There are few sports that take as much skill and grace to play as the game of hockey does. It’s also a sport that adds violent contact on a regular basis into that mix too. That is why having the right equipment for protection is so important to those that play hockey. One of the most underrated pieces of equipment is the pants that many players wear but they are every bit as vital as any other piece of equipment. That is why we decided to take a look at several different models of hockey pants and come up with this list of the best hockey pants that a player can buy.
Top Hockey Pants Comparison Chart
Do the areas that hockey pants protect really need to be protected? Consider this; you have probably banged your hip lightly at one time or another in your life on a hard object and it really hurt. Imagine how much more it would have hurt if it was a vulcanized rubber puck, a composite hockey stick or a large human body moving quickly that hit your hip. That is why people need a good pair of hockey pants to protect their hips, lower spine, kidneys, groin and thigh areas.
Hockey Pants Buying Guide
Because of how important hockey pants are to your protection you don’t want to settle for buying the first pair of pants you come across. You need to take a look at the characteristics of hockey pants that tend to make one pair stand out among the rest.
Here are the key things you need to consider when shopping for hockey pants:
Price
We always tend to lean toward thinking you get what you pay for when it comes to hockey equipment. The higher priced equipment usually has a more trendy tech and design innovations added to them. Keep in mind that not every player needs the most expensive pants to be well protected at the level they are playing at. For instance; a player in a non-contact men’s league can get away with buying a pant that is less protective and less expensive than a player who is playing in a senior full contact league. Be mindful that you never want to play totally unprotected in the area where hockey pants cover at any level of play because accidents can and do happen.
Like with any product, there are also some real bargains to be found in the marketplace if you look too. These usually come in the form of lesser-known quality hockey equipment companies trying to make a name for themselves and off-season sales by the more reputable hockey equipment manufacturers.
Size/Fit
Hockey pants come in all different sizes too and some players like to wear them differently than others. It is one of those things that is more of an individual choice at the senior player level and something that needs to be watched more closely if you are buying hockey pants for your youth league player.
Even different hockey manufacturers will sometimes get a reputation as a company that tends to make their pants a little looser fit than maybe other companies do. The trick is finding a hockey pant that is somewhat snug around the waist (not tight) yet is very unrestrictive when it comes to allowing movement in the upper leg and hip areas. Here’s a useful chart if you’re not sure your exact size.
Weight
Hockey pants, not unlike other types of hockey equipment, have trended toward being made lighter for many years now. That is a good thing because the less your equipment weighs the slower fatigue will set in as you play. Just an extra few ounces of weight in each piece of equipment you wear can add up to carrying some significant weight around in a 60-minute hockey game. Look for equipment that is lighter in weight but does not compromise durability and safety to get that way.
Protection
Traditionally hockey pants will protect such areas as your thighs and hips very well but have very little protection on the backside of them except for your tailbone. This protection also comes in different thicknesses. Usually, the thicker a pair of pants protection is the heavier those pants will be. You want to get your youth player the maximum amount of protection and for yourself that is usually left up to your individual preference.
Not all the protective equipment that is required in the areas on your body that hockey pants cover is located inside the pants like it used to be. These days most players wear a girdle under the pants that includes things built into as an athletic supporter, hip guards and other subtle forms of protection. So make sure you purchase both if they work in combination to keep you safe.
Style
Everyone likes to look good when they are wearing a hockey uniform and there is nothing at all wrong with that. Don’t place a major emphasis on the looks of the hockey pants you buy but don’t totally discount that either. Sometimes you will get a little extra jump in your game if you feel like you look good too.
These days hockey pants come in wide variety of designs and colors, so everyone that plays the game should be able to find a pair of pants that appeals to their eye too.
Fastening
You have to be aware also how you or your youth player wants to hold their pants up. Since hockey pants tend to have a looser type fit this is essential to keep them in place. There are three main ways that this is done:
- Suspenders (will only go on pants with built-in clips or buttons)
- Drawstrings
- Belts
So make sure you know what the options are for holding your pants up so you match that with your preference.
Intangibles
There is a lot of variation with hockey pants these days and you will have to look at each pair individually to see what they have that may be different from another company’s hockey pants. Some of the hockey pants out there have leggings built right into them so you don’t need special socks, some work in combination with girdle systems and yet others have removable pads so you can somewhat customize them. So be aware of what extras some hockey pants will give you over others.
Warranty
It is always a good idea to know what the warranty is that any hockey pants you are about to purchase have. This is often totally overlooked in the buying process but that is a mistake. Things such as material defects, poor workmanship, and separated stitching can and do happen at times. That is why you want to be protected as long as possible against these things.
