Affordable Hockey Equipment, Where to Find it?

Your kid wants to play hockey, but there is a catch, it’s expensive. The price for ice time at the local league is out of sight and that doesn’t even include the equipment. Little Johnny (or Suzy for that matter) will need skates, shin pads, pants, elbow pads, helmets, sticks, shoulder pads…the list, a long one at that, adds up to a small fortune. No wonder you have had seconds thoughts about this. Not only does hockey require a large time commitment from both you and your kids, it also eats up a lot resources that are not easy to recoup. In lieu of this, here are some ideas that will keep the financial commitment to a palatable number. Remember, watching your son or daughter play hockey will be a lot more enjoyable if you are not constantly worrying about what it is costing you.

Hockey equipment is expensive, especially if you buy it new. If you are an adult, buying new is not necessarily a poor decision.. Your body, specifically your foot, has stopped growing and  therefore you have the potential to wear the equipment for a long time. A friend of mine had terrible problems with his foot and splurged on a pair of $600 Graff skates. This sounds like a ton of money, but that was 12 years and he still wears the skates. Unfortunately, when outfitting growing children, this is impossible. When I was a kid, a friend of mine, who growing like a weed, went through three different pairs of skates in one year. Can you imagine buying new three times in one year? Forget it. The reality for most parents is that used equipment is the only way to go. Here are some suggestions.

1) Equipment exchanges - Many youth hockey associations understand that their survival depends on their ability to lower the cost of the game for their participants. As a result of this fact, many associations provide opportunities for equipment exchanges at low prices. This is especially critical if your son or daughter wants to be a goaltender. Check with your local youth hockey association, they just may have what you are looking for.

2) Used Sport's equipment stores - Stores like "Play it Again Sports" are good places to find value. Don't expect to find bargain barrel prices, but you will find fair prices that can fit into most people's financial wheel house.

3) Ebay- Ebay is an interesting world when it comes to hockey equipment. I do not prefer this method because most items are a tad bit over priced (Buy now or Bid) plus you have to pay for shipping. Finding the right fit (skates) is also a bit of a gamble.

4) Craigslist- This is the best way to find cheap equipment. There are a considerable amount of sellers who just want to get the stuff out of their house. Their kid played for one season and got sick of it, so they sell everything. On more than one occasion I have seen complete sets of equipment, skates included, selling for $50-75 bucks. What a deal. That is not to say that Craigslist is always a bargain. There are sellers who are well aware of what they paid for the equipment new and are loathe to let it go cheaply. Be patient and wait for the distressed seller. You will win in the end.

If you want to do a national search of Craigslist try Tempestsearch. Remember, buying through Craigslist from non local sources will require faith and a shipment charge. If the price is right, though, it may be worth the risk.

5) Garage sales - You may laugh at this, but garage sales, in my opinion are the mecca of cheap sports equipment. People get rid of stuff when their children out grow them or when their children leave the house. I have picked up skates (CCM Super Tacks) for two dollars, sticks for a dollar and so on. At one place a lady practically begged me to take the stuff off her hands. It's summer, people are cleaning up and if hockey equipment that has just been sitting around for a couple of years is a nuisance, they unload it for nothing.

6) Hand me downs - If you have multiple kids, don't get rid of their equipment (unless of course it is now to small for your youngest). I will buy skates at garage sales that are three sizes to large for my kids because I know that they will all eventually get to use them at one time or another. Which leads me to another point...plan ahead. If your kids like hockey and you know you are going to need equipment in the future, hit the nail when it's hot. Buy equipment that is to large because it is selling for a bargain basement price. If your kids take a U-turn and don't play, then so what, you've only lost a couple of bucks.