Hockey is one of those sports that requires staying safe. As a sport that involves skating at high speed with sticks and pucks, staying protected is mandatory. And while wearing a hockey helmet and gloves are the first things that come to mind, let’s not forget about shoulder pads.
What Are Hockey Shoulder Pads for?
Hockey or ice hockey shoulder pads are gear essentials designed to protect the player’s upper body from impacts. Whether talking about being hit with a stick, falling on the ice or pucks, having his shoulders, collarbone, back, rib cage, and biceps covered is the only way to stay protected from injuries.
How Should They Fit?
Keeping the player safe from injuries with this protective gear can be done only by choosing the right fit. Wearing the suitable hockey shoulder pads means improved protection, comfort and performance, so choosing the right fit is crucial for achieving all of this. Luckily, there are some important factors that you can consider to make the right choice.
Enough Shoulder Coverage
According to professionals and sellers, the caps of this protective gear should cover the shoulder joint without moving up towards the neck.
Good Chest and Back Protection
The front and back panels of these pads should cover the torso area properly. In order to provide the player with utmost protection, they should sit closely against the body but without restricting the mobility and breathing.
Arm Length
These pads should extend down the upper arm or just above the elbow in order to provide great protection, but without preventing free arm movement. All in all, these pads should feel snug but not tight. They should feel comfortable, allowing the player to move freely.
Key Features of Good Shoulder Pads
Shoulder Caps
Just like any other type of gear, these caps are also available in a selection of shapes and sizes, so choosing one that will meet the player’s size and dimensions is mandatory. The most common misconception beginners have is that a bigger shoulder cap can provide them with greater protection.
Instead, these caps should sit directly on the top of the shoulder and properly cover the shoulders; if too big, they will slide down the arms of the player and even shift around. For greater protection, one should choose shoulder pads with a more tapered fit around the shoulder.
Clavicle Protection
An important thing to look for in these pads is the clavicle protection. The truth is that not all of them come with that kind of protection, so it is important to look for one that comes with a reinforced piece of protection over the collarbone.
Upper Arm Protection
When searching for the right shoulder pads, the player should also take into account their upper arm protection. This part of the shoulder pad is usually adjustable and can be slid up and down for improved protection of the upper arms. It is designed to meet the top of the elbow pad for a better fit. In case it goes down the elbow or way up, this means reduced protection and restricted arm movement.
Sternum Protection
The truth is that a good shoulder pad should offer a reinforced piece of padding directly over the sternum area. Obtaining this and finding such a shoulder pad is easy when investing in one coming from a trusted and reliable manufacturer. Otherwise, one risks this gear with limited or no added protection on the chest area, which can be fatal in some cases. Staying on the safe side of the story is always a better idea, and achieving this is possible by investing in pads made to the standards and reinforced in the right places.
Spine Protection
The spinal protection on these pieces of gear is just another thing one should look for in them. When searching for the right option, one should look for reinforced padding all the way down the spinal cord. This is essential for protecting sensitive areas of the body. Unfortunately, a lot of beginners try to save money on these pads and choose the more affordable types. However, they may not contain this added piece of protection, which is so important for the player.
Measuring for the Right Fit
When in the search for the right ones, one should start by measuring the widest part of their chest while wearing a base layer. Knowing his height is just another important thing to consider because these pads usually come in three categories: youth, junior or senior categories.
When in the search for the right ones, remember:
- Competitive players should choose professional-level pads with reinforced upper body protection.
- Youth players should choose lightweight youth shoulder pads that still offer decent chest and back protection.
- Recreational players should choose mid-tier pads because they create a balance between impact resistance and comfort.
