough for me anymore. But for now, I will keep enjoying getting my gear for less than half the price and still being completely protected for my needs.

I know this isn't a popular opinion and I probably am offending alot of people and I really don't mean to. Frankly I just wished I played as often or as well as those that require the best gear. For me though, senior level gear is amazing!

I think you think how I think.

I bought all this Bauer Reactor 1 stuff about 10 years ago for roller hockey. I won lots of games and got top goaltender in the league a couple of times.

I think everyone will agree that Reactor 1 is just about as low end as you can get, especially by today's standards. I have been using the gloves, and they work fine, had no stingers yet, but let's be realistic, they are 10-12 years old and the blocker palm is starting to come unstitched and the catch doesn't want to stay open anymore.

When I started ice hockey about a month ago, I bought the Vaughn 3750 chest protector. Now, this thing is what most would consider entry level, but it is so far beyond what I was using (again, Reactor 1) that it seems incredible to me. It seems entry level stuff has come a long way in 10 years. I guess I was thinking that the entry level Vaughn gloves would have a similar effect on me since I would be coming from the Bauers.

[Hoser98]

Although I agree that a used catcher is the way to go. I have all RBK5K stuff with a pro return Itech glove. Is it that hard for us as a board to actually answer the question presented instead of telling someone else what they should buy? If the guy wants a lower-end new glove, then so be it. He's already using a low-end glove anyways....

[obie35]

To actually answer the OP. Go with some 6k, or some new itech out there, There are a ton of new entry level items on the monkey now. You don't need pro level depending on your level. Anything liek Rbk 6k, Itech Relfex 5, Nike bauer one75 will all work well for you

[hamstercaster]

I was also on a budget when I upgraded my gear and went with Pro Pads (Eagle Fusion 2006 model) and with Senior entry level Trapper/Blocker (Eagle Sentry)

You can find the Eagle Sentry 2007 or 2008 model on Ebay for 300$ (both gloves). I have played about 20 games with these gloves and they are very nice for a chinese made product. I have yet to get a real dinger of any sorts on either glove. The trapper was already nicely formed and closed very well and pucks where staying in the pocket from game 1. The blocker was also pretty sweet and comes with good thumb and all around protection too. So if you're budget is that limited, I think the Eagle Sentry Senior duo is the way to go. I believe you can get the non NHL spec Pro model for a 100 or 200$ more on Ebay.

Hope this helps.

[thrdeye]

Well, just thought I'd close up this thread. I hate to ask for advice and not take it, but I found the Vaughn 3700 blocker and catch on ebay for $99 for both gloves. Couldn't pass up - my wife got them for me for an early bday gift.

There were 3 other sets on there if anyone is interested.