Are you struggling to find a pair of hockey gloves? If so, you’re not alone. Finding hockey gloves can be a pretty difficult task because of how many factors there are to consider and the number of different kinds that are available.
But that’s why we’ve created this review that includes the best hockey gloves available. We outline the main features, as well as the upsides and downsides.
You can even find a buyer’s guide available at the end that provides you with more details on how to go about picking the right pair of gloves for your needs.
Comparison Table
Glove | Name | Award | Price |
---|---|---|---|
Bauer Supreme 3S Senior | Best senior glove | Check price | |
CCM Super Tacks AS1 Junior | Best Junior Glove | Check price | |
Warrior Alpha DX Senior | Best for flexibility | Check price | |
Bauer Pro Series Senior | Best Traditional Fit | Check price | |
Bauer Supreme Ultrasonic Senior | Best Snug Fit | Check price | |
CCM Tacks 4R Pro2 Senior | Best for Stickhandling | Check price |
Table of Contents
Bauer Supreme 3S Senior
Best senior glove
The Supreme 3S gloves by Bauer have been made with PU and poly mesh materials. The combination of these materials is fantastic for boosting the durability of the gloves so that they can last you longer.
We liked how a Shotboost finger feature has been included with this glove too. It’s made out of three pieces that divide the ring and middle finger so that you can get a better grasp on the stick to generate more power and accuracy when taking shots. Furthermore, PE inserts and MD foam materials have been integrated inside the glove that ensures you can feel comfortable whilst playing.
These foam materials are also excellent for keeping your fingers protected. They’re effective at reducing the amount of force on your hands when there’s any impact from sticks or shots.
Players have also been liking the flex design that’s made with two pieces around the thumbs. This design is great for keeping your fingers comfortable whilst also allowing you to remain mobile.
Awesome Features
- Lightweight design
- Patented 2-piece design for comfort & mobility
- Foam materials for protection
- Durable design
Downsides
- Some players found that the finger design was too long
Where To Buy?
CCM Super Tacks AS1 Junior
Best Junior Glove
These gloves are very lightweight, which makes them a pleasure to wear. So, if you’re looking for a lightweight feel, these gloves could be just what you need.
There’s a palm piece that extends down to the bottom of your palm. This is an effective way to prevent the glove from becoming crumpled around your wrist.
With a flared cuff that has been designed with 3 different pieces, you’re provided with fantastic mobility. The fit of these gloves is anatomical, which makes for a very responsive feel.
In addition to this, you can reduce the amount of bacteria that grows inside the gloves as a result of the polygiene material. This is also an excellent way to minimize odor, regardless of how much you sweat while playing.
Awesome Features
- Odor-free materials
- Flared cuff for mobility
- Lightweight design
- Easy to break into
Downsides
- Some players aren’t fans of how the palm piece extends down to the wrists which they feel slightly compromises their grip
Where to buy?
Warrior Alpha DX Senior
Best for flexibility
The Warrior Alpha DX glove has been made with Dynamic Strike technology that allows the glove to fit comfortably whilst being close to the hand. As a result, players have been able to grasp the stick tighter in a way that feels natural and comfortable.
In addition to this, a Hybrid Taper Fit system has been included in the design. This design allows for the glove to fit naturally to the shape of your hand which boosts protection and mobility. We also liked how the cuff doesn’t restrict you which means that you have lots of flexibility to play to the best of your ability.
Impax+ tech has also been integrated into these gloves which includes a combination of foam materials. These materials work to keep your hands protected from sticks and shots. Players have mentioned that the materials keep them protected without adding too much weight to the glove.
An AXI-FLEX design has been included around the thumb of these gloves that allow you to stretch and flex your hand naturally. This is excellent for improved flexibility and responsiveness. Moreover, the Pro Palm+ tech prevents the glove from wearing down from wear and tear over time. The polygene materials are also effective at preventing moisture build-up so that your hands can stay dry.
Awesome Features
- Moisture-wicking materials
- Durable design
- Flexible features
- Foam materials allow for excellent protection
Downsides
- A little pricey
Where To Buy?
Bauer Pro Series Senior
Best traditional fit
The Bauer Pro Series glove has been made with a classic style with new technological additions. One of these additions includes the PU skin and PRO Lite Tex materials. These materials are excellent for keeping the gloves durable so that you can use them for a long time.
