this is why i hate the NHL promoting "hockey is for everyone". It's not for everyone.. it's for wealthy families. If you want to go far in the sport you need money and unfortunately not everyone can play because of that. Brands like Bauer and CCM are about inclusion but promote their $400 sticks and $1200 skates at the same time. Kids these days can be cruel as well so if you don't have the best gear you'll get picked on or called names.
You think mcdavid needs the most expensive gear to be that good? No, he would still dominate with a wood stick, and 90’s skates. Beer league bum is probably one of the few people not being paid to review gear. This Chanel is heavily paid for
Fr. I’m from Baltimore and while everyone was excited when Noel Acton win the Willie O’Ree award, we knew nothing would change. The rink all those kids play in still has a huge gaping hole on the roof that means that rain and snow along with debris can come in and prevent the kids from playing. They make a big deal about highlighting making the game more accessible but then don’t do anything about these types of places they’re also highlighting. It’s crazily frustrating
i didn't ask about McDavid, so not sure why you brought him up, also he has had the best gear available at all levels paid for by someone else. My comment is about the NHL and gear companies promoting inclusion while they promote the top of the line gear.. hockey is not for everyone.
Your response is so cringe. Not everyone is Mcdavid… most the players in the NHL got there because of extra training, camps and clinics. Hockey is absolutely for ppl w money. If you don’t have money you cant put your kids in extra camps and clinics. SOME kids can still excel without but MOST need it in order to make top teams. There is ZERO argument against hockey being too expensive, ZERO. If you don’t under that the best kids are the best because they practice more aka pay more then you are totally clueless when it comes to current minor hockey/club hockey landscape
As a beer leaguer that has worn mid level skates my entire life, I finally bought some elite level Skates last year (Ccm ASV pro) there’s a big difference in comfort and feel between mid level and elite level skates.
Same here. I started playing goalie about 2 years ago. Started with Bauer GSX level entry skates$300. Upgraded to Bauer vapor pros ( on clearance sale $500) retail $800. The difference is night and day.
I think even in Beer League it makes a difference. Can only speak for me but i Always buy top of the Line Skates, gloves and Sticks. The Skates are the Most important Thing. When you Block a big Shot you know why better buy Higher Models 😂. Sticks are also important for me. Over 400 Grams feel very heavy and results in Bad Stickhandling and Not as good reactions for me. Gloves because of the palm and Mobility. But i definetly dont pay the full price. Always looking for Sales from Last Gen top Equipment. For Hyperlite 2 Skates i paid 730€ and top Sticks in General max 150€. Last week i bought a tmp pro and flylite for 130€ each. For Other Equipment i buy mostly in the middle Tier sections. For Elbows i have the cheapest Nexus from 10 years before. 😅
I found the same - literally never had comfortable skates until I bought high end. Had enough of my feet killing me after a game. Maybe it was just fit, but I bought some ultrasonics in 2021 and they are sooo comfortable.
But you can think about the price being somewhere in the middle, like they might intentionally make junior equipment cheaper, subsidizing it with higher prices for senior equipment
The other issue that isn’t discussed is that people are paying for this gear. There is no need for a 7-year old player to have Bauer Machs and a Agent stick, but parents do buy them for them even though they will grow out of both in a year or two. Also it feels like sticks have been pushing to be lighter instead of pushing to hold their value for longer. These two trends are really unfortunate, especially the first one in my opinion
I desperately wanted to play hockey as a kid. I practiced for hours in the driveway with a cheap stick and net, using tennis balls and the metal lids of Duke's mayonnaise jars for pucks. But my parents just could not afford paying for a full kit and all the ice/team fees, plus they both worked full time and couldn't drive me to the rink all the time. I understood it just wasn't possible and I never pushed it. I recently started adult hockey because I can finally afford to pay for ice time, and things like SidelineSwap and Facebook market exist to buy cheap used gear. The years of playing in my driveway paid off, and playing hockey is coming naturally to me and I'm loving it. But now I am always going to wonder what I could have done with hockey if my family could have afforded the expense. I loved the game so much but I could never play it.
Hello…. You are playing Our Game now and Loving it…..that is GREAT. DO NOT WASTE A MINUTE ON “could haves”….”ponder” or dream about all the possibilities you have now.
That Graf video should win an award my friend. It was awesome. Just to add some context to costs, I bought a full set of Brian's Heritage pads/gloves, I added 'some' custom, not a lot. Cost me $4,500CDN. It was a rough invoice to process.
I know guys in jofa helmets, 5030’s, and 1980’s tacks who can absolutely humiliate anybody worried about the “newest gear” out there on the ice. Jesus, buddy, just play the damn game in what you can afford. If you suck, the tech does nothing but make you look like an expensive fool.
We have had a huge problem finding a good "mid-range" stick from major brands. Bauer has their shift pro line but availability is very irregular and only at certain pro shops. Inexpensive name brand sticks are clearly heavier with balance problems, the nice high-end sticks are great of course, but the mid-range sticks we've tried from Bauer and other manufacturers simply don't measure up. Either they feel totally different or they break easily with blades that split open way too soon. But I've had 5 hockeystickman pro blackouts that have lasted more than one season and they feel and weigh only marginally different from real high end sticks, at a price that is much lower than even disappointing mid-range name brand sticks. I didn't think it was possible but my kids like the sticks and haven't broken one yet, even though playing at youth AA/AAA/Elite level.
Bought the CCM FT2 brand new when they came out just days before the pandemic started , months later the FT 3 then the FT4 came out it was the Same exact skate just different color design Yet people bought the new skates over the older design when they could of buy FT2 for half price brand new 🤔
I can understand $1000 for skates because they should last for 3-5 years (or longer) but spending $400 or more on a stick is ridiculous when they only last for a couple months
when I was playing semi pro I went thru 3-4 pair of skates a yr, imagin having to pay that at these prices ...... lucky in those days skates sticks were provided by team.
I pretty much buy used. I would love to get new gear but the level I would want are too expensive. As a goalie its very easy to spend tons of money. Thankfully where I live there are lots of good deals for used gear. I also dont use the newer goalie sticks. Still use a wood stick. they last forever.
I still buy top of the line skates for my kids, however they have approached what I’m willing to spend at$1000-1200…I won’t go higher. Sticks on the other hand, buy top of the line but a season old or pro stock for $200-250. Can’t justify $400+ for something that lasts 30 days.
Less than $200 for a stick and less than $500 for skates. My first Sherwood featherlite was like $20-25. I would say nowadays the value brand I always look to when shopping around for new sticks and gears is Sherwood
I used to spend thousands on top of the line sticks now I just buy pro blackout sticks the best stick I’ve had in awhile and really durable only like 150$ CAD
I remember when I first started, I wanted Gretzky's Titan TPM2020 more than anything. It was selling for $25 so my dad said no. He came home with a $15 Koho that I loved so much. By the time I made it to college, aluminum sicks came out and they started around $50. My parents bought one for me (an Easton) when I made my college team. With the current pricing, I really like all the alternatives to the big brands. Tronx and Shift have some great spec sticks for much better pricing. I bought a lot of mid-spec sticks from CCM and Bauer and they kinda sucked. The puck feel was awful. For the same price I can get better specs from smaller brands. I was also fortunate enough to get a 50% off deal last month on some True Cat 5 skates. $140 for the most comfortable skates out of the box that I've ever had.
Also skates are more expensive because there are less people making them so now you really only have like 3 options and they have that option to control the market way easier than if it were 6 competitors going against each other
@@BenDover-vs7ih I would have gotten used skates but I have wide feet. These 9EE skates fit perfect, worth the cost, I go about 8hrs a week at the moment.
I bought 2 pairs of Graf G9035 late 2018 knowing Graf was leaving Canada. Each of those pairs of G9035 were $280. Yes, $280 a pair, CAD. I rotate through them twice a week and they are still like new. A comparable pair from Bauer or CCM at that time were well north of $700 CAD. No thanks. These Grafs will last me the next 20 years. So sad how hockey equipment prices in general have soared, especially for skates.
Imaging how bad it is for people in Republic of Ireland, we don't even have shops, so we buy gear, that costs fortune, blindly, without even trying it out.
