I can't wait for the new season to start for me.
I am finally retiring my old 9K's and will be trying my new 20K skates.
Had them heat molded last week.

Not always the cheapest option. Sometimes there are better deals to be had locally too.

I always recommend buying skates locally not only because baking and the initial sharpening are included in the price but if you have fit issues after a few skates you can bring them back to get them tweaked. Overall it may cost you more to buy a pair of skates online and bring them into your local shop for a bake and first time sharpening; and this isn't including the time and gas it takes you to go down to the States to pick it up and any extra duties/taxes you may incur.

You may also run into complications with warranty returns since most are done through the store and not the manufacturer directly.

what helmets you guys wear?

i've got an old bauer 4000 and the padding is rock hard...looking at the new 7500

I've had a 7500 for a few year, and love it
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Do you have a price range? I just got a new helmet this year so I can share some info. I bought an Easton S19 off my friend for cheap, otherwise it would've been the Bauer 7500 for me as well. The 7500 is pretty comfy, but is kinda heavy compared to the S19. That was the one thing I didn't like about the 7500. I found the RBK line was uncomfortable. But it all starts with your budget and then the best fitting one in that price range. Doesn't matter how nice or expensive the helmet is, if it doesn't fit your head its crap
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I'm wearing a CCM V10 and I wouldn't buy it again. I think the RBK line has the best fit.
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With helmets, every persons head is different and each helmet will fit differently.

The best bet is to go into a store and try one the helmet to see what fits you best.

I have a round head and before I bought my 11K, I tried on the S19 and some Bauer helmet. The 11K fit me the best.

+1 for the Bauer 7500. I love it too

Anyone own the CCM crazy strong shoulder pads? How do you guys like them?

I tried on a pair and it feels like it wouldnt protect me at all.

do higher end skates make you skate faster? anyone have the easton s12's?

Not necessarily, typically they're lighter which may help you not fatigue as quickly. But to the average joe, it probably doesn't make THAT much of a difference.

Im stick rockin Total Ones though:ilied:

You mean crazy light?
They are not ment to be super protective.

CCM is the mobility brand when it comes to protective.
RBK offers the protection

Similar to the old Supreme vs. Vapor...or now the Nexus vs. Vapor
Supreme is now the Hybrid, nexus-protection, vapor-mobility
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I was thinking about the V10 but it didn't fit properly... Picked up the V08 and they fit perfect for some reason haha.

The VN foam in the 7500 is going to be pretty hard as well. If you liked the fit of the 4000 why not just pick up the 4500?

Two very different fitting helmets though. I have the V10 too. It fits well and I have no complaints.

You will need to have the ankle strength to flex a higher end boot. If you are just starting out or if you are more of a casual player it's better off to start with something mid-range.

Same shell but the V08 fits wider. I find the V10 tends to pinch at the temples for most people.

does punching skates out reduce the protection and stiffness of the boot?

Not if its done properly.

If money isn't an issue, I'd look into the Re-Akt. Moved from 2 4500s to it, and oh man it's even more of a better fit than the 4500s (I had no issues in those). The x-poron (or whatever it's called) foam around the EPP plus the memory foam on the temples make it more than worth the price.

One thing I notice though is that I'm getting a bit more sweat in the eyes. Maybe VN did a slightly better job with retaining some of it :P

7500 uses EPP Foam, 7500 is an updated version of the 5000 or 5500.
the 5100 uses VN as well as HXSorb Foam in the helmet (triple density foam) vs. 4500's dual density VN Foam.

5100 might give you the comfort of the 4000, but the convenience like tool-less adjustment of higher end helmets without going into the harder EPP foam.

^^ Just noticed I made that mistake. Meant to say EPP foam.

I find the two helmets fit different. The Medium was too narrow and the Large was too big even on the smallest setting. I just picked up a medium Re-Akt and it fits my head shape the best out of any helmet I've owned.

haha im on my second 4500 as well..gonna be doing the same route but strangely the 4500s i went through i would only fit L and when i tried a re-akt in store i was able to fit a M and boy do those gel paddings feel comfy

probably gonna grab the re-akt at sportchek f+f sale

I think I'm the only person who stayed the same size, but to be fair I was rocking a 4500 almost to its maximum size. Oh man you'll thank yourself when you pick up the reakt. The fact that getting the cage is only 30 dollars more than getting the helmet by itself seems like robbery. Such a good combo.


On another note:

Can anyone working at the Metro/RCHX Sport Cheks verify what's in store goalie wise? I'm looking at picking up some pads and gloves for cheap, so I still need helmet, chest, jock, pants, and skates. I was hoping to use the f&f sale to pick up the majority of that, but the SC website isn't very helpful. TIA!

PM Solid Penguin....he works there (RC HX)
RC also has the goalie mix/match promotion (metro does not)
If I recall correctly, RC actually has some half decent goalie stuff
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For the people who will be taking advantage of the F/F (Sep 26/27) for hockey gear - Richmond Centre will be for sure the best bet for selection. Widest selection of equipment including the new sticks (NXG, 20k, RBZ, etc...) and only place in BC that sells the Nexus protective and Nexus 1000 skate.

PM Solid Penguin for questions or go in store and talk to the full-timer there, he's not bad. :badpokerface:

Yah rumour is he lurks RS too....:pokerface:

anyone selling any left handed sticks? looking for a stealth, mako or totalone.just to name a few