Your hands might be one of the most important but vulnerable parts of your body in hockey! You need to protect them but also have the ability to stickhandle and shoot without restriction – We list the best hockey gloves around below for you to make the right call!
Looking for a new set of hockey gloves? Maybe your old ones are worn out, or you are hoping to get a lighter, more protective pair than you had before? Below in our best hockey gloves list you will find gloves from all the big manufacturers liek Bauer, CCM, True, and Warrior. We have gloves that range from top of the line and expensive to bargains for around half the price. Do you prefer a traditional or anatomical fit? 2 piece index finger or 3 piece? Read on below to see which ones will work best for you and what hockey gloves we picked as our favorite!
Our Team's Hockey Stick Picks
- Best Overall Hockey Gloves: Bauer Supreme Ultrasonic
- Best Hockey Gloves For Stickhandling: Warrior Covert QRE 10
- Best Budget Friendly Hockey Gloves: Bauer Supreme 3S
- Lightest Hockey Gloves: Bauer Vapor X2.9
- Best CCM Hockey Gloves: CCM Tacks AS-V
Extend your top of the line protection up your arm and check out our Most Protective Hockey Elbow Pads of the Year article!
Warrior brings a ton to the table for this year’s Covert QRE 10 glove, with multiple nylons for a breathable feel, and special attention paid to glove flexibility and top hand protection
Buying Options
Bauer’s top of the line Supreme glove doesn’t dissapoint – It offers premium protection and wrist mobility – What you’d expect in a top of the line glove!
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Slating in one down from Bauer’s top Vapor X2.9 glove, this glove has many similarities to the 2X Pro glove. Coming in at almost 30% less money on average, you can’t go wrong!
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Protecting your head is paramount in hockey! Check our article to find the Safest Hockey Helmets of the Year to protect yours!
The Best Overall Senior Hockey Gloves
Fit Type: Ergonomic Hand / Open Cuff
Palm Material: MAX Connekt Palm
Protective Material: Triple Density Foam with Poron XRD
Finger / Thumb Design: 2 Piece Index, 2 Piece Thumb
What We Like: Amazing protection, awesome feel in the palm, AMP Cuff protects from slashes
What We Don’t: AMP Cuff definitely offers extra protection, but may feel it limits wrist movement for some
Advantages:
- Snug Fit – The Bauer Supreme UltraSonic glove offers the closest fit of any glove that I have tried, stepping away from the classic loose fitting style. Once you put the glove on, its almost like putting on latex gloves with how closely they fit. This glove has next to no movement restrictions thanks to its design and material when stick handling and shooting.
- Premium Protection – When you have the close fit and the Amp Cuff system, you don’t have to worry about taking a stick or puck off the hands anymore. With loose fitting gloves, even a light impact can cause a bit of pain as the glove itself will impact your hand/wrist. The Bauer Supreme UltraSonic hockey glove has a close ergonomic fit to improve the protection.
- Premium Palm and Liner Materials –The worst feeling before you step on the ice is putting on a pair of soaking wet gloves with a slimy and slippery palm. The 37.5 technology ensure the fastest drying and sweat wicking technology on the inside of your gloves to keep your gloves dryer longer and ensure they are completely dry for your next skate. The MAX Connekt Palm also features odor resistance and fungal protection technology, improving the grip on your stick late in the game and eliminating the putrid glove hand smell.
Disadvantages:
- With the new anatomical snug fit, the Bauer UltraSonic hockey glove may take a skate to get used to if you’re switching from the classic loose style glove. Overall, I found that once you get used to it, it’s hard to go back to a loose glove with how flexible and comfortable the fit is on these gloves
BOTTOM LINE:
Having played with gloves using a classic fit all my life, it was an interesting change moving to an anatomical fitting glove, but after trying it out it would be difficult to go back. Bauer has made this glove extremely flexible so it doesn’t take away from puck handling and shooting, and you get improved protection since there is less space for your hand to move around in your glove. The real standout with this glove is how fast it dries and how it prevents the palms of your gloves from being sweat soaked entering the third period. The new UltraSonic is one of the best hockey gloves you can buy, and is worn by many NHL players!
