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Hockey pants, also known as breezers, are designed to protect the thighs, hips, and lower spine. These body parts are vulnerable to collisions, falls, hockey sticks, and high-impact pucks. It is important to wear hockey pants properly, so they can protect you from injuries and make you feel comfortable while playing on ice.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to put on your hockey pants like a professional hockey player, ensuring you are ready to hit the rink with confidence.
Start by wearing a foundational layer that draws sweat away from your skin. A proper base layer reduces friction, prevents chaffing, and ensures your protective equipment fits snugly, even during intense hockey movements.
Compression tights are great foundational layers. At Sports Gear Swag, we have a wide variety of hockey compression tights. They are fully customizable. Add your name and jersey number, choose between an embroidered and sublimated finish, and select your size for a perfect fit.
Before putting on your hockey pants, you need to loosen their laces. This step is important because it provides you with enough room to pull the pants up over your hips comfortably and ensures that they sit correctly on your waist. By loosening the laces first, you also avoid unnecessary strain on your ankles and thighs as you pull up the pants.
Find a stable bench or chair and sit down to make the process easier. Insert each leg into the appropriate pant leg opening. Pull up the pants, making sure the padding is positioned correctly to cover each thigh adequately. This ensures you get full lower body protection.
Completely pull up the pants while standing up. The pants should sit comfortably around your waist, with the waistband resting just above your hips.
Hockey Pants Innovation: Modern hockey pants are often made from moisture-wicking materials such as polyester and nylon to keep players dry and comfortable. This innovation also helps players stay cool, especially during intense hockey games.
Your goal is to secure a snug and comfortable fit that keeps your hockey pants firmly in place without restricting movement. Tighten the belt or laces to hold the pants around your waist, preventing them from slipping or shifting while playing on the ice. Make sure they are not too tight. You should be able to move freely in all directions without feeling pinching or tightness in your waist area.
Once your pants are secured, it’s a good idea to do a few test movements, such as bending, squatting, and twisting. They can help assess whether they are loose or a perfect fit.
The bottom of the pants should reach the top of your knee pads, overlapping slightly to ensure there is no gap in protection. Gaps can expose parts of your legs, putting you at risk of injuries during impacts and falls.
Bend your knees to check the fit. Perform squats and strides and observe how the pants interact with your knee pads. The pants should move seamlessly with your body, not causing discomfort or restriction. You should be able to bend, stretch, and skate without the pants pulling up too high or bunching around a knee.
Ensure all the protective hockey equipment on your pants is correctly positioned. The tailbone, hip, and thigh pads are the most crucial because they cover frequently impacted areas during a hockey game. Below is a table showing their proper position and how this proper position helps improve your hockey performance.
Hockey Pants Pad
Proper Position
Effect
Tailbone Pad
Should sit right at the base of your spine
Tailbone protection during collisions and falls
Hip Pad
Should cover the sides of your hips completely
Hip protection from impacts, including those from hockey sticks and pucks
Thigh Guard
Should cover the front and sides of your thighs
Adequate thigh protection and non-restrictive movements
Perform a few hockey-specific movements, such as crossovers, squats, and skating strides, to ensure the pads are correctly positioned and not restricting your movements.
If your hockey pants have additional suspender straps, adjust and secure them on the designated loops. Suspenders are particularly useful for hockey players who prefer a looser fit around the waist. They keep the pants in place without relying solely on the waistband. With this level of security, you can forget about your pants during gameplay and focus on winning.
Bend and stretch to confirm that the suspenders are properly adjusted and the pants remain in place even during movement.
Unique Designs: Hockey pants are part of the hockey uniform, meaning their colors and designs can vary widely between hockey teams and leagues. Some designs may have suspender straps, and some designs may not. This reflects the diverse preferences of different players and teams.
Make final adjustments to ensure your hockey pants fit perfectly. This step ensures your hockey gear provides maximum protection and comfort throughout the game. Do a few squats, lunges, and skating strides. Feel for loose or tight ends that hinder your movements and adjust them accordingly.
Adjustments may involve tightening or loosening laces, repositioning pads, and readjusting suspenders. Take your time to fine-tune their fit until everything feels right.
If you can’t make adjustments because you are not sure what a proper fit really means, here are the key points you should assess:
Length: Your pants should cover the top of your knee pads, allowing for a slight overlap.
Waist: Your pants should sit comfortably around your waist without slipping down or digging in.
Mobility: You should be able to move freely without feeling restricted. Bending, skating, and other hockey movements should feel comfortable.
Protection: Your pads should stay in place and cover the necessary areas, particularly your hips, thighs, and tailbone.
By assessing these key points, you can ensure your hockey pants are the right fit. This provides the necessary protection and comfort to perform effectively on the ice.
Even if you already know how to put on hockey gear properly, you may still encounter fit issues with your hockey pants. Here are the typical problems and their respective solutions:
Pants Sliding Down: Check if the waistband is too loose and adjust accordingly. If necessary, use suspenders to keep the pants in place.
Restricted Movement: Loosen the laces or belt until your hockey pants allow full movement without pinching or pulling. If this doesn’t work, consider trying a larger size or a different model of hockey pants.
Gaps in Protection: Align the pads properly and adjust the length of your hockey pants when needed. If the gaps persist, change to a different size to accommodate your body shape properly.
By following these detailed steps, you can enjoy a well-fitted pair of hockey pants that not only shields you from potential injuries but also allows you to move freely on the ice. Get the competitive edge you need to excel in ice hockey.
We understand that the right hockey gear can improve performance on the ice. At Sports Gear Swag, we offer a wide range of custom hockey apparel for adults all the way to toddlers, for teams and hobbyists alike.
Consider a new personalized hockey jersey, custom hockey socks or design your own hockey shirt with your favorite team's color and emblems. Browse our collection today and start your new design today!