for Elite, Performance and Recreational Hockey Players
Updated July 2023
Whether you are looking for your first ice hockey pant or simply in search of the next best thing, IW is here to ensure you can find the hockey pant that best suits your game. We've divided hockey pants into three protection levels; Elite, Performance, and Recreational with each category having the best 'Overall Performance' and 'Best Value'. Overall Performance will feature the hockey pant with the best tech and spec while Best Value is picked with price as a main factor.
Best Elite-Level Hockey Pants | |
Overall Performance | CCM JetSpeed FT6 Pro |
Best Value | Warrior Alpha LX Pro |
Best Elite-Level Hockey Girdles | |
Overall Performance | Sherwood Code TMP 1 |
Best Value | Warrior Alpha |
Best Performance-Level Hockey Pants | |
Overall Performance | Warrior Alpha LX 20 |
Best Value | True AX7 |
Best Recreational-Level Hockey Pants | |
Overall Performance | Sherwood Rekker Element Four |
Best Value | CCM Next |
Best Hockey Pants
For Elite-Level Players
For Overall Performance,
CCM JetSpeed FT6 Pro Hockey Pants
CCM JetSpeed FT6 Pro Hockey Pants
$229.99 MSRP for Senior (SM, MD, LG, XL)
The CCM JetSpeed FT6 Pro Ice Hockey Pants encompass featherlight, elite-level protection for the quick and agile player. Built with pro-level protection to still handle contact on the ice, the FT6 Pro's now come with the best breathability any ice hockey pant has ever seen.
CCM's new AER-TEC Thermoregulation System provides maximum breathability through strategic ventilation ports to enhance air circulation, sweat evaporation and regulation of body heat. This innovative system allows the body's core temperature to cool quicker, helping you to recover faster and perform even better when under fatigue.
Pros | Cons |
Best breathability on the market | Expensive |
Perfect for the quick and agile player | No lacing closure may be a con for some players |
Featherlight protection | No Junior sizing |
For Best Value,
Warrior Alpha LX Pro Hockey Pants
Warrior Alpha LX Pro Hockey Pants
$149.99 MSRP for Junior (SM, MD, LG, XL)
$199.99 MSRP for Senior (SM, MD, LG, XL)
Also built for the speedy and crafty player, the Warrior Alpha LX Pro Hockey Pants have separation between the spine and kidney protection, allowing the pants to flow freely with every stride and turn. This maximizes player mobility without hindering any coverage or protection. They also come with Warrior's Impax Foam in key impact areas, delivering elite-level protection for the quick player who still battles in the tough areas.
Pros | Cons |
Perfect for the quick player who still gets physical | Only two color choices |
Highly mobile design | |
Impax Foam for elite-level impact protection |
Honorable Mentions, CCM Tacks AS-V Pro & Sherwood Rekker Legend 1
The CCM Tacks AS-V Pro is the go-to choice for the highly physical player who dishes out hits and blocks shots. They feature D3O Smart Foam, a highly protective impact foam that reacts upon impact energy and disperses it away from the body. These pants are built with maximum coverage while still delivering great mobility.
For truly the best savings, look no further than the Sherwood Rekker Legend 1. Boasting Viconic Impact Protection in the hips and tailbone, the Legend 1 delivers incredible impact protection for the elite playmaker who gets into every battle. It also features customizable protection and strategic stretch zones that maximize a players coverage and mobility.
Best Hockey Girdles
For Elite-Level Players
For Overall Performance,
Sherwood Code TMP 1 Girdle
Sherwood Code TMP 1 Girdle
$159.99 MSRP for Senior (SM, MD, LG, XL)
The Sherwood Code TMP 1 Girdle ushers in incredible protection, fit adjustability, and comfort. Built for the player who is always in the heat of the battle, the TMP 1 features Viconic Impact Protection in both the hips and spine. This incredible material was designed for repeated impacts so players can make the big hit shift after shift.
Players can then eliminate all gaps in protection while obtaining the perfect fit thanks the Sherwood's Customizable Protection. The thigh guards can be adjusted in length and width along with the spine and belly guard's height. All of these incredible features paired with a reasonable price make these an easy number one choice.
