My lad is in need of a better hi hat stand now he has proper cymbals (too heavy for spring in current one). Any advice/recommendations/things to avoid welcome. Budgeting around £50 but will push a bit higher if needed. Been looking around but not sure what I need to get him.

Like guitars, try a few and see what he likes. It will probably need to be double braced heavy duty.
Good brands are Pearl, Yamaha, Tama, Mapex, Premier, Gibraltar. Budget brands are Stagg, Big Dog.

Try http://www.drumshop.co.UK, http://www.drumstop.co.UK for starters. PMT are good too if there’s one near you

Cheers, anyone else?

Do you need spring tension adjustment/double braced/heavy duty etc?

I’ve always used Pearl double braced hardware, very reliable and lasts forever
Sorry but I havn’t worked out how to post a link properly yet!
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Spring tension adjustment is useful, but to be honest it’s probably something you only do once in a new stand or pedal.

Heavy duty usually equals double braced, and if you’re going to be gigging much, yes, you’ll need all your stands to be like this

I had a pearl eliminator hi hat stand when I was playing, it was awesome. No real need for the adjustable cams but it was perfect in everyway other than that.

I’d definitley look for spring tension adjustment and double braced legs. If he uses a double pedal (or plans to) the two leg ones are really good.

Drummers – hi! Hat stands?

http://www.drumshop.co.uk/buy/mapex-h700-tour-duty-hi-hat-stand.htm