When shopping for hockey equipment, no hockey player enjoys anything more than buying a new, kick-ass pair of hockey skates. There are so many choices out there from big-name hockey brands like Reebok, CCM, and Nike Bauer at tons of different price levels. The $500 skates look just like the $100 skates, and so the dilemma continues; which hockey skates are you going to buy?
I decided to write this blog for the true online hockey shoppers. It always makes me laugh when online hockey stores and other hockey informational websites write about how to choose a pair of hockey skates online. They always explain what to look for when you try them on as if you're able to try them on through the Internet. I guess you could go into your local hockey shop, try on some skates, waste their time, and then say audios as you whip out your laptop. But come on, that's not cool. So, below I've attempted to give you a quality guide to buying your hockey skates over the Internet.
Whether you are buying skates for yourself or your kids, choosing your hockey skates from an online catalog with some simple pictures and bullet points can be a stressful task. So, why not buy them in your local hockey shop? Well, because your local hockey shop's price is usually 30% more than the going online rate. So, I'd say we're stuck with the Internet because let's face it, the cheaper price always wins.
First of all, know your size! I realize it may sound stupid but this is one of the biggest pains when purchasing your ice hockey skates online. You obviously cannot try the skates on through the Internet, so it's important for you to know what size you need to order.
If you're an experienced hockey player, you've probably figured out your size already, but here's a tip for any hockey newbies out there. The golden rule of skate fitting is that you take your shoe size and you subtract a size and a half. So, if you wear a size 10 shoe, you will wear about an 8 ½ hockey skate. This applies to all the major brands including Nike Bauer, CCM, and Reebok. The only exception to this rule is Mission, but I have a feeling you aren't in the market for crappy ice hockey skates, so you'll probably stay away from Mission anyway.
As far as picking out the actual hockey skates you want, it's really a lot more simple than you'd think. Pick your favorite brand, and then decide how much you're willing to spend. The more you spend the better the skate will be, obviously. Each company has at least one line of hockey skates. The skates in that particular line all fit and look similar, but they come in about 5-7 different prices.
Most brands follow similar patterns as you go up in price. The cheapest skates are the flimsiest and the heaviest and as you go up in price, stronger, more durable materials are used to make the skates stiffer and lighter. With hockey skates stiffness and lightness are huge. Stiffness translates to support. This is how a skate really is measured. If it's flimsy, its cheap. The more stiff a skate is and the lighter it is, the more expensive it is. When you skate, you absolutely need ankle support and lightweight. Without it, skating wouldn't be the same.
Top of the line skates like Nike Bauer One95 Skates, Nike Bauer Vapor XXXX skates, CCM U+ Skates, and Rbk 9k Skates are all the stiffest these companies make. If you could actually try these skates on in the shop, you'd find that they really aren't that comfortable out of the box. Breaking them in is a pain, but once you do, they'll prove to give you the most support and will last the longest. They'll also be the lightest in weight. The only problem here is these skates are all priced in the $500-$600 price range.
Luckily, Nike Bauer, Reebok, and CCM all make all different levels of skates that fall between the $100 price level and the $600 price level. For more information on specifically the difference between the different hockey skate price levels check out our official hockey skates comparison page.
Here are the ice hockey skates we're featuring price comparisons for at our different price levels:
ChiZeapest Prices:
CCM V03 Senior Ice Hockey Skates
RBK 1k Senior Ice Hockey Skates - 2008
Nike Bauer Vapor XII Senior Ice Hockey Skates
Nike Bauer Supreme ONE05 Senior Ice Hockey Skates
Best Values:
CCM V04 Senior Ice Hockey Skates
RBK 3k Senior Ice Hockey Skates - 2008
Nike Bauer Vapor XVI Senior Ice Hockey Skates
Nike Bauer Supreme ONE35 Senior Ice Hockey Skates
CCM V06 Senior Ice Hockey Skates
RBK 5k Pump Senior Ice Hockey Skates - 2008
Nike Bauer Vapor XXII Senior Ice Hockey Skates
Nike Bauer Supreme ONE55 Senior Ice Hockey Skates
Mid-Level Pricing:
CCM V08 Senior Ice Hockey Skates
RBK 6k Pump Senior Ice Hockey Skates - 2008
Nike Bauer Vapor XXV Senior Ice Hockey Skates
Nike Bauer Supreme ONE75 Senior Ice Hockey Skates
Pro-Level Pricing:
CCM U+ Senior Ice Hockey Skates
RBK 9k Pump Senior Ice Hockey Skates - 2008
Nike Bauer Vapor XXXX Senior Ice Hockey Skates
Nike Bauer Supreme ONE95 Senior Ice Hockey Skates
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Friday, August 22, 2008
Shoulder Pads Make it Hockey
We are proud to announce the launching of our hockey shoulder pads comparison page. You can see it here:
http://www.chizeaphockey.com/protective-hockey-equipment/shoulder-pads.php
With different levels of hockey, comes different levels of contact, and this, my friends, is a huge part of hockey: whaling on people as well as getting the crap knocked out of yourself a little, too. Even though we try to keep that second thing to a minimum, let's face it, it happens.