We were impressed with how the liners that are included in the fingers are made with Hyperlite HD and dual-density foam materials. This is because it ensures that the glove has a traditional fit whilst ensuring that you have enough feeling in your fingers to have better control over the stick. Not to mention, the foam materials provide your hands with protection from shots and sticks.
Flex design tech is available too which ensures that your thumbs have natural mobility. This means that you can remain flexible and comfortable whilst playing. It also helps to prevent your thumbs from hyperextending which is great for avoiding injuries. EPP foam materials on the back of the glove, along with additional padding, are effective at keeping your hands protected.
Awesome Features
- Lightweight & durable design
- Comfortable & flexible fit
- EPP materials for protection
Downsides
- Pricier than some were expecting
Where To Buy?
Bauer Supreme Ultrasonic Senior
Best snug fit
We liked how triple-density PORON XRD foam materials have been implemented to the back of these gloves as they keep you comfortable and protected. This, in combination with the AMP cuff, ensures that the glove provides plenty of protection whilst also giving you a snug fit.
A PU skin overlay and PRO Lite Tex materials are also included that increase the durability of the gloves. Therefore, they can withstand some wear and tear over time.
Bauer’s Shotboost design has also been included that splits your ring and middle finger so that you can grip the stick tighter and improve your accuracy and power. They’ve also added a Flex-Lock design that works to keep your hands protected whilst also allowing the glove to fit more snug to your hand. The Flex-Lock feature can even prevent your thumbs from hyperextending to avoid injury.
Awesome Features
- Anatomical fit
- Foam materials for protection & comfort
- Durable design
Downsides
- Some players found the glove was a little too tight on their wrists
Where To Buy?
CCM Tacks 4R Pro2 Senior
Best gloves for stickhandling
ProFlex Thumb technology has been included with these gloves that allow players to feel comfortable and flexibly. Nash palm elements are included too which means that you can hold the stick in your palm comfortably. As a result, you can get a better grip on the stick which can improve your shot accuracy and power.
FlexCuff tech and PE inserts are also available that are excellent for boosting protection without compromising on mobility. In addition to this, polyester, PU leather, and dual-density foam materials have been added too. As a result, you can feel confident that your hands will be protected from shot impacts and sticks.
The liners on the inside of these gloves are treated with polygene which is fantastic for keeping the gloves dry and reducing odors.
Awesome Features
- ProFlex Thumb & Nash tech allows for excellent stickhandling
- Odor-preventing liner
- Dual-density foam materials for protection
Downsides
- Durability could be better
Where To Buy?
Hockey Gloves Buyers Guide
Now that you have a better idea of the kinds of hockey gloves that are available and the different features they have to offer, you can start to think about the pair that would be best for you.
However, if you’re still not feeling certain on the ones to go for, you’ll want to take a look at this buyers guide.
We go through some of the main factors to take into consideration to make the entire process easier.
Protection first
The number one reason to wear gloves while playing hockey is to keep yourself safe. It’s a sport that can involve some contact, which means you need to be ready at all times to deal with it. Whether it be a stick or a puck that hits your hand, you’ll be glad that you’re wearing gloves if it happens on or off the ice.
Wearing gloves even when practicing in your yard is a good idea as it helps you get used to the feel of stickhandling when playing on the ice.
How to Size Hockey Gloves
One of the common issues that people have when it comes to hockey gloves is how to size them without trying them on. When buying online its important to measure the size of your hands.
Hockey gloves are measured in inches which can actually cause some confusion. This is because the inches don’t measure the glove from end to end.
Therefore, it’s best to measure yourself with a tape measure that starts at the bottom of your middle finger (with your palm facing upwards) to the crease in your elbow.
It’s also a good idea to think about the length of your fingers. If their longer or shorter, you may need a glove size that’s an inch up or down.
It’s also worth noting that over time most gloves will expand slightly with use making them roomier and a looser fit with time.
There are also three main fits from loose to snug – more on that below.
Getting the right Glove fit
The fit of your glove is an incredibly important feature to consider since it has a huge impact on how comfortable you feel while playing. It also ensures that you’re able to grip your hockey stick properly.
