How to Wear Hockey Pants

Hockey pants are an essential component of any hockey player's uniform. The primary function of hockey pants is to protect the thighs, hips, kidneys and tail bone of a hockey player. As such, knowing how to properly wear a pair of hockey pants is key for both the protection and comfort of a hockey player. In order to maximize the protection and comfort that hockey pants afford, you must know how to properly them.

Things You'll Need

• Suspenders
• Belt
• Garter belt
• Athletic cup
• Hockey sockings
• Shin pads
• Velcro straps (optional)
• Skate laces (optional)
• Athletic tape (optional)

Instructions

Preliminaries

1. Step through the openings formed by the waistband that is attached to the athletic cup

2. Place the garter belt around your waist above the athletic cup

3. Place a shin pad on each leg. Some hockey players prefer to secure the shin pads with specially made Velcro straps that wrap around the entire leg and shin pad. Other hockey players prefer to tie skate laces around the leg and shin pad. Still others prefer to simply wrap athletic tape around the shin pad and leg after the hockey stocking is put on over the shin pads. Whatever your preference, be sure the shin pad is secure and neither too loose nor too tight around your leg.

4. Pull a hockey stocking onto each leg and attach each stocking to the clips attached to the garter belt

Wearing the Pants

1. Step into each pant leg one leg at a time

2. Pull the top edges of the sides of the hockey pants to the margin of the rib cage

3. Tie the strings that are attached to the front of the hockey pants for a secure fit

Securing the Hockey Pants

1. Slip each arm through each suspender that is attached to the buttons on both the front and back of the hockey pants. Put each suspender over your shoulders and adjust the suspenders so that each fits snugly.

2. Insert the belt strap that is attached to the hockey pants through the buckle

3. Tighten the belt for a snug fit that is neither too tight nor too loose

Tips & Warnings

• Only wear hockey pants that fit correctly. Hockey pants should hang no longer or shorter than the tops of the knee caps. Hockey pants that hang too long will restrict mobility. Hockey pants that hang too short fail to adequately protect a portion of the thighs.

• If purchasing hockey pants online, it is prudent to visit a local pro shop and try on a pair of hockey pants of the same brand or model to ensure a proper fit.

References

• The Hughston Clinic
• Hughston Sports Medicine Foundation: Proper Safety Equipment for Ice Hockey

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish