The Complete Guide to Sizing Youth Hockey Goalie and Player Equipment

The Complete Guide to Sizing Youth Hockey Goalie and Player Equipment

Allow Room to Grow When Buying Chest Pads and Shin Guards

When selecting chest and arm protection for youth hockey players, it’s important to pick equipment that will accommodate growth spurts and last more than one season. Many parents make the mistake of buying perfectly fitted chest pads, only to have their child outgrow them within a few months of hitting the ice. Instead, allow about 1-2 inches of extra room in the shoulder width and length when fitting chest protectors. Shin guards especially should have space for an extra inch or two of leg growth.

Keep in mind most brands design their pads for a good level of adjustability. Many chest pads feature removable bicep guards, adjustable belly flaps, and straps that can extend the length. Shin guards often have extenders to get more life out of them as kids’ legs lengthen. While you want pads snug enough not to be sliding around, too tight of equipment can restrict movement and comfort. Take advantage of sizing adjustments for a little wiggle room to grow. Properly fitted gear improves performance and reduces injury risk. Investing in high-quality, durable pads with growth room built-in will save money and hassle in the long run.

Compare Sizing Charts Between Brands for Goalie Pads and Chest Protectors

When shopping for goalie pads and chest protectors, it’s essential to pay close attention to sizing charts, as there can be significant variances between brands. For example, what is considered a size large in Bauer goalie pads may actually align closer to an intermediate in CCM. Some manufacturers size by age while others go by height and weight. Even for specific equipment types like goalie pads, torso measurements and preferred playing style influences ideal fit.

Before purchase youth goalie leg pads or chest protectors, take your child’s measurements and compare sizing guides across 3-4 major brands like Bauer, CCM, Warrior, Vaughn, etc. If your young goalie falls between sizes, consider sizing up to allow room to grow. Keep in mind used leg pads can be a cost-effective option to accommodate growth spurts. Chest protectors with adjustable arm, shoulder and belly padding also provide more flexibility.

In addition to measurements, factor in your child’s skill level and positional aggressiveness. More advanced, aggressive goalies may opt for stiffer, more protective pads and chest protectors, while recreational players prioritize maximum mobility. Consulting with knowledgeable staff at a hockey specialty store can help ensure you get the right fit. Properly fitted equipment improves comfort, increases protection and gives your young goalie the best chance to develop their full potential.

Prioritize Fit and Protection When Selecting Helmets and Masks

Finding a helmet and mask that properly fits your youth hockey player is crucial for safety and performance. When sizing helmets, measure the circumference of your child’s head and compare to manufacturer charts. The helmet should feel snug when strapped on, with no gaps between the padding and the head. Ensure adequate clearance between the helmet and mask cage, about the width of two fingers. The mask should protect most of the face without obstructing vision or impeding breathing.

For goalies, finding the right sized goalie mask is key to protection. Measure the distance between the chin and forehead for mask sizing. Masks come in varied cage styles, from traditional to hybrid and cat-eye. Make sure to try on different cage configurations to find the best coverage without limiting visibility. The chin and forehead should barely graze the cage padding when the head moves.

Prioritize a helmet and mask that offers robust protection without sacrificing fit and comfort. Features like tool-free cage adjustments, moisture wicking liners, and lightweight materials can aid comfort and breathability. Properly sized helmets reduce headaches and dizziness while masks protect from sticks, pucks and skate blades. Investing in quality, breathable head protection provides peace of mind and boosts performance.

Choose Thicker, Stiffer Pads for More Aggressive Positioning

When selecting goalie pads and chest protectors for youth players, considering your child’s skill level and playing style is important for getting ideal gear. Young goalies who play more aggressively, with greater butterfly coverage and challenging positioning, need thicker, more rigid pads. Stiffer pads not only offer more padding for absorbing puck impacts, but the sturdiness helps hold form for coverage on butterfly saves.

