How to buy hockey shin pads
Step-by-step Instructions
Here is what you need to do...
Step 1
Step one in buying the right hockey shin pads for you is in determining your personal shin pad size. In order to do this, you should measure from the tongue of your skate(or top of the foot at the ankle) to the middle of your knee cap. This number should provide with your hockey shin pad size.
Step 2
Step two in buying the right hockey shin pads for you is using your hockey shin pad size to determine what size shin pad is right for you. (*For more details on hockey shin pad sizes, please consult the special attention section below.)
Step 3
Step three in buying the right hockey shin pads for you is to determine their function. Be you a defenseman or a forward, you will have different needs based on that. Forwards often look for lighter weight shin pads that have minimal extra protection (no knee flaps or extended ankle guards) while defensemen often seek the exact opposite (preferring to wear shin pads with the extra elements of protection). Also, forwards often prefer flatter shin plates in order to increase the chances of a puck rebounding directly in front of them, while defensemen prefer angled shin plates as they deflect pucks away and up instead of straight back.
Step 4
Step four in buying the right hockey shin pads for you is to determine your comfort level. Some players prefer to have their hockey shin pads on top of the tongue of their skate while others prefer to tuck them behind. If your preference is to tuck them into your skates, you may wish to consider one size higher than your recommended fit.
Step 5
Step five in buying the right hockey shin pads for is pricing. As with many pieces of hockey equipment, your hockey shin pads are only as effective as they are comfortable. While like most other pieces of equipment, hockey shin pads must have a snug fit. It is recommended that you try various pairs on to get the feel for which set is right for you. Manufacturers tend to abide by the same sizing charts therefore the size tends to remain the same while the difference is often in the options. Once you have tried on a few pairs, you can then compare in-store prices with those online to seek a better deal.
Step 6
Step six in buying the right hockey shin pads for you is quality. Although size, fit and protection are all very important in choosing the right hockey shin pads for you, you must also take into the consideration the quality of the plastic (or carbon composite), the density of the foam protection and the quality of the stitching and assembly. Better-quality products tend to have higher prices, yet the benefit lies in their quality as it allows for better protection and extended durability.
Special Attention
Difficulties people often experience or parts that need special attention to do it right.
- *Youth Size: 6-9" -- **Junior Size: 10-12" --- ***Senior Size: 13-18"
Stuff You'll Need
Suggested Further Reading
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This Student Author's Background
Funny or interesting story about this topic...
Modern hockey equipment is generally made from space-age, lightweight materials these days, and hockey shin pads are no different. The only difference lies in the origins of hockey shin pads as they date back to the late 19th century. Hockey shin pads came to be when players sought out ways to protect their shins by stuffing thick magazines into their socks. This peculiar habit eventually caught on as actual protective shin pads were developed, yet this trend also gave way to a new piece of equipment, the hockey sock.
When did you first do this & how did you get started?
Although I did not have to start playing hockey with magazines tucked into my socks, my very first pair of hockey shin pads were quite dated. They were loosely made from pieces of wool padded sections stitched together with thin plastic shields stapled on top. Of course, I was a young boy at the time so they served their purpose as I learned the game, yet as I got older and played more competitive hockey, I came to understand how important protecting your legs from pucks, sticks and skates can be. In what can sometimes be a dangerous sport, there's never a reason why you shouldn't buy hockey shin pads which offer you the most leg, knee and ankle protection possible.