When I was a kid in the late 70's early 80's, a Sherwood PMP stick was like 10-15 bucks. I think in 1983 The top of line Bauer skate (Supreme 100) was around $200. Even 15 years ago, The top skates were $500-600, top of the line sticks $200. Made in Canada pro level gloves were 200-250. Sherwood PMP's probably around 25? Do I think the current gear pricing is getting out of hand? Yeah, definitely seems to out pace inflation and incomes. If I was still playing, I wouldn't be buying $1100 skates and $350 sticks. The good news is it appears great skates are available in the 500 dollar range and true one piece sticks in the 450 gram weight for less than $150. So, I suppose it boils down to what kind of gear you need and what level you play at.
My first pair that I bought with my own money, we're the bauer supreme one20s. 120 bucks. I've had em for 12 years. Unfortunately, as much as I love those skates. It is time. Been looking at the CCM ft2 for me. Sub 500 right now, and as a chonky boi seem more up my alley
Honestly, i believe sticks should be something like $30, there’s NO reason for a literal stick to be $200. And skates should be like $200 max. I would be comfortable spending about $150 for skates and $90 for a stick, unfortunately thats extremely difficult.
First stick was an adult Cooper with graphite strips on the blade. that was $11.99US. And first pair of skates were the Bauer adult size panthers which were about $120 in 1986. The last stick I bought was for my son, which was an intermediate warrior $120 on sale and the latest skates were an intermediate Bauer Vapors for $540 on sale down from $630 in 2024.
Im 28 and I play recreationally, so I don’t need anything crazy, but I still like to have quality gear. Stick: up to $200 Skates: up to $450. currently using Supreme M4 for ice $450; and Vapor 2XR for roller $750 (paid $450 on clearance) First stick was $18 about 10 years ago. Koho wood stick with ABS blade.
It’s not just the equipment… it’s the ice time. In 2020 before the COVID lockdown, in the Portland, OR area I could go to a public skating session for $8 and stick time for $10 (midday) to $12 (evening and weekends). Today, either session is $25. That’s right: $25. And that’s the going rate at two different rinks. Who can afford that?
First stick that I bought, about $15-20. First skates that I bought, about $130. Current stick that I am using, about $350. Current skates that I am using, about $450.
You may have enjoyed making the video but I certainly enjoyed watching it. My first stick was probably about $20... Skates I don't know, my mom would have bought them for me.. lol
I only play roller now and in the past few years ive replaced all of my equipment after 20yrs. If you need the latest and greatest its expensive. If you buy last years models you can get them at a huge discount. My new skates were kind of ridiculous but found them barely used for half price. That being said after a marsblade chassis i still have $800 into them but they were the first pair out of 6 that didnt hurt after the first shift. Everything else was top of the line for the year before off the clearance sections.
My first pair of skates when i started playing and coaching was about $200. Reebok 4k just to get started. I bought my first real pair of good skates (Graf 9035) for under $300 on clearance. Super comfortable but the upper completely gave out last year after like 6 years. I am now about 245 lb, and on the ice 4+ tines a week between playing beer league and coaching. I got a pair of ccm as-v pro skates on sidelineswap from someone who bought the wrong size for like $500. My reasoning was i am a heavy guy now and my skates need to last, and these seem ok. No idea if I got the right ones but I was probably not far off I think. Can't justify ever paying more. My sticks are often pro stock returns between $120-$150. Probably never spent $200 on a stick. I buy my kids gear the same way, often last year's model or a pro stock return and they get great gear that way, sometimes with cool custom specs. It does take me a very long time to find gear this way though. Time vs money I guess. For video requests I would love if you could compare Marsblade vs BladeTech. I have had both and am in BladeTech now because I felt the Kickstarter original Marsblades were too heavy, expensive to mount, and hard to get replacement steel when one broke. The cushioning of BladeTech was also attractive as i get older. But I often wonder if I maybe I should give them another chance with their current model. Please compare to see which actually performs better and makes players faster. I can't find that comparison anywhere, only comparisons between fixed blades and holders and these brands. Thanks.
Prices are outrageous and Bauer UK (Puckstop) should be embarrassed by refusing to supply certain shops and only supply National League teams and above with team stock.
Stick: I will pay up to $180 CAD including tax, but only for my kids. $150 including tax for myself. I just paid $119+tax (on sale) for a stick last week. I refuse to pay full price for a stick, nor current year models. My first stick ~$20. Skates: up to 300 including tax. My last pair off CCM JETSPEED was ~$250 for 2 year old model. I only purchase prior year or older models. There is no reasonable difference to buy a new pair. Background: I played at a high level when I was younger, both my kids play at least AA level. AAA is the highest level here.
I’m in Canada. I will pay 100-150$ for a stick usually a 200-250$ stick will go on sale for 100$ I will pay 230-299$ for skates. My first stick was a ko-ho torpedo. I paid 21$ tax included. Around 28 years ago.
First stick was around 25-30USD, first hockey skates were around 250USD. I always buy 2-4 years old stuff on sale. And I'm lucky, because I like a bit heavier sticks, so I always can pick up something for 50-90 USD. Again. There's nothing wrong with a s19 nexus league stick for 90USD if you like top end sticks or in my case 50USD for N2700 sticks. Regarding entry level stuff being shown on HT. I think it would make more sense if you don't compare entry level warrior sticks to ccm, bauer etc entry level sticks, but you make a video about a whole range of 1 brand. Like bauer mid point sticks. Starts with X, E3, E4.... Up to sync or what they call the top spec these days? This way we bearleaguers and topmaniacs too can enjoy the same video.
Grew up in MN playing hockey. I remember the first stick I paid for myself was a 100% super bright neon green sherwood, probably broke my little bank at the time! Paid probably $25-$35 for it, I was 14-ish in 1994!
in 2008 bought my first pair of skates- Graf Supra 301 for $279 USD and a CCM stick for $69, I stopped playing for a number of years and recently got back into it in 2023 and bought new gear. Bauer M5Pros $750 and a new stick True Catalyst 9X $200. I spent around $800 on all other gear (bag, shin, elbow, shoulders, etc) I shopped everything on sale because I like having the slightly higher end but at a discount. I need a little better gear due to size. I'm 6'2" 240 lbs. I splurged on skates knowing I wouldn't buy another pair for a while.
I bought Christians and coopers for 10$ Koho ,s and Sherwoods where 15$ bucks…. I still have a Paul coffee Sherwood they where my favorites and I have a Gretzky Titan small blade. And a Stevie Yzerman Eastean wooden
I remember paying $10-$12 dollars for sticks, my first aluminum stick was$49 and blades were $9-$15. Skates I remember Microns were I think were $29. Hell goalie skates were $39. Kinda showing my age now. My current skates are Reebok 18k’s. Had to replace the steels a few times. Just beer league hockey though.
sounds stupid & even reading my words sounds super cringe but when u first start playing hockey its almost magical... The smell of the ice in the mornings, the excitement seeing friends come into the dressing room even the sound of skates carving the ice or the cold air blowing on your face as u skate faste, there is NOTHING like hockey it is just so sad that this sport is suffering from the greedy corporations who are ROBBING US BLIND for equipment & its sad fewer kids every yr dont get to experience youth hockey because there parents dont make 6 figures
I've had my CCM Tacks 652s since 1996-ish, cost $375. I took around 15 yrs off in there, I'm in my 40s now, trying to play again, they hurt my feet (aging is real), won't really hold an edge anymore, and have finally started to show significant signs of wear and tear. Really looking forward to a new pair with much needed comfort!
Jeez…. Must have been back in the ‘70s when a Koho (wooden, one piece) stick cost about $15. Today’s stick prices are unbelievable. They should be sub $100 but I get that they now have to have aerospace flex design. Don’t know how parents afford outfitting their kids. btw, recently took my (1990s?) Bauer Supreme skates in for blade sharpening and saw the expression on the guys face when he saw the leather inners.
Make equipment lines for retail customers that are affordable, durable and top value for the money and give the Pro Stock gear the latest tech. IT IS NOT ROCKET SCIENCE
I'm over 100kg, I spent not enough on vapor 3.7x at first for 150 euros, then switch to suprem M4 (500 E) to actually fit my weight. For stick I have two sticks (a vapor and Nexus E3), 130 around each. I have 2 years experience in Hockey and I'm 36 :)
Hockey companies and this channel can talk about budget skates all they want and how most players don't need a stiff boot, so go with a cheaper model, but the problem is, the cheaper models have corners cut everywhere and end up being extremely uncomfortable and break down very quickly. Tried to go with some middle to low end skates once, and ended up with nasty lace bite in about a year, meanwhile a top of the line skate is still comfortable after 10 years.
