Be very carefull with the advice you get in a pro shop. Many times these guys have never played nor know anything about the gear. Ask if they play goal. If not, chances are you will be pushed to what they want to sell. Think about it....if you dont know anything about it, how the heck will you know if the guy in the pro shop does?
check out donsimmons.com for great prices on quality gear. Dont skimp on your mask or the jock. Simmons matrix goalie jock has a steep tag at around 70.00 US but it is hands down the best on the market. I tested it and can say that point blank shots at the 60-70 MPH range do not hurt in the least! The air bag design is NOT a gimmick. Roller Hockey leg pads will serve the purpose for ice hockey as long as you have a decent calf wrap to protect against skate cut. Roller gloves and blockers used for ice will leave you with broken bones....
many people think the goalie is in the most dangerous position. Honestly, not by a long shot provided the gear fits and is of sound quality. Chest protector(C/A for chest/arm), mask and jock are where you do not want to go cheap.
Chest/Arm should have solid heart guard protection. Skimping here will cause you lots of issues. I dont know your pain thresh hold but the average starter goalie will start flinching away from shots VERY quickly once they get a couple stingers every time they play. Allowed to continue it will cause a mental problem with your play that is VERY hard to correct, even after upgrading to better protection. If you can find a VAUGHN EPIC CA used...its a SOLID unit. The adjustments that are possible make it a near custom fit. I do not own one so its not just one user suggesting it to all others. The Simmons 992 is a solid CA for under 300 New.
GEW members get discounted prices!
Over the years I have helped many many goalies get their first kits. For MALE goalies, a general rule of thumb is to use your inseam measure as your guide. From groin to floor in sock feet or the first number in a well fit pair of jeans. Not the hang off your backside, half your ass hang'in out....
Your inseam measure is your MIN pad size. The average goalie will find that their knee will sit dead center of the craddle/knee lock. Inseam +2" would be a MAX for a stock pad, which would place the knee nearer the bottom of the craddle but still functional and safe. Ie a 32" inseam maxed stock pad would be 34" w NO ADDED THIGH RISE. IF you would want anything taller than inseam +2" you would want to look at added thigh rise. As you get into the search you will see labels such as 34" +2. That means the pad is 34" with 2" added to the top of the thigh portion of the pad.
You will find many used pads on the market that are 12" wide. While this might sound appealing as a "new to the position goalie", providing more coverage, but you lose mobility. I strongly urge you to seek out an 11" wide pad. many roller hockey Elite pads found are 10" wide. What you give up in coverage is gained in mobility. the larger pad hight also might sound very appealing but it takes more skill at the position to handle these "over size" pads. the added thigh rise and such causes some complications to glove/stance and other aspects of the position. IF you feel that you are in a good conditioned state and are athletic by nature, you might be able to use them well.
Bottom line: Check out a pad that matches your inseam measure and 11" wide. If possible avoid the Roller hockey leg pad unless money is a major issue.
Feel free to check out my web sites tips section. There are quite a few goalie specific PDF downloads available that might help you get the most out of your instruction time and also help you begin your self development. Feel free to PM me for specific topic/situational instructions from basics to advanced.
www.hawksice.com/tips.html