Looking to increase your upper body protection? Check out the Best Hockey Shoulder Pads article here!
Best CCM Hockey Glove
Fit Type: Anatomical / Open Wrist
Palm Material: AX Suede
Protective Material: Dual Layer HDPE Foam & Plastic
Finger / Thumb Design: 3 Piece Index, 2 Piece Thumb
What We Like: Top of the line features with the vented backhand keeps your hand safe and cool
What We Don’t: There is little to fault CCM on with this glove, the price is high but reasonable for what you get!
Advantages:
- Flexible Feel – The comfortable fit and flexible construction of this hockey glove make the Super Tacks a dream to play with. From the wrist to the fingers this glove is designed for puck handling and going bar down. This is definitely one of the best gloves I’ve tried to date in terms of feel for the stick, with the two piece thumb making puck handling feel effortless.
- Supreme Durability – Everything from the polyester exterior, PE foam, and D30 smart material ensure this glove is going to do its job for many ice times to come. CCM has proved itself in the durability and protection department with the Tacks AS-V, a hard slash on the hands won’t keep you from going bar down.
- Enhanced Impact Protection – CCM has put out a superior product with full coverage protection of D30 smart material and PE foam so no part of the hand is exposed. This set of hockey gloves is built for skilled players who require superior puck handling ability in tight spaces.
Disadvantages:
- Being one of CCM’s top models, the Tacks ASV price point is on the premium side but the protection and feel it offers is well worth the investment.
BOTTOM LINE:
I was really overwhelmed with how good it felt wearing this glove, it was so light and flexible it really helped my puck handling and shooting. The improved palm gives a supple and soft feel, at the same time increasing the durability of the glove. With how light the Super Tacks gloves are, the level of protection they give you is outstanding. While the price is on the higher side, these are one of the best gloves you can chose as a skilled player. Pro’s like Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin use CCM’s gloves every day, so they will definitely work for you!
Best Hockey Gloves For Stick Handling
3. Warrior Covert QRE 10
Fit Type: Covert Taper Fit
Palm Material: Smartpalm+ w/ Clarino
Protective Material: EXO+ Foam
Finger / Thumb Design: 3 Piece Index, 2 Piece Thumb
What We Like: Warriors Covert Taper fit is second to none in feel
What We Don’t: Slightly heavier than Bauer or CCM top tier models
Advantages:
- Professional Feel – Let’s get right to the point, these are some of the best feeling and least restrictive gloves we have seen. Your hands will be as soft as butter and as smooth as glass when you put these puppies on!! The re-engineered AxyFlex floating cuff design has improved upon where I thought the QRL was lacking, unrestricted movement when puck handling and shooting. This cuff really provides protection all over the wrist, while allowing free and easy movement for superior puck handling and shooting ability.
- Enhanced Durability – Warrior has pushed the boundaries in terms of durability with the QRE 10, specifically in the palm design. The additional Gatorskin Clarino layer over the palm goes a long way in reducing wear, and the vented finger gussets ensure the glove is well ventilated even with the extra material.
- Ultra Lightweight Protection – Warriors new Exo Protect foam package has provided a noticeable weight reduction along with a proven increase in protection for the QR Edge glove. This is one of the lightest gloves on the market, and the impact protection tests show that Warrior did not leave anything on the table in the protection department.
Disadvantages:
- This glove took me a couple of skates to get used to the thumb, which comes a little stiffer than the previous QRL glove model, but the reduced weight and increased impact protection make the extra time breaking in the glove completely worth it.
BOTTOM LINE:
The Warrior QR Edge is a premium hockey glove with all the latest technology and features in the Warrior line. This glove feels like you have almost nothing on your hand and is a dream to handle the puck in! The reduced weight coupled with the AxyFlex cuff give this glove a superior feel for when you’re handling the puck, along with an uninhibited shot release. I cannot give enough praise to Warrior Hockey for how they have increased protection while shedding weight and increasing mobility, even improving the durability of the glove. The QR Edge is one of the best hockey gloves in the game, and this is proven by the QR line boasting close to 10% usage by players in the NHL.
