1. Material Options
2. Sizing
3. Weight
4. Mobility
5. Pockets
6. Team Customization
7. Matching
8. Affordability
9. Durability
10. High Visibility
11. Breathability
12. Brand Reputation
13. Style
14. Weather Protection
15. Comfort
Lightweight Yet Warm
When shopping for youth hockey warm up suits, it’s important to find options that are lightweight yet warm enough to keep your young athlete comfortable before hitting the ice. The material used can make a big difference in balancing these two factors. Polyester and nylon fabrics tend to be lightweight and breathable, while still providing warmth. Many youth hockey brands now incorporate high-tech performance fabrics that wick moisture and dry quickly while regulating body temperature.
Look for lightweight jackets and pants rated for cold weather use. These will retain heat without overheating or weighing down young skaters. Technical fabrics like Primaloft can mimic down insulation at a fraction of the weight. For pant shells, a coated nylon provides wind resistance without bulky insulating layers underneath. The lighter the warmup suit, the easier it is for kids to move and stretch while keeping muscles warm and limbered up.
Breathable mesh panels and ventilation zippers allow for customized temperature regulation. Youth often heat up quickly compared to adults while skating and warming up. Letting out excess warmth prevents sweat buildup before hitting the ice. For maximum comfort, the ideal hockey warmup suit will strike the right balance between insulation, weather protection and breathability. With the right lightweight yet warm fabrics, young athletes can focus on their game rather than discomfort.
Age Appropriate Sizing
When shopping for youth hockey warm up suits, it’s crucial to find options with sizing that accounts for your child’s age and stage of development. Kids grow rapidly, so you’ll want to ensure the warmup suit fits properly now without being too big or small.
Many youth hockey brands size their warmup suits by age range rather than standard S/M/L sizing. This allows for a truer fit based on the average size of kids at each age. For example, Bauer’s Supreme warmup suits come in specific size ranges for ages 4-6, 6-8, 8-10, 10-12 and so on. Sizing by age takes out the guesswork.
Look at sizing charts to find the recommended age range and dimensions. Compare your child’s current measurements to pick the best fit. Allow some room for your child to grow, but not so much that the suit is baggy or impairing. Oversized clothing can hinder movement.
Consider how long you want the warmup suit to last. Buy a size up if your child is nearing the top of the age range. For goalies, allow room for leg pads underneath. Getting the right youth sizing ensures full mobility before hitting the ice.
Custom team suits often run small, so size up. Try on samples at stores to gauge sizing firsthand. Having an appropriately fitted warmup suit gives young hockey players confidence and comfort heading into games.
Wind and Water Resistant
When selecting a youth hockey warm up suit, it’s important to consider weather protection features that make the set wind and water resistant. Hockey games and practices happen in all weather conditions, so your child’s warmup suit needs to hold up.
Look for jackets made with outer shell fabrics like coated nylon or polyester that block wind and repel moisture. Many brands use proprietary fabrics like Bauer’s Thermolite that are specially engineered to keep wind and water out. For extreme cold, jackets with ripstop nylon or Gor-Tex offer maximum protection.
Water resistant zippers and storm flaps add weatherproofing coverage. Elasticized cuffs and hem seals out drafts and cold air. Consider a warmup jacket with a removable hood for extra coverage when needed. Reflective details improve visibility on dark icy mornings.
For warmup pants, look for tapered leg openings that fit over skates and a drawcord waist to seal in warmth. Zippered leg zips allow pants to go on easily over bulky pads. Opt for pants made with the same weatherproof shell as the jacket.
A DWR (durable water repellent) finish applied to the fabric exterior causes moisture to bead up and roll off the surface. This prevents the warmup suit from getting bogged down by rain or snow before a game. With wind and water resistant features, young athletes stay warm, dry and focused.
Flexible, Full Range of Motion
When buying youth hockey warm up suits, seek out options that provide flexible, unrestricted movement so kids can go through their full warm up routines. The warmup period before a game is crucial for getting muscles ready for the ice, so suits shouldn’t hinder mobility.
Look for jackets and pants made from lightweight, stretchy fabrics like polyester or spandex blends. Thin, breathable materials allow for a full range of motion without restraint. Some suits incorporate stretchmesh panels at key movement areas for added mobility.
An athletic cut provides a contoured fit that moves with the body without binding or bunching. Features like articulated elbows and ergonomic seams mirror the natural shape of the body. This enables twisting, bending and reaching without resistance.
Easy access zippers on warmup jackets let them be put on and taken off without hassle. Front zip pants and side leg zips allow pads and skates to slide on underneath effortlessly. Reflective taping and minimal exterior details prevent clutter.
