[2024-25 Season]
Official Hockey Equipment Buying Guide
Updated: November 12, 2024
Our Ranking Methodology:
Our team took real-life considerations into account when making choices and recommendations, including aggregating and analyzing reviews from various sources, combining with our first hand experience and opinions, and layered that on top of a reasonable cost-benefit analysis.
Accessories & Training Aids
Cost: $
Green Biscuit Dryland Puck
No need to worry about bulky synthetic ice surfaces – practice your stickhandling anywhere. One of the best values for skills improvement.
Cost: $$
HockeyShot Slide Board Pro
One of the best ways to mimic a skating motion while building cardiovascular endurance and skating-specific strength and speed.
Cost: $
Vapor Fresh Sports Equipment Cleaning Spray
The best way to keep your hockey gear looking, feeling and smelling great for as long as possible. Natural, non-irritating and non-toxic. Spray directly on your pads and let dry.
Elbow Pads
Cost: $
CCM Tacks AS-580
When it comes to equipment, elbow pads will have little to no impact on your performance and there’s not much difference between the models. These are perfectly fine.
Cost: $$
CCM JetSpeed FT680
A fair price for this year’s mid range model. Good comfort and protection.
Cost: $$$
CCM JetSpeed FT6 Pro
Slightly more ergonomic design but you’ll pay top dollar for them. Slightly better movement and protection, but worth the money? Maybe, maybe not.
Helmets
Cost: $
Bauer Re-AKT 85 Hockey Helmet
Even the base models of new hockey helmets have superior protection. Your head will be safe in this.
Cost: $$
CCM Tacks 720 Hockey Helmet
Additional comforts in this mid-range helmet. Very popular, very comfortable. And looks great.
Cost: $$$
CCM Tacks 910 Hockey Helmet
Marginally better protection but many would say equal in comfort to other helmets. However if you’re going to pay up for anything, a helmet is a great use of money.
Hockey Gloves
Cost: $
Bauer Vapor 3X Hockey Gloves
Great protection, great comfort. No issues with going with a base model glove in the 2024-25 equipment options.
Cost: $$
CCM JetSpeed FT6 Hockey Gloves
In terms of looks, we think the FT6 gloves look the best. Classic yet sleek at the same time. Great color options too.
Cost: $$$
Bauer Pro Series Hockey Gloves
Slightly more comfortable and maneuverable than the Vapor 3xs. Overall fantastic gloves.
Hockey Pants
Cost: $
CCM Tacks AS-580 Ice Hockey Pants
No bells or whistles, just a great classic pair of hockey pants that provide sufficient protection.
Cost: $$
CCM Tacks XF Ice Hockey Pants
Balances comfort, protection and range of motion perfectly. And in terms of aesthetics, we believe these pants look the best.
Cost: $$$
Bauer Supreme MACH Ice Hockey Pants
Great protection and feel very light. Well worthy of our top pair of pants rating.
Hockey Skates
Cost: $
Bauer Vapor X3 Ice Hockey Skates
Bauer has been making great skates recently, and the Tuuk blades are a nice feature. Much cheaper than other pairs but they don’t feel cheap at all.
Cost: $$
CCM JetSpeed FT690 Ice Hockey Skates
Feel light on the feet and built well. Provides good protection as well.
Cost: $$$
Bauer Vapor X5 Pro Ice Hockey Skates
Cannot go wrong with the X5s. Comfortable, light, great protection and look great.
Hockey Sticks
Cost: $
CCM JetSpeed FT660
When it comes to sticks, grabbing a model one year old is always a fantastic value. You can find these in the clearance section and you’ll love them. Best bang for the buck.
Cost: $$
Bauer Vapor X3
Fantastic mid-tier stick. Light to the touch, great curve options and feels good in the hands.
Cost: $$$
TRUE Catalyst 5X3
True has been making some fantastic sticks. You’ll pay up for them but they’re worth it in our opinion.
Neck Protection
Cost: $
Shock Doctor Ultra 2.0 Neck Guard
You can never be too safe when it comes to neck protection, and this is an affortable option for everyone. No excuses for not wearing a neck guard anymore.
Cost: $$
Aegis Bib Neckguard With D3O
More coverage, more comfortable and lighter. Only marginally more expensive. Highly recommend.
Cost: $$$
Warroad Tilo Pro Neck & Wrist Top
In terms of convenience, you cannot beat the Warroad base layer with built in neck and wrist protection. Expensive, but the convenience and comfort is so worth it.
Shin Guards
Cost: $
CCM NEXT Hockey Shin Guards
When it comes to inconsequential equipment, shin guards win. If you’re looking to save some money, grabbing the CCM NEXT shin guards is a very smart move.
Cost: $$
Bauer Vapor 3X Hockey Shin Guards
Solid, comfortable and great protection. You won’t be disappointed.
Cost: $$$
Bauer Supreme M5 Pro Hockey Shin Guards
Top of the line shin guards. They do feel light and they do feel more protective.
Shoulder Pads
Cost: $
CCM Tacks AS-580 Hockey Shoulder Pads
Like sticks, getting a previous year’s model of shoulder pads is a smart money move. Not much has changed except for a much lower price.
Cost: $$
Bauer Vapor 3X Hockey Shoulder Pads
Very comfortable shoulder pad that doesn’t feel invasive. Certainly provides ample protection.
Cost: $$$
CCM Tacks XF Hockey Shoulder Pads
By far the lightest feeling shoulder pads of the three as well as the least restrictive, although the other two were fantastic as well. Cannot go wrong with this top tier model.