Best New Bauer Hockey Glove
Fit Type: Tapered
Palm Material: Dura Connekt
Protective Material: Pro LiteTex shell, Defense Cloud tech foam molding
Finger / Thumb Design: 3 Piece Index, 2 Piece Thumb
What We Like: A low profile, tapered fit gloves that gives you great feel of the puck and protection
What We Don’t: Snugger fit around the wrists took some getting used to
Advantages:
- Enhanced Mobility – The combination of the tapered design and the flexible cuff on the Bauer Vapor Hyperlite hockey glove give you great wrist mobility and control of the puck, without sacrificing protection on your lower arms
- Lightweight Construction – The Defense Cloud tech foam material is ultra light and gives you superior shock absorption compared to previous Vapor models. The molded Shocklite backhand plate improves impact protection 25% making the Bauer Vapor Hyperlite glove one of the best on the market.
Disadvantages:
- For those looking for more of the classic, loose fitting hockey gloves around the wrist area this will not be the product for you. The Bauer Vapor Hyperlite glove offers a tapered fit with contoured wrist protection for improved protection.
BOTTOM LINE:
This is a sleek looking glove, with the “new age” tapered cuff design that is growing more and more popular among players. The best feature about these hockey gloves is they are excellent for both puckhandling and feel, and won’t restrict mobility in any way. They are even more lightweight than the previous Vapor model and the Dura Connekt palm material gives you more longevity in the high wear areas. Overall, these are an elite hockey glove designed for forwards to give them top-level puck control without sacrificing protection around the wrists!
The Most Protective Hockey Gloves
Fit Type: Tapered
Palm Material: AX Suede Palm
Protective Material: Pro Grade 20mm EPP Foam w/ Plastic inserts for fingers
Finger / Thumb Design: 3 Piece Index, 2 Piece Thumb
What We Like: True has mastered the ergonomic fit and these gloves are super comfortable
What We Don’t: Moisture wicking ability not quite as good as other top tier models as True does not have their own proprietary wicking material
Advantages:
- Breathable Flexibility – The True X-core family of hockey gloves are designed with a flexible cuff for an excellent range of motion and the pro liner material gives you great ventilation throughout the game. The fingers are split into three segments to give you peak flexibility when you are dangling your opponent about to go bar down.
- Extreme Protection – The True X-core line have not left anything to chance going with a 24mm EPP foam design, giving the gloves a thicker look with great protection against any contact to the hand. The TrueFlexx Locking thumb technology also ensures you aren’t going to get injured falling into the boards or the ice.
Disadvantages:
- The glove goes with a loose classic fit around the wrists, so it might be a downside on the wrist protection but the flexibility and puck handling are outstanding.
BOTTOM LINE:
I love the classic look and feel you get from these hockey gloves, while still offering huge upgrades in protection and feel. The True Catalyst 9X isn’t the lightest glove out there, but going with the 20mm EPP foam makes up for this by offering second to none hand protection. This is one of the best hockey gloves in the median price range, and I am seriously impressed in the direction that True is heading with their equipment.
The Lightest Hockey Gloves
Fit Type: Modern / Anatomical
Palm Material: Bauer TAKTILE Palm
Protective Material: HDPE Plastic
Finger / Thumb Design: 3 Piece Index, 2 Piece Thumb
What We Like: Fantastic value for the price, Very comfortable
What We Don’t: Lacks high end protective foams and plastics of top models, but to be expected in a budget model
Advantages:
- More Features – The Bauer X900 Lite features a lot of extras that other hockey gloves won’t usually include. Such as the Thermo Max tech inside of the liners and the Quattro Grip Palm which allows for enhanced play.
- Great Design – Bauer also made sure that the gloves have a good design which hockey players have reported to really enjoy.
- Lightweight Mobility – The glove features segmented back pads as well as 3-piece fingers to ensure maximum mobility. It’s incorporates a lightweight design without sacrificing any of the protection.
Disadvantages:
This are an extremely lightweight product so the level of protection isn’t as high as other gloves on the list, but offer top of the line feel.
