People often ask me what is the most annoying thing about hockey. My answer is the padding. You have to stop padding up at the first sign of pain. Especially when playing in the UK, you never know when some twit will pop up and whack you on the back of the head with a puck or a tennis racket.
It is really sad that the most popular sport in the country can be so hard to follow. You would think that the government, the lawmakers, and the organizers would have learned their lesson after the last debacle in 2018. Yet here we are, preparing for another futile attempt at trying to make hockey popular again in the UK. And you know what? I’m not even that optimistic. I have my doubts that this year’s attempt will even take off.
Table of Contents
Why Do They Padde So Much?
Why do hockey players wear so much padding? To start with, the sport is incredibly physical and taxing on the body. According to one former hockey player, Dan Wilkinson: “Wearing thick padding is essential for the game. Hit with a puck, it can cause serious injury. Packing protects your organs and joints and allows you to play through the pain.”
The game requires you to be extremely aggressive and rough with the bodychecking. Therefore, it makes sense that the players wear as much padding as possible. Let’s be honest, when was the last time you saw a hockey player not wearing enough tights? At least in the UK, hockey players are always seen in at least two pairs of tights, and sometimes they even wear three. They don’t want to risk anything, even when they are just going for a walk. Besides, when it’s freezing cold, they need all the help they can get to keep their bodies warm. Otherwise, they will get sick or injured.
What Do They Wear Underneath The Padding?
Depending on the league, you will either see the players wear shorts or long pants. Usually made out of synthetic materials or leather, the shorts are designed to protect the players’ modesty. You don’t really see too many hockey players going for walks in the park without any pants on, do you? It’s usually really warm where they play, so they don’t have to worry about that either.
Leather is a popular choice for the material of choice for hockey shorts because it is thick, flexible, and water-repellent. The downside is that it gets hot and uncomfortable to play in, especially in the summer. Synthetic materials are more popular because they don’t absorb moisture and are better at keeping the wearer cool and dry. Some of the most popular synthetic materials used for hockey shorts include polyester, nylon, and spandex.
What Is The Proper Way To Wear Hockey Pads?
When you are playing hockey, you need a good pair of hockey pads. Like with the rest of your sport equipment, you need to have good technique when it comes to the way you wear them. Here are some tips on how to properly wear hockey pads: