Buying Equipment

How To Buy Ice Hockey Skates

Hockey players need to consider their skates as part of their feet. Skates are by far the most important piece of hockey equipment you can buy. Because they are so important, it is vital that you buy the right skate for your style of play, and that you size them properly.

Skate construction

Hockey skates are comprised of two basic parts: the boot and the blade.

Boot

  • Most skates are manufactured with a combination of leather and synthetic materials for durability, performance, and comfort. The exact mixture of these components, with names like Kevlar® and graphite, depends on the quality of the skate and the cost.
  • Hard plastic boots offer better protection against pucks and provide more support for your ankles.
  • Goalie skates are similar in construction to regular hockey skates but are designed differently with a wider blade and lower boot with more ankle and foot protection.

Blade

  • Skate blades are made of steel and have a concave (hollowed out) shape
  • An important factor in performance is blade radius, or the amount of the skate blade that is actually in contact with the ice
  • The radius is measured by placing the blades together, bottom to bottom, and holding them up to the light. The length where the blade edges make contact is the radius.
  • If you are a beginning skater you will want a radius of about five inches. This increases your ability to propel yourself along the ice while providing stability.
  • A radius of 3-4 inches helps in cutting and turning
  • Forwards prefer blades with a shorter radius to help with maneuverability
  • Defensemen look for longer radius blades for extra stability
    • Players can also grind their blades to sharpen the edges and create a double edge for extra contact with the ice
    • The deeper the grind, the more maneuverable
    • Goalie blades have a less hollow grind and a larger radius

Determining your skate size

Tips

  • Choosing the proper size for your hockey skates is different than choosing the size for a pair of sneakers
  • Hockey skates need to be tighter for more stability and less abrasion when skating
  • Remember to measure yourself wearing thick hockey socks
  • Do not buy larger sizes for children to grow into. This hinders their ability to learn how to skate and could hurt their feet and ankles.

Sizing

  • In order to determine the skate you need, you must first determine your shoe size (see Determine Your Shoe Size)
  • Once you have determined your athletic shoe size you can figure out what size skates you will need depending on the brand of the skate. See our Hockey Skate Sizing guide for a list of brands and their individual sizing guidelines.

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How To Buy The Right Hockey Stick

The hockey stick is an extension of the hockey players arm. This means the stick needs to fit properly. Follow these tips to buy the right hockey stick.

There are several types of materials used for shaft types. These include wood and other composite materials including fiberglass, aluminum, graphite, Kevlar, and titanium.

You'll also need to determine the correct blade angle, the stick lie, stick stiffness, and stick length.

The shaft type is a personal choice. Different materials have different advantages and disadvantages. Which you prefer is entirely up to you.

Wood sticks are the traditional material for hockey sticks. They are easily sized with a few cuts or some sanding and they are very cheap. The disadvantage is that they break easily and they are considerably heavier than some of the new composite materials.

Fiberglass sticks have a wooden core that is then reinforced with a fiberglass exterior. Because the inner core is wood they are still heavy and still break quite easily. They are however inexpensive.

Aluminum shafts are relatively cheap and they are quite a bit stronger than wood or fiberglass, although not as strong as titanium or Kevlar. Compared to other composite materials they are considered heavy but they are much lighter than wood hockey sticks.

Kevlar is sometimes mixed with graphite but it can also be used by itself. Kevlar is expensive but it is light and it is one of the strongest materials. You can also replace the blades.

Titanium is used alone and it costs about the same as Kevlar. It is lightweight and strong and you can also replace the blades.

The blade on the hockey stick is normally made of wood and attached to the shaft with glue. Some blades have a Kevlar finish on them. There are straight, left, and right curved blades available.

You should choose a blade angle that the puck will on the forehand during the shot. A curved blade lets you lift the puck and put a spin on it but it is more difficult to pass or shoot with.

For those just starting to play hockey, a straight blade or a blade with only a slight curve is best.

Each player also needs to determine the angle between the blade and the shaft that works best for them. This is called the lie. Each stick has a lie number printed on the shaft ranging from 4 to 8.

The lower the number the wider the angle, where as the higher the number the less the angle. A lower lie is recommended for players that skate close to the ice and that carry the puck out in front. Where as a higher lie is recommended for players that skate standing upright and that carry the puck close to their body.

You also need to determine the correct shaft stiffness or shaft flex. The flex is very important to control and performance. 85 is a medium flex. The higher the number the stiffer the shaft is and the lower the number the more flexible it is.

Beginners should use a medium flex or lighter, where as big strong players should use a stiffer shaft. Defense men should also use a stiffer heavier stick, while forwards should use a flexible lighter stick.

The last thing you need to determine is the length of the stick. It is critical that the stick size match the player's size. A stick that's the wrong size makes it difficult to play and impossible to play good.

Junior sticks range in length from 46 to 54 inches, while senior sticks range from 56 to 62 inches. Offense men should use a slightly shorter stick to give them the best puck control. While defense men should use a longer stick which is great for poking the puck away from the other guy.

It's very rare to find a stick that's exactly the right size for you but if you buy it a little too long than you can cut it to the right length. To determine the right stick for your size you need to put your skates on then put the toe of the stick on the ground. The stick should end somewhere between your chin and your nose.

Regulations will not allow you to use a stick that is longer than 63 inches from the heel.

The correct stick can make the difference between you being an okay player and a hockey star. The stick really does make the boy or the man! So be sure to follow these tips to make sure you buy the right hockey stick.

