Pro Gear Spotlight: Why Sidney Crosby Still Wears 20-Year-Old Shoulder Pads

If you’ve watched Sidney Crosby closely over the years, you may have noticed something surprising. The best player of his generation, a three-time Stanley Cup champion, Olympic gold medalist, and one of the most respected athletes in hockey is still wearing the same Reebok/Jofa shoulder pads he wore back in junior almost 20 years ago. And that’s not even the only piece of old-school gear he’s held onto. Crosby has also stuck with the same Itech neck guard for years.

In an era where NHL players have unlimited access to custom equipment, pro stock options, and brand-new technology every season, Crosby continues to rely on gear that most players would have replaced a decade ago. Why? The answer is simple: once you find the right fit, nothing replaces it.

Hockey equipment is incredibly personal. Shoulder pads aren’t just about protection, they affect how you move, how you shoot, how you absorb contact, and how confident you feel in traffic. Crosby’s old Reebok pads are known for being low-profile, mobile, and snug. They move with him instead of against him. They don’t interfere with his mechanics. They feel right.

When something feels right at the highest level of hockey on the planet, you don’t mess with it. The same goes for his neck guard. Comfort, familiarity and trust. The real lesson here: new doesn’t automatically mean better, better means better.

Working in the hockey industry, I see the pressure to upgrade constantly. Every year comes with new product lines, new graphics, new “technology,” and new marketing words designed to convince players and parents that they need the latest model. But the truth is, if your gear fits properly, protects properly, and feels good, you don’t need to replace it just because it isn’t this year’s release. Sidney Crosby proves that.

That’s also why used hockey equipment makes so much sense for so many families. At Rebound Equipment, we sell both new and used gear, and we believe there’s value in both. But used equipment is often where hockey families really win.

For one, used gear is already broken in. It’s softened, shaped, and comfortable in a way brand-new equipment often isn’t. Sometimes an older model shoulder pad or elbow pad fits better than the stiff, bulky versions being made today. I personally have made modifications to the new equipment just to try and make it feel like older stuff I once had.

Used gear also offers better value. Hockey is expensive we all know it. Buying high-quality used equipment allows players to get higher-end protection and performance at a fraction of the cost. Instead of paying full price for entry-level new gear, you can often afford pro-level used equipment that feels better and lasts longer.

Some models simply don’t exist anymore. Crosby’s Jofa-style shoulder pads are a perfect example. Certain fits and builds just aren’t made today, and if you loved how a specific line felt five or ten years ago, used might be the only way to find that exact piece again. When something fits perfectly, that matters far more than the release date.

This idea applies to everyone, not just NHL stars. Young players still growing, competitive rep players, junior hopefuls, beer leaguers, and parents trying to manage the hockey budget all benefit from the same truth: fit is king. Confidence comes from comfort, and the right piece of equipment whether it’s brand new or ten years old can completely change how someone plays.

At Rebound Equipment, we believe hockey gear should fit your body, not just your budget. That’s why we specialize in both new and used equipment. We inspect everything, check the condition, make sure it’s safe, and make sure it’s worth putting back on the ice.

Sometimes the best option is brand new. Sometimes it’s a lightly used, high-end piece that fits like it was made for you. And sometimes, like Sidney Crosby, you find something so perfect… you keep it for 20 years.

Because a good fit is a good fit. New is not always the best option. Come see us at Rebound Equipment and find the gear that actually feels right.