How to Choose Hockey Equipment: A Practical Buying Guide for New Players

Updated

Start with the five pieces of gear you cannot safely play without—skates, a helmet, gloves, shin guards, and a stick—then add shoulder pads, pants, and a jersey as your budget allows. Buy the helmet and skates new and fitted first, since those protect you and affect how you skate; save on sticks and protective gear by shopping clearance and seasonal sales. HockeyMonkey's catalog is organized by category and brand (CCM, Bauer, True), and its current promotions show how deep seasonal discounts can run—for example, 25% off Bauer Nexus sticks, up to 40% off select CCM, and up to 60% off True HZRDUS skates.

The core equipment list, in priority order

Priority Item Why it comes first Buy new or used
1 Ice hockey skates Fit and stiffness drive skating; a bad fit causes pain and blisters New, properly fitted
2 Helmet with cage or shield Head protection; certification and fit matter New
3 Gloves Hand protection and stick feel New or good used
4 Shin guards Block pucks and sticks; must match your height Either
5 Stick Your main tool; flex and length affect shot and passing Either
6 Shoulder pads Upper-body protection; lighter models suit beginners Either
7 Hockey pants Hip, tailbone, and thigh protection Either
8 Jersey and socks Team fit and coverage over pads Either
Optional Neck guard, mouthguard, jock or Jill, equipment bag, tape, skate guards Safety and maintenance extras New

If you are outfitting a child, the same order applies, but buy the smallest set that fits now rather than sizing up—oversized skates and helmets are unsafe and hard to skate in.

How to size skates and helmets

Skates. Ice hockey skates should fit like a snug shoe, not a loose one. Try them on with the socks you will play in, push your foot forward until your toes touch the cap, and check that you can just barely fit a finger behind your heel. Your heel should not lift when you flex. Skate sizes often run about one to one-and-a-half sizes smaller than your street shoe, so measure your foot length and compare against the brand's size chart rather than guessing. Expect a break-in period; if the skate pinches immediately at the widest part of your foot, try a wider fit or another model.

Helmets. A helmet should sit level on your head, cover the top of your forehead, and stay put when you shake your head with the chin strap snug. Check the certification label inside—HockeyMonkey's helmet guide covers HECC certification, expiration dates, and when to replace a helmet, which is the reference to use if you are unsure whether an older helmet is still usable. Replace a helmet after a hard impact or when it passes its expiration date, even if it looks fine.

Choosing a stick by flex, length, and blade

  • Flex: A general starting rule is roughly half your body weight in pounds, rounded to the nearest common flex (for example, a 160 lb player starts around 75–80 flex). Beginners and younger players usually benefit from a whippier, lower-flex stick because it is easier to load.
  • Length: A stick held with the toe on the floor should reach roughly between your chin and nose in shoes. Cut from the top in small increments; cutting shortens the stick and stiffens its effective flex.
  • Blade curve: A mild curve (often called a mid or slight toe curve) is the easiest all-around choice for new players—it helps with puck control and lifting the puck without making backhand passes hard. Extreme curves are for specialists.
  • Kick point: Low-kick sticks load quickly for wrist shots; mid-kick sticks suit slap shots and all-around play. For a first stick, a mid-kick or hybrid model is the safer pick.

Budget tiers and what to skip

Beginner / entry: Prioritize a correctly fitted helmet and skates, then buy entry-level protective gear and one mid-flex stick. Skip top-tier sticks and pro-level skates—you will not notice the difference yet, and the money is better spent on fit.

Intermediate: Upgrade skates first (stiffer boots improve skating), then a stick matched to your shot style. Protective gear can stay mid-range.

Advanced: Spend on skates and sticks where marginal gains are real; replace protective gear when it wears out or no longer fits.

Seasonal sales are the main lever on price. HockeyMonkey's homepage promotions show discounts of 25–60% across Bauer, CCM, and True lines, and the site's membership program advertises up to 7% back in Rebound Rewards plus free shipping—worth checking before a large order, but confirm current terms at checkout.

Before you order and after it arrives

  1. Measure first: foot length for skates, head circumference for helmets, height for shin guards and pants. Compare to each brand's size chart, since sizing varies by model.
  2. Check the return policy and shipping window before buying, especially for skates you may need to exchange for fit.
  3. Inspect on arrival: check helmet certification labels and expiration dates, look for cracks in skate boots, and confirm stick flex and length match the listing.
  4. Fit-test at home: wear skates around the house with socks, try the helmet with the chin strap, and hold the stick in your stance. Exchange anything that pinches or shifts before you use it on the ice.

For rules context—such as neck guard requirements—HockeyMonkey's gear guides and blog articles are a reasonable starting point, but confirm league-specific rules with your governing body before you buy.