Best Hocket Pant Reviews
After looking at many different pairs of hockey pants these are the ones that we felt stood out among the rest:
1. CCM Jetspeed Ft350 Youth Hockey Pants
Pros:
- Excellent protection
- Very lightweight
- 2 piece ergonomic thigh pads
Cons:
- Basic styling
- Tapered fit too tight for some
- No built-in suspender attachments
These pants ranked first on our list because you can’t ask for much more from a hockey pant (other than suspender attachments but who needs ’em anyway?). Everything from their price point to the way they protect you when wearing them is very good, to say the least. Bauer has done a really nice job with the design of these hockey pants.
They have a tapered design that will appeal to most skaters because it allows for excellent freedom of movement. They have ergonomically shaped thigh pads and the weight of these pants is very light even with the extra padding. Having a pair of hockey pants that fully protects you and is this lightweight is a big bonus when playing the game of hockey. They feature high-density foam and PE inserts as well as abrasion-resistant 400 denier nylon construction on the outer shell.
The looks of these hockey pants is very basic but they are not an eyesore by any means. These also come in several different colors so they can be paired with just about any color uniform. Purchasing these pants is an excellent decision for any junior league hockey player.
2. Bauer Supreme TotalOne MX3 Junior Player Pants
Pros:
- Excellent protection
- Very lightweight
- Customizable fit
Cons:
- Not cheap
- Tapered fit too tight for some
Here is another great pair of pants from Bauer. They’re designed with a contoured fit and loaded with features. For example, pro-level nylon construction is the basic material used on the entire unit, and it features a stretch gusset in the crotch for ultimate mobility. Medium-density foam pads are located in the thigh areas, with high-density foam in the kidney guards along with reinforced plastic inserts for still further protection! Bauer’s Anchor Strap is designed into the base of each leg to further customize your fit for a tighter or looser fit around your thighs. The spine guard has 4 levels of protection, and the tailbone guard also features pro-level padding injury-deterring features.
3. STX Ice Hockey Surgeon Rx 2 Junior Pant
Pros:
- Excellent protection
- Very lightweight
- Extremely comfortable
- Anatomical and tapered precision fit
Cons:
- A little pricey
This pair of pants may have made it even higher on our list if it wasn’t for the price. They’re priced as high or even higher than some of our top of the line senior pants. They have a whole array of upper-end features like a customizable, concealed zipper and stretch panel to help with the range of motion and movement in your thighs. STX’s proprietary “Precision Fit” system is part of the construction profile. It basically offers the best combo of anatomical and tapered profiles. High-density foam is present in key impact zones for peace of mind. Lots of other patented construction systems like GeoFlex™ (impact absorbent material) and Ice Skin™ (comfort liner that fosters cooling and moisture evaporation) are also standard features.
4. Tour Hockey HPA54BK-XL Adult Spartan XTR Hockey Pants
Pros:
- Excellent freedom of movement
- Very lightweight
- Durable
Cons:
- Lightly padded
- Basic styling
- Need a hockey protective girdle to pair with them
This is the first of two full-length pants on our list and they are both made by Tour Hockey Products. They are not the type of hockey pant you want to wear if you play against intense competition but they are perfect for non-contact leagues and practice. If you are a senior hockey player you will really like these.
When you pair these up with a nice padded girdle underneath them they will offer you more than adequate protection. The freedom of movement you get while wearing these pants is second to none also. They are a very comfortable pant that is made of sturdy material that you can use hockey tape on without hurting it.
These pants have just a basic style to them and are only available in a limited amount of colors but even the basic black version will go well with any uniform that is worn with it.
5. Bauer Nexus N7000 Ice Hockey Pants – Junior
Pros:
- Excellent all-around protection
- Very lightweight
- Durable Denier nylon
Cons:
- A little pricey
- Basic styling
- Drawstring only tightening
Most senior league players will be very happy with the design of these hockey pants. They feel ultra-lightweight when they are on and they remain very comfortable even when moving in them. Bauer has done a good job with the features they have built into this pant design.
They are a lightweight and very durable pant thanks to the denier nylon fabric that Bauer uses in their construction. The best thing about these hockey pants is the amount of protection they offer those players that wear them. They come complete with spine guard, advanced hip protection and ergonomically designed 2-piece thigh pads.
These are a loose-fitting type pant that uses only a skate lace drawstring type closure system to secure them on you. It is also a basic looking pant that is available in one of several different color choices.
