Guide · 10 min
How Much Does It Cost to Equip a Kid for Hockey, Soccer or Skating?
"How much is this going to cost me?" It's the first question every parent asks before signing their kid up for a sport. Here are the real 2026 numbers, sport by sport, in Quebec — and how much you can save by buying used.
Hockey: the budget champion
Minor hockey in Quebec is expensive, mostly because of the mandatory full equipment set. On top of that come registration fees ($350-$1,200 depending on level), tournaments and travel.
| Item | New, entry level | New, competitive | Used on Rekip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skates | $120 - $250 | $300 - $700 | $40 - $150 |
| Helmet + cage | $80 - $150 | $150 - $300 | $30 - $80 |
| Shoulder + elbow pads | $100 - $180 | $200 - $400 | $35 - $90 |
| Pants + shin guards | $120 - $200 | $250 - $450 | $40 - $100 |
| Stick | $40 - $80 | $150 - $350 | $15 - $40 |
| Bag + socks + jock | $80 - $130 | $150 - $250 | $25 - $60 |
| TOTAL | $540 - $990 | $1,200 - $2,450 | $185 - $520 |
Soccer: affordable, but it climbs with age
Soccer remains one of the most accessible team sports. The real expense kicks in around age 10-12, once a child moves up to regional competitive play.
| Item | New | Used on Rekip |
|---|---|---|
| Cleats | $40 - $120 | $15 - $40 |
| Shin guards | $15 - $30 | $5 - $12 |
| Socks + shorts | $25 - $45 | $10 - $20 |
| Training ball | $20 - $40 | $8 - $20 |
| Bag | $25 - $60 | $10 - $25 |
| TOTAL | $125 - $295 | $48 - $117 |
Figure skating and speed skating
Figure and speed skates are technical gear: don't put a progressing skater into recreational skates. Good news — this is a market where used gear thrives, since kids outgrow the boot size long before they wear it out.
| Item | New, entry level | New, intermediate | Used on Rekip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Figure skates | $150 - $300 | $400 - $900 | $60 - $180 |
| Speed skates (short track) | $200 - $400 | $600 - $1,200 | $100 - $300 |
| Suit / dress | $80 - $180 | $150 - $400 | $30 - $100 |
| Bag + protective gear | $60 - $120 | $80 - $150 | $20 - $55 |
Baseball, basketball, gymnastics: the big picture
These sports need less personal gear overall, but a few pieces still run high (custom baseball glove, premium basketball shoes, competition gymnastics leotards).
- Baseball: $180 - $450 new (glove, helmet, cleats, bat). $60 - $180 used.
- Basketball: $130 - $350 (shoes + ball + uniform). $45 - $130 used.
- Gymnastics: $90 - $280 (leotards, grips, elbow pads). $30 - $110 used.
The real trap: your kid will switch sports
The vast majority of children switch their main sport at least twice between ages 6 and 14. A full new hockey budget spent at age 8 is worth nothing on resale if the kid switches to soccer at 10.
That's where Rekip pays off: sell the hockey set to another Quebec parent, reinvest in used soccer gear, and lose far less money than donating or tossing it out.
How much does a parent actually save with Rekip?
On average, a Quebec family with two active kids spends between $1,500 and $4,000 a year on new equipment. Early Rekip users bring that number down to $500-$1,400 — a 55 to 65% saving.
And because Rekip knows your kid's sport, size and season, you only get useful alerts — no endless scrolling through Marketplace.
Frequently asked questions
Are league registration fees included in these prices?+
No. These figures cover equipment only. Registration fees in Quebec range from $100 (recreational soccer) to $1,500 (AA/AAA hockey) per season.
Can I get equipment at a used sports store instead?+
Yes, chains like Sports aux Puces or Play It Again Sports exist, but their prices are usually 30 to 50% higher than buying directly from another parent. Rekip cuts out that middleman.
Are there financial assistance programs for sports equipment in Quebec?+
Yes: Canadian Tire's Jumpstart program, the Montreal Canadiens Children's Foundation, and various local associations offer help with registration and equipment costs for families with modest incomes.