BOTTOM LINE:
The X2.9 are a mid-low tier glove in the Bauer Vapor lineup, but if you read reviews on any website, people love them! Sometimes you definitely can get more for less, and the Vapor X2.9 are a great place to save a bit of cash and still get an excellent hockey glove
Budget Friendly Hockey Gloves
7. Bauer Supreme 3S
Fit Type: Traditional / Open Cuff
Palm Material: Bauer Flex Connekt
Protective Material: Poly Mesh and PU Overlay
Finger / Thumb Design: 3 Piece Middle and Ring, 2 Piece Index, 2 Piece Thumb
What We Like: New open cuff design on the Supreme series allows for more wrist movement
What We Don’t: Two piece index for us isn’t ideal, but for some it is a better option – You will have to decide!
Advantages:
- Price Point – Compared to the Bauer Supreme 1S, the 3S model comes in at a more reasonable price without sacrificing much in terms of performance. The real difference between the two gloves is the weight and the foam protection system used, everything else is quite similar.
- Smooth and Soft Feel – One of the things I really noticed with this glove is how soft and flexible the new AX Suede palm is when handling and shooting the puck. This combined with the 37.5 fast drying liner make this one of the best gloves in this price range for comfort and performance.
- Supreme Protection + Durability – Considering this isn’t Bauer’s top of the line model, this hockey glove offers incredible durability for both the exterior and palm of the glove. The protective features of this glove are no slouch either, with the proven XRD foam technology and PE inserts in the fingers and backhand make sure you won’t be spending any of the season healing an injured hand.
Disadvantages:
- This glove weighs a little bit more than Bauer’s Supreme 1S model, but is usually offered at quite a better price point and the protection still stacks up with the best gloves in the game.
BOTTOM LINE:
If you don’t need the absolute lightest glove on the market and all the latest technological features, this glove will not disappoint in any way shape or form. It provides an extremely comfortable fit with great mobility for puck handling and shooting, and doesn’t sacrifice protection to achieve this. The new AX Suede palm will ensure you aren’t burning a hole in your glove anytime soon, no matter how many shots you are taking. This hockey glove provides some extreme value, giving you almost all of the features seen in Bauers 1S model at a bit better of a price point. You will not be making a mistake by choosing this glove as your next piece of equipment in your quest to go bar down.
Best Of The Rest
8. CCM Jetspeed FT1
- Anatomical Open Flex Cuff – The Jetspeed FT1 comes with an flexible open cuff to give you more mobility at the wrist and maximize puck handling ability.
- Pro Selected Polyester + Synthetic Leather – The JetSpeed FT1 feature a pro selected exterior combined with lightweight and protective foam offering peak protection and durability.
- NHL Clarino Palm – CCM has gone with a reinforced palm for their top of the line model, offering a stronger material at the wear points to ensure a soft feeling and longer lasting glove.
Advantages:
- Heightened Mobility – The new flexible open cuff design on the Jet Speed gloves really gives you uncontested flexibility and hand mobility when handling the puck and shooting. This glove truly gives you the freedom to go bar down more often after burning a defender.
- Pro Level Protection – The synthetic leather exterior around the glove and the D30 and Zotefoam really come together to offer one of the best hockey gloves for durability and protection. There are no concerns taking shots or slashes off the hand and this glove will leave you unphased when driving to the net.
- Lightweight Feel – The open cuff design and the NHL Clarino palm give you a step up over other players with the increased feel and control of the puck. You feel absolutely no restrictions when handling the puck.
Disadvantages:
- The open cuff design opens you up to a little more exposed wrist area, but the inner flex cuff does help prevent this and the extra mobility is worth the trade off.
BOTTOM LINE:
The CCM Jet Speed senior hockey glove has gone with the traditional open cuff design and I can honestly say its the best open cuff offering I’ve tried yet. These are some of the best gloves you can buy if you like the open Flex Cuff design and demand supreme puck handling abilities. There isn’t a single weakness in this design, as the protection and durability you get is outstanding and top of its class. This hockey glove is great for any caliber as it offers a combination of outstanding protection and enhanced puck handling ability to have you sniping top shelf.