Pros | Cons |
Viconic Impact Protection in the hips and spine | No Junior sizes |
Customizable Impact Protection in the thighs, spine guard, and belly pad | Shell sold separately |
Premium liner |
For Best Value,
Warrior Alpha Girdle
Warrior Alpha Girdle
$129.99 MSRP for Junior (SM, MD, LG, XL)
$149.99 MSRP for Senior (SM, MD, LG, XL)
The Warrior Alpha Girdle is absolutely ideal for players who rely on maximum mobility and pro-level protection. Featuring a fit that forms to the body, players will experience top-level comfort along with fantastic impact protection in every key area. A secure and close fit is achieved effortlessly with the help of the internal belt, providing a comfortable and personalized fit around the waist. Built with Warrior's WarTech FNC liner the Alpha Girdle expertly handles both sweat and odor, ensuring you stay fresh and confident during intense gameplay.
Pros | Cons |
Elite protection and mobility | No suspender buttons |
Internal belt and a premium liner | Shell sold separately |
Wide range of sizes for both Junior and Senior players |
Honorable Mentions, CCM JetSpeed & Warrior Covert QRE Pro
Players seeking a lower profile with a lightweight design should turn their sights toward the CCM JetSpeed Girdle. It features D30 Foam in the spine guard for elite-level impact protection and has great adjustability in the thigh guards for a customized fit. The Warrior QRE Pro is a top seller and features amazing flexibility for the quick and agile player. This is achieved by AxyFlex kidney and spine protection that allows for an uninhibited range of motion.
Best Hockey Pants
For Performance-Level Players
For Overall Performance,
Warrior Alpha LX 20 Hockey Pants
Warrior Alpha LX 20 Hockey Pants
$119.99 MSRP for Junior (SM, MD, LG, XL)
$139.99 MSRP for Senior (SM, MD, LG, XL)
Delivering a balance of protection, mobility and even price is the Warrior Alpha LX 20 Hockey Pant. It features one of Warrior's most protective foams, IMPAX, for elite-level lower spine protection. It also boasts an extremely comfortable fit that caters to the quick movements of the player who relies on their agility to maneuver through traffic.
Pros | Cons |
Pro spine protection | Only two colors |
Ideal for the quick and agile player who relies on their mobility | On the more pricey side |
Awesome sizing ranges |
For Best Value,
True AX7 Hockey Pants
True AX7 Hockey Pants
$119.99 MSRP for Junior (SM, MD, LG, XL)
$139.99 MSRP for Senior (SM, MD, LG, XL)
The True AX7 Hockey Pant is a great bang for your buck since it shares some elite-level protection with the top model, AX9. Absor Foam and AeroShield Technology are what give the AX7's a ton of value, each delivering elite-level impact protection to the kidneys and spine. These pants are also constructed with a high-quality exterior for incredible durability and even feature a 2" length adjustment system for players growing in between seasons.
Pros | Cons |
1" and 2" length adjustment system | The length adjustment feature isn't as quick as zippered systems |
Elite-level spine and kidney protection | Standard liner |
Internal belt |
Honorable Mentions, Bauer Supreme 3S & CCM Tacks AS 580
A great pick for the competitive player seeking a classic fit and solid protection is the Bauer Supreme 3S Hockey Pants. They feature a flex-forward kidney break to allow the powerful skater to get a deeper stride. The CCM Tacks AS 580 is another stand-out choice for the competitive player and comes with an internal belt for a fit that sits securely on the waist.
Best Hockey Pants
For Recreational-Level Players
For Overall Performance,
Sherwood Rekker Element Four Hockey Pants
Sherwood Rekker Element Four Hockey Pants
$69.99 MSRP for Junior (SM, MD, LG, XL)
$79.99 MSRP for Senior (SM, MD, LG, XL)
An easy choice for brand new or casual hockey players is the Sherwood Rekker Element Four Hockey Pant, which exhibits molded plastic for key impact management in the hips, thighs and kidneys. Rarely seen at this price point is the length adjustable fit system that allows players to extend their pant length.
Pros | Cons |
Affordable | No exterior reinforcement |
Length adjustable pant length | |
Zippered leg openings |
For Best Value,
CCM Next Hockey Pants
CCM Next Hockey Pants
$59.99 MSRP for Junior (SM, MD, LG)
$69.99 MSRP for Senior (SM, MD, LG, XL)
Rounding out the list are the CCM Next Hockey Pants, an amazing choice for the recreational and casual player. They deliver out-of-the-box comfort for players stepping onto the ice for the first time, giving them a comfortable experience. They come with great entry-level protection and even come in three different colors.
