How to Buy and Fit Hockey Goalie Pants
Hockey goalie pants, known as goalie breezers to players in Minnesota, perform double duty as protective equipment and blockers. You’ll need the best goalie pants your budget allows so you’ll feel confident throwing yourself in front of a puck. Finding the proper fit is vitally important for success in blocking shots as well as protecting your lower body and spine. This guide to buying hockey goalie pants explains the differences between player pants and goalie pants, and then delves into detailed descriptions of features, fit, and other buying considerations. Parents, follow these same sizing and fitting guidelines for buying goalie pants for your child, and refer to the sizing chart below.
HOCKEY GOALIE PANTS VS. PLAYER PANTS
Goalie pants fit looser than player pants and provide thicker, more substantial padding in the "puck-facing" areas of the thigh, groin, and waist. Designed to be more protective, goalie pants feature internal padding, while player pants don’t. Player pants fit closer to the legs to facilitate skating, whereas goalie pants are wider to cover more of the net.
WHAT ARE THE PARTS OF HOCKEY GOALIE PANTS?
Hockey goalie pants include thigh pads, kidney and hip protectors, internal padding, and an inner belt to adjust the pants to a precise fit. Goalie pants also feature dedicated padding for the spine and waist.
WHAT SIZE HOCKEY GOALIE PANTS SHOULD I GET?
Your goalie pants will be roughly 8–10 inches larger than your waist size. But factors such as height, build, brand, and skill level make a difference in determining which pants to choose. Since there are many factors in finding the right fit, we recommend that you contact our customer service team for help choosing the proper goalie pants.
To start, use the tables below as a guideline for your hockey goalie pant size. Sizing differs among brands, so refer to the manufacturer charts for sizes specific to Bauer, CCM, Vaughn, and Warrior.
Senior/Intermediate Sizing Chart |
Size: | Actual Waist (in) | Pant Waist (in) | Actual Waist (cm) | Pant Waist (cm) |
X-Small | 24 - 26 | 32 - 34 | 61 - 66 | 81 - 86 |
| Small | 28 - 30 | 36 - 38 | 71 - 76 | 91 - 97 |
Medium | 32 - 34 | 40 - 42 | 81 - 86 | 102 - 107 |
| Large | 36 - 38 | 44 - 46 | 91 - 97 | 112 - 117 |
X-Large | 40 - 42 | 48 - 50 | 102 - 107 | 122 - 127 |
| XX-Large | 44 - 46 | 52 - 54 | 112 - 117 | 132 - 137 |
Youth/Junior Sizing Chart |
Size: | Actual Waist (in) | Pant Waist (in) | Actual Waist (cm) | Pant Waist (cm) |
Age Range: | 20 - 22 | 26 - 28 | 51 - 56 | 66 - 71 |
| Pad Size: | 24 - 26 | 30 - 32 | 61 - 66 | 76 - 81 |
Pad Width: | 26 - 28 | 32 - 34 | 66 - 71 | 81 - 86 |
| Pad Size: | 28 - 30 | 34 - 36 | 71 - 76 | 86 - 91 |
Pad Width: | 32 - 34 | 38 - 40 | 81 - 86 | 97 - 102 |
HOW DO I CHOOSE HOCKEY GOALIE PANTS?
The type of hockey goalie pants you choose depends on whether you prefer to tuck your chest protector into your pants. If you like your chest and arm unit on the outside, look at buying pants with a tapered waist. This closer fit sits comfortably against the body, allowing the chest protector to come over the top of the pants. But if you prefer tucking, you’ll need more room at the top of your pants to allow space for the chest protector. Search for pants with a wider “barrel fit” or select up one size. Whether you get barrel-fit pants or go up to a bigger size, you’ll need hockey suspenders to keep the pants up.
HOW SHOULD HOCKEY GOALIE PANTS FIT?
Goalie pants work in tandem with the chest protector and leg pads. To determine a proper fit, you must wear all the equipment simultaneously to make sure that one pad does not hinder the movement of another. Your pants should fit comfortably yet provide enough room for your leg pads and chest protector to cover you without gaps, and without getting in each other’s way.
WHICH HOCKEY GOALIE PANTS ARE BEST FOR MY STYLE OF PLAY?
The best hockey goalie pants for the way you play are pants that fit you and your budget while offering maximum protection. Size, quality of construction and materials, and whether you tuck in your chest protector or leave it untucked are the main variables to consider when choosing the best goalie pants for you. If you find goalie pants that meet these criteria, they’ll be the right ones for you whether you’re a butterfly, hybrid, or stand-up style goalie.
HOW MUCH DO HOCKEY GOALIE PANTS COST?
Senior and intermediate models range from entry-level pants at $140 to $400 for pro level. Youth and juniors start at $70 and go up to $220 for elite-level pants.
HOW TO BUY KIDS’ HOCKEY GOALIE PANTS
Adding 8–10 inches to your child’s waist size gives you an idea of her or his goalie pant size. Refer to the chart above to gauge where to start, but—as with adults—other factors like height, build, and skill level determine the right goalie pant size. You’ll also want to consider the protection level and quality of the materials. We recommend you contact our customer service team for help making the proper choice.
HOW LONG DO HOCKEY GOALIE PANTS LAST?
The exact lifespan of your goalie pants depends on their quality, the level of action you see, and how well you take care of your gear. For goalies playing once a week and who clean, dry, and disinfect their gear regularly, their pants will last longer than pants that see frequent play, take a lot of hits, and are left inside the goalie bag. If you wear knee pads, the Velcro may wear out the inner thighs quicker, which means you’ll need to replace the pants. Suspender buttons corrode from sweat exposure, but completely drying them from session to session helps them last longer.
Are you in the market for new hockey goalie pants? Shop our entire selection of goalie pants online. If you’re still unsure which option might be right for you, visit a Pure Hockey store for a full assessment from our staff.
If you’re shopping for other gear, too, be sure to check out our other hockey goalie equipment buying and fitting guides so you can purchase with confidence.