Fitting Guide - Ice Hockey Pants

Ice hockey pants are an extremely important piece of protective equipment because they cover more of the player than any other pad. If a player falls, the pant takes most of the impact while also protecting the player in the process. As a result, a properly fitted pant is essential for adequate protection during play. Refer to this ice hockey pants fitting guide to ensure the right pant is chosen for your body and style of play.

Hockey pants are meant to be worn at the waist. Therefore, the first step in determining the proper ice hockey pant size is taking a measurement around the navel. Following this recommendation is important because if the pant is worn too low the padding will not move with the body in motion. Also, an improperly fitted pant presents a potential danger when the player engages in corner battles and collide with other players along the boards due to the limited protection. However, when fitted correctly, the pant is able to provide the player with maximum protection and mobility during play.

After properly fitting the waist, make sure that the pant lands somewhere between the top and bottom of the knee. At this length the pant ensures safety, while also preventing the leg pads from colliding with the pant and obstructing the player’s stride. When the pant is too short, it can cuff and get stuck to the knee pads. If the pant is too long, the player will not be able to fully extend their legs for skating.

The next step is to check the kidney protection along the side of the pant. This area should be very protected because collisions in this region are absorbed by the organs. The guards along the side of the pant should thoroughly cover from the top of the hip to the bottom of the ribs.

The last and most important step is to make sure that the pant’s padding moves well with the skater’s body. If the padding does not move with the player in a uniform fashion, mobility will be sacrificed along with risking improper protection in game play.

Different types of fits:

Each company designs pants with either a high-volume fit or an anatomical fit. The traditional high-volume pant has the protection further away from the body, allowing the player to move within the pant itself. The anatomical, or slim fit, is meant to contour the body while in motion. Both give skaters the necessary protection for all game situations. Some examples of both can be seen below.

A wide fit pant has a traditional high volume fit. During games, these will seem looser because of the room given around the backside and thighs, but the protection stays in place. Some examples of a wide fit pant include: Tackla, Reebok K, and CCM U+.

A slim fit pant contours the body and has a narrow, straight-cut at the ends. This is for a natural feel and the thigh protection will remain snug during play. Some examples of a slim fit include: Bauer Vapor, Easton Stealth, and Bauer Supreme.