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Upper Body

Helmets

The most important piece of protective equipment for all hockey players is the helmet. Look for helmets that are certified by the CSA. They test helmets to ensure that they meet safety guidelines. The objective of these tests is to reduce the risk of injuries to the head, face and eyes. If the helmet is ever dented or cracked, the helmet must be replaced. All helmets are available in sizes with the single tool adjustment. There are 6 basic components to a helmet: shell, liner, ear covers, facemask attachment, chinstrap and sizing adjustment.

  • Shell: Outer part of helmet that is made of lightweight plastic designed for Lightness, ventilation and protection against impacts.
  • Liner: Dual density foams to optimize fit, shock absorption and ventilation.
  • Ear Covers: Ergonomic polyethylene ear covers provide comfort and protection.
  • Facemask Attachment: Front threaded screws allow for easy single tool adjustment.
  • Chin Strap: Adjustable nylon material which is designed to hold helmet in place during any impact.
  • Sizing Adjustment: Single tool adjustment makes fitting the helmet easy and quick.

Shoulder pads

Hard plastic, foam padding and nylon designed to protect shoulders, upper front chest and upper back from contact. Some models also have attachments for front mid-section and sternum. To size: measure the player‘s chest just below the arm pits. Refer to the sizing chart to determine the corresponding shoulder pad size. A player should have good range of motion while wearing shoulder pads. To test range of motion, lift arms above shoulder height to ensure the pads do not dig into the neck. The determining factor in the price of a shoulder pad is the quality of foam and plastic used as well as the amount of area the pad is covering. A top end pads will use higher density foam to lesson the impact but they will be a little bulkier than your entry-level pads. And will also cover lower down the back and stomach. When fitting these pads make sure you wear only a shirt and if you can, try the pads on in the store. Ensure that there is a fairly snug fit so when contact is made there is no movement of the padding.

Elbow pads

Hard plastic, foam padding and nylon designed to protect the elbow, forearm and lower bicep/triceps from contact. Some models also have attachments for additional wrist protection. Much like the shoulder pads, the quality and price difference between top end and entry level is the density of foam used to lesson the impact. The top end pad will often be longer to offer more protection. If you want as much freedom and movement as possible an entry level elbow pad will be more than adequate. Elbow pads come in sizes, determined by the length in inches between the middle of the bicep to the middle of the forearm. If you are going to be fitting elbow pads in our store, make sure you wear only a shirt. Ensure that there is a fairly snug fit so when contact is made there is no movement of the padding.

Gloves

Designed to protect your hands, fingers, wrist and forearm from slashes and other contact. Most gloves are made from nylon, synthetic leather or full grain leather. Hi-density foam with polyethylene inserts provides the protection on the back of the hand, wrist, thumbs and fingers. Palms usually are made from clarino (synthetic leather), which gives the player a good feel of their stick. A nylon glove is less expensive and lighter than leather. The advantage of buying a full grain or synthetic leather glove over nylon is the longevity factor. In most cases it will take a player longer to wear out a leather glove however they do take longer to break in and are a little heavier than nylon.

To determine glove size, use a measuring tape or ruler and follow these instructions.

  1. Find where the bottom of your elbow pad ends.
  2. Measure the distance from your fingertips and the bottom of your elbow pad, in cm.
  3. The number you get is equivalent to your glove size.

In general, you'll find gloves sized between 23cm (usually for youths) and 40cm.

Gloves should fit like loose winter gloves over the hand. The top should extend up the forearm to the bottom of the elbow pads, except those designed with a short cuff fit. A pair of gloves should offer freedom of movement in all positions. If you can get to one of our stores, and you wish to fit a child with gloves, have them try them on and make sure they have room in the fingers for growth, much like fitting a shoe. Adults will base their decision primarily on feel.

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Lower Body

Shorts

Foam padding and hard plastic contained in a nylon shell used to protect the waist, hips, thighs, tailbone, buttocks and lower back. While the fit should be loose and comfortable the pants should have the ability to be secured firmly by a belt around the waist. The quality differences in pants are broken down into two areas, the quality or gauge of nylon and the thickness of the foam and plastic padding. A much heavier nylon pant will last longer in normal game conditions and heavier density of foam, which will lessen the impact from contact.

Shinpads

Hard plastic knee and shin protection with nylon and foam padding, some models will offer calf protection. Attached straps are used to keep shin pads in place. Shin pads come in sizes, determined by the length in inches from the middle of the knee to the front of the ankle. The advantage of buying a better quality shin pad will be the additional padding they offer above the knee and on the back of the legs. Again if you are concerned about movement and bulkiness, an entry-level shin pad will offer ample protection.

Shinguards are best fitted while you're seated. Use the following instructions to measure yourself for these pads, using a ruler or tape measure.

  1. Find the center of your knee cap.
  2. Now locate the top of the skate boot you'll be using.
  3. Measure the distance between those two points, in inches.
  4. Your shin measurement will be equal to the size of the shinguard you need.

In general, shinguards come in sizes between 20 and 42cm. When fitting, make sure that the cap of the shin pad is centered on the knee cap. The calf padding should wrap around the lower leg. Also, shinguards should be secured with a proper strap. If you are fitting in store, have your knee at 90 degrees. Make sure the bottom of the shin pad does not reach the top of the foot. If time permits, put a skate on your foot and then try the pads on.

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Guides from sportsauthority.com, hockeyphreak.com and nhl.com

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