9. Warrior Alpha DX
- Quick Strike & Flex Cuffs – This Warrior Alpha QX Pro has the Quick Strike feature with a great anatomical fit to ensure better puck control and protection of your hands. The Flex Cuffs improve your range of motion ensuring these hockey gloves don’t hold you back
- Hybrid Taper Fit – The Hybrid Taper Fit adds to the comfortable feel of the glove while also taking further steps to improve mobility.
- Phantom Foam – The Warrior Alpha QX Pro has ‘Phantom Foam’ inserts that provides an optimal blend of lightweight feel and protection.
- Wartech FNC Liners – The liners are powered by polygiene, so the gloves are odor free and dry quickly after every game.
Advantages:
- Improved Protection – The Warrior Alpha QX Pro is a very durable glove that has all of the needed features to provide maximum protection. The Phantom Foam leads the way in shielding your hands from slashes and shots.
- Extreme Comfort – The gloves offer extreme comfort through its responsive lycra gussets, and they will feel game ready and broken in as soon you try them on.
- Enhanced Mobility – The Alpha QX Pro is also highlighted by great mobility features with its Flex Cuffs and Tapered Fit. They promote a high level of puck handling and control when your on the ice.
Disadvantages:
We have talked to some players that say the gloves feel too soft and not quite stiff enough, but this is really a personal preference.
BOTTOM LINE:
The DX hockey glove offers some of Warrior’s best tech at a budget price. It has excellent durability thanks for the phantom foam inserts and great comfort thanks to lycra gussets. With a great suite of features at a great price, the DX is an excellent choice of gloves for players of all skill levels
10. Warrior Covert QRE 20 Pro
- Quick Release Technology – The Covert QRE Pro Gloves offer Quick Release technology which allows for effortless mobility with a high level of performance.
- AXYFLEX Cuff – Warrior features full slash protection while providing great mobility in your wrist for shooting and handling
- Pro SmartPalm – The Pro SmartPalm in the QRE Pro glove provides a classic feel with a high level of durability with the thicker palm
- Exo Protect Foam – Provides extra cushioning and support for your hands to keep them protected from any impacts for every hockey ice time you have
Advantages:
- Improved Functionality – The Warrior Covert QRE Pro is very functional hockey glove and comes with a lot of mobility and protection features such as the ANYFLEX cuff technology to enhance your game.
- Lightweight- In addition to its great design and durability, it utilizes a very lightweight design which focuses on minimizing the amount of materials used.
- Superior Mobility – The glove is designed to feel like a natural extension of your hand. Your wrist will be able to move freely for peak performance when handling the puck and going bar down.
Disadvantages:
The Warrior Covert QRE Pro comes with a cream colored SmartPalm material which some report takes a little getting used to with the thicker material, but these gloves are still top of the line when it comes to breath-ability and mobility.
BOTTOM LINE:
The Warrior Covert QRE hockey glove is a great budget option for you, when you want some of the top of the line Warrior features but don’t necessarily feel like paying top dollar. The Axyflex cuff, Pro SmartPalm, and Exo Protect foam all work together well to create a great pair of glovesthat is also easy on the wallet.
11. Sherwood BPM S120
- CableKnit and PolyKnit Nylon – These two Nylon materials offer a durable fit for the Sherwood BPM S120 ensuring no wear and tear on your gloves.
- Clarino Microfiber Nylon Palm – The Palm material is made of clarino which is perfect for adding extra grip to enhanced performance.
- High-Density Foam – keeps your gloves well protected and is sure to keep your hands’ injury free.
- Microfiber antibacterial Liner – Perfect for keeping your gear dry and odor free ensuring that the gloves last longer and won’t stink up the car after game.
Advantages:
- Extremely Versatile – The Sherwood BPM S120 is a very versatile hockey glove and even features a 3D molded shot blocker which provides the ultimate protection for the hardest shots.
- Dry Comfort – It features proprietary liner technology to ensure fast evaporation of moisture and sweet while keeping the gloves odor-free.
- Superior Dependability – There’s not much more you ask for in this Sherwood product as it covers all of the basis you would need in a high quality glove.
Disadvantages:
Although the Sherwood BPM S120 only comes in black, it is still a very viable option and you can’t go wrong with selecting it as your glove of choice.
