Like in any other sport, a hockey player needs several pieces of equipment And like almost any athlete, they need the basics, from athletic shoes and t-shirts to water bottles and sports bags. However, some things are specific to the sport of hockey. Hockey players need skates, proper padding, a great hockey stick, and the best hockey gloves.
As a player, you will need to hold the hockey stick properly and have a proper grip that will help you gain control of the puck to score a point for your team. That’s why you will need the best hockey gloves to give you a superior grip around the stick.
In this buyer’s guide, we have compiled a list of factors you need to consider before making your final choice on a suitable pair of hockey gloves.
What are factors to consider when looking for the best hockey gloves?
Fitting and Size
The first and most important factor that you need to focus on is the glove size and whether or not it fits around your hand. While looking for the gloves, you will come across various size options, including 13", 14", and 15". These sizes are perfect for adults, while any glove in a size under 12"is ideal for the younger players. Also, make sure the measurements are taken correctly for both the right and left hand, as the measurements can be slightly different. Measure from the bottom of your middle finger all the way down to your elbow. This size will correlate to the size of the glove.
Protective Padding
As you will be wearing gloves for protecting your hand from injuries, you need to check the presence and alignment of the pads. The cuffs around your wrists should be thick with extra protection, ensuring that the smaller wrist bones and ligaments are safe. Also, as the palm will be in direct contact with the stick, the gloves must have proper leather padding with shock absorbtion.
Color Combination
Just as you focus on any other factor, make sure the aesthetics and styling done on the gloves are optimal. First of all, the colors should be similar to the hockey apparel you are wearing. In addition, you also need to choose proper color combinations for the gloves. ake this opportunity to add a bit of personality and flair to your gear. Picking a bold color combination helps your gloves stand out against your teammates’ gear.
Material Quality
Leather gloves are usually preferred for long-time hockey players, especially those who play with aggression. Check the materials of the padding and make sure they can absorb shock and jerks during impact. Also, the cover material of the gloves must be strong enough to withstand the stretching and relaxing of your fist. Lastly, ensure that the stitches are perfect and tight.
Adjustability Feature
Every hockey glove comes with adjustability features that allow you to adjust the fitting and tightness around the palm and wrist. If you have a hook and loop strap in the wrist portion, ensure the gloves don't become loose as you move your wrist. In some gloves, buckles are also used for tightening the gloves around your hand.
Longevity and Durability
It would help if you choose a pair of hockey gloves that have high longevity and durability. Whether you are using the gloves for both tournaments and practices or only for inter-club matches, the gloves shouldn't break down easily. The padding must not get compressed, and the leather covering the palm area should stay intact.
How do you measure for the proper glove fit?
It is essential for every hockey player to choose gloves that will fit them well. These gloves must fit snugly around the wrist, palm, and fingers. In the section below, we have described the measuring process with which you can decide whether the gloves have the right fit or not.
One quarter-inch of free space must be present at the fingertips of the gloves to prevent restricted finger motion.
Form a fist and check whether the fabric has stretched out excessively or not. If yes, you will need a bigger glove.
The hockey gloves have hard layers over the knuckles and fingers. So, make sure that the breaks in the gloves are sitting atop the respective bones only.
Lastly, check the tightness around the wrists. You should be able to rotate and move the wrist bone easily without any hindrance.
For measuring the size, the standard process is to use a tape and measure the length from the elbow joint to the base of your fingers with the palm pointing upward.
Final Words
Here, we have talked about all the potential factors which need to be considered for buying the best hockey gloves. You need to ensure that your choice is appropriate based on your playing style, stick type, and comfort level. The gloves mustn’t irritate your skin or choke the blood vessels in your hand, making the fingers go numb. Just keep these few things in mind, and you will be playing your next match with the best hockey gloves.
Hockey Gloves FAQs
Q. Does the use of the gloves depend on the hockey stick type?
A. Yes, the use of the gloves will depend on the hockey stick you are playing with, mainly because of material differences. For example, if you are playing with a composite stick, the surface will be slippery. So, the gloves need to have a rough grip. Similarly, for heavyweight sticks, you need bigger gloves with extra padding.
Q. How loosely should the gloves fit around the hand?
A. The gloves must be loose enough to allow proper movement of your fingers and palm. There should be at least a quarter-inch of space in the fingertips, and no stretching should occur while you are making a fist.
Q. Why is it essential for a player to wear hockey gloves?
A. The hockey gloves come with extra padding on the inner side for absorbing the shocks. Hence, your knuckles, finger bones, and wrist bones will remain protected against injuries.
Q. Is the measurement for the right-hand glove the same for the left hand?
A. No, the measurements for glove fitting must be done separately for both right and left hands. This will help you get the most accurate size of the gloves without any error.