My issue is paying "Custom" prices for gear made overseas. I have no political beef, but I can't justify "Handcrafted" prices for foreign assembly line value. This goes guitars... well just about everything retail today.
I bought my first stick off of a close friend for $5, it was an older stick (nike & bauer branded), with the toe coming apart. this was 2020 so i feel very lucky
I still have my Graf skates my dad bought me in 1998 or 1999 I can’t remember. But I still have my pair of 703s. I skated in them probably three or four years ago for the first time in a decade and yes, they aren’t as stiff as most of the boots made today, but they were still serviceable, I could still skate in them. My first pair of hockey skates were the CCM 99s, off the shelf at a target store for like 50 bucks. My first stick was a Koho revolution 2250 with a Mario Lemieux curve and I think it was like 30 or 35 bucks. I remember when I got my grass skates and they were basically top-of-the-line and they were like 500 bucks. I remember when we went from Wood sticks like Titan, Koho, Canadian, branches, Sher-Wood etc to aluminum or shafts like the Z bubble, etc. Even when full one piece sticks came out I think they were only like maybe 150 bucks, now a top-of-the-line stick is $400. So top-of-the-line has now basically doubled in price if not even a little more than doubled in price. Luckily most places in the United States, you can start with a learn to play program through your local NHL team and it’s like 200 bucks for full head to tow equipment and like six or eight weeks of hockey lessons.
Dang, I started playing in 1990, my first pair of cooper goalie pads with glove and blocker was $200. I bought a set of just pads for my 9 yr old and it was around $700 and my newest set of pads was $2000 plus $750 for glove and blocker. When I played jr. A, I thought $70 per sick was outrageous l. Now I can't find a goal stick close to that price that's worth a crap.
I’m a heavy guy, so I need the stiffer skates. I just dropped $850 on Bauer Supremes. My first pair was used for $15. I’d go $150 on a stick. My first stick was a $25 wood Sherwood from Dick’s
Been playing 4 years in Peterborough and my first stick was £120 ccm ribcor 46k. My first skates were ccm jetspeed Ft370 £270 had them for a year didn’t like them but went on to Bauer 2x skates £500 and still going strong now 3 years later.
HA, I still use my Bauer Panthers from the 80's. Real old school. I use sticks that no one has claimed from the local rink's lost and found. My son, on the other hand, has great gear, because he plays high level hockey. There is no doubt that higher level gear is MUCH better than low level gear. However, lots of D1 and Pro players don't use the highest level of equipment. Connor McDavid still uses socks for 10-15 years ago...Skates and helmet deserve the cost. The sticks break too easily to justify the cost. Go with mid level sticks. My son broke a Bauer Hyperlite within 35 days of it being bought. Fortunately the store warrantied the stick. He went back to his Bauer Vapor X3. He likes the heft and the strength of the stick. Hockey is extremely expensive to play and for gear. However, it is the best sport in the world. We LOVE hockey!
I've had a lot of used and clearance gear growing up and only started buying the previous years' top of the line gear once I started paying for everything myself. Looks like a lot of the comments are about trying to go pro when in reality you can just play to play, and it's a lot more affordable. I played roller growing up for about $600 a year, and finding a piece of gear every now and then at the swapmeet for sub $20. It wasn't that expensive for me until I started breaking 2-3 sticks a year. Fortunately I also have a stock of swapmeet sticks that were about $5/ea to subsidize my new $100 sticks. It really seems like there's a disagreement on what the definition of playing hockey is. Buying all new even entry level gear? Yeah, it's expensive. Get some used stuff, and it gets a lot more affordable. I just started playing goalie before covid, and the only new pieces of gear I got was my chesty at $300 and a neck guard for $60. Pillows were $40, catcher/blocker $125 for the pair, $10 for pants, $80 for helmet. Used my normal skates and a stick at the rink. I started playing in net for about $700 after tax. I could've kept using a hand-me-down chesty to almost cut that in half.
$200usd is about the tops I would spend on a stick for my level of play (beer League/drop in) and I’m thinking $300-500 is about what I’m willing to spend on skates at this point. My ~15 year old Reebok 4k’s are NOT cutting 2-3 skates per week and they need replacement asap. I’ll probably try to find a lightly used set of higher end skates from a few years ago and go for that.
The first pair of skates I bought by myself was the reebok 9k pump for €350 back in 2008 I think. I never bought a stick that costs more than 200€. Maximum price I would pay now is 150€. There are a lot of small stock companies now and they make great products for „affordable“ prices
White Titan wooden stick is what I used, $12 each and I broke 1 stick every three games. Skates were around 90 dollars. I'm old but still playing. I'm comfortable spending $ 300 to $400 on skates today and $100 on a stick
Sticks should cost $250 at the very most, but should normally be $150-200 range. You can still get this if you look for last year's models and pro stock equipment, that's where the best value is. Skates last alot longer (5+ years), so im typically willing to spend more to get something higher end (up to $1k).
I am a CEO could afford to spend much money. Bought my first professionell skates 25 years ago Graf 703 for 300 DMark, about 150 Euro. Last year i switched to CCM because of the interior of the skate. The FT6 for 700 Euro is great (not the Pro, it seemed to stiff for my weight). Most of my hockey stuff i buy used stuff from seasons sale of the local professionell team. I dont care about second hand and the things are sometimes only worn once or twiche.
My kid is a u15 tier 1 girl. I used to buy her stick on clearance at Canadian Tire, andlLikely spent no more than $50 Canadian on them. She uses an intermediate stick and currently has a ccm ghost as her primary with an ft 6 pro as a backup, each are $450 ish Cad. I usually get a better deal on skates as we can buy last seasons model on clearance. She wears an ultrasonic I think I paid $750 for with the ti blades, I buy her a pair yearly, her first pair were the most expensive set at CT, $99. It costs $15,000 a season for league play and another $5000 for spring/summer games and training. U22 is $25,000, plus other training. Canadian hockey isn't cheap.
I'm 46, when I started playing, I remember my dad would take me to Canadian Tire when the Cooper stick I was using was in discount at 7$. Then I witnissed the evolution, going to Titan and Koho, then Easton aluminium stick, composite stick and shaft and now carbon/boron etc...
Skipping past plastic floor hockey gear, probably paid $15 or $20 for my first stick. I wonder why YT hockey channels always seem to produce more content about top tier equipment. You CAN spend more than a grand for a pair of skates, but you don't have to. I actually think other gear is more out of line than skates. $100 plus for elbow pads is a little ridiculous.
I'm 45 and just started 2 years ago. First stick was $80 on sale from the season or 2 before. First skates were new mid range hyperlites for $399 i think? Same for my daughter who started at the same time as me. Except maybe her skates were even cheaper i think? $299 Supremes. I replaced them after 6 months when I realized that they were actually too big which was a bummer because they weren't cheap. So maybe thats a lesson for new players, starting cheap is great because after 6-12 months your preferences will probably change a bit. As for sticks, I always try and find something on sale if I want to try a new curve or flex. I won't spend more than $150, which usually gets me something new from a previous season or pro-stock deal. $400 for a new stick that some jerk having a bad night smashes to pieces is foolish.
My son (AA Bantam player) uses the Bauer e5 pro ($200) mid-range stick and loves it, very whippy. We wouldn’t have discovered it if the sync and another top end stick hadn’t broken within 30 days of each other and I didn’t want to spend another $350 on a stick. So yes, mid-range equipment videos would be very helpful. I doubt you’ll get much traction on videos for entry level equipment. Would love to see videos recapping the best equipment of the previous year models so we can keep a look out for discounted prices when the latest model version comes out.
if they want more youth playing hockey this is the wrong way to do it. I know several moms who've cited how expensive the gear for hockey is esp vs soccer and basketball
Hockey TV ratings keep plunging, and its popularity among kids is decreasing compared to other global sports like basketball, soccer, and baseball. Yet the hockey equipment manufacturers' solution seems to be to keep jacking up prices to prevent new people from trying out the sport and milking the existing fan base. Stupid..