Newer technologies like CurvTM composite on CCM pads create a stiff outer roll while retaining flexible knee flexibility. Bauer also uses Curv in chest protectors to add pro-level stiffness for better protection. For goalies still developing proper butterfly form, softer pads allow them to more easily fold into position until greater flexibility is achieved. Most leg pad kneeling surfaces have molded foam or HD foam kneestacks that provide appropriate stiffness while blocking shots.

Since playing style evolves as goalies gain experience, focus on adjustable items like removable knee and thigh guards that can adapt pads to skill progression. Glove cuffs, chest pad bicep guards, and belly flap extenders also allow room to mod pads for improving aggression. Prioritizing optimal stiffness and coverage will boost confidence in the crease as young goaltenders challenge more advanced shooters.

Consider How Equipment Fits Together to Prevent Gaps

When outfitting your youth hockey player, it’s important to look at how all the protective gear works together as a complete package. Gaps between pads, chest protectors and pant shells leave vulnerable spots exposed. Ensure leg pads fully cover the knees and thighs when in a crouched position. Knees should sit centered under the knee blocks. If knee pads slip, extenders and adjustable strapping helps secure coverage.

Size pant shells and girdles to comfortably fit over the pelvic and hip pads of your goalie pads. Suspenders should extend over the shoulder caps with adequate range of motion. If the pants ride too low, pucks can strike the lower spine between the pants and chest protector. Strapping and belt adjustments on girdles helps fine tune the right hockey pant fit.

For skaters, make sure shoulder pads properly overlap the chest protector to fully shield the bicep and rib areas. Check that elbow pads don’t leave any forearm exposed when the arms are fully extended. Take some practice shots in full gear to identify potential gaps in coverage. Getting equipment that works in sync maximizes protection for youth players focused on skill development.

Get Properly Fitting Gloves for Maximum Movement and Protection

Ensuring proper glove fit is essential for both goalies and skaters. When sizing youth hockey gloves, measure your child’s dominant hand from the tip of the middle finger to the bottom palm. Compare the measurement to size charts and opt for gloves that fit snugly without restricting finger mobility. The wrist and cuff should have good overlap with no gaps when clenching a stick.

For goalie gloves, closure straps and adjustable wrist bands help customize the fit. Breaking in gloves improves the form around the fingers and hand for better freedom of movement. Pre-curved fingers make it easier for young players to grip their stick. Newer 4-way stretch materials in the backhand improve dexterity when stickhandling and passing.

When trying on gloves, have your child make a fist and flex fingers to ensure adequate range of motion for stick control without exposing the hands or wrists. Proper glove fit minimizes interference when shooting, passing and poke checking while protecting the vulnerable fingers and knuckles from bruising and fractures.

Try on Skates for Proper Fit – Heel Should Lock in Place

Finding the correctly sized hockey skates is crucial for beginners learning proper skating technique. When fitting your child for skates, ensure there is about a thumb’s width of space between the tip of the toes and the front of the boot. The foot should not slide forward when laced up tightly. No part of the foot should feel pinched or cramped.

With skates properly laced, have your child push their foot all the way back in the boot and bend their knees. The heel should lock in place with no lift. If the skate heel lifts or feet slide forward, try going down a half or full size. Some brands fit narrower or wider than others, so trying on multiple manufacturers can help find the optimal size.

Consider going up a half size if your child has pronation or high arches that require an insert. Heat moldable boots that form to the foot provide added comfort. While a snug fit minimizes foot movement inside the skate, make sure blood circulation isn’t restricted. The right sized skates improves balance, agility and performance.

Select Sticks Based on Height and Preferred Hand Position

Finding the right hockey stick length and flex for youth players is key for developing proper skills. As a general rule, the stick should come up to between the chin and nose when skating with skates on. Taller players benefit from longer sticks for greater reach and leverage. Shorter sticks allow smaller kids better control.

For stick flex, lighter players under 100 lbs generally do best with intermediate 50-65 flex sticks, while heavier players can handle 70-85 flex. Consider your child’s position and shooting style as well – defensemen lean toward stiffer sticks for harder shots while forwards may prefer more whip for quick wristers.

