OT: Equipment for kids

[...]

My 6-year-old wants to start playing hockey. I'm in Tonawanda, and, of course, I just missed the used-gear-a-thon at Lincoln Arena.

 

Anyone know where to go to get skates and equipment and not clear out the bank account?

 

I don't know if Great Skate has used stuff - I'm mainly concerned with the skates. $150 for skates he'll use one season seems a bit pricy.

[korab rules]

My 6-year-old wants to start playing hockey. I'm in Tonawanda, and, of course, I just missed the used-gear-a-thon at Lincoln Arena.

 

Anyone know where to go to get skates and equipment and not clear out the bank account?

 

I don't know if Great Skate has used stuff - I'm mainly concerned with the skates. $150 for skates he'll use one season seems a bit pricy.

Great skate does not carry used - does your organization do an equipment swap? Know parents with older kids who play? Play it again sports? I don't live in Buffalo anymore, so I'm not much help on where to buy used gear but I will give you a bit of advise.

 

The two most important pieces of equipment your child will wear are his helmet and his skates. Buy cheap everywhere else, but not there. Unless you know what you are doing, have him fitted by a pro - buying stuff off the rack at Dick$ or online is a recipe for ill-fitting, uncomfortable equipment.

 

As for the helmet - resist the urge to buy used - they are certified for a certain number of years - there is an HECC sticker on the back with an expiration date - if you look at used, definitely check that date - if there is no sticker, don't get it. Helmet comfort and protection has improved dramatically in the last 3-4 years. Helmets today are better fitting and far more comfortable than the ones my kids started with. As is usually the case, you get what you pay for when it comes to helmets. And don't buy one with a plastic shield. Those tings fog up awful. As with skates, all helmet brands fit a little differently - have him professionally fitted.

 

Not all skates fit every kid. You are better off having your kid fitted for his first pair so you know what brand best fits his feet. If his feet aren't comfortable, he won't be playing hockey very long. If his sneaker size is less than a 1.5, he will still be wearing youth skates. It is hard to find a pair of youth skates for more than $100.00. Buy new this year, have them thermo fitted to his feet, and then look for used skates of the same brand in the future. If he ever starts complaining of his feet hurting, his foot shape may have changed, and you should have him refitted. It happened to my younger son this year - he has always worn CCM skates, but they weren't fitting him well and we had to switch him to Bauer Vapors. Unfortunately, my older son wears Bauer Supremes.

 

If your kid really takes to it, you will pray for the days when you only had to pay $150 for a pair of skates.

[shrader]

The two most important pieces of equipment your child will wear are his helmet and his skates. Buy cheap everywhere else, but not there. Unless you know what you are doing, have him fitted by a pro - buying stuff off the rack at Dick$ or online is a recipe for ill-fitting, uncomfortable equipment.

 

I'd say spoil him and buy him a brand new cup too.

[Weave]

Korab is giving sound advice.

 

Getting skates fitted by a pro is good advice. And I don't like to send a sale away from someone who has given me good service (like a good pro fitting), but once your childs' been fitted and you've found a pair of skates that will work, get on Craigslist and see if you can't find the same skates used there.

[...]

Thanks - I suspected as much for the skates. The helmet makes sense, too.

[Eleven]

I'd say spoil him and buy him a brand new cup too.

 

nice

[...]

Went to Great Skate last night and got out of there with a helmet, skates, and skate-guards for $150. Dude said the skates will probably last him through next season, and the helmet is an adult small (he's a moose), so that should last a few seasons, too.

 

Funny, when we got there, it was like a ghost-town, but by the time we left, it was hectic - the sales-people were clearly confused by the sudden onset of business.

 

My wife was like "did you see the skates they had for $999? :blink: "

[korab rules]

Went to Great Skate last night and got out of there with a helmet, skates, and skate-guards for $150. Dude said the skates will probably last him through next season, and the helmet is an adult small (he's a moose), so that should last a few seasons, too.

 

Funny, when we got there, it was like a ghost-town, but by the time we left, it was hectic - the sales-people were clearly confused by the sudden onset of business.

 

My wife was like "did you see the skates they had for $999? :blink: "

Glad it worked out. Don't count on the skates lasting more than a season - It hasn't happened for me, and frankly, you don't want it to. Unless you bind his feet, any skate he gets two years out of is way too big for him now. The tighter the skates the better. If his foot can slop around in the skate it will make learning to skate and controlling his edges that much harder.

 

$1,000.00 for a pair of skates? You can spend more than that if you really want.

 

You are in youth skates right now - they go up substantially when you move to Junior skates (size 1-5.5), and then go up even more in adult sizes (6+). If your kid gets into it seriously and is skating several times a week you will end up spending $200-300 per pair for skates that will last through the season and give him the support he needs

[...]