I got some 3x pros used for $150. Rebaked and been good to go. No way I’ll ever pay $700 for some skates, but I do appreciate the performance. Same for sticks. Sideline swap all day 😅
I moved to Canada from Scotland 10 years ago and started playing hockey not long after, my 1st pair of skates cost me $50 but after blocking a shot I was told I should buy a better pair, during my dad's 1st visit over he bought me my 1st pair (still using) of proper hockey skates, Easton Stealth RS, they were on clearance for $300 which I thought was a great deal as they were $800 when they 1st launched, I'd have trouble paying more than that though
I am used to top of the line equipment since 2012ish.. But not spending 400$ on a stick. Definitely not 1200$ on skates. I buy all my sticks pro stock for around 150-200. And the last pair of skates i got used on sideline swap Bauer 2x Pros for 250$.
Yeah I want new skates next season from true Custom SVH and they are expensive but I have issues with my feets. I have tried CCM and Bauer skates and my feets hurts. But with True SVH skates I think it is better for my feets I need more space in skates. I am excited 🙂 I am excited to try 70 flex with CCM Jetspeed FT7 Pro next season I have tried with 75 flex with FT6 Pro but it was too stiff for me 😅
$20 first stick back in 90s. Comfortable spending $250 on skates, $50 for a stick. Skate prices dont seem out of control. Sticks are. Anyone spending $100 or more on a twig is mental.
My first stick I think was Christian , and was 20 bucks , in today’s market everything cost more I think and one piece stick should not cost more than 250 , and the top skate 800 . But who am I . I wear 2x pro vapour skates I paid 1200 when I got them , and I have 2 hyper light sticks , 320 each . Hockey is not cheap . Cheers guys Jamie from St. John’s nl
I bought a pair of Bauer entry level hockey skates for around 90$ in 1990 and my Sherwood wood stick cost around $20. I recently started playing again about 4 years ago and bought some Bauer Supreme Ignite for about $250 and a Warrior Covert QRE 3 for $110. So, the costs were a bit more. If you look at inflation those skates I bought in 1990 would cost me around 200$ today and that stick about $50 today. I think the gear I bought recently is lightyears better than what I used (the skates especially), so the cost was warranted. My biggest issue is the durability. The new skates I bought fell apart and are not really worth putting new blades into (despite having blades that can be hot swapped right on the bench). The stick has held up well, but I think only because I use a basic stick and I play in an over 40 league. My sons use higher caliber sticks and now that they are teens, we are noticing their sticks breaking more....so I'm not 100% sold on buying the best sticks as the trade off in light weight seems to come with less durability and I don't see the benefit. It's also getting harder to hand equipment down from one kid to the next because velcro and seams on even the best gear doesn't hold up for much beyond a single season. Palms in gloves are also tearing after a single season. My boys really want the high end gear so they can have what their teammates have, but I don't see the value in a lot of it and the hardest thing for me is getting the right gear for them at the best price point. It's very easy to spend an insane amount of money on gear but it's hard to tell if it's really worth it.
The 1st hockey stick I bought was roughly 85$CDN. I changed my Graft skate (had them for at least 10years and I use them as rollar blades now.) Changed them for True customs around 4 and they are starting to fall apart already very disappointed.
It's just another industry making quick money out of a sport/hobby. I buy all my kit second hand except skates and it still runs into a bill close to £1000. Who pays 2.50 for sellotape that goes around your socks? 😂😂😢😢
What about Tronx brand? They say same weight for sticks and half of price, they have a one pice skate for 250usd less than 1300gr, it sounds cool, could you do a video testing their things? Thanks dude!!
Someone with influence should challenge NHL players to speak out on the fact they often use older tech wrapped in new skins. This would unravel this criminal situation with equipment cost. McDavid wears a skate model that is like 7 years old. It’s a joke and should be called out.
The majority of rec hockey players can’t even utilize half of the potential of the gear they’re buying, yet they insist on showing up with FT6 Pro skates and similar sticks. When they go on the ice, it’s just a mess. You won’t be a better player for going with stiff FT6 Pro skates as a player with 3 weeks worth of skating experience; it’s a waste of money and you won’t progress. Also, absolute nobody cares about your gear; it’s not about showing off bling, but building friendship and enjoying the sport.
Being completely honest, I am 23 years old. I played hockey from 3 to 15 years old. All the time my dad buying me gear, mako skates and stealth rs stick… A couple months ago I got back into the sport, because my dad was able to put together some gear for me. If I didn’t have the opportunity to have gear bought/given to me, I wouldn’t be playing the sport I love. I wish it was a more accessible sport.
I'm willing to pay around 4-5 hundred for a good pair of skates that will last me, for a stick, I don't like spending much over 200. I might be a special case because I work at a hockey store and get discounts on equipment, but regardless that's the most I'll pay for either of those things. First hockey stick my mom bought me for around 100 dollars probably.
My son is a 15yo goalie and this past season cost me $7k usd in equipment. That is also 5 sticks broken from just pucks hitting them and breaking 2 playing the puck and they just snapped off at the paddle. $2500 for travel team playing 55 games. It’s absurd what it costs us.
if it’s my mom or dad buying me a stick usually i stay in the $200-$250 range (including sale sticks/ last year sticks) but if it’s me buying the sticks i spend whatever because i want the preformace
i started ice skating back when i was in year 8 around 2009, i told my mum I really enjoyed it and she spent AU$200 on my first pair of hockey skates, I think it was the entry level of a Bauer, lightspeed holder and factory runner. Now I am 28 years old, if I do decide to go to the rink at least once a week, I can spend AU$1500 on a pair of something custom, that can last me a long time.
I don't usually spend more than $100-150 on a stick these days and I won't pay more than $500 for a pair of skates either. My first stick that I remember the price of was the titan woodies and they were around $15USD in the early 90's.
I'd pay up to £150 for a stick, up to £400 for skates. I paid £75 for my first stick, a terrible bright green Fischer that I got rid of after about 2 months.
Spent 1,100 for a custom pair of Bauer supreme total one. Was playing 2x a week now only 1x a week . The stitching around the toe cap that holds it on the boot Came undone sent pictures to Bauer and called them they told me there’s nothing they can do. They don’t fix skates. Tried all the pro shops. But they don’t have the correct machine to re stitch the toe cap on. Video on RUclips of a minor-league hockey equipment person fixing the same issue. I have sent an email to them to see if I could pay them to fix mine but never got a reply as skates and all the advantages. They just don’t hold up for five year old parades, use once a week. Prices of equipment are skyrocketing first wood Coho 221 hockey stick cost was$10.
this is why i hate the NHL promoting "hockey is for everyone". It's not for everyone.. it's for wealthy families. If you want to go far in the sport you need money and unfortunately not everyone can play because of that. Brands like Bauer and CCM are about inclusion but promote their $400 sticks and $1200 skates at the same time. Kids these days can be cruel as well so if you don't have the best gear you'll get picked on or called names.
Youre dead on. Also, my parents paid about $1500 a season for me to just play on the team and that was in the early '90's.
You think mcdavid needs the most expensive gear to be that good? No, he would still dominate with a wood stick, and 90’s skates. Beer league bum is probably one of the few people not being paid to review gear. This Chanel is heavily paid for
Fr. I’m from Baltimore and while everyone was excited when Noel Acton win the Willie O’Ree award, we knew nothing would change. The rink all those kids play in still has a huge gaping hole on the roof that means that rain and snow along with debris can come in and prevent the kids from playing. They make a big deal about highlighting making the game more accessible but then don’t do anything about these types of places they’re also highlighting. It’s crazily frustrating
i didn't ask about McDavid, so not sure why you brought him up, also he has had the best gear available at all levels paid for by someone else. My comment is about the NHL and gear companies promoting inclusion while they promote the top of the line gear.. hockey is not for everyone.
Your response is so cringe. Not everyone is Mcdavid… most the players in the NHL got there because of extra training, camps and clinics. Hockey is absolutely for ppl w money. If you don’t have money you cant put your kids in extra camps and clinics. SOME kids can still excel without but MOST need it in order to make top teams. There is ZERO argument against hockey being too expensive, ZERO. If you don’t under that the best kids are the best because they practice more aka pay more then you are totally clueless when it comes to current minor hockey/club hockey landscape
As a beer leaguer that has worn mid level skates my entire life, I finally bought some elite level
Skates last year (Ccm ASV pro) there’s a big difference in comfort and feel between mid level and elite level skates.
