Hockey is a fast-paced sport in which players shoot pucks and maneuver around each other while skating on an ice surface. Despite the game’s fun and excitement, it poses many safety risks, including collisions with other players (checking), hard surfaces such as the ice and boards, falling, and pucks flying at high speeds. Because of these hazards, players are required to wear protective equipment, which typically consists of a helmet, shoulder pads/chest protector, elbow pads, wrist guards, mouth guard, heavy-padded gloves and heavily padded goalie pants.
Shin Pads
Goalie shin pads are designed to protect the goaltender’s leg from fast-flying pucks and sticks. The most important feature in a good pair of goalie shin pads is that they fit well and offer adequate protection without hindering movement or limiting the goaltender’s ability to perform his or her job. A good pair of shin pads will have an upper knee flap that is flexible and attached to the lower portion of the pad so it moves as the leg flexes. The shin pad will also have an inner lining and a hard shell that can protect the knee from a stray puck or a slashing stick.
Several different brands of hockey goalie shin pads are available, with most goalies gravitating towards particular brands for various reasons. Some of the most popular brands include Bauer – multiple styles and fits with a focus on maximum protection and comfort, CCM – lightweight pads with great mobility and odor-fighting technology, and Warrior – multiple options for goalies of all sizes with a focus on versatility.
When choosing a pair of hockey goalie shin pads, it is important to find the correct size. The shin pads should be snug against the goalie’s legs, covering most of the front of the calf and extending slightly above the ankle. The shin pads should also be tight enough to prevent them from rotating while the goalie is playing, but not so tight that they are uncomfortable or restrictive.
Another consideration when selecting a pair of goalie shin pads for your team is whether or not they have ventilation. Airflow is necessary to help keep the shin pads cool so that the goalie’s calf and shin muscles do not become overheated and cause cramping during play.
Finally, the goalie shin pads should have secure strapping to hold them in place. The goalie will be moving around the crease a lot during a game, so the shin pads must stay in place to prevent them from shifting and becoming loose or even falling off. The best way to ensure that the shin pads are secured is to use double-sided velcro. This will provide a more secure connection between the shin pad and the goalie’s leg, making sure that they are held in place for all the battles that take place during the game. A good pair of hockey goalie shin guards should last at least one season before they need to be replaced.