|
Equipment |
Fitting |
Cost Range |
|
Skates |
Forget your shoe size; usually skate sizes are smaller. In selecting
skates, always find one that is a perfect fit. Most people make the mistake of wanting a
bigger size skate because that's their shoe size or because they want more room or because
they want to keep them longer since their feet are still growing. To skate well, you need
perfectly sized skates. By compromising fit, you are compromising your own skating skills,
which defeats the purpose of playing. When your skates are on, your toes should just
"feather" the front of the skate. Also, you must lace the skates tightly during
your initial fit to see if it's the right size, even though you may not want to tie your
laces tightly during the other times. |
$20 - $500 |
|
Helmet |
The top of the helmet should sit snugly just above your eyebrows. |
$20 - $100 |
|
Face Mask |
When fitting your helmet, try it on with the mask strapped in place to
ensure a proper fit. For some models, once the mask is snapped into place via the J-hooks,
some may find that the helmet becomes tighter. Chin cups that are attached to the helmet
should just touch your chin. Chin straps should be just loose enough to allow your head a
full range of motion without it getting in your way. |
$10 - $50 |
|
Shoulder Pads |
When fitting, your ends of the pads should go just over your shoulder.
Some shoulder pads come with abdominal and/or lower back protectors. For these, be sure to
try them on with the pants so that you don't get so much protection that the equipment
becomes bulky. |
$15 - $200 |
|
Pants |
Pants vary in the amount of protection they offer. Bear in mind that the
more protection the pants give, the bulkier they become. |
$30 - $200 |
|
Gloves |
In wearing gloves, make sure the fingers come very close to the tip of
the gloves when worn. |
$10 - $150 |
|
Shin Guards |
The kneecap should fit comfortably into the knee cup of the pad. The
lower part of the pad should be just above the ankle. Always try shin guards on while
wearing skates. The wrong size will prevent you from lacing your skates properly. |
$15 - $150 |
|
Elbow Pads |
The elbow should always fit perfectly into the cup of the elbow pad. The
top of the pad should cover the upper part of the arm that is not protected by the bicep
protector of the shoulder pad. The bottom of the pad should just touch the top of the
glove. |
$10 - $100 |
|
Athletic Supporter With Cup / Pelvic Protector |
These range from straps to shorts. Some prefer the combination kind with
Velcro or garter belt attachment for holding up the socks. |
$5 - $50 |
|
Suspenders |
While pants may stay on with their belts, some people prefer suspenders
to allow more "breathing room" comfort. |
$3 - $20 |
|
Garter Belt |
For those without combination supporters, this serves to hold the socks
up. |
$3 - $20 |
|
Neck Protector |
Though not too common, it does provide protection to a commonly ignored
area. While wearing one may take some getting used to (like wearing a tie), it should be
relatively loose. |
$10 - $30 |
|
Mouthguard |
Mouthguards come in numerous brands, sizes, and makes. A custom made
allows a better fit, which means better breathing and ability to talk clearer. A
"boil and bite" one is a generic U-shaped piece of plastic. After it is boiled,
it becomes soft enough so that you can mold it around your teeth. Mouthguards also come
with and without straps. Strapless allows for better talking, but those with straps allow
one to take out the mouthguard without worrying about it. |
$1 - $50 |
|
Jersey |
When fitting a jersey, you should either try it on with shoulder pads, or
get one at least one size larger than your regular shirt size to ensure fit during play. |
$15 - $300 |
|
Socks |
These should extend from the bottom of your shin guard to just above the
bottom of the pants. This shouldn't be a problem since these come only in adult and junior
sizes. |
$5 - $45 |
|
Tape |
This is the utility tape that's needed fror a variety of purposes.
Players generally choose clear tape for keeping shin guards in place and colored tape for
taping their sticks. Also, colored tape allows one to place (or "make") a jersey
number on the back of a practice jersey. |
$1 - $10 |
|
Stick |
Without skates, it should measure approximately from your feet to just
under your nose. With skates, it should measure up to the bottom of your chin. |
$10 - $120 |
|
Bag |
Ideally, the bag should be just large enough to fit all your equipment
in. Getting a bag that's too large would mean equipment sliding around while you carry
them. One that is too small will not hold everything. |
$15 - $80 |
|
Two Towels |
One standard towel should be used for during and after games. The small
one should be used for wiping your skates dry after skating. |
$5 - $20 |
|
Water Bottle |
You need this during and after games. |
$1-$10 |
The Butt-Head background above came from the Center Ice web site.
