| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
admin
Forum Admin
Canada
2341 Posts |
 Posted - 01/12/2011 : 10:23:12
|
Poll Question:
Which hockey brand best represents the 3 ideals of performance, cutting edge technology and hockey heritage?
|
|
|
|
Pasty7
PickupHockey Veteran
Canada
2312 Posts |
Posted - 01/14/2011 : 00:14:58
|
quote:
Originally posted by admin
Which hockey brand best represents the 3 ideals of performance, cutting edge technology and hockey heritage?
It Depends i suppose on what position you play and what pieace of equipment we re talking about.... Skates i will only wear graf, even when my team was paying for the equipment i could only get Reebok or CCM products i opted to by my own skates, but i know a lot of people who ahte Graf.. Graf are like slippers you got to like your skates soft and loose in order to like Graf skates,, as a goalie i like to be able to flex and move my ankle in my skate. As for the rest i have been punished with Reebok over the years mostly because it was free, but I think for Goalie's Vaughn is in a class of its own, and also a price range of its own, but my next set i want to try the new Warrior Messia set up... mostly because i've grown up and my bar money has become buy tou's money!!
"I led the league in "Go get 'em next time." - Bob Uecker
|
 |
|
|
Guest9179
( )
|
Posted - 01/16/2011 : 14:27:24
|
| If you put your own personal preference out if mind. I think ccm is the obvious choice. They show heritage by always being one off the mostly used helmets back in the day. The show performance maybe not as myth as bauer or Easton but it's still there. And with innovation CCM has their new crazy light skates and sticks |
|
|
|
TheRC
Rookie
105 Posts |
Posted - 01/16/2011 : 17:12:36
|
I always used a mixed bag of whatever pieces seemed like the best deal when I needed new equipment, but lately I've ended up buying a lot of Bauer stuff. No complaints about any of it, looks pretty good, and prices have been reasonable. My new Bauer skates in particular are probably the best skates I've ever used.
Gotta say I'm a fan of warrior sticks though. I generally don't use the most expensive ones out there, and the warriors feel the best in the mid-range sticks.
"If at first you don't succeed, you fail" |
|
|
|
JERJ2008
Top Prospect
Canada
25 Posts |
Posted - 01/17/2011 : 11:21:27
|
I don't see how people choose Reebok. Maybe for innovation and performance, but certainly not hockey heritage. Reebok simply bought out Jofa and stuck their name on everything, sometime around 2006-ish. Adidas is the parent company, which is also the parent company of CCM now. Performance, yeah, they make good sticks and gear, but they're gear was originally Jofa, and their sticks were more or less a CCM Vector with a Reebok logo to begin with. Granted, they've since modified them into their own, but they're based on Jofa and CCM.
Easton, well they really broke into hockey with sticks. Shafts at first, then the Synergy. I'd say Easton takes the cake for innovation, as they more or less pioneered the composite industry. Hockey heritage, not so much. They're technology came from aluminum softball bats (remember those old Easton aluminum shafts? Brendan Shanahan swore by them). Hard to say who makes the best sticks now, and I'm not going to delve into that one, aside from saying my top choice is an X:60 (center, 5'11", 180, wrist/snap shots mostly).
CCM has the heritage, they've been around forever. Tacks skates were the best you could get for a long time. I'd say Bauer has had the edge for the past 40 years though, or since the introduction of the TUUK chassis/blade. Definitely now, with the Vapor and Supreme lines.
Bauer has had a long history of success, top performing equipment in todays arms race in the stick/skate industry (I see a lot of Total Ones out there). I'll give a nod to Easton and CCM as well, CCM for their history but not so much for their current line. Easton doesn't have a long history in hockey, but they took the stick industry by storm and still hold a large chunk of it. Warrior seems to be on the rise too. Graf has always made great skates, but they're lacking in everything else. Sher-Wood certainly has the history, and I still have a couple 5030s for pond hockey, but they're falling behind now.
Let's ignore prices, because I know a lot of people make their choices based on what they can afford, myself included. In the end, if you had to outfit yourself in one company only, which would you choose? My vote is to Bauer. |
|
|
|
Guest8391
( )
|
Posted - 01/19/2011 : 07:25:47
|
I grew up playing goalie (and I still play in goal on a weekly basis)...and I wear nothing but Lefevbre designed equipment which means I used to play with Koho, and now I own Reebok equipment. Their performing, easy to break in, stylish and good quality. Vaugh is nice and performing too, but so hard to break in, I find. I don't have a lot of patience to break in new equipment, lol.
But as for forward equipment, I always found Bauer to be the most comfortable and performing equipment. But that's a question of personal taste. I love their skates and sticks. |
|
|
|
Guest9504
( )
|
Posted - 01/20/2011 : 14:18:17
|
Mixed bag of stuff for me. For "heritage" I don't think you can touch Bauer. For "technology" I think of Reebok. Probably because they market themselves better.
I use the following...
Grew up using Sherwood sticks, still have one in the garage as a spare - I use mostly composite now. Love the Reebok sticks now!
Graf skates for the last 2 pair. Very happy with them. Used to use Bauer but they aren't a good fit for my feet anymore.
