We are not just a website, we are a sporting goods retail store. All the opinions expressed on our site are based on both experience and customer feedback and are in no way the law on hockey equipment. We ask that this information be used to help further the customer's knowledge of the equipment they are purchasing. If unsure, please call us so we can help you make the best decision for both safety and comfort.

Pants (Player)

Pants, like most pieces of hockey equipment, are a personal fit and different for each player. A traditional fit is to try and match the waist size with the pant size as best as possible. Pants that are too big will only hinder the player's performance. As for leg length, we recommend that the end of the pant line up with the middle of the knee for an ideal fit and maximum protection.

Shin Pads

Shin pads may differ in length based on the position the player is playing and whether or not the shin pad will be on the outside or inside of the skate. Defensemen tend to keep their shin pads on the outside of their skates for shot blocking purposes while forwards tend to keep the shin pad on the outside of the skate tongue to maximize the forward flex of the skate while in stride (this varies from player to player). This method will help the player to decide on length because an outside shin pad can be longer.

Elbow Pads

Elbow pads are 100% a personal feel. Players can choose from a long forearm for full coverage and protection or a shorter elbow pad. Some players like bulky protection whereas other players like a very thin pad for more movement. The proper elbow pad should be used at certain levels of hockey. (higher level of hockey = better, more protected pad)

Helmet (Player)

Player helmet and cage is the most important piece of equipment a player wears. A helmet not fit properly can result in injury. Helmets should be a perfect fit while masks should come right to the chin with very little room for extra jaw movement. Too much room can result in injury. Players should make regular safety checks on their helmets to insure that all screws and hardware are intact. (Helmets should be replaced every two years or if cracked or damaged)

Gloves (Player)

With all the different companies producing gloves these days, it hard to tell exactly what fit is right for the individual. The player should find a glove conducive to his/her style of play. The main concern with gloves is protection and stick control. The player should be able to pick the stick up off the ice in a hurry, if this is a difficult task, then maybe the glove is too big. Protective wrist guards are also a good idea with all the open cuffs these days. We sell a variety of plastic reinforced wrist guards and they are a good idea for all levels of play.

Shoulder pads (Player)

Shoulder pads should also be suitable for different levels of play. Bulkier pads can be worn in high levels of body contact for the best protection. Some players don't like bulk in their pads, and that is their option, but safety should always be first priority. Ideal fit should have the player's shoulders positioned under the center of the shoulder cap, snug in the chest area and bicep pads should meet the top of the elbow pad for maximum protection. If ever unsure, please ask us about the products, we'll do our best to find the right product for you.

Skates (Player & Goalies)

Probably the most apprehensive piece of equipment to change, the skate is also the most important. The player spends most of their time on their feet, so the skates need to be both comfortable and suitable for the player's individual needs. Fitting a skate with the customer in front of you trying it on is one thing, but fitting a skate over the phone or internet is quite different. First off, the player's foot type, shape and size should be identified in order to find the right skate for that customer. Believe it or not, not all feet fit into all skates properly. Skates tend to fit 1 - 1 ½ sizes smaller than a shoe size (CCM fits slightly bigger than Bauer by ¼ to ½ inch) Some lower end skates are not as concerned with foot type than the higher end heat moldable skates, but all fits should be done to fit properly and for maximum comfort. Once the foot type is established (See chart below) and a skate is chosen, there are signs to look for when trying it on. A performance fit has the tip of the toes slightly touching the end of the toecap, with little to no room behind the player's heel. A comfort fit, or a fit for someone who is still growing is with the toes slightly touching the toecap, a normal ballpoint pen can slip in behind the heel with a slight wiggle. This gives the toes room to move, but not so much room that the heel will slip and blisters or heel spurs can form.

Once the skate is on and a good fit is established, the heel should be kicked back into the heel counter before lacing to help the ankle settle into the high/low density foams that comprise the make-up of the boot. The player should then look for a parallel lace pattern (2-3 inches apart). Too small a lace pattern means that the boot has too much depth and eventually the boot will encompass the foot as it becomes worked in which can result in lacebite. If the player feels that his/hers toes are too close to the end of the boot, have them bend their knees forward; as the knees bend, the ankle will sit back in the heel counter, bringing the toes away from the front of the skate. This is how 90% of the skating is done, in a hunched over power stride position. Heat moldable skates can only be heated in a skate oven at approx. 225 degrees, please do not attempt to heat skates using any other method, there could be sever damage or compromise the integrity of the skate. If any pain along the side of the foot or arch area consists, try adding a Superfeet Foot Bed to your skate to lift the arch and place the foot in a more neutral position helping to alleviate pressure on the foot. Ask us more about Superfeet and how they can work for you. (Helps with Pronation - turning in on your arch - aka."weak ankles", and Supenation - turning outward on sides of the feet while knees are in the bent position)

