These are really the cheapest shoulder pads we could find that we felt were still worthy of your attention. A lot of hockey players enjoy the movement and flexibility they can get out of the cheapest shoulder pads. These shoulder pads will work great for you if you don't play full-contact hockey.

Now, if you love the flimsy flexibility of a cheap shoulder pad, but you play full contact hockey, you will need just a little bit more protection. These shoulder pads have been deemed the best value because they give you that added protection while still giving you the maximum amount of lightweight and mobility at an extremely affordable price. There's nothing wrong with going for shoulder pads in this price range, you just need to make sure that these are the right shoulder pads for your playing style. A little guy that gets pounded on in the corner all game may want a bit more bulk than these shoulder pads, while a tall, finesse player may want a little more freedom and light weight.

"Mid-Level" shoulder pads are perfect for the guy who craves that extra bit of protection. You will have a little extra bulk added to your shoulders, weighing you down, but you will be going into the corners with confidence, knowing that your shoulder pads will hold up against any opponent. With a bigger, stronger shoulder cap, you will be assured that when you get slammed into the boards, you'll be able to bounce back off and keep on going for the puck.

When talking about shoulder pads, the term "pro-level pricing" can be a little misleading. Similarly to elbow pads, a lot of pros like to go with the old fashioned, flimsy kind of pad. These are generally seasoned veterans. You will see a lot of the younger NHL stars like Sydney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin going with shoulder pads that are in this "pro-level" price range. They appreciate the amount of protection they provide and they have become accustomed to the bulk that comes with these shoulder pads. These shoulder pads give them the confidence to go up against any opponent without worrying about their upper body so they can focus on putting their team ahead on the scoreboard. Also, these shoulder pads can really give the big hitter on the team the confidence to do what he does best, and that is to slam his shoulder into anyone that comes near at full speed. You will find that shoulder pads in this price range will generally give nearly the same protection as the "mid-level" price range shoulder pads, however, you will see added movement and mobility. These shoulder pads are usually built with more, smaller pieces to give you the maximum amount of movement for the bulk you're carrying. The materials that go into constructing these shoulder pads is almost always lighter as well, giving the pads a lighter weight than the "mid-level" priced shoulder pads.