Ensure any insulation layers are thin and the outer shell isn’t overly baggy or cumbersome. The more streamlined the silhouette, the less mobility is impaired. Prioritize full mobility so hockey players can properly stretch, run drills and activate muscles pre-game.
Zippered Pockets
When selecting a youth hockey warm up suit, opt for options with secure zippered pockets to safely hold small essentials. Hockey gear bags are cumbersome, so pockets provide easy access storage.
Look for warmup jackets with zippered hand pockets to hold items like hand warmers, mouthguards and locker keys. Chest pockets safely secure phones, wallets and snacks. Inside pockets keep valuables concealed and protected.
For pants, zippered side leg pockets are ideal for keeping tape, extra laces or pocket hand warmers accessible. Back pockets with zipper closures prevent goods from falling out when skating or stretching.
Zippers keep contents securely contained while allowing quick access when needed. Zippered interior pockets are great for concealing backup locker keys, emergency cash or inhalers out of sight.
Pockets should lie flat and not bulge out when empty. Exterior pockets add unnecessary bulk, so clean silhouette styles are ideal. Having essentials easily accessible in zippered pockets allows kids to focus on gearing up rather than rummaging for items.
Team Customization
When ordering youth hockey warm up suits for a team, consider customizable options for adding team branding elements. Uniform team suits promote cohesion and team spirit.
Many brands offercustomization services for adding team logos, names and numbers. Suit colors can be selected to match official team colors. Popular custom options include screen printing, tackle twill lettering and embroidered patches.
Screen printing uses ink layers bonded to the fabric exterior to imprint logos and text. This method is bold and vibrant for high visibility. Tackle twill involves stitching twill fabric cutouts onto suits to create raised, 3D effects.
Embroidery machines expertly stitch logos and names directly into the fabric for a polished, professional feel. This method provides a refined finish that elevates the overall aesthetic. Some brands even allow mixing and matching customization techniques.
Custom warmup suits make kids feel like part of an elite squad before taking the ice. Consult with coaches on optimal text sizes so names are clearly legible. Uniform team suits get young players excited and game ready.
Matching Jacket and Pants
When buying youth hockey warm up suits, opt for sets with matching jackets and pants for a coordinated, uniform look. Mixing and matching separates can undermine team cohesion.
Match the jacket fabric and color to the pants so the warmup suit appears as a uniform set. Team suits typically use the same fabrics throughout for consistency. With custom team orders, all decorative details should align.
Match the fit of the top and bottom. A baggy jacket with fitted pants looks mismatched. Ensure both pieces share a similar athletic cut and proportioned silhouette. Unified sizing and cuts promote harmony.
For cold conditions, choose a jacket and pant set both equipped with weatherproofing features like ripstop fabric and taped seams. Features should be optimized for the climate.
Matching warmup sets project professionalism and polish before games. It pulls an entire team together as one cohesive unit rather than a hodgepodge of styles. Unity and synchronization starts with coordinated dressing.
Affordability
When shopping for youth hockey warm up suits, aim to find high-quality options that don’t break the bank. Hockey gear expenses add up quickly, so keep affordability in mind.
Look for suits made by major athletic brands like Nike, Under Armour and Adidas that frequently offer sales and discounts. Their mass production capabilities allow for lower prices. Sign up for brand newsletters and alerts to get notifications on deals.
Check budget retailers like Walmart and Decathlon that offer lower-priced athleticwear lines. Their house brands provide performance features without the name brand markup.
Buy last season’s warmup suits on clearance to get substantial savings. While colors and styling change seasonally, fundamental features remain the same to save on.
Consider buying reversible or two-tone suits that essentially give you two looks in one. This maximizes value for money spent. Prioritize quality construction over flashy extras to keep costs reasonable.
Durability
When selecting youth hockey warm up suits, durability should be a key priority to withstand frequent use and wear and tear. Hockey is a high intensity sport that’s tough on gear.
Choose jacket and pant shells made from abrasion-resistant fabrics like Cordura nylon that maintain structural integrity after repeated use. Reinforced stitching at stress points prevents seams from splitting.
Opt for heavyweight zippers and closures tested to thousands of use cycles. Metal hardware resists cracking or breaking even when knocked by sticks and pucks.
Ensure insulation fills are densely packed so they don’t get compressed and thin out over time. Primaloft and Thermolite maintain loft and warmth for extended use.
Coatings like DWR resist fading, cracking or peeling with repeated wash cycles. Look for high denier fabric weights rated for heavy activity and equipment friction.
While grown-up gear gets retired quickly, youth gear often gets handed down. Prioritize durable construction to maximize longevity as suits get passed between siblings.
High Visibility
When buying youth hockey warm up suits, look for design elements that improve visibility and safety. Early morning practices mean dim lighting conditions.
Choose brightly colored suits in hues like neon yellow or orange that stand out against icy backgrounds. Reflective tapes along zippers, hems and seams boost reflectivity in low light.