Skate Chart

Graf skates are one our best sellers because the fit such a wide range of foot types. (High instep, flat and narrow, shallow and narrow, wide and flat, regular depth)
Here is a break down of skates that fit similar to each other:

SKATE TYPES AND HOW THEY FIT:

Goalie Pads

Goalie pads, for adults can follow a simple formula in order to find the desired length:
Measurement from middle of ankle to the front middle of the kneecap + Skate size + 8 = Pad length

* This measurement does not always work on children.

For kids whose parent(s) desire room to grow in a pad, the knee should be situated just slightly above the bottom knee roll. An ideal fit should have the knee sitting between the middle and top knee roll. (This works on a pad with a three-knee roll make-up)

Goalies should first pin point their goalie style before choosing their pad (Hybrid, Butterfly, Stand-up) Pads should fit according to style. Extra inches on the thigh-rise can help alleviate pad length loss when pad becomes broken in. (Source Custom Itech 10.8 pads have 2 inches added to all our thigh rises) Because not all pads fit the same (Bauer Vapor 35" may not be the same as Brian's Beast 35"), please call us to find out what pads and size will be best suited for your style.

Pants (Goalie)

Goalie pant fit vary from goalie to goalie. Some goalies like the legs longer, others shorter. The pant should correspond with the pads so that the two do not interfere with each other. The pant size should be close to actual waist size for best fit, but goalies that tuck in their chest and arms may go with a larger waist, and wear suspenders, to accommodate that style.

Chest & Arms (Goalie)

Goalie chest and arms are one of the most important pieces of goal equipment. Every goalie is different in the way they like the cheat and arm to fit. The most common fit is with the belly pad sitting at the goalies waist and the arms ending 1 to 2 inches above the goalies wrist. This will allow for maximum protection and mobility because the goalie will not be hindered by other pieces of equipment. There are many levels of protection and you will need to find what is right for you. The bulkier the pad is, the less mobility you will have. The more mobility the pad has, the less protection. You will also need to consider how you are going to wear your chest and arm, inside or outside your pants.

Helmet (Goalie)

Goalie helmets should match level of play. In theory, you cannot buy a helmet that is too good, but you can buy a helmet that is not protective enough. Kevlar reinforced helmets are never a bad thing with today's composite sticks. Looking through the cage of a goalie mask, there should little to no space around the cheek area. The face should be the only thing that you see when looking at the goalie. You should not be able to see past his/her face and through the mask. The skull plate should fit parallel on the back of your head for a proper fit and should have little to no gap between it and the shell of the helmet. A goalie helmet also has many adjustments that are not very noticeable. The mask harness is traditionally made from an elastic based material and can be lengthened, shorted, or stretched to fit properly. The chin cup inside is also adjustable and should fit securely to the goalies chin. The chin cup should fit tight enough for the mask not to move, but not so tight that the goalie cannot yell at his/her defense. Goalies should also be aware that masks being used in organized and supervised leagues are HECC and/or CSA approved.

*Gold dipped cages have been avoided by most painters because of the fear of the paint chipping off which could lead to eye injuries.

*Damaged masks and cages have done their job, this is why most masks have no warranty.

Catch Gloves (Goalies)

The goalies catch glove is usually the goalies favorite piece of equipment. When you are choosing a catch glove there are many things to consider. The size of the goalies hand, the pocket type, the palm style, the cuff design, and most importantly the fit are some things to consider. The different pocket types include: a regular single "T", a double Fang "T", a triple "T", and others. With palm styles there are really only 2 different styles, the single break and the double break. The single break closes with your entire finger and feels what we describe as pancakey. The double break glove closes more with your fingertips and feels more like a baseball glove. As for cuff design they can be flat or curved, small or large, you need to decide what design you like. One big thing to consider is that all gloves will feel better once they are broken-in, they will never feel perfect right off the shelf.

Blockers (Goalies)

The phrase "a blocker is a blocker" is in some ways very true. There are very little changes from one to the next to really differentiate each blocker. The palm size, the weight, the protection on the cuff, the flexibility of the cuff, and the protection form the fingers are some things that are different. The blocker boards are also sometimes precurved at the top for flexibility and the tapered at the bottom to make it easier to pick up your stick and easier to use the paddle down style. Other than these differences, the blocker face is virtually the same from one to the other.

Hockey Stick Patterns