If you have recently decided to learn how to play ice hockey or have been doing so for years then you will need to purchase shoulder pads that provide plenty of support and protection as you play.
However, it can be difficult to choose the right set of shoulder pads as there are so many different options available on the market which is why we have gathered the best shoulder pads for hockey available on the market that you should consider followed by an exclusive Buyers Guide and FAQ so you can learn what to expect when conducting your research.
This will allow you to make a fully informed decision with confidence.
Here are the best shoulder pads for hockey available on the market that you should consider:
| Product Name | Feature | Check Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| Xenith Velocity Shoulder Pads for Adults | Pros versatile only weigh 3.5lbs Cons High price point | Price |
| Bauer Supreme 3s Hockey Shoulder Pads - Senior | Pros upgraded anatomical design Cons Not a lot of size range available | Price |
| Xenith Element Hybrid Shoulder Pads for Adults | Pros Provides a balance of movement Cons High price point | Price |
| Warrior Alpha Lx 20 Hockey Shoulder Pads - Senior | Pros New low profile contoured shoulder cap Cons Not suitable for beginners | Price |
| STX Ice Hockey Surgeon RX3.2 Senior Shoulder Pad | Pros M2 torso construction Cons Not suitable for professional or advanced players | Price |
Xenith Velocity Shoulder Pads for Adults
Our first recommendation is the Xenith Velocity Shoulder Pads for Adults which allows you to play faster thanks to its lightweight design as these shoulder pads only weigh 3.5lbs.
Meaning that you won’t feel dragged down and will have better movement while the durable shock cord connected the chest plates for maximum flexibility to contract and expand with player movement making them perfect for those who play hockey multiple times a week.
The low profile padding and optimized neck roll allow for a greater range of motion with the head and arms meaning that you will find playing hockey much more comfortable for a seamless performance.
What makes these shoulder pads our top pick is that they provide a perfect fit as the design hugs the body so the shoulder pads move with you while absorbing as much shock on impact as possible to reduce the amount of strain or pain so you can play with ease.
The versatile use makes these shoulder pads perfect for an array of sports as well as hockey as the optimal chest and back coverage protects without sacrificing performance making it the perfect padding to outfit the entire team.
Pros
- Allows you to play faster thanks to its lightweight design as these shoulder pads only weigh 3.5lbs meaning that you won’t feel dragged down and will have better movement while the durable shock cord connected the chest plates for maximum flexibility to contract and expand with player movement making them perfect for those who play hockey multiple times a week
- Provide a perfect fit as the design hugs the body so the shoulder pads move with you while absorbing as much shock on impact as possible to reduce the amount of strain or pain so you can play with ease
- The versatile use makes these shoulder pads perfect for an array of sports as well as hockey as the optimal chest and back coverage protects without sacrificing performance making it the perfect padding to outfit the entire team
Cons
- High price point
Bauer Supreme 3s Hockey Shoulder Pads – Senior
Our second selection is the BAUER SUPREME 3S HOCKEY SHOULDER PADS – SENIOR which has a 2021 upgraded anatomical design for a fit that is as close to the body as possible and a natural feel that ensures that these shoulder pads are built to promote power with every moment.
They have been designed with a split cap bicep which offers a sleek look with added comfort as well as the mobility you need to have an enhanced performance consistently.
Bauer incorporates protective technology including a combination of high-end features throughout the pads to provide a good amount of coverage including a molded HD foam in the spine, Vent Armor foam on the shoulder caps, extended rib wrap, and Adaptiv Skin which is located in the sternum for low profile protection that will morph to your body shape.
The interior of these shoulder pads features the Thermo Max+ liner which offers a comfortable feel while also helping to dry out the pads faster in between sessions so you are as dry and cool as possible throughout the game.
These pads have been designed with the casual player in mind making them perfect for those who skate a couple of times per week and giving players the chance to upgrade their pads to Ultrasonic if they want to integrate top-of-the-line protection and mobility.
