The Wet Bathing Suit Problem

Hockey gear can be nasty stuff. You sweat in it a ridiculous amount, which means it's smelly. If you don't air it out after a game, it will be wet and NASTY when you next put it on. Nothing like putting on a wet bathing suit full of several days old sweat. Ewwww.

Then there's the problem of where to put it when you get home. If you've got a family, a roomate, or just like having people over . . . ever . . . there's no way the spouse or your social relations are letting you keep it in your bedroom or the living room. It's gotta be in the garage or the basement (if you have such a thing -- most folks in California don't). You could put it outside, which would be ideal if it weren't for ant infestations (that happened to an old goaltender of ours) and other vermin deciding all that sweat makes it a perfect snack.

So, after your weekly adult-rec game, you spread it out in your garage to let it dry. Problem is, especially for the family guys, you're always running a little late getting to the car, so you're stuffing your gear in your bag, hoping you don't forget something, as you're running out the door. Which leads to,

"Anybody got an extra elbow pad?" You just can't play without elbow pads. You can't. Nasty injuries await those who make that mistake. I've done it once. Never again.

"Anybody got an extra shinguard?" Can't even consider playing without one of those. Yikes.

"An extra sock?" "Someone got a white sweater?"

"Where's my #&%$ing jock!?!" Had that one happen last week. Nerve racking, I tell you. It's not like you can ask if someone's got a spare . . .

And that's the important stuff. There's also the towel for the shower, soap, undershirt, mouthguard, water bottle. Sheesh.

Of course, you can just leave the stuff in your bag, and resign yourself to the wet bathing suit, and this . . .