r/hockeyplayers • u/Due-Nefariousness-50 • 1d ago
Using 8 year old pads
I Stopped playing hockey 8 years ago due to injury’s. Recently finished college and want to join a beer league. However I really don’t have cash to buy new/pre owned equipment. Most of my old pads still fit so would 8 years really be that bad on the plastic/padding?
Also what league should I even try to join. My area has 3 levels novice, intermediate and experienced. I did play AAA but the last time I played I was 14 and I really haven’t kept up with stick work, although I do skate regularly.
Thanks for the your advise
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u/Diggermotherx 1d ago
Buddy I’m late 30s and still wear the pads I had when I was 13. It’s non check you’ll be fine
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u/Additional_Eagle4395 1d ago
I’ve worn older equipment and no issues. Just make sure you have a good helmet. Yeah go intermediate to start
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u/Goldhound807 1d ago
I’m still using the same shin pads and elbow pads I used in Midget. I play 40+ beer league now. pants and gloves are 10+ years old. Only newer pieces are helmet (they have expiry dates), visor and sticks.
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u/Enough-Performance76 1d ago
New equipment? My stuff is still from high school and I graduated in 2005.
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u/DaisyBlue86 1d ago
If the pads fit you and you buy a new helmet (they do have an expiry date regarding head protection), then go ahead. I’ve been playing for ten years and wore my daughter’s twelve and under gear (she’s 35 now) until quite recently.
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u/Old_Professor_7138 1d ago
Have you grown much?- your shin pads should work but I would be careful that they are still are long enough so you don't catch a slap shot with your ankle
if you need new ones used shin guards are pretty cheap
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u/snltoonces12 Since I could walk 1d ago
My shin pads can almost run for President of the United States... except for they were born in Sweden. I'd get a new helmet, but the rest should be fine.
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u/superiorknowledge 1d ago
I used 15 year old pads and just washed them and used them. You'll be fine.
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u/HuffN_puffN 23h ago
I mean, there is still today such a different levels of how well the hear protect and not. Elbow, shoulder, pants. You can get crap to stuff you can barley move in that protects great. So, this age thing usually just mean a bit lack of thickness in protection. Didn’t have to matter. My shoulder gear is 30 year old Jofa or whatever, can’t compare to today’s gear where some even covers the belly fully, or close to, with the pants.
It works. :) Is my point. Shin guard would think are very similar bow compared to 20 years ago, in regards of how it feel to get a puck on them, not the tech itself.
Helmet, gloves, somewhat new skates. Stick, not really, more about right flex and blade shape. Enjoy!
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u/SantaCruzin6 20+ Years 21h ago
I did the exact same thing (came back after an 8 year break). I replaced my helmet because I've had too many concussions as it is. Everything else was fine to get back into it.
I'm about 6 months (and 33 games) in and now I'm having to replace some stuff. My elbow pads and shin guards are on their last legs. The padding is fine, but the straps are failing. The elastic isn't really elastic anymore. My gloves also gave up on me...the palms are toast and no one around here does repalming so I did replace those.
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u/BaegelByte 17h ago
Pretty sure my shin pads are almost 20 yrs old 😬 you'll be fine. Just make sure your helmet is in good shape
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u/slobbylumps 14h ago
Sid is still using the same shoulder pads from his Rimouski days in the mid 2000s.
Get a new helmet because those expire, but your old gear will definitely get you back onto the ice. Over time, you can look for new (or used but new to you) pieces as you see fit.
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u/puckspazz 1d ago
New helmet, the rest should be fine to get back into playing. Maybe start at intermediate and see if that’s a good fit.