thing is, higher end doesn't really mean longer lasting. they are better in quality in terms of performance and comfort, but I don't think they last that much longer.

That's the goalie's job! LOLOL.

Spidey: As far as durability goes with high end gear.....As a goalie I know that pro gear almost always outlasts entry level or advanced senior gear. Primarily because of the materials used on the pads/gloves/blockers.

Same with masks - prices will indicate a lot of times, the material used, padding, durability, etc. The more kevlar/carbon they use in the masks, the higher the price usually.

Yeah, that's goalie gear which is subject to constant abuse. Pro gear is made with higher quality materials, to a higher QC standard, and most certainly last longer and plays better

Player gear, I'm of the you don't get what you pay for mentality. As long as its comfortable, that's the key. A $50 set of shin pads will work about the same as a $150 pair, and in my experience they last about as long. I don't need NHL level protection when the guys I play against shoot at half the speed of NHL players on a good day

pro gear is different than "top of the line" retail gear though. most pro players don't even wear anything close to retail.. cosmetically they just look the same, as they are walking (skating) advertisements

It depends on the piece of gear. An entry level composite stick will last longer than a top of the line model because of it's construction. The top end sticks are designed for performance (like a high end sports car) while the cheaper sticks are made with less exotic materials but can still get the job done (your everyday beater car.)

I don't know much about player gear, so I don't think I should comment about them. All I know is that the complexities of player equipment compared to goaltending gear is hugely different, simply because of the inherent needs and differences of the positions.

For GOALIE gear though, there is DEFINITELY a HUGE difference between entry senior, advanced senior, pro, and custom level equipment.

There are a lot of adjustments, fabrics, materials and features that each of these levels have and do not have, with custom level equipment being exactly what the pros use - Custom.
Mind you, the pros have to adhere to strict league regulations regarding sizing and add-ons. For example: The side board and thumb protection area of a blocker MUST be sewn in to the main glove and cannot be removable from blocker or cuff. So goalies can't un-velcro it and have it flap around to cheat with it.

Pro level equipment is usually the level where most adjustments, core inserts, material used are top of the line. But still made en mass. The sizing and equipment specs are NHL spec though (more on that later).

Custom equipment simply takes that pro level gear and allows the buyer to customize everything down to the buckles. Such as colour, face material, toe tie methods, internal material, knee breaks, knee lock position, leg channel, inside toe taper, etc. Different materials used will also dictate durability as well (synleather, jenpro, robocop, real leather, cordura, etc)

I have a chest protector that was made to almost the exact spec of a specific NHL goaltender that I requested from the manufacturer directly.

I do know quite a few people who use variations of these said levels of equipment and I can absolutely confirm that entry senior and pro level equipment weardowns are much different.

I myself have had equipment wear issues between upper and lower level gear on my goalie pads.

For goalie equipment, they all LOOK the same. But internally, much different between classes. Mostly so people with different budgets and skill levels can take advantage of it =)

what you said in those paragraphs is basically what i said in a sentence, isn't it?

i just buy used high end gear...pay the price of low end but get high end, used abit but meh nothing a good wash cant take off

I think I misunderstood what your sentence meant then =p

I grouped the custom level gear together with retail level. PLus, I thought you were speaking strictly on player gear, which I know very little about.

My bad!

LOL

rs2 stick or apx?

I'd go APX.

I like APX more because the corners are rounded.

I like my nexus better than my previous apx. Softer puck feel on the blade and through the shaft.
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What do you guys use for wax on your sticks? I have always used Parowax that I buy at the grocery store. It's in the canning section and works fricken awesome and dirt cheap!!

sex wax!!

the sex

Sex Wax as well for me.

snap wax by a mile.. Hard to find as I think the only local place that has it is the 8 rinks pro shop. I ordered a bunch online. I tried Sex wax and don't like how it still gets hard when it gets cold.

but it is very sticky and tacky.. so unless you want something smooth, maybe stick with regular wax/sex wax. with this stuff though, it makes doing lacrosse like tricks a sinch

Snap Wax Hockey Stick Wax - Clear | Total Hockey Equipment

What do you guys think of the retail s19, especially the durability of the blade? Saw it on sale at SC. Still using a Bauer x60 and going strong after 1.5 yrs 1 game per week but always wanted to try the s19 in the proper curve and flex. Will the blade crap out on me after a season or two?

I remember using that stuff 20 years ago lol

The blades on S19's aren't the greatest, that's for sure. I had about 3 S19's and all the blades split on me. The stick performed well though, especially for shooting, and I quite liked it overall. The last one I had was under warranty and I ended up getting a Mako for it ha. But yeah, for a low enough price I would probably pick one up.

I didn't have a blade problem with my S19. maybe got a bit soft like all blades over time but never cracked on me..maybe because it cracked around the "S19" on the taper from a one timer before the blade was able to break haha. this was over a year worth of use. Great stick overall!

easton sticks are great..... if you are a pro and can afford one every game... I am still in awe that they are still in business when they make such fragile sticks for the retail market. Their most durable sticks were the si core, and the original silver synergys. Everything else broke wayyy too easily. Stick to Bauer if you want durability and are choosing between easton and bauer.

Base has been the most durable stick I have ever used. Have yet to break one on ice yet. I have broken 2 blades on roller, but that is inevitable with roller.

thanks for the s19 responses. I hate having to buy new sticks often when the blade turns into a sponge. Guess I'll stick to the bauers for now

Just got back from the Canucks Equipment sale which was quite good if you were looking for twigs. They had a wide assortment of new and used sticks, new sticks from $75-200 and used from $50-75.

Picked myself a new 90 flex CCM RBZ, Ballard curve (Sakic, basically) for $75. Good stuff!