Same here. I started playing goalie about 2 years ago. Started with Bauer GSX level entry skates$300. Upgraded to Bauer vapor pros ( on clearance sale $500) retail $800. The difference is night and day.
I’ll spend money on two things: Helmet and Skates. Gotta protect the noggin and take care of your feet!
I think even in Beer League it makes a difference. Can only speak for me but i Always buy top of the Line Skates, gloves and Sticks. The Skates are the Most important Thing. When you Block a big Shot you know why better buy Higher Models 😂. Sticks are also important for me. Over 400 Grams feel very heavy and results in Bad Stickhandling and Not as good reactions for me. Gloves because of the palm and Mobility. But i definetly dont pay the full price. Always looking for Sales from Last Gen top Equipment. For Hyperlite 2 Skates i paid 730€ and top Sticks in General max 150€. Last week i bought a tmp pro and flylite for 130€ each. For Other Equipment i buy mostly in the middle Tier sections. For Elbows i have the cheapest Nexus from 10 years before. 😅
I paid 250 euros for my machs, they're used but that doesn't matter
I found the same - literally never had comfortable skates until I bought high end. Had enough of my feet killing me after a game. Maybe it was just fit, but I bought some ultrasonics in 2021 and they are sooo comfortable.
I remember when the OG Gretzky aluminum came out, it was $50 and that was expensive at the time
I remember that one, it was actually $99. Other aluminum sticks were running about $50.
I had the first aluminum Gretzky one. I think it was white and red Easton.
Slashing with those built men. Nobody cared about the gear, they were worried about going home in one piece.
Yeah 1993?
One of the biggest giveaways on pricing is how junior and intermediate gear drops to almost half the price but obviously take about as much labour.
This KILLS me. Intermediate gear is literally half the price for the exact same thing minus like 15% of material
But you can think about the price being somewhere in the middle, like they might intentionally make junior equipment cheaper, subsidizing it with higher prices for senior equipment
The other issue that isn’t discussed is that people are paying for this gear. There is no need for a 7-year old player to have Bauer Machs and a Agent stick, but parents do buy them for them even though they will grow out of both in a year or two. Also it feels like sticks have been pushing to be lighter instead of pushing to hold their value for longer. These two trends are really unfortunate, especially the first one in my opinion
I desperately wanted to play hockey as a kid. I practiced for hours in the driveway with a cheap stick and net, using tennis balls and the metal lids of Duke's mayonnaise jars for pucks. But my parents just could not afford paying for a full kit and all the ice/team fees, plus they both worked full time and couldn't drive me to the rink all the time. I understood it just wasn't possible and I never pushed it. I recently started adult hockey because I can finally afford to pay for ice time, and things like SidelineSwap and Facebook market exist to buy cheap used gear. The years of playing in my driveway paid off, and playing hockey is coming naturally to me and I'm loving it. But now I am always going to wonder what I could have done with hockey if my family could have afforded the expense. I loved the game so much but I could never play it.
Hello….
You are playing Our Game now and Loving it…..that is GREAT.
DO NOT WASTE A MINUTE ON “could haves”….”ponder” or dream about all the possibilities you have now.
That Graf video should win an award my friend. It was awesome. Just to add some context to costs, I bought a full set of Brian's Heritage pads/gloves, I added 'some' custom, not a lot. Cost me $4,500CDN. It was a rough invoice to process.
I know guys in jofa helmets, 5030’s, and 1980’s tacks who can absolutely humiliate anybody worried about the “newest gear” out there on the ice. Jesus, buddy, just play the damn game in what you can afford. If you suck, the tech does nothing but make you look like an expensive fool.
We have had a huge problem finding a good "mid-range" stick from major brands. Bauer has their shift pro line but availability is very irregular and only at certain pro shops. Inexpensive name brand sticks are clearly heavier with balance problems, the nice high-end sticks are great of course, but the mid-range sticks we've tried from Bauer and other manufacturers simply don't measure up. Either they feel totally different or they break easily with blades that split open way too soon. But I've had 5 hockeystickman pro blackouts that have lasted more than one season and they feel and weigh only marginally different from real high end sticks, at a price that is much lower than even disappointing mid-range name brand sticks. I didn't think it was possible but my kids like the sticks and haven't broken one yet, even though playing at youth AA/AAA/Elite level.
Bought the CCM FT2 brand new when they came out just days before the pandemic started , months later the FT 3 then the FT4 came out it was the Same exact skate just different color design Yet people bought the new skates over the older design when they could of buy FT2 for half price brand new 🤔
I can understand $1000 for skates because they should last for 3-5 years (or longer) but spending $400 or more on a stick is ridiculous when they only last for a couple months
when I was playing semi pro I went thru 3-4 pair of skates a yr, imagin having to pay that at these prices ...... lucky in those days skates sticks were provided by team.
Guy on my beer league team bought a true hazardous for $400, broke a week after the warranty expired
I pretty much buy used. I would love to get new gear but the level I would want are too expensive. As a goalie its very easy to spend tons of money. Thankfully where I live there are lots of good deals for used gear. I also dont use the newer goalie sticks. Still use a wood stick. they last forever.
I get elite level used skates and sticks for way way cheaper
$130 for skates $30 stick doing good for me
Ball hockey on sneakers is the cheaper alternative to ice or roller hockey
I still buy top of the line skates for my kids, however they have approached what I’m willing to spend at$1000-1200…I won’t go higher. Sticks on the other hand, buy top of the line but a season old or pro stock for $200-250. Can’t justify $400+ for something that lasts 30 days.
Less than $200 for a stick and less than $500 for skates. My first Sherwood featherlite was like $20-25. I would say nowadays the value brand I always look to when shopping around for new sticks and gears is Sherwood
I used to spend thousands on top of the line sticks now I just buy pro blackout sticks the best stick I’ve had in awhile and really durable only like 150$ CAD
What website?
I remember when I first started, I wanted Gretzky's Titan TPM2020 more than anything. It was selling for $25 so my dad said no. He came home with a $15 Koho that I loved so much. By the time I made it to college, aluminum sicks came out and they started around $50. My parents bought one for me (an Easton) when I made my college team. With the current pricing, I really like all the alternatives to the big brands. Tronx and Shift have some great spec sticks for much better pricing. I bought a lot of mid-spec sticks from CCM and Bauer and they kinda sucked. The puck feel was awful. For the same price I can get better specs from smaller brands. I was also fortunate enough to get a 50% off deal last month on some True Cat 5 skates. $140 for the most comfortable skates out of the box that I've ever had.
Also skates are more expensive because there are less people making them so now you really only have like 3 options and they have that option to control the market way easier than if it were 6 competitors going against each other
Haven't gotten into hockey gear yet, but I recently got the vapor X3 skates for $299. Just skating for fun at the moment.
Have mercy just skating for $299. Mad expensive.
@@BenDover-vs7ih I would have gotten used skates but I have wide feet. These 9EE skates fit perfect, worth the cost, I go about 8hrs a week at the moment.
@@BenDover-vs7ihthat’s super cheap lol especially for hockey skates
@FlexSZN23 yes compared to how it is today. But still expensive for some folks.
@@FlexSZN23”That’s super cheap” lmao. God damn, bud. You’re part of the problem. People like you gladly spending $300 on skates as if it’s cheap.
I bought 2 pairs of Graf G9035 late 2018 knowing Graf was leaving Canada. Each of those pairs of G9035 were $280. Yes, $280 a pair, CAD. I rotate through them twice a week and they are still like new. A comparable pair from Bauer or CCM at that time were well north of $700 CAD. No thanks. These Grafs will last me the next 20 years. So sad how hockey equipment prices in general have soared, especially for skates.
Imaging how bad it is for people in Republic of Ireland, we don't even have shops, so we buy gear, that costs fortune, blindly, without even trying it out.
Using potatoes for pucks there buddy boy? You should be golfing.
you should start a shop! sounds like an opening in the market!
for sticks i order from pro stock hockey because its pro stock gear for cheap. most sticks cost between 140-180 usd. i get top end skates
My first ever composite/carbon fiber hockey stick is the Buar Sling when I started playing hockey in 2022.
