It’s that time of year again. The leaves are changing colour, the air is getting colder and you know what that means — it’s time for you to grab your skates and head for the ice!
Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced skater, you’ll need new hockey gloves. Fortunately, technology has made it easy to get the right fit and feel with the right price range. Today, we’re going to teach you how to break in your new gloves and maximize their performance so that you can get the most out of each pair.
The Anatomy Of A Hockey Glove
Hockey gloves form a tight seal around your fingers to protect them from the sting of the slush and the bite of the ice. The design of the glove is extremely important, as it needs to fit snugly around your hand to prevent slippage and reduce the chances of blisters.
It’s also worth mentioning that not all hockey gloves are made equal, and this is particularly important with regard to the knuckle area. Some gloves are designed to be more flexible, and therefore more comfortable for active sports like hockey. You may also wish to consider the quality of the materials used to build the glove, as this can make a significant difference in your overall experience.
Wear Muted Colours
One thing you’ll notice straight away about the newer generation of hockey gloves is how much louder the design is. While some teams still prefer to use white as their primary colour, opting for red, black and yellow as their secondary colours, today’s designs are much louder. This is to make the sport more appealing to younger audiences who might see it as a “sport for boys.”
The problem with this is that when you play with a team that uses the same colour scheme as you do, it can be difficult to tell where you end and your opponent begins. This can lead to issues with refereeing, especially when the gloves are also the same colour. It might also be difficult to notice where you’ve been hit during a game, as the bright colours can blend into the snow and ice.
Experiment With Different Fitting Techniques
When choosing your new gloves, you’ll need to account for different fitting techniques. If you’re used to slipping on a baseball glove when warming up before a game, trying a different type of fit can help you achieve the same level of comfort while also maintaining the integrity of the seal around your knuckles. For example, the traditional “hook” fitting used for baseball might not be the best for hockey. Instead, you can try out different strap styles or even go without a strap all together.
As mentioned, some gloves are more flexible than others, and this can make a significant difference in your overall experience. For example, gel padding might be used in the palm area of some gloves to make the puck slide across the ice more easily. These types of gloves are usually more flexible than your average pair, and because of this, you might want to experiment with different fitting techniques to find the one that works best for you.
Watch The Style
If you’re heading to the outdoor hockey rink this season, you’ll need to watch out for what’s trending. Not only will this be a good source of style inspiration for you, but you may also discover that there’s a type of glove that you prefer based on what’s trending. To give you an idea of what’s trendy and what isn’t, take a look at the list of NHL player gloves that were popular during the 2018-19 season. You’ll notice a distinct lack of style inspiration from this decade, as most of the gloves on this list were designed in the 2000s. This trend is one to avoid if you’re looking to invest in a pair of NHL player gloves.
The Main Benefits Of Newer Generation Of Hockey Gloves
Overall, newer generation of hockey gloves stand out for their comfort. Thanks to the advancements in material science and 3D printing, you no longer need to settle for sub-par construction and excessive wear due to frequent replacement.
When it comes to maximizing the performance of your hockey glove, you’ll need to focus on several factors. First off, make sure that the fit is snug around your hand. This will prevent slippage, which can lead to injuries. Also, make sure that the seal around your knuckles is secure, as even the tiniest slivers of ice can cause serious damage if left unchecked.
With newer generation of hockey gloves, you’ll also notice a significant difference in the way the puck feels. While older models might still be used for ice hockey, these days the puck almost feels like it’s rolling on a humid day instead of on a cold surface. Sometimes this is referred to as “plasticity” or “friction”, and it’s something that you feel when playing with a new pair of gloves.
If you want to maximize the performance of your hockey glove, invest in a good pair of gloves, put in the proper care and attention to detail, and you should be able to enjoy many years of service.