Best Hockey Gloves with The Best Grip for Gameplay
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Bauer Vapor APX Pro Hockey Glove -
Reebok 11k Kinetic Fit Hockey Glove -
CCM U+ Crazy Light Hockey Glove -
Warrior Franchise Hockey Glove -
Easton Mako Hockey Gloves -
Buyer's Guide
Glove selection is extremely important to a hockey player, as hockey gloves hold the stick. Poor glove choice can affect a player’s scoring ability and handling. Gloves need to move with the player, while maintaining the proper level of protection and not weighing the player down. The right glove choice can mean the difference between coming off a shift early and scoring the winning goal. The best hockey gloves in 2022 on this list are ranked by weight, comfort, flexibility, protection, and color/size options.
The Best Hockey Glove Models of 2022 in Detail
Bauer Vapor APX Pro Hockey Glove - Best Hockey Gloves Overall
The first thought for most players buying gloves is “How long until these will need re-palmed?” And the answer is simple with these — not for a long time. These gloves stay in tremendous shape and even when they do start to wear down, it’s very gradual. There’s also a three piece lock thumb that allows a player to stay strong on the stick. The shell is strong which will protect wrists from slashes and the liner will keep your hands cool over the course of a game. All around perfect.
Reebok 11k Kinetic Fit Hockey Glove - Runner Up
Reebok has done it again with their latest glove, the 11k. Like the rest of the equipment in the line, these gloves have been outfitted with new technology to allow a player to perform at the highest level. They’ve created a Kinetic Fit System with a terrific airflow system to cut down on moisture, which really makes a difference after an hour or so on the ice. The system also allows the air to flow in more from the bottom of the glove, without sacrificing padding. They’ve improved on the stitching problem of the 10k line, added a reinforced palm system for improved grip and durability, and brought back the lock thumb system for great mobility. These are some of the best gloves in the game.
CCM U+ Crazy Light Hockey Glove - Honorable Mention
CCM strikes again with the U+ Crazy Light gloves. Just like the title implies, they’re among the lightest gloves you will find, but are also extremely stable and offer maximum protection. Their patented FluidFit system allows for immediate comfort and stability throughout your hand, with very little areas of vulnerability. The light foam construction was designed for maximum flexibility for players that need that extra inch or second to stick handle around an opponent. Add the comfortable liner, new flex thumb, and the sleek red and black look, and you have a top of the line set of gloves that can really give you an edge.
Warrior Franchise Hockey Glove - Consider
Let’s state the obvious here; the Warrior Franchise gloves just look awesome. But the eye-popping black, white, and grey padding isn’t the only reason these gloves deserve a try. They’re among the best gloves available, which a number of the NHL’s top players would attest to. The internal foam offers the maximum protection that players have come to expect from Warrior, and the PU covering adds a little extra weight to give players that extra feel of confidence against hard falls, blocked shots, and stick slashes. They’re also outfitted with interior wicks to cut down on odor, along with a drying system that will not harden after prolonged use. These are some of the toughest and most durable gloves you will find, and they’re worth the hefty price tag, as they tend to last for years.
Easton Mako Hockey Gloves - Best Hockey Gloves
A defenseman’s best friend, these new gloves from Easton are made for the gritty players that find themselves battling in front of the net. They’ve been outfitted with a new finger system that does what other gloves will not by protecting you between your fingers. The new suede palm is designed for more durability so you won’t find yourself needing to re-palm these as often as previous models. Overall, they may be a little bulkier than some other gloves, but they’re still very comfortable and the extra feeling of protection is something any player will love.
Buyer's Guide
Like in any other sport, a hockey player needs several pieces of equipment And like almost any athlete, they need the basics, from athletic shoes and t-shirts to water bottles and sports bags. However, some things are specific to the sport of hockey. Hockey players need skates, proper padding, a great hockey stick, and the best hockey gloves.
As a player, you will need to hold the hockey stick properly and have a proper grip that will help you gain control of the puck to score a point for your team. That’s why you will need the best hockey gloves to give you a superior grip around the stick.
In this buyer’s guide, we have compiled a list of factors you need to consider before making your final choice on a suitable pair of hockey gloves.