Pros
- Has a 2021 upgraded anatomical design for a fit that is as close to the body as possible and a natural feel that ensures that these shoulder pads are built to promote power with every moment. They have been designed with a split cap bicep which offers a sleek look with added comfort as well as the mobility you need to have an enhanced performance consistently
- Incorporate protective technology including a combination of high-end features throughout the pads to provide a good amount of coverage including a molded HD foam in the spine, Vent Armor foam on the shoulder caps, extended rib wrap, and Adaptiv Skin which is located in the sternum for low profile protection that will morph to your body shape
- Features the Thermo Max+ liner which offers a comfortable feel while also helping to dry out the pads faster in between sessions so you are as dry and cool as possible throughout the game
Cons
- Not a lot of size range available
Xenith Element Hybrid Shoulder Pads for Adults
Our third choice is the Xenith Element Hybrid Shoulder Pads for Adults which provides a balance of movement and coverage for the modern positionless player thanks to the all-purpose coverage as it is great for those playing on the defensive end but find themselves dropping into coverage or H-back tasked with blocking down.
These shoulder pads have been designed for the committed athlete thanks to the lightweight and low profile structure which allows for a full range of motion without sacrificing the level of protection while the removable padding makes cleaning and maintenance simple and easy with little to no hassle.
These pads are incredibly reliable thanks to the laceless design and the buckle straps which provide sturdiness and durability that can be relied upon every season for years to come.
The belt and buckle size adjustments system eliminates any unnecessary bungees and straps to ensure a lockdown fit every time, meaning that you will always be safe.
Pros
- Provides a balance of movement and coverage for the modern positionless player thanks to the all-purpose coverage as it is great for those playing on the defensive end but find themselves dropping into coverage or H-back tasked with blocking down
- Have been designed for the committed athlete thanks to the lightweight and low profile structure which allows for a full range of motion without sacrificing the level of protection while the removable padding makes cleaning and maintenance simple and easy with little to no hassle
- Incredibly reliable thanks to the laceless design and the buckle straps which provide a sturdiness and durability that can be relied upon every season for years to come
Cons
- High price point
Warrior Alpha Lx 20 Hockey Shoulder Pads – Senior
Our penultimate recommendation is the WARRIOR ALPHA LX 20 HOCKEY SHOULDER PADS – SENIOR which has a focus on maximum protection as well as mobility as they have been designed with the performance player who skates multiple times a week and is looking for a lightweight, protective shoulder pad that provides plenty of comfort and mobility features.
These shoulder pads have a new low profile contoured shoulder cap design that helps to provide a lightweight and sleek solution to provide maximum impact performance and mobility which is found in many other LX Pro shoulder pads to give you the freedom of movement without sacrificing protection.
These shoulder pads feature a new jacket design that is made with compression molded IMPAX foam that has been added in key impact zones while the floating spine and sternum pads and removable belly pad all combine to provide you with an additional level of protection where it will be needed the most.
The body of these shoulder pads has a Fantom Stretch vented internal jacket made from a lightweight stretch material on the back to keep the pads mobile, cool, and light at all times while the Wartech FNC Liner is powered by Polygiene to ensure that you are always dry and odor-free throughout the game.
These shoulder pads boast an improved fit and an array of advanced features that make them essential for those who are more advanced or professional players wanting to improve their performance thanks to the top-of-the-line protective technologies.
Pros
- Have a new low profile contoured shoulder cap design that helps to provide a lightweight and sleek solution to provide maximum impact performance and mobility which is found in many other LX Pro shoulder pads to give you the freedom of movement without sacrificing protection
- Feature a new jacket design that is made with compression molded IMPAX foam that has been added in key impact zones while the floating spine and sternum pads and removable belly pad all combine to provide you with an additional level of protection where it will be needed the most
- The body of these shoulder pads have a Fantom Stretch vented internal jacket made from a lightweight stretch material on the back to keep the pads mobile, cool, and light at all times while the Wartech FNC Liner is powered by Polygiene to ensure that you are always dry and odor-free throughout the game
Cons
- Not suitable for beginners
STX Ice Hockey Surgeon RX3.2 Senior Shoulder Pad
Our final selection is the STX Ice Hockey Surgeon RX3.2 Senior Shoulder Pad which is perfect for beginners looking for an entry-level pad for players seeking a low profile protective pad that allows you to learn the basic techniques without suffering in performance.