When I was a kid in the late 70's early 80's, a Sherwood PMP stick was like 10-15 bucks. I think in 1983 The top of line Bauer skate (Supreme 100) was around $200. Even 15 years ago, The top skates were $500-600, top of the line sticks $200. Made in Canada pro level gloves were 200-250. Sherwood PMP's probably around 25? Do I think the current gear pricing is getting out of hand? Yeah, definitely seems to out pace inflation and incomes. If I was still playing, I wouldn't be buying $1100 skates and $350 sticks. The good news is it appears great skates are available in the 500 dollar range and true one piece sticks in the 450 gram weight for less than $150. So, I suppose it boils down to what kind of gear you need and what level you play at.
My first pair that I bought with my own money, we're the bauer supreme one20s. 120 bucks.
I've had em for 12 years.
Unfortunately, as much as I love those skates. It is time. Been looking at the CCM ft2 for me. Sub 500 right now, and as a chonky boi seem more up my alley
Honestly, i believe sticks should be something like $30, there’s NO reason for a literal stick to be $200. And skates should be like $200 max. I would be comfortable spending about $150 for skates and $90 for a stick, unfortunately thats extremely difficult.
First stick was an adult Cooper with graphite strips on the blade. that was $11.99US. And first pair of skates were the Bauer adult size panthers which were about $120 in 1986. The last stick I bought was for my son, which was an intermediate warrior $120 on sale and the latest skates were an intermediate Bauer Vapors for $540 on sale down from $630 in 2024.
Im 28 and I play recreationally, so I don’t need anything crazy, but I still like to have quality gear.
Stick: up to $200
Skates: up to $450. currently using Supreme M4 for ice $450; and Vapor 2XR for roller $750 (paid $450 on clearance)
First stick was $18 about 10 years ago. Koho wood stick with ABS blade.
It’s not just the equipment… it’s the ice time. In 2020 before the COVID lockdown, in the Portland, OR area I could go to a public skating session for $8 and stick time for $10 (midday) to $12 (evening and weekends). Today, either session is $25. That’s right: $25. And that’s the going rate at two different rinks. Who can afford that?
First stick that I bought, about $15-20.
First skates that I bought, about $130.
Current stick that I am using, about $350.
Current skates that I am using, about $450.
You may have enjoyed making the video but I certainly enjoyed watching it. My first stick was probably about $20... Skates I don't know, my mom would have bought them for me.. lol
I only play roller now and in the past few years ive replaced all of my equipment after 20yrs. If you need the latest and greatest its expensive. If you buy last years models you can get them at a huge discount. My new skates were kind of ridiculous but found them barely used for half price. That being said after a marsblade chassis i still have $800 into them but they were the first pair out of 6 that didnt hurt after the first shift. Everything else was top of the line for the year before off the clearance sections.
My first pair of skates when i started playing and coaching was about $200. Reebok 4k just to get started. I bought my first real pair of good skates (Graf 9035) for under $300 on clearance. Super comfortable but the upper completely gave out last year after like 6 years. I am now about 245 lb, and on the ice 4+ tines a week between playing beer league and coaching. I got a pair of ccm as-v pro skates on sidelineswap from someone who bought the wrong size for like $500. My reasoning was i am a heavy guy now and my skates need to last, and these seem ok. No idea if I got the right ones but I was probably not far off I think.
Can't justify ever paying more. My sticks are often pro stock returns between $120-$150. Probably never spent $200 on a stick.
I buy my kids gear the same way, often last year's model or a pro stock return and they get great gear that way, sometimes with cool custom specs. It does take me a very long time to find gear this way though. Time vs money I guess.
For video requests I would love if you could compare Marsblade vs BladeTech. I have had both and am in BladeTech now because I felt the Kickstarter original Marsblades were too heavy, expensive to mount, and hard to get replacement steel when one broke. The cushioning of BladeTech was also attractive as i get older. But I often wonder if I maybe I should give them another chance with their current model. Please compare to see which actually performs better and makes players faster. I can't find that comparison anywhere, only comparisons between fixed blades and holders and these brands. Thanks.
Prices are outrageous and Bauer UK (Puckstop) should be embarrassed by refusing to supply certain shops and only supply National League teams and above with team stock.
Stick: I will pay up to $180 CAD including tax, but only for my kids. $150 including tax for myself. I just paid $119+tax (on sale) for a stick last week. I refuse to pay full price for a stick, nor current year models. My first stick ~$20.
Skates: up to 300 including tax. My last pair off CCM JETSPEED was ~$250 for 2 year old model. I only purchase prior year or older models. There is no reasonable difference to buy a new pair.
Background: I played at a high level when I was younger, both my kids play at least AA level. AAA is the highest level here.
I’m in Canada. I will pay 100-150$ for a stick usually a 200-250$ stick will go on sale for 100$ I will pay 230-299$ for skates. My first stick was a ko-ho torpedo. I paid 21$ tax included. Around 28 years ago.
First stick was around 25-30USD, first hockey skates were around 250USD. I always buy 2-4 years old stuff on sale. And I'm lucky, because I like a bit heavier sticks, so I always can pick up something for 50-90 USD. Again. There's nothing wrong with a s19 nexus league stick for 90USD if you like top end sticks or in my case 50USD for N2700 sticks.
Regarding entry level stuff being shown on HT. I think it would make more sense if you don't compare entry level warrior sticks to ccm, bauer etc entry level sticks, but you make a video about a whole range of 1 brand. Like bauer mid point sticks. Starts with X, E3, E4.... Up to sync or what they call the top spec these days? This way we bearleaguers and topmaniacs too can enjoy the same video.
Grew up in MN playing hockey. I remember the first stick I paid for myself was a 100% super bright neon green sherwood, probably broke my little bank at the time! Paid probably $25-$35 for it, I was 14-ish in 1994!
in 2008 bought my first pair of skates- Graf Supra 301 for $279 USD and a CCM stick for $69, I stopped playing for a number of years and recently got back into it in 2023 and bought new gear. Bauer M5Pros $750 and a new stick True Catalyst 9X $200. I spent around $800 on all other gear (bag, shin, elbow, shoulders, etc) I shopped everything on sale because I like having the slightly higher end but at a discount. I need a little better gear due to size. I'm 6'2" 240 lbs. I splurged on skates knowing I wouldn't buy another pair for a while.
700 range for skates and I pay $179 for sticks (pro stock).
First stick was a titan for $15
I bought Christians and coopers for 10$ Koho ,s and Sherwoods where 15$ bucks…. I still have a Paul coffee Sherwood they where my favorites and I have a Gretzky Titan small blade. And a Stevie Yzerman Eastean wooden
I remember paying $10-$12 dollars for sticks, my first aluminum stick was$49 and blades were $9-$15. Skates I remember Microns were I think were $29. Hell goalie skates were $39. Kinda showing my age now. My current skates are Reebok 18k’s. Had to replace the steels a few times. Just beer league hockey though.
sounds stupid & even reading my words sounds super cringe but when u first start playing hockey its almost magical... The smell of the ice in the mornings, the excitement seeing friends come into the dressing room even the sound of skates carving the ice or the cold air blowing on your face as u skate faste, there is NOTHING like hockey
it is just so sad that this sport is suffering from the greedy corporations who are ROBBING US BLIND for equipment & its sad fewer kids every yr dont get to experience youth hockey because there parents dont make 6 figures
Hockey turned into a wealthy family's game. It's unaffordable for families. Unfortunate times.
I've had my CCM Tacks 652s since 1996-ish, cost $375. I took around 15 yrs off in there, I'm in my 40s now, trying to play again, they hurt my feet (aging is real), won't really hold an edge anymore, and have finally started to show significant signs of wear and tear. Really looking forward to a new pair with much needed comfort!
Jeez…. Must have been back in the ‘70s when a Koho (wooden, one piece) stick cost about $15. Today’s stick prices are unbelievable. They should be sub $100 but I get that they now have to have aerospace flex design. Don’t know how parents afford outfitting their kids. btw, recently took my (1990s?) Bauer Supreme skates in for blade sharpening and saw the expression on the guys face when he saw the leather inners.
