How to Select a Hockey Glove

With so many hockey glove choices on the market, IW wants to make shopping for a new pair as easy and fun as possible. We first break down our selection into three categories that suit different levels of play: Elite, Performance, and Recreational.

Hockey Gloves are categorized into their respective level of play based on three criteria: Protection, Construction, and Liner.

This is the perfect starting point for the new-to-hockey player and a great fit for the casual pond hockey player too. These are the most affordable and offer entry-level protection, which meets the needs of the players mentioned before.

• Protection: Typically these feature a single-layer foam for impact management but all will feature a lock-thumb that prevents hyperextension.
  
  
• Construction: The exterior consists of standard nylon, which is breathable and helps to provide out-of-the-box comfort and playability. Palms utilize a soft Nash material with many gloves even featuring an extra overlay to increase durability.
  
  
• Liner: Traditional nylon manages moisture while providing a comfortable feel.

Performance level gloves cater to most players from intermediate to advanced skill levels. They offer much better protection, comfort, and durability compared to the recreational gloves. These typically feature the best value since they incorporate some features from the elite-level gloves without the big price tag.

• Protection: Well-upgraded, dual-density foams better manage more intense impacts. Most feature plastic reinforcement in key areas that are prone to stick slashes and shot-blocking. While still protecting against hyperextension, these boast two-piece thumbs for better stick control.
  
  
• Construction: Higher-end nylon exteriors paired with stitched logos boost durability and visual richness. The palms utilize more pro-like materials like Nash or Clarino, while some come with better overlays that prevent wear and tear. Enhanced hand dexterity and range of movement comes courtesy of better segmentation in the backhand and cuff.
  
  
• Liner: Softer microfiber does a better job of managing moisture throughout the entire game. Many even feature top-end odor control for longer-lasting freshness.

This tier of gloves was built for players looking for pro-level protection, comfort, mobility, and durability. These are ideal for intermediate to advanced hockey players, especially if they are playing against strong and physical players.

• Protection: Only the most advanced materials and technologies are found at this level. These feature multi-layered foam packages coupled with complete plastic reinforcement.
  
  
• Construction: These feel nearly broken-in right out of the box thanks to strategic segmentation throughout. High-end nylons, synthetic leathers, and premium stitching ensure better abrasion-resistance. These feature pro-inspired palms that usually consist of premium Nash or Clarino, overlay in high wear areas to prevent holes and ultimately to provide a pro-preferred stick feel.
  
  
• Liner: Premium microfibers are used for their comfortable feel but also include extra technologies for top-notch moisture and bacteria management. While all gloves inevitably start to smell over time, the anti-microbial additives help to greatly slow down that process.

Now that we know which level of glove you need, the next step is to decide which fit profile best suits your personal needs. There are three different types: Traditional, Contoured, and Tapered.

The traditional fit is the classic, long-standing 4-roll design that offers the most volume from the fingers to the cuff. This has been a staple for its comfortable feel and the open cuff offers optimal wrist mobility.

The contoured fit is the opposite of the traditional fit, meaning it has a close-to-the-hand feel and offers the least amount of internal volume. This reduces empty space and provides the player with better responsiveness because of this.

The tapered fit is a blend of Traditional and Contoured profiles, offering a snug fit in the fingers and backhand but offers more volume in the cuff. Truly the best of both worlds, it has quickly become a favorite at the retail and pro-level alike.