These shoulder pads allow for a precision fit thanks to the anatomical design that boasts a sleeker profile which helps to minimize the level of weight and bulk that other models may have.
The pads are made from a hex lite foam which is a proprietary featherlight foam that provides elite-level protection that also offers enhanced flexibility so you can have the best performance constantly.
These shoulder pads boast an M2 torso construction meaning that the upper torso and rib protection have been independently designed and then connected with stretch gussets that allow for better mobility without creating any gaps in the level of protection.
The HD2 foam is a high-definition foam that is located throughout the pad to create a hydrophobic barrier that can repel sweat and water meaning that the pad will stay dry throughout the entire game so you will remain comfortable at all times.
Pros
- Perfect for beginners looking for an entry-level pad for players seeking a low profile protective pad that allows you to learn the basic techniques without suffering in performance
- Boast an M2 torso construction meaning that the upper torso and rib protection have been independently designed and then connected with stretch gussets that allow for better mobility without creating any gaps in the level of protection
- The HD2 foam is a high definition foam that is located throughout the pad to create a hydrophobic barrier that can repel sweat and water meaning that the pad will stay dry throughout the entire game so you will remain comfortable at all times
Cons
- Not suitable for professional or advanced players
Buyers Guide
When conducting your research, there are certain factors that you should always consider before making any purchases. This will ensure that the product does not disappoint you on arrival and allow you to learn what to expect from its performance.
Always think about the material of the shoulder pads, the sizes available, any warranty period, and your budget. Once you have weighed these aspects against your own needs and requirements, you’ll be able to make a fully informed decision with confidence.
Material
The first thing you should consider is the material that is used to make the shoulder pads. It is important to select an option that has comfortable padding on its interior so it provides plenty of support without any irritation when playing for long periods while the exterior should be reliable, sturdy, and durable so it can absorb as much shock as possible upon impact.
The stronger the material, the more reliable it will be against any attacks and will be able to allow you to have stronger performance and develop your confidence.
Size
The next thing you should think about is the size range available for the shoulder pad. Making sure that you have accurate measurements of your chest and shoulder area before making the purchase will mean that you can choose the best size that fits properly and allows you to have the best game.
This is because shoulder pads that are too big are prone to move out of position and won’t have the snug fit required while shoulder pads that are too small are not going to provide proper coverage and will put you in harm’s way when you play.
Warranty
Another important factor that you should always consider is whether the shoulder pads come with a warranty period or returns policy. This is essential for those who are skeptical about their purchase and worry that the sizing may not be right.
The majority of options provided in this article do come with a great returns policy that allows for an exchange or refund provided that it has not been worn and the labels are intact. The customer service teams are also always available to assist you with any technical queries or issues you may have.
Budget
Lastly, always consider your budget. As you can see from the recommendations provided in this guide, shoulder pads are available at a variety of price points meaning that whether you are working with a stricter budget or have the money to spend, you’ll be able to select the perfect choice for you without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Pick Hockey Shoulder Pads?
Choosing the right hockey shoulder pads for you is important as you need to ensure that it has a snug fit while the edges of the shoulders fit equally under the shoulder caps.
What Are Shoulder Pads Used For In Hockey?
Shoulder pads are a necessity for use in hockey as they will reduce the amount of shock felt during impact while the game is being played such as blocked shots, body checks, and contact with the boards among many more.
How Much Do Shoulder Pads Cost For Hockey?
As with any product, shoulder pads are available at varying price points it means that there are some shoulder pads available for as low as $30 while more high-quality options can cost upwards of $200 meaning that you can find the perfect choice for your budget.
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