The game of hockey has been around for centuries. This winter sport combines the speed and agility of athletes with a frozen canvas and wooden sticks. In the winter, the outdoors becomes a rink, and the snow brings out the hunter in all of us.
When it comes to playing in the snow and cold weather, the handwear is crucial. Wearing the right handwear can keep your hands at the right temperature, while avoiding the cold creeping in. When the hands are constantly exposed to the freezing air, they can become extremely stiff leading to injuries and potential frostbite. Wearing the right handwear is a must for every player.
However, not all gloves are made equal, and you certainly don’t need to settle for less than perfect handwear just because it’s expensive or rare. You can easily fix any deficiencies in your handwear with a quick trip to your local hobby store or online retailer. With the right resources and a bit of ingenuity, you can turn any glove into a customizable masterpiece.
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The Science Behind Proper Handwear
The human body needs a certain amount of heat to function at its optimum level. When the body temperature drops below a certain threshold, the symptoms become noticeable: shivering, numbness in the extremities, and an increased risk of frostbite. This is why it’s so important to keep your hands at a healthy body temperature regardless of the weather or activity. When the hands are at the right temperature, the fingers remain pliable resulting in a better grip on the hockey stick. Likewise, when the hands are at a healthy temperature, the player’s vision is clearer and the risk of accidents is decreased.
Types Of Handwear And Their Purpose
Depending on the activity and environment, the hands require different types of protection. For example, during an intense activity like hockey, the hands need to be protected from injuries caused by hard or sharp objects such as the puck, sticks, or glass. In general, blunt objects like checks, skate blades, and baseballs require less protection than sharp objects.
On the other hand, the hands need to be protected from the extreme cold temperatures that cause the fingers and joints to become stiff. This type of handwear is called “wrist guards” or “blocking gloves” and are designed to stay in place during gameplay. They are also needed when handling glass or other sharp objects during pregame routines and practices.
Adjustable Versus Non-Adjustable Handwear
With the above in mind, it’s clear that you need to pay attention to two important factors when choosing your handwear: fit and material. When selecting adjustable handwear, you need to make sure that they fit comfortably and that they stay in place during gameplay. In addition, you should choose a material that offers the right level of insulation and warmth.
You have two options here: the first is to buy an existing glove, and the second is to make your own. The first step is to measure the length and width of your fingers to determine which size fits you best. You can determine this by wrapping a string around your wrist. Once you have the right size, you can purchase or make the adjustments to the glove as needed. Some examples of adjustable handwear include gloves containing an interior adjustable strap or adjustable velcro closure. This allows for easy size modifications while playing. When choosing non-adjustable handwear, make sure that the glove fits snuggly around your wrist without any looseness.
The fit of the glove is also important. You want to find a style that fits snugly around your wrist so that there is no movement during gameplay. When choosing non-adjustable handwear, you need to make sure that the fit is secured by the snugness of the wrist-strap or the tightness of the Velcro closure. In general, leather, vinyl, and nylon are examples of common, affordable materials used for non-adjustable handwear. If you have small hands or a large family, you may want to consider spending a little more on adjustable handwear so that the fit is secured more snugly around your wrist.
Wrist Strap Vs. No Wrist Strap
Some people prefer to use wrist straps when playing hockey, while others find them cumbersome. It really depends on the player and their mood. If you play in a dry and windy climate where the wind chill is below freezing, you may want to avoid wrist straps altogether to prevent your hands from freezing. In such cases, you may feel that the lack of wrist protection is a disadvantage. Of course, if you have a leather-padded glove, you may not feel the need for a wrist strap at all.
Fingerless Vs. Filled Handwear
Another important factor to consider when selecting handwear is whether or not to have fingers. If you have large hands or your hands are in a natural position when playing hockey, you may want to opt for fingerless handwear so that you can have better control over the direction of the puck. Naturally, you will need to secure the fit of the glove when playing with fingered gloves.
However, if you have smaller hands and you need to use your fingers to stop the puck, you may want to choose handwear with fingers so that your hands have more protection. You can also choose to have fewer fingers as long as they are well-sized to prevent any discomfort. Some sports that require quick reactions may ask you to go without your fingers due to the speed at which the game is played. In such cases, you may want to consider choosing fill handwear. These types of gloves are perfect for short-notice play as they can be customized with a different colored wrist strap and additional fingers to adapt to your needs. Your hands will stay warm and the puck will be easier to control.
How To Customize Bauer Hockey Gloves?
Now that you’re equipped with the basics of proper handwear, you can move on to the fun stuff. Once you have the basics in place, you can use your creative juices to come up with unique customizations that’ll make your gloves stand out. There are several different ways in which you can style your berry, orange, or blue hockey gloves.
You can choose to do one of the two following things: add a bit of style to your gloves using permanent markers or fabric paints, or you can use a freezer bag and some dry ice to give your gloves a more temporary makeover. The choice is entirely up to you.
To make your gloves stand out, you can add a touch of color with the use of permanent markers or fabric paint. You can draw on your gloves with the help of a permanent marker, or you can paint the exterior of the glove (the part that covers the hand) to give it a unique look. If you plan on playing hockey more than once, having your gloves personalized with a design or drawing on them will make them more distinctive and unique. This is important because the more you use your gloves, the more they’ll wear out and become unusable. This is why it’s vital to keep creating designs and patterns on the gloves so that they stay unique and do not become a permanent marker blemish on a canvas of white leather.
Permanent Marker
When adding color using permanent markers, you have a couple of different options here. You can apply the marker to the interior of the handwear (the part that covers the fingers) or you can use a “quick dip” to the exterior of the glove. The first step is to mark the place on the hand where you’ll be applying the marker. You can use a marker to outline the shape of your fingernails or to add a bit of texture or depth to your nails using a “neon” tip. The second step is to add color by applying the marker to a section of the leather (the part that covers your palm) or to a quick dip in a container of paint. The third step is to completely wipe away the ink once you’re finished using the marker so that it does not stain the leather permanently. This is an important step because the more you use the marker, the darker it will become and the more difficult it will be to remove. Some examples of permanent markers include: Sharpie, Uni-ball, Hanzline.