Hockey is a fast-paced sport where players shoot pucks at incredible speeds, with a physical element to the game. The right combination of equipment will protect you, but it will also help your game because the proper fitting equipment will make you feel comfortable.
Hockey gear costs from $400 to $1000 or more to fully suit a player when buying all new equipment.
Players at a higher level of competition can expect to pay in the upper range due to higher quality equipment. In contrast, casual skaters and younger players can expect prices in the lower range.
Goalies have more expensive equipment due to the increased amount of protection required.
A hockey player needs several pieces of equipment. But if your budget is tight or you don’t know where to start, it can feel overwhelming to choose them all. This article gives all the tips you need to buy your hockey gear. Read on and find out how.
Here’s an average of how much hockey gear costs
For a skater who’s buying a full set of new hockey gear, the cost will be from $400 to $1000, or more. The price of your gear depends on all the individual components’ quality, as professional-grade increases the cost.
The price of the gear can drop if you buy a combination of new and used. In this condition, equipment will cost from $300 to $500, and purchasing all used can cost $200 to $300.
An additional item to consider is an equipment bag that will make traveling easier for you. These can range from $50 to $200 for models with no wheels and $50 to $300 for wheeled bags.
What’s the cost of hockey equipment cost for younger players?
Because kids and teenagers are continually growing, they can go through hockey equipment faster than adults. You can expect to go through items like skates, sticks, and shinpads quickly. Other pieces of equipment, like helmets, can last longer, thanks to a limited resizing capability.
Due to the size and quality of material, children’s equipment is slightly cheaper than regular gear. According to Hockey Monkey, the average cost for a child player’s gear is from $185 to $710.
What’s the average cost for goalie gear?
A hockey goalie needs protection from head to toe to stop pucks traveling at 80+ mph. A fully geared goalie has special skates with larger toe protectors, goalie pads, jockstrap, pants, chest protectors, neck protectors, a mask, a catcher, a blocker, and a stick.
Given the complexity of goalie gear, it is more expensive than a forward or a defenseman’s equipment. Due to the high risk of injury, goalies should play with the best protection they can buy.
Here’s a chart providing what you can expect to pay as a starting price for senior goalie gear, with information from Goalie Monkey:
| Leg pads | $300 upwards |
| Glove | $110 upwards |
| Blocker | $95 upwards |
| Chest and arm protection | $175 upwards |
| Pants | $90 upwards |
| Sticks | $35 upwards |
| Skates | $170 upwards |
| Masks | $50 upwards |
When buying these items completely new, and considering these are the lower entry prices, a goalie can expect to pay $1050 or more for gear.
While this is the starting cost for an adult goalie, $1000 is what parents of younger goalies can also expect to pay to fully gear a teenage goaltender, according to the website Pure Hockey.
Given the size and bulkiness of goalie gear, you might consider buying a dedicated goalie gear bag. These have a cost that ranges from $150 to $400.
You will need to buy some items more frequently than others.
If you are not a professional and you want to play out in a frozen lake, you might not even have to buy all the gear at once. Items like skates, a helmet, and a stick are a must, but you can add the rest as you go along.
If your level of competition increases, you will have to include more protective equipment to ensure your protection. But you might be apprehensive about blowing your budget.
The good news is that, while buying all the items at once seems expensive, you might not need to do so. Some gear wears out faster than others. In the case of skaters who use a stick with less flex, they can break or damage more quickly and last fewer games.
When it comes to gloves, the palm lining wears out due to the stick’s friction, so holes are the most common damage sign. According to Pure Hockey, a competitive level player can expect to change gloves every six months.
Helmets, on the other hand, are more durable and, in the case of adult players, don’t need frequent changes. You can even replace the straps and inner foam pads over time, to ensure more durability. If a puck hits you in the head, however, it’s recommended to change the helmet.
Another of the more durable items in hockey gear is the pants. Built to protect the skater, they can last for a long time.
The frequency of how fast a player changes his or her gear is up to preference. Some prefer to wear their equipment until it is close to useless while others prefer the sensation of new equipment.
Can I buy second-hand hockey gear?
Given that many players will discard gear before it can’t be used anymore, there is plenty of used gear out there, from gloves to helmets and skates. Specialized stores offer a variety of used equipment at lower prices. These stores also include older items which haven’t been sold and are replaced by newer models.
But buying second-hand gear isn’t as easy as picking one item and paying for it. According to Sports Zone Canada, you shouldn’t skimp out on some crucial elements.
It would be best if you always bought new helmets, as they are one of the most critical elements in your protection.
You can buy them second-hand when it comes to pants, shoulder pads, elbow pads, and shin guards. These items can last for long. Items with gentle use, that still have their Velcro straps and show no tears are ideal.
Due to the hygienic aspect of jockstraps and undergarments, it’s best to buy them new.
Skates are up to the preference of the player. Some skates might have been molded to fit the foot of the original owner, but if this is not an issue for you, then you can buy high-quality skates at a discount. If you prefer a perfect fit, then you should purchase new skates and have them professionally fitted.
Softer sticks are prone to breaking, so, independent of your level of play, it would be ideal that you buy them new so that you ensure you’re getting the stick’s best performance.
Where can you buy cheap hockey equipment?
Fortunately, for hockey players, there are many places where you can get equipment at a lower cost, both new and used. Places like Sports Zone offer both options, while sites like Discount Hockey offer cheaper, new gear, usually past models.
Some stores are focused on used hockey equipment, like Play it Again and Sideline Swap, where you can find considerable discounts on almost all the items you need. Buying from these sites offers the reassurance that you are buying from a reputable vendor.
Other options for cheaper hockey gear include buying it directly from individuals through platforms like Craigslist and eBay, but these seldom provide a guarantee.
While hockey is undoubtedly one of the more expensive sports out there, that doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy it while on a budget. These tips will help you find the best equipment that’s right for your wallet and your style of play.