Hockey Fitting Guide

Hockey may be the greatest game on Earth, but it is also one of toughest. The right hockey equipment and the right fit are critical for safety, comfort, and performance. The purpose of this hockey fitting guide is to highlight what is important in respect to each equipment category.

It is important to note a few things that should NOT guide your purchases:

Price Alone Does Not Make it Right

Many assume that the higher the price of an item, the better the equipment is. There is a correlation, but it is not necessarily perfect. It is true that higher priced merchandise generally can incorporate lighter or stronger materials, but this is no assurance that it is right for the player.

Improper Fit Ruins Quality

A player’s protection and performance on the ice is enhanced more by proper fit than by the underlying quality of the product. While both quality and fit are important, a close fitting low-end helmet will generally protect a player better than an ill-fitting, high-end helmet. A low-end skate that provides good heel lock will outperform a high-end skate that is a size too large.

Properly Proportioned Hockey Gear Matters

Even ignoring the specific fit of a piece of hockey equipment, what suits a six year old does not suit a seventeen year old. As players age they skate faster, the shots get harder, and the distance between the player and the ice increases. As skills improve, there are fewer accidents, but everything happens harder and faster. Properly proportioned protective hockey gear can prevent a serious injury. It is important to wear hockey equipment that is properly proportioned to your body. Imagine wearing shin guards that are 2 inches too small, or elbow pads that barely cover your forearms. That could result in some pretty painful bumps on your shins and wrists.

All Equipment Is Not Created Equal

Some hockey equipment is just more important. From a safety standpoint, hockey helmets are critical at every age, whereas, for a youth player there are almost no safety reasons to choose one hockey glove over another.