Many beginner hockey players are not very responsible when they choose hockey elbow pads, not paying attention to the level of protection, the length, and the comfort. I will tell you how to choose elbow pads, fit them well and provide you the size tables.
Elbow pad protection level
Elbow pads are available for beginners (amateur level), semi-professional and professional levels.
Entry-level protection is designed for those who are new to skating. Pads are designed to soften the impact of a fall – this is the key purpose of this level of protection. Amateur hockey elbow protectors cannot fully protect the elbow when playing hockey.
In semi-professional and professional elbow pads, due to the use of special filling materials (D3O, helium inserts, foamed polyethylene), reinforced plastic, side, and top reinforcement, pain during impacts and collisions is much less, and the chance of injury is much lower.
The main purpose of professional elbow pads is to protect the player’s arms and elbow joints from collisions, puck shots, and stick hits.
Length of elbow pads
To minimize injury, it is worth paying close attention to this when you choose hockey elbow pads. If fitted correctly, there must be no unprotected space between the elbow pads and the gloves. If there is a gap, you should consider elongated elbow pads with the Long prefix.
This applies not only to elbow protection, but also to any other hockey equipment. I previously gave an example of how to choose hockey pants and the same principle applies there. There should be no open areas of the body between the pieces of equipment. The puck is small and it causes a lot of pain when it hits you.
Additional protection for the wrist is also possible. It is essential to fit the elbow pads with the gloves and shoulder pads.
This matching process is necessary to ensure that the player does not experience difficulty in moving during the game while at the same time avoiding the presence of unprotected places on the body.
Comfort and fit of the elbow pads
The selection of hockey equipment is an individual choice, and elbow pads are no exception. If they fit too tightly during play, they hinder the player’s movements, and if the pads are too loose, they may slip off the elbow joint, which increases the risk of injury.
With the correct selection, the elbow pad sits comfortably on the hockey player’s hand, easily bends and unbends, thereby not hindering movement during the game. Comfort is ensured by special inserts under the elbow joint, and a system thought out by engineers will provide a secure fit on the arm.
An important issue when you choose hockey elbow pads and any other hockey equipment is hygiene. Antibacterial impregnations help maintain hygiene, effectively destroying bacteria that cause irritation and odor. The use of specialized materials (e.g., “37.5” at Bauer) also speeds up the drying of elbows.
How to measure which elbow pad is right for you?
Bend your arm and measure from the bottom of the shoulder pad to the top of the glove cuff. Find the corresponding length in the table and determine your size.
Youth
| Size | Age | Weight, kg | Height, kg | Length, cm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | 4-7 | 18-27 | 98-124 | 18-20 |
| M | 5-8 | 20-29 | 109-132 | 19-22 |
| L | 6-9 | 23-32 | 114-140 | 20-23 |
Junior
| Size | Age | Weight, kg | Height, kg | Length, cm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | 8-11 | 27-41 | 130-142 | 23-28 |
| M | 9-12 | 32-45 | 140-152 | 25-28 |
| L | 11-14 | 36-50 | 150-163 | 28-30 |
Senior
| Size | Age | Weight, kg | Height, kg | Length, cm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | 14+ | 54-73 | 165-175 | 30-33 |
| M | 14+ | 64-82 | 170-180 | 33-36 |
| L | 15+ | 73-91 | 175-185 | 36-38 |
This table does not guarantee a perfect elbow fit and is presented for reference only. All data is taken from manufacturers’ catalogs. Only a fitting can solve this issue, and you will be 100% satisfied.
When you choose hockey elbow pads or any other hockey equipment, the same rules apply. Our job is to cover the open areas of the body. The weight of the equipment should be light and the protection should be comfortable. Also, it should not interfere with our movements.