My wife has a friend whose three kids all do hockey; two of them are goalies. She got hold of her while we were running errands and related the stories about equipment costs. Apparently there's only one place "near by" in Canada to get proper goalie pads and they cost a mint. She told us that each of the goalies equipment costs started at a little over $1k at the beginning of the season.

 

I knew hockey was an expensive sport to play, but, man, it's a little worse than expected. I don't see how families with meager means could get their kids into it without a huge sacrifice.

 

After equipment you then have to tack on facility/ice time fees and then, if you want to stay in it, travel.

 

I will be curious to see what the parents/kids will be like as the whole thing seems a little "exclusive".

[shrader]

My wife has a friend whose three kids all do hockey; two of them are goalies. She got hold of her while we were running errands and related the stories about equipment costs. Apparently there's only one place "near by" in Canada to get proper goalie pads and they cost a mint. She told us that each of the goalies equipment costs started at a little over $1k at the beginning of the season.

 

I knew hockey was an expensive sport to play, but, man, it's a little worse than expected. I don't see how families with meager means could get their kids into it without a huge sacrifice.

 

After equipment you then have to tack on facility/ice time fees and then, if you want to stay in it, travel.

 

I will be curious to see what the parents/kids will be like as the whole thing seems a little "exclusive".

 

I have told my sister-in-law that I'll buy my nephew's first pair of skates. She has somehow tried to morph that statement into me saying that I'll buy an entire set of equipment... and she wants him to be a goalie. Yeah, that's not happening. At least my brother realizes what goalie stuff costs and doesn't want to go anywhere near that.

 

So anyway, I'm thinking Christmas 2012 will be a good time for that first pair. He'll be right around 2.5 years and ######, I want that kid on skates as early as possible. I'd go for the 2nd birthday, but since he's a summer b-day, he would outgrow them before ever being able to use them.

[korab rules]

My wife has a friend whose three kids all do hockey; two of them are goalies. She got hold of her while we were running errands and related the stories about equipment costs. Apparently there's only one place "near by" in Canada to get proper goalie pads and they cost a mint. She told us that each of the goalies equipment costs started at a little over $1k at the beginning of the season.

 

I knew hockey was an expensive sport to play, but, man, it's a little worse than expected. I don't see how families with meager means could get their kids into it without a huge sacrifice.

 

After equipment you then have to tack on facility/ice time fees and then, if you want to stay in it, travel.

 

I will be curious to see what the parents/kids will be like as the whole thing seems a little "exclusive".

Goalie is outrageously expensive, but like every other position, you can pay as much or as little as you want. There is a secondary market if you are OK with used stuff. Your wife's friend obviously isn't, or the younger kid would be wearing the older kid's hand me downs. Hockey can certainly get expensive. How expensive depends on your kids ability and the parents willingness to to give them the opportunity improve their game and play against better competition.

 

There are a few snobs, but in general, you will find hockey parents a pretty welcoming crowd. If not, try a different organization. Some are snobbier than others.

 

Please consider this before balking at the cost - My kids spend every weekend all winter long with their teammates, who they consider to be their best friends. I know where they are every second of every day, who they are with, and what they are doing. They are learning to play and love a sport they can enjoy the rest of their lives. They are unlikely to get a scholarship, but they will be studs in their beer leagues the rest of their lives. They are exercising, getting stronger mentally and physically, and loving every second of it. As parents, we get to spend time hanging out and boozing with people who have become some of our best friends, at least during the winter time. The kids can't wait for their next game or tournament - they are creating memories that will last a lifetime and character that will serve them well the rest of their life. How much is all that worth to you?

 

I have told my sister-in-law that I'll buy my nephew's first pair of skates. She has somehow tried to morph that statement into me saying that I'll buy an entire set of equipment... and she wants him to be a goalie. Yeah, that's not happening. At least my brother realizes what goalie stuff costs and doesn't want to go anywhere near that.

 

So anyway, I'm thinking Christmas 2012 will be a good time for that first pair. He'll be right around 2.5 years and ######, I want that kid on skates as early as possible. I'd go for the 2nd birthday, but since he's a summer b-day, he would outgrow them before ever being able to use them.

Both my boys started skating at age 3 - its the perfect time. Get him out there!

[...]

 

 

Please consider this before balking at the cost - My kids spend every weekend all winter long with their teammates, who they consider to be their best friends. I know where they are every second of every day, who they are with, and what they are doing. They are learning to play and love a sport they can enjoy the rest of their lives. They are unlikely to get a scholarship, but they will be studs in their beer leagues the rest of their lives. They are exercising, getting stronger mentally and physically, and loving every second of it. As parents, we get to spend time hanging out and boozing with people who have become some of our best friends, at least during the winter time. The kids can't wait for their next game or tournament - they are creating memories that will last a lifetime and character that will serve them well the rest of their life. How much is all that worth to you?