6. Bauer Junior Supreme S190 Ice Hockey Pants
Pros:
- Superior protection
- Very lightweight
- Secure belt and drawstring closure
Cons:
- A little pricey
- Basic styling
- Tapered fit not to everyone’s liking
In the mid/upper price range, this is far and away the best value (we think!). This pair of shorts features more protection than many other options, though anything from Bauer offers similar protection profiles. There’s an adjustable front panel for comfort and its 400 denier nylon is more than capable of standing up to abuse. There are also anchor straps along the legs to provide a more secure and customized fit.
Bauer has included its THERMO MAX liner which regulates temperature to ensure ideal comfort under just about any condition!
7. Tour Hockey Adult Spartan Xt Ice Hockey Pants
Pros:
- Excellent freedom of movement
- Very lightweight
- Stretch Crotch
Cons:
- Lightly padded
- Basic styling
- Not for high contact hockey leagues
Here is the second of Tour Hockey’s full-length hockey pants that can be found on our list. These are another excellent pair of light contact or practice hockey pants that offer those that wear them the maximum amount of mobility you can get in a hockey pant. Tour has done a nice job on this design.
The material found on these is breathable and amazingly lightweight. These are lightly padded, so as we said you would not want to wear them in a full contact hockey league. They do provide decent protection in such areas as the hips and thighs if worn in conjunction with a protective hockey girdle.
It is a pair of hockey pants that has a little style to them too. Also, these handy pants can also easily double as a hockey pant you can wear when playing inline hockey too.
8. Bauer Senior Vapor X700 Senior Hockey Pant
Pros:
- Excellent price point
- Very lightweight
- Durable Denier nylon
Cons:
- Lightly padded
- Basic styling
- Belt-tightening only
If you are looking for a hockey pant with that offers a medium level of protection with an excellent range of motion, then these senior pants from Bauer will do the trick nicely for you. They are a lightweight pant that is definitely built for speed.
These pants offer a lot of freedom to your upper legs when skating in them. They are definitely not as restrictive as bulkier and thicker padded hockey pants. We probably would not recommend them for full contact levels of hockey but for everything else they are fine.
They are a basic looking pant that is built to last because they are another Bauer pant made out of tough denier nylon fabric. Another great thing about these hockey pants is they are very affordable in price.
9. Bauer Youth Nexus N7000 Pant
Pros:
- Good protection
- Very lightweight
Cons:
- Basic styling
- Tapered fit too tight for some
- Only for youth & young junior players
This is a very high-quality youth hockey pant from Bauer. It is a design that keeps the pant lightweight but still provides good padding for youth level hockey player. Bauer really does a nice job when it comes to making quality and affordable equipment for those young players just starting out in the sport.
These pants offer excellent protection in the hip, lower spine and thigh areas. They accomplish this with a combination of lightweight plastic shields and high-density foam padding. That is how they can keep the weight down on these pants without sacrificing safety.
They have a gusseted crotch for excellent mobility and a generous supply of Mid-Density foam (MD). It’s made of 400 denier nylon for good durability and attention is given to all high impact areas like kidney, hip, thighs, and butt.
10. STX Ice Hockey Surgeon Rx 2.2 Pants
Pros:
- Good freedom of movement
- Very lightweight
- Good ventilation and comfort
Cons:
- Medium padded
- Basic styling
- Too loose fitting for some
Okay, we’re all about honesty here, so I’ll be completely transparent! These made our list only because of the price point. It’s close to half the price of a premium pant. They don’t have the best of any quality, but they are likely adequate for most casual players and you won’t look out of place wearing them. They do have a few good features like an 800 denier nylon material which is about as good as it gets, lots of stretchy, breathable fabric throughout for ventilation and mobility, and an air flow system called Ice Skin which promotes cooling. These are features found in the Youth pant we reviewed earlier, but it doesn’t have all the premium features of many pants. Several buyers criticized the lack of protection around the kidneys and the lack of durability after only a few games (rips and failing seams). Whatever wonderful promotions you may see regarding this pant, there’s a reason they’re half the price of a pro-level Bauer.
Conclusion & Recommendations
If there is one thing that should be clear after reading our buying guide and reviews it’s that not all hockey pants are created equal. That is done intentionally by the manufacturers to satisfy the needs of players that play at different levels of hockey. So be sure to match any pants you will buy will the level of competition that you or your youth player compete at. We recommend the Bauer Junior Vapor X60 Pant for youth and junior level competition, the Tour Hockey HPA54BK-XL Adult Spartan XTR Hockey Pants for adult non-contact leagues and the Bauer Vapor X800 Ice Hockey Pants if you are playing in a hardcore physical hockey league.
If you keep in mind all the things we talked about here in this article and use the reviews as a guideline, you should have no trouble finding the best hockey pants to meet you or your youth hockey player’s needs.