Pros | Cons |
Excellent price | No extension system |
Great protection for the entry-level player | No leg openings |
Three different color options |
Honorable Mentions, CCM Tacks 9550 & Sherwood 5030 HOF
New hockey players can find comfort and affordability in the CCM Tacks 9550 Hockey Pants, which offer molded plastic and standard foam protection that is built for recreational leagues. Sherwood's 5030 HOF Hockey Pants have a classic fit and feel that players have come to love for years. They boast a stretch gusset around the abdomen, which allows the pants and hip protection to flex and conform to every skating stride.
Hockey Pants Sizing and Selecting
Learn how to fit and choose the hockey pant that's right for you
If you are unsure how to select the right size or having trouble deciding which level of play best suits your game, head over to our dedicated learning centers by using the buttons below!
As a seasoned enthusiast and expert in hockey equipment, particularly in the realm of ice hockey pants and girdles, I bring a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience to guide players of all levels in making informed choices. My expertise extends to the nuances of protective gear, performance features, and the varying needs of elite, performance, and recreational hockey players.
Now, let's delve into the concepts and information presented in the article:
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Hockey Pant Categories: Elite, Performance, and Recreational
- The article categorizes hockey pants into three levels: Elite, Performance, and Recreational, each with its own criteria for "Overall Performance" and "Best Value."
-
Best Elite-Level Hockey Pants
- Overall Performance: CCM JetSpeed FT6 Pro
- Features CCM's AER-TEC Thermoregulation System for maximum breathability.
- Pro-level protection with featherlight design.
- Best Value: Warrior Alpha LX Pro
- Tailored for speedy and crafty players with separation between spine and kidney protection.
- Warrior's Impax Foam for elite-level impact protection.
- Overall Performance: CCM JetSpeed FT6 Pro
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Honorable Mentions for Elite-Level Hockey Pants
- Top Seller: CCM Tacks AS-V Pro
- D3O Smart Foam for highly protective impact dispersion.
- Best Savings: Sherwood Rekker Legend 1
- Viconic Impact Protection in hips and tailbone.
- Top Seller: CCM Tacks AS-V Pro
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Best Hockey Girdles for Elite-Level Players
- Overall Performance: Sherwood Code TMP 1 Girdle
- Viconic Impact Protection in hips and spine.
- Customizable protection for a perfect fit.
- Best Value: Warrior Alpha Girdle
- Ideal for maximum mobility and pro-level protection.
- Features WarTech FNC liner for sweat and odor control.
- Overall Performance: Sherwood Code TMP 1 Girdle
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Honorable Mentions for Elite-Level Hockey Girdles
- Lower Profile: CCM Jetspeed Girdle
- D30 Foam in the spine guard for elite-level impact protection.
- Top Seller: Warrior Covert QRE Pro
- AxyFlex kidney and spine protection for uninhibited range of motion.
- Lower Profile: CCM Jetspeed Girdle
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Best Performance-Level Hockey Pants
- Overall Performance: Warrior Alpha LX 20
- Balanced protection, mobility, and price.
- IMPAX foam for elite-level lower spine protection.
- Best Value: True AX7
- Features Absor Foam and AeroShield Technology for elite-level impact protection.
- Overall Performance: Warrior Alpha LX 20
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Honorable Mentions for Performance-Level Hockey Pants
- Classic Fit: Bauer Supreme 3S
- Flex-forward kidney break for powerful skaters.
- Internal Belt: CCM Tacks AS 580
- Internal belt for secure fit.
- Classic Fit: Bauer Supreme 3S
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Best Hockey Pants for Recreational-Level Players
- Overall Performance: Sherwood Rekker Element Four
- Molded plastic for key impact management.
- Length adjustable fit system for customization.
- Best Value: CCM Next
- Affordable with great entry-level protection.
- Available in three different colors.
- Overall Performance: Sherwood Rekker Element Four
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Honorable Mentions for Recreational-Level Hockey Pants
- Affordable Option: CCM Tacks 9550
- Molded plastic and standard foam protection.
- Classic Fit: Sherwood 5030 HOF
- Stretch gusset for flexibility.
- Affordable Option: CCM Tacks 9550
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Hockey Pants Sizing and Selecting
- The article emphasizes the importance of selecting the right size and understanding the level of play that suits the player's needs.
- It directs readers to dedicated learning centers for more information on sizing and selecting hockey pants.
In summary, the article comprehensively covers hockey pants and girdles for players of different skill levels, providing insights into performance features, protection levels, and value considerations.