Hockey pads are a player’s protective equipment that covers their chest, ribs, shoulders, spine, and solar plexus from collisions with other players on the ice and flying pucks. The shoulder pads fit around the shoulder blades and velcro along the neck to connect with elbow pads and hockey pants. Most goalies use a separate knee protector that affixes to their goalie leg pads. This allows the goalie to move in butterfly with greater mobility while still protecting the knees and legs from shots to the thighs.
Getting the right size shoulder pads is critical for comfort and protection. For best results, take your chest measurement with a soft measuring tape in inches and cross-reference it with the manufacturer’s general or specific pad sizing charts. This method of sizing takes personal preference and other gear into consideration, but it is an effective guideline for getting the best fit.
If shoulder pads are too large, they may ride up when you flex your arms forward and backward. This can lead to exposed gaps in the torso and elbow protection that can hinder your ability to play. Similarly, if shoulder pads are too small, the shoulders will rest too high on your neck. This can disrupt the shape of your torso, causing you to over-flex your arms and restricting movement.
Goalie pads come in a variety of shapes and sizes to accommodate different playing styles and positions. Youth pads feature a lower-volume construction to help new goalies get used to the position while Junior pads have more padding areas to protect against more skilled opponents. Senior goalie pads have a more traditional design that features a higher-volume top section that narrows toward the bottom portion of the pad to allow for better flexibility in the butterfly position.
When selecting a goalie pad, consider the height of the knee stack (when in the butterfly position). The knee stack should extend to just above the goalies leg when in the butterfly position. Many goalie pads today have a “+ 1” in the sizing to indicate additional height in the thigh area. For example, a 33+1 pad has a base height of 33” and an added 1” in the thigh area for goalies who need extra height to reach the 5-hole.
Choosing the right leg pads will depend on league rules, personal preference, and the type of goalie you are. Leg pads can be categorized into four types: Hybrid, traditional, hybrid with knee rolls, and fully removable. Each category has several brands to choose from. The main brands include CCM, Bauer, Vaughn, Brians, True (Lefevre), and Warrior. It is important to visit a local goalie store to test out all the options and find the right fit for you. Once you have found the ideal pair of pads, make sure they are properly maintained to ensure comfort and safety. Cracked pads, torn straps, and worn out Velcro are all signs that it’s time for a new pair.