Full-check hockey is what makes hockey into the game it is. It takes the laughing away. It makes us hate our opponents. It adds that extra bit of intensity that we all live for. While we all love to see fast skating, slick stick-handling, and sick goals, it's all driven by one thing; it's driven by adrenaline.
Without hitting, we're just playing basketball's faster cousin on skates. This is why your shoulder pads are absolutely crucial when you're buying your hockey gear. You need to make sure you buy the right shoulder pads for your style of play. Are you small or big? Light or heavy? What makes you stand out as a hockey player? Is it your slickness and speed or is it your ability to put other hockey players on their backside without any hesitation?
These different factors can play an important role in what kind of shoulder pads you'll want to purchase. You need to decide what factors are most important in a shoulder pad for you. Do you want more bulk and protection? Or do you want a more flimsy lighter weight shoulder pad?
Generally cheaper shoulder pads are flimsy, but lighter in weight. As you go up in price range, shoulder pads become more bulky and a little bit harder to move in. If you want the light shoulder pads, but you aren't worried about getting cracked by someone twice your size, you should go with a cheaper shoulder pad.
If you want more bulk and protection you should go with a pad in the middle price range. You'll get the added protection you need, and you can feel confident about being protected. This confidence can really step up a smaller player's game, knowing they can battle with the biggest players on the ice.
Usually big hitters love the highest-end shoulder pads. They don't need a light weight shoulder pad as they don't care about pulling out that fancy stick-handling crap. They take pride in the extra bulk up top and especially slamming those huge plastic shoulder caps into their opponent's chin at a moment's notice.
Here are the shoulder pads we are currently featuring price comparisons for which we have sorted by price range:
ChiZeapest Prices:
Nike Bauer Senior Supreme 10 Hockey Shoulder Pads
Itech Senior Techlite 255 Hockey Shoulder Pads
CCM V04 Senior Ice Hockey Shoulder Pads
RBK 3K Senior Hockey Shoulder Pads
Best Values:
Nike Bauer Vapor XVI Senior Hockey Shoulder Pads
Itech Senior Techlite 455 Hockey Shoulder Pads
RBK 4K Senior Hockey Shoulder Pads
CCM V06 Senior Ice Hockey Shoulder Pads
Mid-Level Pricing:
CCM V08 Senior Ice Hockey Shoulder Pads
Itech Senior Techlite 655 Hockey Shoulder Pads
Nike Bauer Vapor XXV Senior Hockey Shoulder Pads
RBK 6K Senior Hockey Shoulder Pads
Pro-Level Pricing:
CCM V10 Senior Ice Hockey Shoulder Pads
Itech Senior Techlite 955 Pro-Elite Hockey Shoulder Pads
RBK 9K ASD Senior Hockey Shoulder Pads
Nike Bauer Vapor XXXX Senior Hockey Shoulder Pads
*For more information on what different price levels mean, you should visit our actual shoulder pads comparison page. We have explained them in a decent amount of detail.
http://www.chizeaphockey.com/protective-hockey-equipment/shoulder-pads.php
With different levels of hockey, comes different levels of contact, and this, my friends, is a huge part of hockey: whaling on people as well as getting the crap knocked out of yourself a little, too. Even though we try to keep that second thing to a minimum, let's face it, it happens.
Full-check hockey is what makes hockey into the game it is. It takes the laughing away. It makes us hate our opponents. It adds that extra bit of intensity that we all live for. While we all love to see fast skating, slick stick-handling, and sick goals, it's all driven by one thing; it's driven by adrenaline.
Without hitting, we're just playing basketball's faster cousin on skates. This is why your shoulder pads are absolutely crucial when you're buying your hockey gear. You need to make sure you buy the right shoulder pads for your style of play. Are you small or big? Light or heavy? What makes you stand out as a hockey player? Is it your slickness and speed or is it your ability to put other hockey players on their backside without any hesitation?
These different factors can play an important role in what kind of shoulder pads you'll want to purchase. You need to decide what factors are most important in a shoulder pad for you. Do you want more bulk and protection? Or do you want a more flimsy lighter weight shoulder pad?
Generally cheaper shoulder pads are flimsy, but lighter in weight. As you go up in price range, shoulder pads become more bulky and a little bit harder to move in. If you want the light shoulder pads, but you aren't worried about getting cracked by someone twice your size, you should go with a cheaper shoulder pad.
