When playing sports, equipment is very important in order to keep you safe while playing, but it can also be very expensive. Ice hockey is a sport with some of the most expensive equipment, behind F-1 racing and horse riding. Proper equipment is extremely important in all sports, especially in ice hockey. High-speed collisions are common in this sport, and common injuries include concussions, sprains, and fractures. In severe cases, players sometimes endure spinal or neck injuries. Wearing proper equipment can help to prevent injuries like these.
The total cost of ice hockey equipment can cost up to $3,440, and the total cost, including the cost to play, can be up to $8,180. Helmets can cost from $50 to $430, a face shield can cost from $20 to $90, mouthguards can cost from $15 to $40, a neck guard can cost from $11 to $35, shoulder pads can cost from $25 to $220, elbow pads cost $15 to $160, gloves can cost $24 to $230, pants can cost from $15 to $230, a protective cup can cost from $12 to $95, shin pads can cost from $20 to $200, ice skates can cost from $50 to $1,200, hockey sticks can cost from $45 to $370. If you are a goalie, goalie pads can cost from $170 to $2,000. In addition to this, there are other smaller expenses such as skate sharpening, stick tape, stick wax, Kevlar socks, and skate guards. There are also maintenance expenses for gear.
Hockey players Mckeala White and Jackson Calder both talked about how expensive the sport can be and how the cost can turn away new players. McKeala spends “at least $1,000 on just equipment alone, not including ice time.” Jackson said the cost is “probably around $1000-$1500.” Cause of the price of the sport, both Jackson and McKaela have thought of second- hand equipment, especially for newcomers. McKaela said that hand-me-down gear from coaches allows new players to give hockey a try, “and if you don’t like it, you don’t spend so much money for nothing.” Safety is important for both players when they said they would never buy a used helmet. Jackson feels that buying secondhand gear can reduce waste because “people wouldn’t have to buy as much new equipment.” McKaela added that recycling equipment could help. It should be done properly so it can be “turned into something new and not just thrown away.”
You can find most of this equipment second-hand for a significantly lower price. You can find second-hand hockey equipment in thrift stores, online on websites such as Facebook Marketplace, at yard sales, consignment shops, or anywhere else that you typically shop.
While shopping for this equipment, second-hand could make this much cheaper, it might not be as safe. Equipment might be worn down or outdated. There is also a chance of hidden damage, which could be very dangerous, especially in head protection such as helmets. Second-hand gear may also not be clean. It is important to disinfect it since it may not have been cleaned by the past owner before it was donated or sold. There could be sweat or even blood from possible injuries while wearing the gear.