You’ll find that the gloves mentioned in our review are of a high-quality, meaning that they provide you with excellent protection while also feeling comfortable to wear.
Many players find that they are occasionally struggling around with their gloves during the middle of games due to them not fitting as well as they’d like.
When you use a good pair of gloves that fit to your hands in the right way and with the right feel, you will hardly notice them there. So, finding gloves that have the right fit is super important. If you’re struggling to pick between anatomical, tapered, and traditional gloves, this is the section for you.
Traditional vs Tapered vs Anatomical Fit
When it comes to choosing between these different kinds of gloves, it will largely come down to your personal preference. There is a noticeable difference between how each of these gloves feel.
Anatomical gloves are best for smaller hands and people who want to have a snugger fit. This means that there is hardly any room within the glove for your hands to move around but feeling the stick and handling the puck is usually more precise. Example: Bauer Supreme 1s
Tapered hockey gloves are similar, however, they have a 4-roll design. This provides you with more padding in the fingers and wrists which some people prefer the feel of.
Both anatomical and tapered hockey gloves have a tighter feel compared to the traditional ones. Therefore, if you have larger hands, this snug feeling could actually be restrictive and have a negative effect on how well you can play.
Traditional gloves provide you with more space within the gloves. This looser fit can feel more comfortable for some and provides more freedom and flexibility to handle the shaft of your stick while taking shots or stickhandling. Example glove: Bauer Nexus 2N
You may have noticed that Bauer offer all 3 types of fits. This includes their Supreme (anatomical), Vapor (tapered), and Nexus (traditional). Take a look below to get a better idea of how each of these kinds of gloves fit.
Padding and Materials
The kind of padding that has been used for your hockey gloves is one of the most critical factors that you need to think about. It’s a physical game where there can be a lot of impact and injuries.
Therefore, you want to be sure that you’re able to keep yourself well protected at all times. One of the main pieces of kit to ensure your safety is your gloves.
This is because your hands are an area of your body that are constantly exposed while playing. They’re vulnerable to being hit by other hockey sticks or flying pucks, which can be incredibly painful without enough padding.
Most hockey gloves nowadays are made using synthetic materials that are very durable. They are also pretty flexible and lightweight.
The materials that have been used on the palms of your hockey gloves is another key area to look out for. It’s best to find a pair of gloves that have antibacterial properties to fight bad smells and potential irritation to your skin. You can wash most gloves in the washing machine or leave them in the direct sun for a few hours to kill off bacteria.
To protect your glove material from discoloration and damage, use a stick grip like the Taki Maki instead of tape.
Long vs Short Cuff
Are you having a tough time deciding between long and short cuff hockey gloves? If so, have a quick read below to clear things up.
The long cuff gloves completely covers the forearm and wrist. This means that there is no gap in between the gloves and your elbow pads – this setup offers the best protection.
While this does provide you with more protection, it also means that you have slightly less mobility.
The short cuff gloves goes up your wrist but not all the way up to your elbow pads. Therefore, you’re provided with more mobility compared to the long cuff gloves which some players prefer.
However, be aware that this does leave you more of your arm exposed to being hurt while playing.
Nylon vs. Synthetic Leather Palms
Back in the day, most hockey gloves were made from leather. Nowadays most glove palms are made from nylon or synthetic leather which has the advantage of being much lighter.
Synthetic leather is more durable but not as breathable or as light.
Nylon shells aren’t as strong but are lighter and more breathable.
FAQ
Is there a difference between roller hockey and ice hockey gloves?
Nope, they work perfectly for both on or off the ice.
Beginner vs More Expensive Gloves
The lowest price that you’ll find for a pair of hockey gloves is around $50. These are best for beginners players who want to save money while still being protected. Although, the materials aren’t as thick and the mobility may not be as great.
Going up in price results in better materials and construction which means the gloves will last longer (less prone to damage) and have a better shape for improved stickhandling.
Conclusion
So, that wraps up our review on what some of the best hockey gloves have to offer. We’ve made sure to include a wide range of different kinds of gloves throughout our review to give you a better understanding of the various benefits that they have to offer.
If you’re looking for gloves while on a budget, ones that are great for flexibility, comfort, grip larger hands, and more, you can be sure to find the one for you in our review.
Hopefully, we have provided you with all of the information that you need to make the best possible decision!