 

 

Don't misunderstand, I'm not balking at the costs, just musing over it after realizing what they are. We already do other sports, so I'm very familiar with the intangibles that come with being involved - you are preaching to the choir. If it were just about money, I would have stopped it before it started.

 

There is a culture surrounding every sport, and I've always found hockey to have a very certain culture that is different than most other ones. Sort of like in martial arts, not only do the kids have to be committed, but the parents do as well and on many levels at once.

[SHAAAUGHT!!!]

My 6-year-old wants to start playing hockey. I'm in Tonawanda, and, of course, I just missed the used-gear-a-thon at Lincoln Arena.

 

Anyone know where to go to get skates and equipment and not clear out the bank account?

 

I don't know if Great Skate has used stuff - I'm mainly concerned with the skates. $150 for skates he'll use one season seems a bit pricy.

 

My son is 7 and has playing for over a year. You don't have to spend $150 on skates that he will out grow in 8 months. I get the Bauer Vapor 2.0s at Great Skate for 80-90 bucks. They are good skates without breaking the bank. The skates and helmet should be the biggest investment, but the helmet will last 3-4 years. I bought everything he needed his first year at Great Skate for around $245 (he already had a stick and I held off on a real hockey bag until this year when I knew he was serious about playing). This year the $ was about the same in replacing outgrown equipment, but he got the hockey bag and a one piece stick.

 

You just missed an awesome used equipment sale at the Hockey Outlet, but I recommend checking the other local rinks for similar sales. I would have sold you my sons equipment from last year but we gave it to his cousin from PEI. If you want, I'll message you when he grows out of his new skates. Hope this helps.

[shrader]

Can I make a serious suggestion this time? No matter what other kids are using, get the kid a wooden stick. The composites do nothing for these kids (and personally, I think they actually slow development a bit), yet it seems like so many of the parents out there are buying them anyway.

[korab rules]

Can I make a serious suggestion this time? No matter what other kids are using, get the kid a wooden stick. The composites do nothing for these kids (and personally, I think they actually slow development a bit), yet it seems like so many of the parents out there are buying them anyway.

I would agree that there is no need for composites, at least until they are old enough to step into a shot properly and load the stick. I made my kids play their first couple years with a flat stick - no curve at all.

 

I think the proliferation of composite sticks is a keeping up with the Joneses thing. The kids get a better feel for the puck while stickhandling, and will be better able to receive passes with a wooden stick.

[...]

I'm down with you both on sticks. I don't get the composite stick thing. I use wood sticks for floor hockey still.

 

Just like metal and composite bats. WTF is up with those (and they cost a mint, too).

 

@SHAAAUGHT!!! Thanks. Those are the skates we wound up with.

[shrader]

I would agree that there is no need for composites, at least until they are old enough to step into a shot properly and load the stick. I made my kids play their first couple years with a flat stick - no curve at all.

 

I think the proliferation of composite sticks is a keeping up with the Joneses thing. The kids get a better feel for the puck while stickhandling, and will be better able to receive passes with a wooden stick.

 

Those are pretty much my thoughts. Get the kid used to a wood stick and then when he's actually old enough to make the switch, he's going to have much better hands. It's kind of like taking the donut weight off of a baseball pat.

[North Buffalo]

I agree a lot with the above statements. It shouldn't cost a lot to outfit your child. If you travel east near Springfield Mass their is a great store that is half liquor store Bertelli's- half skate shop and they have lots of used equipment. Also online is good if you know what you are doing. Hockeymonkey.com and hockeygiant.com are good sites and I know there are a few others. But for skates, I usually like a shop in a store to fit my 7 year olds feet. At at least once since he has been skating at age 3 I have had to get him a second pair in the springtime...

[Taro T]

My son is 7 and has playing for over a year. You don't have to spend $150 on skates that he will out grow in 8 months. I get the Bauer Vapor 2.0s at Great Skate for 80-90 bucks. They are good skates without breaking the bank. The skates and helmet should be the biggest investment, but the helmet will last 3-4 years. I bought everything he needed his first year at Great Skate for around $245 (he already had a stick and I held off on a real hockey bag until this year when I knew he was serious about playing). This year the was about the same in replacing outgrown equipment, but he got the hockey bag and a one piece stick.

 

You just missed an awesome used equipment sale at the Hockey Outlet, but I recommend checking the other local rinks for similar sales. I would have sold you my sons equipment from last year but we gave it to his cousin from PEI. If you want, I'll message you when he grows out of his new skates. Hope this helps.

I'd have to strongly agree with Korab on the 1 piecer. Kids that young should be using wooden youth sticks - I don't even like to see them using cut down adult sticks - they simply can't handle them the same way they handle properly sized wooden ones.

 

(This next comment not directed at you, but is just for general info.) I also would agree with the recommendation of having kids use straight blades for their 1st season or 2. It was always fun going up to a parent and explaining to them that a reason little Johnny was having problems with stickhandling was that he shoots right and is using a lefty (and vice versa).