Opt for jackets and pants with reflective geometric shapes or stripes along the arms and legs. These catch and reflect light from all angles when in motion.
Some jackets incorporate LED light strips along the back that can be set to flash or glow steadily for 360 degrees of illumination. These help identify kids’ locations from a distance.
Ensure any printed logos, names or numbers strongly contrast the base color for optimal legibility. Embroidery and prints in reflective thread shine when headlights hit them.
High visibility warmup suits allow coaches, drivers and other players to spot kids in the pre-dawn hours before practice. Boosted reflectivity equates to improved safety on the ice.
Breathability
When selecting youth hockey warm up suits, prioritize options with breathable fabrics and venting to prevent overheating. Warmups raise body temperature quickly.
Look for shell fabrics like polyester mesh that encourage maximum airflow. Moisture-wicking linings draw sweat away from the skin so it can evaporate. Targeted mesh paneling provides added ventilation.
Jackets with zippered underarm vents and side pocket zips allow for customized cooling. Open up zippers as needed for releasing excess warmth. Having the ability to control air flow prevents sweating.
Pants with zippered ankles provide additional ventilation options, as do streamlined pants without bulky cargo pockets that act as insulation. Stretchy fabrics with four-way stretch promote air circulation.
The last thing you want before a game is a hot, sweat-soaked player fatigued from warming up. Advanced cooling features keep young athletes fresh, focused and ready for ice time.
Trusted Hockey Brands
When shopping for youth hockey warm up suits, consider sticking with trusted, established hockey brands known for quality and performance. The big names are popular for a reason.
Look to companies like Bauer, CCM and Warrior that dedicate extensive R&D towards hockey-specific gear. They engineer features tailored to the sport’s unique needs, like reinforced elbows, stretch gussets and protective zipper garages.
These leading brands utilize innovative fabrics and technical advancements not found elsewhere. For example, Bauer’s ThermoMax wicking technology and CCM’s CLIMAWARM insulation optimize warmth and breathability.
Many top hockey brands also offer custom team uniform services for a professional coordinated look. Their in-house graphics teams expertly apply logos and numbers.
While the big brands charge a premium, their patented technologies and athlete-tested performance warrant the price for serious players. When in doubt, go with an established label trusted by hockey players worldwide.
Style
When selecting youth hockey warm up suits, consider current style trends that offer fun colors, prints and design accents. Let kids show off their personal flair.
Look for suits in bold, bright hues and color blocked combinations to stay on trend. Mixing complementary shades creates dimension. Camo and floral prints add personality.
Distressed details like frayed hems, exposed seaming and moto paneling create a cool, casual look. Oversized fits paired with tapered joggers provide a modern silhouette.
Bold logos and graphic prints allow athletes to showcase their interests, from music to hobbies. Contrasting zippers and contrast sleeves amp up style points.
While adult hockey gear skews conservative, kids appreciate flashy expression. Allowing players to pick suits reflecting their tastes makes gearing up exciting versus a chore.
Comfort
When buying youth hockey warm up suits, comfort should be the top priority so young athletes can move freely before games. Discomfort leads to distraction.
Choose lightweight, stretchy fabrics with 4-way mechanical stretch to allow natural movement without restriction. Articulated cuts mirror the body’s shape and range of motion.
Ensure inner fleece linings feel soft against the skin while wicking away sweat. Smooth, chafe-resistant flatlock seams prevent irritation and rubbing.
Opt for jackets with an athletic slim fit through the body but roomy enough for shoulder pads underneath. Pants shouldn’t bind or pinch.
Test out zipper pulls to verify they glide up and down smoothly without catching or snagging. Prioritize minimalist designs without exterior bells and whistles.
When kids feel comfortable during warmups, they can focus energy on skill drills rather than fidgeting with ill-fitting gear. Total comfort equals total concentration.
Move Freely Before Games
When selecting youth hockey warm up suits, the number one priority should be enabling free, unrestricted movement before games. The warmup is critical.
Choose lightweight, stretchy fabrics that flex with the body for dynamic stretches and drills. Thin insulation and minimal bulky hardware prevent restriction.
Opt for an athletic cut contoured to the natural shape of the body, with raglan sleeves and gusseted crotch to maximize mobility. Articulated elbows and knees align with the joints.
Ensure zippers, pockets and logos are streamlined and positioned to avoid chafing or limiting the range of motion. Reflective details should be sleek.
The most technically advanced warming features mean little if the suit inhibits movement. Prioritize maximum stretch, flexibility and freedom to adequately warm up muscles before hitting the ice.
With unencumbered mobility, hockey players can properly activate muscles, elevate heart rates and break a sweat before go time. The warmup suit prepares the body for optimal performance.