Helmet – Helmets are the best source of head protection in hockey. They protect your head from pucks traveling through the air, skate blades, stick checks and any other hazards that are posed on the rink. Hockey helmets have an outer plastic shell combined with inside foam padding and other functions that can give you optimal protection. Most helmets are adjustable for length and width. It is important that your helmet is the right size for your head; otherwise it will not be as effective in protection.
Shoulder Pads – Shoulder pads are a piece of protective gear that protects your collarbone, chest, shoulders, arms, and back. Many shoulder pads allow you to attach additional lower back protection. Shoulder pads have a broad price range, ranging from $25 for a pair of youth pads to $100 for a pair that will fit an adult.
Elbow Pads – Elbow pads help prevent elbow fractures and bruises on your forearms. Elbow pads are often adjustable and also have a broad price range.
Youth elbow pads start at around $20 and $100 for adult pads. You can hold elbow pads in place with Velcro.
Gloves – Hockey gloves are designed to protect your hands from the various hazards of the rink. However, it is important that you wear a pair of gloves that fit correctly to enable your hands to work at their full capacity. Modern day hockey gloves are made out of either synthetic leather or nylon. Synthetic gloves are light- weight and durable. Nylon gloves are also lightweight but are designed for extra breathability. Some pairs of hockey gloves are made out of both synthetic leather and nylon. There are also three different kinds of fits. Anatomical fit gloves pro- vide a snug fit where your hand almost conforms to the glove. Tapered fit gloves, which are the most popular kind, are similar to anatomical fit but offer some wiggle room in your wrist and hand areas. Finally, traditional gloves provide players with a loose fit. Hockey gloves can range in price from $50-$200.
Pants – Hockey pants are designed to protect your lower body from the various hazards on the rink. They are heavily padded and often made from a polyester or nylon outer material with a cotton or foam lining. Like hockey gloves, the size and fit of hockey pants will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and really just comes down to personal preference. The most important piece of information to know is how to make sure your pants fit right. The bottom of your pants should be able to cover the top of your shin guards.
Shin Pads – Shin pads protect your lower legs from contact with pucks and other players’ sticks. Shin pads should fit your lower legs fully from your knee cap to the top of your skates. Shin pads range in padding and flexibility depending on what position you’re playing. Players who often block shots should have shin pads with a thick padding while most forwards prefer more lightweight pads that grant flexibility. Again, the price of shin pads range from around $25 for youth pads and $100 for adult pads.
Skates – Hockey skates are one of the main pieces of equipment. To ensure optimal performance, it is important for you to know how to pick the right pair of skates. A skate consists of the boot, which you put your foot in, the plastic holder and the steel runner, which helps mobilize you. The boots are often designed with padding and inserts that can help your foot breathe and stay fully supported. Most boots also come with heel and ankle support. There are many brands of skates out there so the first step in choosing the right fit is to find out your foot shape. The most effective way to figure this out is to measure the length and width of your foot. It is also important to consider the narrowness of your foot. Many brands offer wide and narrow boot options. The best way to find the right fit is to try on different pairs until you find something that fits perfect and is comfort- able. Another factor to consider is whether you’re buying skates for recreational play or competitive play. Competitive players often aim to purchase high perfor- mance skates while recreational players do not need too. High performance skates offer players multiple features, including lightweight materials, durability, and extra padding.
Stick – The stick is the third most important piece of equipment in the world of hockey. Many players prefer to use sticks that have the right “feel,” meaning that it enables them to sense and control the puck. The most important things to con- sider when choosing a stick are material, construction, flexibility and length. Most sticks are made out of wood or composite. Wood sticks often provide the best feel but are not as durable as composite sticks, which provide better shot power and more durability. Sticks are also constructed as one piece or two piece sticks. One piece sticks are lightweight and come with a consistent flex point and shaft re- sponse. Two piece sticks enable you to create a customized stick because you can use different shafts and blades.