Make equipment lines for retail customers that are affordable, durable and top value for the money and give the Pro Stock gear the latest tech. IT IS NOT ROCKET SCIENCE
The year is 2004, Peewee AAA hockey $5000...TPS Response Rubber Jr $199.99, Bauer Vapor XX skates Sr $699.99
I'm over 100kg, I spent not enough on vapor 3.7x at first for 150 euros, then switch to suprem M4 (500 E) to actually fit my weight. For stick I have two sticks (a vapor and Nexus E3), 130 around each. I have 2 years experience in Hockey and I'm 36 :)
Hockey companies and this channel can talk about budget skates all they want and how most players don't need a stiff boot, so go with a cheaper model, but the problem is, the cheaper models have corners cut everywhere and end up being extremely uncomfortable and break down very quickly. Tried to go with some middle to low end skates once, and ended up with nasty lace bite in about a year, meanwhile a top of the line skate is still comfortable after 10 years.
800$ CAD for skate, 200$ CAD for à stick. And i remembrer thats a 100$ stick was à big things. I've got a koho revolution JR for that price
My issue is paying "Custom" prices for gear made overseas. I have no political beef, but I can't justify "Handcrafted" prices for foreign assembly line value. This goes guitars... well just about everything retail today.
over 50 years ago I purchased Bauer Supreme's for about $55, my wood sticks like Sherwood,Titan, and Koho were about $10-12.
I bought my first stick off of a close friend for $5, it was an older stick (nike & bauer branded), with the toe coming apart. this was 2020 so i feel very lucky
First skates were Bauer Classics 100s (with the white leather). Probably about $100.
First stick was a Sherwood 5030jr. About $15
I still have my Graf skates my dad bought me in 1998 or 1999 I can’t remember. But I still have my pair of 703s. I skated in them probably three or four years ago for the first time in a decade and yes, they aren’t as stiff as most of the boots made today, but they were still serviceable, I could still skate in them.
My first pair of hockey skates were the CCM 99s, off the shelf at a target store for like 50 bucks. My first stick was a Koho revolution 2250 with a Mario Lemieux curve and I think it was like 30 or 35 bucks.
I remember when I got my grass skates and they were basically top-of-the-line and they were like 500 bucks. I remember when we went from Wood sticks like Titan, Koho, Canadian, branches, Sher-Wood etc to aluminum or shafts like the Z bubble, etc. Even when full one piece sticks came out I think they were only like maybe 150 bucks, now a top-of-the-line stick is $400. So top-of-the-line has now basically doubled in price if not even a little more than doubled in price. Luckily most places in the United States, you can start with a learn to play program through your local NHL team and it’s like 200 bucks for full head to tow equipment and like six or eight weeks of hockey lessons.
Try finding a used pair of JOFA 686 gloves for under $300. Koho 750, 650 crusty smelly used pair still more expensive than new Warrior etc.
Dang, I started playing in 1990, my first pair of cooper goalie pads with glove and blocker was $200. I bought a set of just pads for my 9 yr old and it was around $700 and my newest set of pads was $2000 plus $750 for glove and blocker. When I played jr. A, I thought $70 per sick was outrageous l. Now I can't find a goal stick close to that price that's worth a crap.
I’m a heavy guy, so I need the stiffer skates. I just dropped $850 on Bauer Supremes. My first pair was used for $15. I’d go $150 on a stick. My first stick was a $25 wood Sherwood from Dick’s
Been playing 4 years in Peterborough and my first stick was £120 ccm ribcor 46k.
My first skates were ccm jetspeed Ft370 £270 had them for a year didn’t like them but went on to Bauer 2x skates £500 and still going strong now 3 years later.
HA, I still use my Bauer Panthers from the 80's. Real old school. I use sticks that no one has claimed from the local rink's lost and found. My son, on the other hand, has great gear, because he plays high level hockey. There is no doubt that higher level gear is MUCH better than low level gear. However, lots of D1 and Pro players don't use the highest level of equipment. Connor McDavid still uses socks for 10-15 years ago...Skates and helmet deserve the cost. The sticks break too easily to justify the cost. Go with mid level sticks. My son broke a Bauer Hyperlite within 35 days of it being bought. Fortunately the store warrantied the stick. He went back to his Bauer Vapor X3. He likes the heft and the strength of the stick. Hockey is extremely expensive to play and for gear. However, it is the best sport in the world. We LOVE hockey!
Might not need elite level skates. Mid level skates are still 6-700 dollars. Stick still 200. Shoulders 120. Elbows 100, shinnys 120, pants 100
I've had a lot of used and clearance gear growing up and only started buying the previous years' top of the line gear once I started paying for everything myself. Looks like a lot of the comments are about trying to go pro when in reality you can just play to play, and it's a lot more affordable. I played roller growing up for about $600 a year, and finding a piece of gear every now and then at the swapmeet for sub $20.
It wasn't that expensive for me until I started breaking 2-3 sticks a year. Fortunately I also have a stock of swapmeet sticks that were about $5/ea to subsidize my new $100 sticks. It really seems like there's a disagreement on what the definition of playing hockey is. Buying all new even entry level gear? Yeah, it's expensive. Get some used stuff, and it gets a lot more affordable.
I just started playing goalie before covid, and the only new pieces of gear I got was my chesty at $300 and a neck guard for $60. Pillows were $40, catcher/blocker $125 for the pair, $10 for pants, $80 for helmet. Used my normal skates and a stick at the rink. I started playing in net for about $700 after tax. I could've kept using a hand-me-down chesty to almost cut that in half.
$200usd is about the tops I would spend on a stick for my level of play (beer League/drop in) and I’m thinking $300-500 is about what I’m willing to spend on skates at this point. My ~15 year old Reebok 4k’s are NOT cutting 2-3 skates per week and they need replacement asap. I’ll probably try to find a lightly used set of higher end skates from a few years ago and go for that.
The first pair of skates I bought by myself was the reebok 9k pump for €350 back in 2008 I think. I never bought a stick that costs more than 200€. Maximum price I would pay now is 150€. There are a lot of small stock companies now and they make great products for „affordable“ prices
White Titan wooden stick is what I used, $12 each and I broke 1 stick every three games. Skates were around 90 dollars. I'm old but still playing. I'm comfortable spending $ 300 to $400 on skates today and $100 on a stick
Sticks should cost $250 at the very most, but should normally be $150-200 range. You can still get this if you look for last year's models and pro stock equipment, that's where the best value is. Skates last alot longer (5+ years), so im typically willing to spend more to get something higher end (up to $1k).
I am a CEO could afford to spend much money. Bought my first professionell skates 25 years ago Graf 703 for 300 DMark, about 150 Euro. Last year i switched to CCM because of the interior of the skate. The FT6 for 700 Euro is great (not the Pro, it seemed to stiff for my weight). Most of my hockey stuff i buy used stuff from seasons sale of the local professionell team. I dont care about second hand and the things are sometimes only worn once or twiche.
My kid is a u15 tier 1 girl. I used to buy her stick on clearance at Canadian Tire, andlLikely spent no more than $50 Canadian on them. She uses an intermediate stick and currently has a ccm ghost as her primary with an ft 6 pro as a backup, each are $450 ish Cad. I usually get a better deal on skates as we can buy last seasons model on clearance. She wears an ultrasonic I think I paid $750 for with the ti blades, I buy her a pair yearly, her first pair were the most expensive set at CT, $99.
It costs $15,000 a season for league play and another $5000 for spring/summer games and training.
U22 is $25,000, plus other training.
Canadian hockey isn't cheap.
I'm 46, when I started playing, I remember my dad would take me to Canadian Tire when the Cooper stick I was using was in discount at 7$. Then I witnissed the evolution, going to Titan and Koho, then Easton aluminium stick, composite stick and shaft and now carbon/boron etc...
Skipping past plastic floor hockey gear, probably paid $15 or $20 for my first stick. I wonder why YT hockey channels always seem to produce more content about top tier equipment. You CAN spend more than a grand for a pair of skates, but you don't have to. I actually think other gear is more out of line than skates. $100 plus for elbow pads is a little ridiculous.
