where to buy equipment
Darya
list. I figured I'd save them here for roller-skating posterity.
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Hi hockey fans. One of the new guys, Bob, is obviously not new to
buying gear and had more great advice and where to buy gear. He says:
I've bought a lot of gear over the past 2 years. Being the resident
Canadian guy who grew up in a city where you could buy hockey sticks
at the corner deli or gas station (no joke) Paragon has an "alright"
selection. It's best around now. Early sept - november is when they
get the majority of their stuff. They re-stock again in late winter/
early spring...but by then, it's mostly the new Mission skates and
some sticks.
West Side doesn't really have that much gear on site. They can order
it...and get it pretty quick. What they do have tends to be rather
high-end... I've found their sticks kinda out-of-date, though.
It is the best place in the city for hockey wheels and skates. The
Asphalt Labedas are amazing. The cost about 8 bucks a wheel, but last
almost 10 times longer than any other wheel I've used.
Gerry Cosby is WAY overpriced. They're still selling a dusty pair of
junior goalie pads from the 1990's for something like 700 bucks. I
bought a nice iTech set for 3 bills.
Modells on 3rd at 86th actually sells hockey stuff... at least, they
did last year. Some decent skates and protective gear (RBK, Mission,
CCM, etc...)
As for on-line: I have had the most success with hockeymonkey.com.
Unlike 247hockey, they rarely run out of stock. If they sell it on
their site, chances are they've got it in stock. 247hockey outsources
it's warehouse and distribution...so they never know what they've got
till someone orders.
Hope this helps.
Bob.
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Chris wrote:
>
> 2 cents:
>
> If you *know* what size skates you wear (size, width, fit, etc.) the most economic option is to buy online directly. Googling street hockey skates will bring up reasonable sites. If you order boots that bake, you can bring them in to West Side Skate and Stick (below), and they can do a few things like bake or punch out areas of the boot for ~$20 to improve the fit.
>
> If you *don't know* what fit you have it's nice to try before you buy. Again, WSS&S is a good place to go, but they will charge you more than the lowest internet price for doing all the ordering and advising you on boots. I went this way, and was very happy with their knowledge and help. I didn't mind the extra cost.
>
> The last time I tried Paragon, they were out of stock on everything but the highest end skates. I think prices there are pretty standard (read: "standard" for Manhattan).
>
> It's sometimes worth a quick search over Craigslist to see if there are any used skates for sale. I think this is least likely to work, but if you strike it very lucky you could find a pair that someone is selling that fits you and you can save a lot on. Some people buy, use once, and realize it's not for them. Also not a bad place to check for equipment other than skates (pads, helmets, goalie stuff, jock straps for the absolutely fearless...)
>
> -chris
> Geoffrey wrote:
>
> On a side note, I was asked about where to buy equipment in the city. Damn good question. My answer is below, but does anybody want to add their 2 cents?
>
> Paragon on broadway at 19th st has a lot of stuff, but it can be pricey. Another store in the city is West Side Skate and Stick. The guys are cool, but I dont know about their prices except that they only sell high end skates (ask Omar :-)). They might have roller stuff but definitely have ice hockey gear.
> http://www.wsskate.com/sales.html
>
> Alright everyone, gear up and see you next week Saturday!
> Geoff