If you want more bulk and protection you should go with a pad in the middle price range. You'll get the added protection you need, and you can feel confident about being protected. This confidence can really step up a smaller player's game, knowing they can battle with the biggest players on the ice.
Usually big hitters love the highest-end shoulder pads. They don't need a light weight shoulder pad as they don't care about pulling out that fancy stick-handling crap. They take pride in the extra bulk up top and especially slamming those huge plastic shoulder caps into their opponent's chin at a moment's notice.
Here are the shoulder pads we are currently featuring price comparisons for which we have sorted by price range:
ChiZeapest Prices:
Nike Bauer Senior Supreme 10 Hockey Shoulder Pads
Itech Senior Techlite 255 Hockey Shoulder Pads
CCM V04 Senior Ice Hockey Shoulder Pads
RBK 3K Senior Hockey Shoulder Pads
Best Values:
Nike Bauer Vapor XVI Senior Hockey Shoulder Pads
Itech Senior Techlite 455 Hockey Shoulder Pads
RBK 4K Senior Hockey Shoulder Pads
CCM V06 Senior Ice Hockey Shoulder Pads
Mid-Level Pricing:
CCM V08 Senior Ice Hockey Shoulder Pads
Itech Senior Techlite 655 Hockey Shoulder Pads
Nike Bauer Vapor XXV Senior Hockey Shoulder Pads
RBK 6K Senior Hockey Shoulder Pads
Pro-Level Pricing:
CCM V10 Senior Ice Hockey Shoulder Pads
Itech Senior Techlite 955 Pro-Elite Hockey Shoulder Pads
RBK 9K ASD Senior Hockey Shoulder Pads
Nike Bauer Vapor XXXX Senior Hockey Shoulder Pads
*For more information on what different price levels mean, you should visit our actual shoulder pads comparison page. We have explained them in a decent amount of detail.
Compare Prices on Elbow Pads
We've just posted our hockey elbow pad comparison page at ChiZeap Hockey.
You can find it here:
http://www.chizeaphockey.com/protective-hockey-equipment/elbow-pads.php
It's funny how sometimes we take our elbow pads for granted when we're out on the rink getting pounded day after day. You should never doubt the importance of a good elbow pad. Don't believe me? Well, next time you go to the rink to play pick-up, leave your elbow pads in your hockey bag, and then you'll see how many times your elbow actually does find contact with something.
This is what you'll notice. When you get tripped as you speed down the ice into the attacking zone and you fall, you automatically brace your fall with your elbows without even thinking about it. When you are tied up in the corner, battling for the puck, and your opponent gives you sudden nudge from behind, you'll automatically throw your forearms up and brace yourself against the glass. Anytime you fall, your body's natural reaction is to throw out your elbows in order to brace yourself.
Have you ever dinged your elbow on the ice or up against the glass without elbow pads? You will feel a level of pain you've never experienced playing hockey before. Why is it that you can do all these things without fear of hurting your elbows and never think twice about it? It's because you wear a solid pair of elbow pads.
When you're looking for a new pair of elbow pads, you want to make sure that they're something that will protect your elbows well and be so comfortable that you forget you even have them on. After all, that's the point of wearing a good elbow pad... So you can go about doing what it is you do best... laying people out and scoring goals without worrying about what happens to your elbows.
Here are the elbow pads we are currently featuring which we have sorted by price range:
ChiZeapest Prices:
Nike Bauer Senior Supreme 10 Hockey Elbow Pads
Itech Senior Techlite 255 Hockey Elbow Pads
RBK 3K Senior Hockey Elbow Pads
CCM Senior V04 Ice Hockey Elbow Pads
Best Values:
Nike Bauer Vapor XVI Senior Hockey Elbow Pads
RBK 4K Senior Hockey Elbow Pads
Itech Senior Techlite 455 Hockey Elbow Pads
CCM Senior V06 Ice Hockey Elbow Pads
Mid-Level Pricing:
Itech Senior Techlite 655 Hockey Elbow Pads
RBK 6K Senior Hockey Elbow Pads
CCM Senior V08 Ice Hockey Elbow Pads
Nike Bauer Vapor XXV Senior Hockey Elbow Pads
Pro-Level Pricing:
Itech Senior Techlite 955 Pro-Elite Elbow Pads
RBK 9K ASD Senior Hockey Elbow Pads
CCM Senior V10 Ice Hockey Elbow Pads
Nike Bauer Vapor XXXX Senior Hockey Elbow Pads
*For more information on what different price levels mean, you should see our actual elbow pad price comparison page. We have explained them in a decent amount of detail.
You can find it here:
http://www.chizeaphockey.com/protective-hockey-equipment/elbow-pads.php
It's funny how sometimes we take our elbow pads for granted when we're out on the rink getting pounded day after day. You should never doubt the importance of a good elbow pad. Don't believe me? Well, next time you go to the rink to play pick-up, leave your elbow pads in your hockey bag, and then you'll see how many times your elbow actually does find contact with something.