In terms of flexibility, it all comes down to the shaft and the player. Shafts come with a number from 40 to 110 and stiffer shafts have higher numbers. Stiff shafts are important for heavy players and flexible shafts are better for lighter play- ers. For example, a defense player may benefit from a stiffer shaft than a forward, who does more puck-handling. However, in the end, it all comes down to per- sonal preference. In terms of length, it mostly comes down to age and expe- rience. For example, a senior player would usually do best with a 60” stick while a youth would do best with a 48” stick.
Mouth Guard – Mouth guards are small and cheap and can provide maximum protection for your teeth. Considering that a hockey puck can travel up to 120 miles in the air and impact your teeth at a force of 1,250 pounds, a mouth guard can ensure that your mouth, teeth and head have added protection. Though mouth guards are not mandatory in all leagues, they are required by a majority of leagues. Mouth guards are made out of rubber and can also help prevent concus- sions, jaw fractures, neck injuries and neurological hemorrhages. Mouth guards come in a variety of sizes and colors and can often mold to your mouth for a cus- tom fit. The average price of a decent mouth guard is around $10.
Jock Strap/Cup – Jock straps or cups are protective equipment for the private parts of a male player. They are often made of a mesh pouch and a hard, plastic outer shell to prevent contact injuries. They also come with mechanisms at the top of the pouch to hold the cup in place. You can easily purchase a jock strap online or at your local sporting goods store. They are fairly inexpensive and depending on what kind you get, they can be as cheap as $15.
Socks – Hockey socks fit over your shin pads and are a good indicator of your team. Hockey socks are often made out of polyester and should be wide enough to fit over your equipment. The best types of socks to look for are those that are made from a lightweight and well-ventilated material to avoid overheating. You will need tape, Velcro or garters to hold up your socks. It is a good idea to have several pairs of socks on hand at a time, as they tend to rip easily. The average price of a pair of hockey socks is about $15.
Jersey – The jersey is a standard part of a hockey uniform. Jerseys vary in color and logos from team to team and help fans differentiate between players. There are three types of jerseys: practice, replica and authentic. Practice jerseys are made out of a thinner material and may or may not have the team markings on them. Replica jerseys are replicas of professional players’ jerseys and are built with a more durable material. Authentic jerseys are professionally knit and have fight straps inside of them. Most hockey players own at least two practice jerseys. Your jersey should fit you loosely and should be made out of a light- weight, thin material that will not cause your body to overheat. The price of a basic practice jersey averages at about $15.
Gear Bag – If you have a large amount of hockey equipment to haul around then I would suggest the investment of a gear bag. Hockey gear bags are large, durable bags that have a large middle compartment for your main gear and small side compartments for your smaller accessories. Hockey gear bags generally come with a shoulder strap or wheels for convenient carrying. The average price of a hockey gear bag ranges from about $30 to $100.
Hockey Puck – Pucks are the standard “ball” of the hockey court. A standard puck is made of rubber and comes 1 inch thick and 3 inches wide. The weight of a puck usually ranges between 5 and 6 ounces though it is possible to use a more lightweight puck, which is common amongst youth leagues. It is common prac- tice to freeze a puck before a game to avoid having it bounce on the ice. The home team’s logo is often displayed on the top of the puck. Pucks are on the cheap side and are generally priced from $1 to $5. You can also buy a puck bag to keep your pucks together within your gear bag. These bags usually range from $15 to $20 in price.
Blocking Gloves – Blocking gloves are special gloves worn by goalies with blocker boards that can help block shots from the opposing team. They also serve to protect your hands while you hold your stick. Blocking gloves can be made out of a variety of materials, including foam, plastic, nylon and synthetic leather. Many blocking bboards are designed with a special angle to protect the net from pucks that roll over it. The angles also help goalies deflect pucks from the goal. Blocking gloves can also come in a flat-style design but that makes it easier for the puck to roll off the gloves and into the net. Blocking boards tend to be thick and durable.
Throat Guards - Throat guards are designed to protect the neck and throat of goalies. There are 2 main types of throat guards: danglers and collars. Danglers, like their name, are hard pieces of plastic that dangle from goalie masks. Collars are made out of foam padding and plastic inserts and are de- signed to protect against cuts. When sizing a throat guard collar, look for one that covers your throat, neck and collarbone. When sizing a dangler, it is important to select the best cut.
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