What are factors to consider when looking for the best hockey gloves?
Fitting and Size
The first and most important factor that you need to focus on is the glove size and whether or not it fits around your hand. While looking for the gloves, you will come across various size options, including 13", 14", and 15". These sizes are perfect for adults, while any glove in a size under 12"is ideal for the younger players. Also, make sure the measurements are taken correctly for both the right and left hand, as the measurements can be slightly different. Measure from the bottom of your middle finger all the way down to your elbow. This size will correlate to the size of the glove.
Protective Padding
As you will be wearing gloves for protecting your hand from injuries, you need to check the presence and alignment of the pads. The cuffs around your wrists should be thick with extra protection, ensuring that the smaller wrist bones and ligaments are safe. Also, as the palm will be in direct contact with the stick, the gloves must have proper leather padding with shock absorbtion.
Color Combination
Just as you focus on any other factor, make sure the aesthetics and styling done on the gloves are optimal. First of all, the colors should be similar to the hockey apparel you are wearing. In addition, you also need to choose proper color combinations for the gloves. ake this opportunity to add a bit of personality and flair to your gear. Picking a bold color combination helps your gloves stand out against your teammates’ gear.
Material Quality
Leather gloves are usually preferred for long-time hockey players, especially those who play with aggression. Check the materials of the padding and make sure they can absorb shock and jerks during impact. Also, the cover material of the gloves must be strong enough to withstand the stretching and relaxing of your fist. Lastly, ensure that the stitches are perfect and tight.
Adjustability Feature
Every hockey glove comes with adjustability features that allow you to adjust the fitting and tightness around the palm and wrist. If you have a hook and loop strap in the wrist portion, ensure the gloves don't become loose as you move your wrist. In some gloves, buckles are also used for tightening the gloves around your hand.
Longevity and Durability
It would help if you choose a pair of hockey gloves that have high longevity and durability. Whether you are using the gloves for both tournaments and practices or only for inter-club matches, the gloves shouldn't break down easily. The padding must not get compressed, and the leather covering the palm area should stay intact.
How do you measure for the proper glove fit?
It is essential for every hockey player to choose gloves that will fit them well. These gloves must fit snugly around the wrist, palm, and fingers. In the section below, we have described the measuring process with which you can decide whether the gloves have the right fit or not.
One quarter-inch of free space must be present at the fingertips of the gloves to prevent restricted finger motion.
Form a fist and check whether the fabric has stretched out excessively or not. If yes, you will need a bigger glove.
The hockey gloves have hard layers over the knuckles and fingers. So, make sure that the breaks in the gloves are sitting atop the respective bones only.
Lastly, check the tightness around the wrists. You should be able to rotate and move the wrist bone easily without any hindrance.
For measuring the size, the standard process is to use a tape and measure the length from the elbow joint to the base of your fingers with the palm pointing upward.
Final Words
Here, we have talked about all the potential factors which need to be considered for buying the best hockey gloves. You need to ensure that your choice is appropriate based on your playing style, stick type, and comfort level. The gloves mustn’t irritate your skin or choke the blood vessels in your hand, making the fingers go numb. Just keep these few things in mind, and you will be playing your next match with the best hockey gloves.
Hockey Gloves FAQs
Q. Does the use of the gloves depend on the hockey stick type?
A. Yes, the use of the gloves will depend on the hockey stick you are playing with, mainly because of material differences. For example, if you are playing with a composite stick, the surface will be slippery. So, the gloves need to have a rough grip. Similarly, for heavyweight sticks, you need bigger gloves with extra padding.
Q. How loosely should the gloves fit around the hand?
A. The gloves must be loose enough to allow proper movement of your fingers and palm. There should be at least a quarter-inch of space in the fingertips, and no stretching should occur while you are making a fist.
Q. Why is it essential for a player to wear hockey gloves?
A. The hockey gloves come with extra padding on the inner side for absorbing the shocks. Hence, your knuckles, finger bones, and wrist bones will remain protected against injuries.
Q. Is the measurement for the right-hand glove the same for the left hand?
A. No, the measurements for glove fitting must be done separately for both right and left hands. This will help you get the most accurate size of the gloves without any error.
