Choosing the correct size hockey pants is crucial for several reasons, especially for both you and your children. Ice Hockey Pants, sometimes referred to as “breezers”, are important because they help protect three main areas on your lower body, including your tailbone, kidneys, and quads.
In the game of Ice Hockey, you will face a wide variety of impacts such as blocked shots, slashes, and falls onto the ice. Luckily, a pair of properly fitting Hockey Pants will assist in keeping you well protected!
Why Proper Sizing Matters
The right size pants can enhance a goalie's performance by providing a balance of protection, comfort, and mobility.
- Mobility: Properly fitting goalie pants allow for maximum movement on the ice. If the pants are too tight, they can restrict movement, affecting a goalie’s agility and ability to make quick saves. Conversely, pants that are too loose may shift during play, potentially hindering performance. Well-fitted pants ensure that goalies can move freely and efficiently, which is vital for making dynamic saves and playing effectively.
- Comfort: Comfort is essential for maintaining focus and performance during games and practices. Ill-fitting pants can cause discomfort, chafing, or even pain, which can distract a goalie and impact their performance. Comfortable pants that fit correctly will help players stay focused on the game rather than on any physical discomfort.
- Protection: Goalie pants provide crucial protection for the lower body, including the hips, thighs, and lower abdomen. Properly sized pants ensure that these protective features are positioned correctly, offering maximum protection against impacts from pucks and collisions with other players. Pants that are too large or too small may not cover all the necessary areas, increasing the risk of injury.
- Safety: Incorrectly sized pants can lead to inadequate protection, which increases the risk of injuries. For children, proper fit is especially important as their bodies are still developing and may be more susceptible to injury from impacts.
- Performance: Pants that fit well support better overall performance by allowing goalies to move freely and focus on their game without the distraction of ill-fitting gear.
General Ice Hockey Pant Sizing Guidelines
Measure the circumference of your waist just above the hips. Correspond this measurement to the sizing chart and cross-reference your height. You may overlap between hockey pant sizes, which in this case comes down to personal preference.
When fitting Hockey Pants, the general rule of thumb is that you want them to be snug, but comfortable while at the waist level. This will ensure that they do not slide down during gameplay. While standing with Hockey Pants on, they will usually rest one or two inches above the kneecap of your shin guards.
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If you are trying on Hockey Pants, try moving around in them, or do a few brief exercises in them, to get a general idea of how they will feel while out on the ice.
Finding the right fit for Hockey Pants is important for two reasons. If Hockey Pants are too big, they can hinder mobility due to irregular contact with your shin guards, and because they are too baggy. A way to tell if Hockey Pants are too big is simply if they go too far down your leg, or if they won’t stay securely in place on your hips.
If Hockey Pants are too small, there is the issue of the top of your knee being left unprotected.
Hockey Pants Considerations
Materials Used
Almost all Hockey Pants consist of three materials; a Nylon shell and stretch gussets on the exterior, with hard plastics and foams on the interior for protection. The Nylon shell is thick and durable, helping prevent against any type of scratches and cuts. The stretch gussets within the nylon shell help provide you with enhanced movement and mobility.
The pieces on the interior, consisting of hard foam and plastics are lightweight and highly protecting against impact-type situations, such as shot blocking, stick checks, and so on.
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Types of Fit
Most major Ice Hockey brands have two lines of Hockey Pants. For example, CCM has their Super Tacks pant line that feature a traditional, wider fit, that provides great protection. Their JetSpeed pant line, has a more anatomical, close to the body fit, providing great mobility and flexibility. Finding the right pair that has your desired fit and that best fits your play style, is all a matter of personal preference.
Do You Need Suspenders?
If you prefer the feel of a looser, traditionally fitting pant, but find them a little bit baggy for your build, Hockey suspenders are a great option. They will help keep your hockey pants from slipping down and are adjustable as well.
Brands Known for Hockey Pants
Almost all major hockey equipment companies have a line of hockey pants. The most popular brands are CCM, Bauer, and Warrior.
How Often Should Hockey Pants Be Replaced?
With proper care, Hockey pants can last multiple years. However, if you outgrow them, or them become ridden with tears and scratches, this is a sign that you will want to get a new pair.
Another consideration to keep in mind is the level of play. If you are playing highly competitive youth travel hockey, there is a chance your pants might need to be replaced more frequently than someone who plays in a recreational league where there is less hitting, contact, and so on.
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Additional Considerations for Goalie Pants
When it comes to finding the perfect pair of hockey goalie pants, sizing can be a challenge due to the variations across different brands. Each brand, such as CCM, Bauer, Vaughn and Warrior, offers its own unique size chart, often leading to confusion for goalies trying to find the right fit. The discrepancies in sizing standards can make it difficult to determine which size will provide the best protection, mobility, and comfort.
Beyond just measurements, personal preferences and opinions play a significant role in choosing the right pants. Some goalies might prefer a looser fit for maximum coverage, while others opt for a more snug feel to enhance mobility. This article will explore how to navigate the sizing options across various brands, emphasizing the importance of considering both size charts and personal preferences to find the ideal fit for each goaltender's needs.
To find the right size for goalie pants, measure your waist circumference and compare it to the size charts provided by the manufacturer. Additionally, consider your height and weight to ensure a good fit. For children, it's important to check age-specific sizing guidelines, as these can vary between brands.
Materials in Goalie Pants
Goalie pants are typically made from a combination of nylon, polyester, and foam padding. The outer layer is often durable nylon or polyester, while the padding includes foam or gel inserts for impact protection. These materials affect the pants' flexibility, comfort, and overall protection. High-quality materials ensure better durability and safety on the ice.
Replacement Frequency
Goalie pants should be replaced when they show significant signs of wear and tear, such as frayed seams, worn padding, or a loss of protective capabilities. For growing children, it's essential to upgrade regularly to accommodate their increasing size. Regularly inspect your pants for damage and ensure they still provide adequate protection and comfort.
Adjusting the Fit
Many goalie pants feature adjustable straps, belts, or laces to customize the fit. These adjustments help achieve a snug fit and prevent the pants from shifting during play. Be sure to adjust these features as needed to maintain proper fit and protection.
Care and Maintenance
To extend the life of your goalie pants, follow the manufacturer's care instructions. Typically, this involves spot-cleaning stains, air-drying the pants after use, and avoiding washing in hot water or drying in high heat.
Here at The Warehouse, we want you to be completely satisfied with your purchase. We will match or beat any posted overall price advertised in-store or online on in stock items.
The CCM Next Youth Ice Hockey Pants allow the young new hockey player to move freely while providing solid impact protection to the lower body. This protection includes molded plastic in key impact areas such as the kidneys, hips, thigh, lower spine, and tailbone, ensuring great coverage for the body when they take a spill or accidentally skate into the boards.
An anatomical fit keeps protection where it needs to be while a large stretch gusset down the center gives players full freedom of movement so they can fly end to end.
Ice Hockey Pants are one of the most important pieces of equipment a hockey player can have!