I'm 45 and just started 2 years ago. First stick was $80 on sale from the season or 2 before. First skates were new mid range hyperlites for $399 i think? Same for my daughter who started at the same time as me. Except maybe her skates were even cheaper i think? $299 Supremes. I replaced them after 6 months when I realized that they were actually too big which was a bummer because they weren't cheap. So maybe thats a lesson for new players, starting cheap is great because after 6-12 months your preferences will probably change a bit. As for sticks, I always try and find something on sale if I want to try a new curve or flex. I won't spend more than $150, which usually gets me something new from a previous season or pro-stock deal. $400 for a new stick that some jerk having a bad night smashes to pieces is foolish.
My son (AA Bantam player) uses the Bauer e5 pro ($200) mid-range stick and loves it, very whippy. We wouldn’t have discovered it if the sync and another top end stick hadn’t broken within 30 days of each other and I didn’t want to spend another $350 on a stick. So yes, mid-range equipment videos would be very helpful. I doubt you’ll get much traction on videos for entry level equipment. Would love to see videos recapping the best equipment of the previous year models so we can keep a look out for discounted prices when the latest model version comes out.
if they want more youth playing hockey this is the wrong way to do it. I know several moms who've cited how expensive the gear for hockey is esp vs soccer and basketball
Hockey TV ratings keep plunging, and its popularity among kids is decreasing compared to other global sports like basketball, soccer, and baseball. Yet the hockey equipment manufacturers' solution seems to be to keep jacking up prices to prevent new people from trying out the sport and milking the existing fan base. Stupid..
I got some 3x pros used for $150. Rebaked and been good to go. No way I’ll ever pay $700 for some skates, but I do appreciate the performance. Same for sticks. Sideline swap all day 😅
I moved to Canada from Scotland 10 years ago and started playing hockey not long after, my 1st pair of skates cost me $50 but after blocking a shot I was told I should buy a better pair, during my dad's 1st visit over he bought me my 1st pair (still using) of proper hockey skates, Easton Stealth RS, they were on clearance for $300 which I thought was a great deal as they were $800 when they 1st launched, I'd have trouble paying more than that though
I am used to top of the line equipment since 2012ish.. But not spending 400$ on a stick. Definitely not 1200$ on skates. I buy all my sticks pro stock for around 150-200. And the last pair of skates i got used on sideline swap Bauer 2x Pros for 250$.
Yeah I want new skates next season from true Custom SVH and they are expensive but I have issues with my feets. I have tried CCM and Bauer skates and my feets hurts. But with True SVH skates I think it is better for my feets I need more space in skates. I am excited 🙂 I am excited to try 70 flex with CCM Jetspeed FT7 Pro next season I have tried with 75 flex with FT6 Pro but it was too stiff for me 😅
$20 first stick back in 90s.
Comfortable spending $250 on skates, $50 for a stick.
Skate prices dont seem out of control. Sticks are. Anyone spending $100 or more on a twig is mental.
I’m willing to spend 200-250 for a stick, 1000 range for skates. My first stick was probably around 180
450-650$ range for skates and 120$ for sticks. First stick was Sherwood 5030 for 17$
My first stick I think was Christian , and was 20 bucks , in today’s market everything cost more I think and one piece stick should not cost more than 250 , and the top skate 800 . But who am I . I wear 2x pro vapour skates I paid 1200 when I got them , and I have 2 hyper light sticks , 320 each . Hockey is not cheap . Cheers guys Jamie from St. John’s nl
I bought a pair of Bauer entry level hockey skates for around 90$ in 1990 and my Sherwood wood stick cost around $20. I recently started playing again about 4 years ago and bought some Bauer Supreme Ignite for about $250 and a Warrior Covert QRE 3 for $110. So, the costs were a bit more. If you look at inflation those skates I bought in 1990 would cost me around 200$ today and that stick about $50 today. I think the gear I bought recently is lightyears better than what I used (the skates especially), so the cost was warranted. My biggest issue is the durability. The new skates I bought fell apart and are not really worth putting new blades into (despite having blades that can be hot swapped right on the bench). The stick has held up well, but I think only because I use a basic stick and I play in an over 40 league. My sons use higher caliber sticks and now that they are teens, we are noticing their sticks breaking more....so I'm not 100% sold on buying the best sticks as the trade off in light weight seems to come with less durability and I don't see the benefit. It's also getting harder to hand equipment down from one kid to the next because velcro and seams on even the best gear doesn't hold up for much beyond a single season. Palms in gloves are also tearing after a single season. My boys really want the high end gear so they can have what their teammates have, but I don't see the value in a lot of it and the hardest thing for me is getting the right gear for them at the best price point. It's very easy to spend an insane amount of money on gear but it's hard to tell if it's really worth it.
The 1st hockey stick I bought was roughly 85$CDN.
I changed my Graft skate (had them for at least 10years and I use them as rollar blades now.) Changed them for True customs around 4 and they are starting to fall apart already very disappointed.
It's just another industry making quick money out of a sport/hobby. I buy all my kit second hand except skates and it still runs into a bill close to £1000. Who pays 2.50 for sellotape that goes around your socks? 😂😂😢😢
What about Tronx brand? They say same weight for sticks and half of price, they have a one pice skate for 250usd less than 1300gr, it sounds cool, could you do a video testing their things? Thanks dude!!
Someone with influence should challenge NHL players to speak out on the fact they often use older tech wrapped in new skins. This would unravel this criminal situation with equipment cost. McDavid wears a skate model that is like 7 years old. It’s a joke and should be called out.
The majority of rec hockey players can’t even utilize half of the potential of the gear they’re buying, yet they insist on showing up with FT6 Pro skates and similar sticks.
When they go on the ice, it’s just a mess. You won’t be a better player for going with stiff FT6 Pro skates as a player with 3 weeks worth of skating experience; it’s a waste of money and you won’t progress.
Also, absolute nobody cares about your gear; it’s not about showing off bling, but building friendship and enjoying the sport.
Being completely honest, I am 23 years old. I played hockey from 3 to 15 years old. All the time my dad buying me gear, mako skates and stealth rs stick…
A couple months ago I got back into the sport, because my dad was able to put together some gear for me. If I didn’t have the opportunity to have gear bought/given to me, I wouldn’t be playing the sport I love. I wish it was a more accessible sport.
I always buy used gear, price is ridiculous for new. Got my used 5yr old supreme s29 for £50 in great condition. Only buy pucks new 😂
I'm willing to pay around 4-5 hundred for a good pair of skates that will last me, for a stick, I don't like spending much over 200. I might be a special case because I work at a hockey store and get discounts on equipment, but regardless that's the most I'll pay for either of those things. First hockey stick my mom bought me for around 100 dollars probably.
My son is a 15yo goalie and this past season cost me $7k usd in equipment. That is also 5 sticks broken from just pucks hitting them and breaking 2 playing the puck and they just snapped off at the paddle. $2500 for travel team playing 55 games. It’s absurd what it costs us.
if it’s my mom or dad buying me a stick usually i stay in the $200-$250 range (including sale sticks/ last year sticks)
but if it’s me buying the sticks i spend whatever because i want the preformace
Started playing at 25. First pair of skates were £490 for 3s Pro's. And first stick was a CCM ribkor 74k cost me £115.
i started ice skating back when i was in year 8 around 2009, i told my mum I really enjoyed it and she spent AU$200 on my first pair of hockey skates, I think it was the entry level of a Bauer, lightspeed holder and factory runner. Now I am 28 years old, if I do decide to go to the rink at least once a week, I can spend AU$1500 on a pair of something custom, that can last me a long time.
I don't usually spend more than $100-150 on a stick these days and I won't pay more than $500 for a pair of skates either. My first stick that I remember the price of was the titan woodies and they were around $15USD in the early 90's.
I'd pay up to £150 for a stick, up to £400 for skates.
I paid £75 for my first stick, a terrible bright green Fischer that I got rid of after about 2 months.
Spent 1,100 for a custom pair of Bauer supreme total one. Was playing 2x a week now only 1x a week . The stitching around the toe cap that holds it on the boot Came undone sent pictures to Bauer and called them they told me there’s nothing they can do. They don’t fix skates. Tried all the pro shops. But they don’t have the correct machine to re stitch the toe cap on. Video on RUclips of a minor-league hockey equipment person fixing the same issue. I have sent an email to them to see if I could pay them to fix mine but never got a reply as skates and all the advantages. They just don’t hold up for five year old parades, use once a week. Prices of equipment are skyrocketing first wood Coho 221 hockey stick cost was$10.