Purchasing Gear
Gear plays a very important role in roller derby. We strongly recommend that you purchase your own gear as soon as possible, and we require skaters to have their own gear within 30 days of joining the league. Obviously, safety gear is vital and there is a significant difference between bargain-priced pads in our loaner gear box and more expensive, high-quality pads. Similarly, skate quality will have a dramatic impact on your skating skills. Consider your skates and pads to be an investment, and take care of them!
Skates
The size of your skates is extremely important for injury prevention and ease of movement. Skate sizes are not the same as shoe sizes and sizing can vary between brands. If you’re buying online, look up the sizing chart on the brand’s website to double check the fit and/or ask around the league to see if someone has a similar size for you to try. Keep in mind that most new skates will stretch. If you’re buying used, ask the poster about their street shoe sizes and how the skate fits.
If you want to buy in person, Black Mamba in Syracuse is pretty much the only local choice, and you can try on the skates before you buy.
Some skate brands that our skaters use are Bont, Riedell, and Antik. Riedell R3’s and Bont Prostars are common starter skates at a more reasonable price-point.
Helmets
Most skaters in our league wear a hockey helmet. They are rated for multiple impacts, adjustable in several ways to fit your head, and independently tested. Virginia Tech currently does the only unbiased academic testing of helmets. Check out their hockey helmet ratings! Some of the highest rated are fairly inexpensive. Instant Replay Sports in Triphammer Mall sometimes has hockey helmets.
If you’d prefer a skate-style helmet instead, the S1 Lifer helmet is the most popular alternative.
Mouthguards
Pretty much everyone uses SISU or a similar brand if they don't have an expensive custom mouthguard. You can breathe, talk and drink with them, and reform them over and over. They'll last you at least a couple of years and are relatively cheap. Get whatever color you like! Please come to practice with your mouthguard already molded.