This is what you'll notice. When you get tripped as you speed down the ice into the attacking zone and you fall, you automatically brace your fall with your elbows without even thinking about it. When you are tied up in the corner, battling for the puck, and your opponent gives you sudden nudge from behind, you'll automatically throw your forearms up and brace yourself against the glass. Anytime you fall, your body's natural reaction is to throw out your elbows in order to brace yourself.
Have you ever dinged your elbow on the ice or up against the glass without elbow pads? You will feel a level of pain you've never experienced playing hockey before. Why is it that you can do all these things without fear of hurting your elbows and never think twice about it? It's because you wear a solid pair of elbow pads.
When you're looking for a new pair of elbow pads, you want to make sure that they're something that will protect your elbows well and be so comfortable that you forget you even have them on. After all, that's the point of wearing a good elbow pad... So you can go about doing what it is you do best... laying people out and scoring goals without worrying about what happens to your elbows.
Here are the elbow pads we are currently featuring which we have sorted by price range:
ChiZeapest Prices:
Nike Bauer Senior Supreme 10 Hockey Elbow Pads
Itech Senior Techlite 255 Hockey Elbow Pads
RBK 3K Senior Hockey Elbow Pads
CCM Senior V04 Ice Hockey Elbow Pads
Best Values:
Nike Bauer Vapor XVI Senior Hockey Elbow Pads
RBK 4K Senior Hockey Elbow Pads
Itech Senior Techlite 455 Hockey Elbow Pads
CCM Senior V06 Ice Hockey Elbow Pads
Mid-Level Pricing:
Itech Senior Techlite 655 Hockey Elbow Pads
RBK 6K Senior Hockey Elbow Pads
CCM Senior V08 Ice Hockey Elbow Pads
Nike Bauer Vapor XXV Senior Hockey Elbow Pads
Pro-Level Pricing:
Itech Senior Techlite 955 Pro-Elite Elbow Pads
RBK 9K ASD Senior Hockey Elbow Pads
CCM Senior V10 Ice Hockey Elbow Pads
Nike Bauer Vapor XXXX Senior Hockey Elbow Pads
*For more information on what different price levels mean, you should see our actual elbow pad price comparison page. We have explained them in a decent amount of detail.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
An Introduction ChiZeap Hockey Equipment
If you have come across this blog or you've come across ChiZeap Hockey, you may be wondering what the site is all about?
We are currently building ChiZeap Hockey from the ground up. When the site is finished you'll be able to browse all the major online hockey retailers' product catalogs from one easy location. This will give you the resources to find the cheapest prices on the net for the hockey equipment you're looking to buy.
We aren't looking to "reinvent the wheel" here, as online price-comparison shopping is nothing new with sites like BizRate and PriceGrabber. However, ChiZeap Hockey will differ from the rest with the fact that it'll be built by hockey players for hockey players. You'll be able to see prices side by side from your favorite online hockey retailers.
Feel free to check it out at www.ChiZeapHockey.com.
Currently we are featuring catalogs on the site from:
1. HockeyGiant.com
2. Total Hockey
3. DiscountHockey.com
4. IceJerseys.com
5. Paragon Sports
6. Sports Diamond
Keep in mind ChiZeap Hockey is still under construction and more stores will be coming soon. So, make sure to keep checking back at ChiZeap Hockey. Feel free to subscribe here at our blog as we will be sharing all of our updates as we progress in our journey for the greatest shopping experience for buying hockey equipment online. Also, leave your comments here. Tell us what would make ChiZeap Hockey the best for your hockey equipment shopping.
We are currently building ChiZeap Hockey from the ground up. When the site is finished you'll be able to browse all the major online hockey retailers' product catalogs from one easy location. This will give you the resources to find the cheapest prices on the net for the hockey equipment you're looking to buy.
We aren't looking to "reinvent the wheel" here, as online price-comparison shopping is nothing new with sites like BizRate and PriceGrabber. However, ChiZeap Hockey will differ from the rest with the fact that it'll be built by hockey players for hockey players. You'll be able to see prices side by side from your favorite online hockey retailers.
Feel free to check it out at www.ChiZeapHockey.com.
Currently we are featuring catalogs on the site from:
1. HockeyGiant.com
2. Total Hockey
3. DiscountHockey.com
4. IceJerseys.com
5. Paragon Sports
6. Sports Diamond
Keep in mind ChiZeap Hockey is still under construction and more stores will be coming soon. So, make sure to keep checking back at ChiZeap Hockey. Feel free to subscribe here at our blog as we will be sharing all of our updates as we progress in our journey for the greatest shopping experience for buying hockey equipment online. Also, leave your comments here. Tell us what would make ChiZeap Hockey the best for your hockey equipment shopping.
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