I will always go to Easton for gloves.
|
|
|
|
Ripley
PickupHockey Pro
USA
365 Posts |
Posted - 01/20/2011 : 15:35:44
|
I'm a CCM guy back in the old days. They just built reliable stuff and their helmets in the 90's were awesome so I'll hand it to them for heritage. Bauer is classic as well. I don't know if either is known these days for innovation. They pretty much have ridden their tradition. I think the innovation goes to the newer guys. They may bomb out on some things but they take chances and once in a while get it right. Reebok makes nice jerseys and sticks.
What ever happened to Nike? Didn't they buy bauer a few years back? |
|
|
|
just1n
PickupHockey Pro
282 Posts |
Posted - 01/20/2011 : 17:10:18
|
Tough to say, I'd have to say Bauer or CCM. Reebok hasn't been around long enough to be considered for heritage. I think brands have changed hands in ownership so much that it's hard to pick one that embodies these three ideals. The CCM helmets stick in my head as a classic piece of equipment.
As far as purchasing stuff goes, it usually comes down to value for the money. I know my current stick is a Sherwood and my skates are Bauer (both were on sale) and the rest of my gear I haven't a clue... |
|
|
|
leigh
Moderator
Canada
1755 Posts |
Posted - 01/20/2011 : 17:40:42
|
I'm loving my Graf skates! Bauer has the most heritage to me...the first pair of skates I had when I was 3 were Bauer Supremes and I skated in Bauer's until I was 18 (although i recall a couple seasons in the Micron plastic boots too! acck!)
Like Ripley, I like the Reebok sticks. I have a Warrior right now and it is pretty decent too.
Nike apparently bought Bauer in the 90's but that was pretty quiet and not too many people knew this outside of the industry insiders. Around 2005 they rebranded as Nike Bauer and I think the people revolted. Also have to wonder if there is enough money in hockey for the mega corp? I ahve to admit that I bought a pair of Nike skates and they were SUPER comfortable but they broke down in a couple short seasons. FYI Bauer owns Mission and Itech as of a couple years ago (after Mission and Itech converged).
|
|
|
|
Guest9504
( )
|
Posted - 01/20/2011 : 18:03:16
|
the 3 ideals of performance, cutting edge technology and hockey heritage
When it comes to performance and cutting edge technology I tend to think about only mostly skates and sticks. I have been loyal to bauer user my whole career, so this has skewed my view. Bauer 2000 was my first skate, my father used bauers so in terms of hockey heritage i associate bauer with old time hockey as well. With RBK's commercials focusing on younger players as their face, I have a hard time recognizing them as heritage but I do think of RBK as cutting edge. I would never switch skates due to my loyalty and I am not too caught up stick technology because I know that my skills only allow me to do so much and that a cutting edge stick will not make that much of a difference.
In conclusion, Bauer is the ultimate hockey brand for me. It has proven itself over the years and continues to innovate. |
|
|
|
Guest4803
( )
|
Posted - 01/20/2011 : 22:01:28
|
| RBK bitches!! |
|
|
|
ryan93
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
996 Posts |
Posted - 01/21/2011 : 06:20:05
|
quote:
Originally posted by just1n
[As far as purchasing stuff goes, it usually comes down to value for the money. I know my current stick is a Sherwood and my skates are Bauer (both were on sale) and the rest of my gear I haven't a clue...
Pretty much, i don't really have a preference when it comes to brands, and i mean it's not like i get to try all different kinds of gear to compare. Currently i have Bauer skates (due for a new pair though, they are getting old) & a Bauer helmet. Using 2 Sherwood sticks at the moment, though i also had a Bauer for the past couple months until it broke last week. Gloves are Nike, pants are Louisville, knee pads Reebok, and elbow pads are both Koho & Bauer. I got a new pair of Bauer elbow pads for Christmas but only used them the once before shifting back to my trust old koho's. They may be old, way too small for me & not offer much protection - especially compared to the new ones which are about 3 times as big - but i like them :)
So yeah, mine is literally a mixed bag! |
|
|
|
blade
Rookie
Canada
199 Posts |
Posted - 01/21/2011 : 12:02:14
|
| CCM is classic! RBK is cool! easton makes the best body gear. lots of protection and light. |
|
|
|
Guest9743
( )
|
Posted - 01/21/2011 : 14:00:35
|
| RBK and Koho have nice fitting gear but the quality has taken a nose dive over time. |
|
|
|
Biker
Top Prospect
Canada
2 Posts |
Posted - 01/21/2011 : 14:09:00
|
Although my equipment is a mis-mash of brands I do prefer certain brand items, in particular Easton composite sticks. Other than that what ever seems to be the best price while providing good protecion and comfort usually dictate my choice of hockey equipment I buy. I am also prefer Graf skates as the brand has never disappointed and I don't know if I would want or need to switch to another brand. Ultimately, out of the brands presented, I think Bauer may cover the three criteria the best however there are other brands that exceed Bauer's equipment. I really don't see the significance of hockey heritage personally. Based on that, Easton with it's great sticks, and light weight good quality equipment gets my vote!
|
Edited by - Biker on 01/21/2011 14:09:59 |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
Brand thoughts 