Also factor in how your child grips the stick and where their lower hand sits. Sticks with a textured grip near the bottom are ideal for players who choke down for more control. Those who hold the stick higher up may sacrifice some handle length for optimal flex and shooting power. Dialing in the right stick improves puck handling, passing, shooting and confidence on the ice.

Determine Shoulder Pad Size by Measuring Chest and Arm Length

Finding properly fitted shoulder pads is vital to protect a youth hockey player’s upper body. When sizing shoulder pads, first measure across the fullest part of your child’s chest. Compare this measurement against sizing charts to get the pad width. Next, measure arm length from the shoulder point down to the wrist. The shoulder cap should extend to right above the elbow joint for full bicep protection.

Many brands size their pads by age, but these measurements ensure proper shoulder, chest and back coverage. Adjustable bicep guards, straps and extensions provide some room to grow. Make sure shoulder pads wrap adequately around smaller frames for a snug fit, and don’t impede neck or shoulder movement.

For goalies, allow room in chest protector shoulder floats to comfortably overlap the pads. If pads are too bulky, mobility can be hindered. A proper shoulder pad fit minimizes gaps, keeps pads securely in place during play, and gives youth players confidence to engage physically.

Don’t Sacrifice Comfort – Get Proper Neck Protection from Clavicle Pads

When outfitting your youth hockey player, don’t overlook the importance of proper neck and clavicle protection. Skating at high speeds, checking other players into the boards, blocking shots and getting tripped up often leads to forward falls onto the ice surface. Ensuring your child wears a neck guard or clavicle pads reduces the risk of traumatic injury in these situations.

Many chest and shoulder pad models integrate padded clavicle protection into the design. For added safety, a T-shirt style neck guard adds an extra layer securing the collarbone and cervical spine. Materials like dynamic Sorbothane absorb shock while limiting mobility restriction. Don’t forget a throat protector as well to shield the trachea and larynx from slashes and sticks.

While some youth leagues don’t mandate neck guards, they provide vital defense against dangerous collisions and falls leading to fractures or spinal cord injuries. Protecting this vulnerable area allows kids to play carefree and without fear of painful upper body injury.

Ensure Pant Shells and Girdles Fit Over Other Equipment

An often overlooked aspect of sizing youth hockey gear is ensuring pant shells and girdles properly fit over shin guards, knee pads and goalie leg pads. When selecting hockey pants, make sure the leg channel and thigh width are large enough to comfortably accommodate bulky leg pads underneath. Thigh pads should fully cover and overlap knee protectors to close any gaps.

For goalies, larger, adjustable leg loops on padded pant shells allow the pants to be worn over bulky goal pads. Suspender buttons and side snaps help secure a goalie pant shell above the knee cradle of the leg pads. Girdles for both skaters and goalies feature extensive strap systems to help cinch the protective padding around legs and thighs over other equipment.

Trying on gear combinations identifies potential sizing issues like pants riding too high and exposing the lower back. Utility belts also help fine tune pant positioning. Getting sufficient coverage from shells and girdles boosts protection and avoids exposing the knees or thighs during butterfly landings.

Consult With Coaches and Equipment Experts for Guidance

With the wide variety of brands, styles and sizing of youth hockey protective equipment, the process of properly outfitting your young player can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, there are knowledgeable resources you can leverage to help find the right gear. Consult with coaches who understand your child’s skill level and development areas. They may suggest specific equipment features to match their style of play and practice drills.

Leverage the expertise of staff at specialty hockey shops for product recommendations and proper sizing. Many stores include fitting services to identify ideal pads and gloves tailored to your youth athlete. Ask about heat moldable skates that form to your child’s feet for comfort.

Joining online forums and Facebook groups for hockey parents provides feedback on gear from those going through the same experiences. Take advantage of sizing guides on manufacturers’ websites too. While the equipment purchase process takes some research, getting the right fitting gear gives youth players the best chance to excel on the ice.