BOTTOM LINE:
The Sherwood BPM 120 senior hockey gloves are an amazingly comfortable glove that has great protection to boot. While it isn’t the lightest glove, nor does it have the best feel when stick handling. However, you need to take into account the price, and this is one of the lowest priced gloves on our list. When you take that into your assessment, the Sherwood BPM 120s are a fantastic value glove especially if you are just starting out!
Fitting and Basics of the Hockey Glove
Parts of the Hockey Glove
The hockey glove is comprised of four main parts as shown on our diagram to the right
The Cuff protects your forearm from slashes or pucks. The wrist Roll / Cuff sits right on your wrist and its sizing and fit will affect your wrist mobility and stick handling. The back rolls are the meat of the glove meant to protect your hands from impacts. Finally the fingers are as expected the articulating part of the glove meant to protect your fingers while allowing maximum movement at the same time
Glove length
Typical hockey gloves generally range from 8 to 15 inches. 8 through 12 inches are sizes used for children and teenagers. Most adult sized gloves will range from 13 to 15 inches in length. Whats the rule of thumb for finding a starting point for your glove length? Take the distance from the base of your palm to the tip of you index finger in inches, and multiply it by two. Another method is to measure from the base of your fingers to your elbow crease and use that distance. Unless your fingers are a bit longer or arms a bit shorter, both of these methods should end up within a few tenths of inches from each other, giving you a great starting point to select your glove length.
The gloves themselves should extend very close to the bottom of your elbow pads once you have them, in order to minimize the amount of forearm / wrist susceptible to slashes or being hit with pucks.
Glove Palm Material
The hockey glove palm has had many different iterations over the years, but we will break down the three most common palm materials you will see on the market today. They are all fantastic choices and you can’t go wrong with any to be completely honest.
Nash – The Nash or sometimes Micro Nash palm is a synthetic palm material that comes in all kinds of colors. It is usually quite thick for great durability and the ability to last you through many games and practices. If you are not overly rough on your gloves this style of palm should last for a year or more.
Digital – This is a higher end palm material. It is one of the thinnest palms around, akin to a golf gloves palms. Since this style of palm is not very thick it breaks down quite easily. This style of palm is for those who are either easy on their gloves or demand top of the line performance. During normal play (a few times a week) you can expect most digital palms to last between half a year and a full year before starting to wear out.
Clarino – This is a synthetic palm that is similar to Nash but is usually easier to break in. Due to its ease of break in, Clarino has started to dominate the palms offered by higher end gloves. For example, every palm choice offered by True is a version of a Clarino palm. These palms you can expect to last on par with Nash palms (Roughly a year).
What We Based Our Research On:
Choosing the best hockey glove is something that will have a huge impact on your game every time you touch the puck, and understanding the subtle differences between glove models is imperative to making the right decision for YOUR game. We are going to be talking about the best senior hockey gloves released in 2022, for all players and budgets. You should never have to sacrifice protection for feel, as you can’t go bar down if you are injured. There are gloves that focus on protection, some that focus on comfort, and everywhere in between. Read on for reviews that break down everything you need to know from manufacturers specs, strengths, possible weaknesses, and overall value to you as a hockey player.
We will be reviewing the best senior hockey gloves from brands including CCM, Bauer, Warrior, True, and Verbero to help you get both performance and protection, so you can light the lamp more often. We will lay out the best hockey gloves of 2022 and evaluate them on protection, durability, fit, and cost. These gloves will all deliver high performance results and are sure to help your game, and we are here to help you make the choice that best suits your game.
Taking hits and blocking shots can take a toll on a player through the season – Keep your lower body safe with a Top of the line Pair of Hockey pants – Check our article out!
Conclusion
We have talked about some of the best hockey gloves for all budgets today, and really it’s all about finding the best combination of protection and comfort for your game. I have tried all the hockey gloves discussed above and none of them will let you down in the protection department, it all depends on the specific feel you need for your game. These gloves are going to be a valuable investment to keep you from getting injured game in and game out. My personal favorite is the Bauer Supreme 1S. I am a huge fan of the snug anatomical fit and the feel of these gloves, even if I am paying a premium price. If anyone has an opinion or question on any of the gloves we have talked about, we’d love to hear from you. Read on for the basics on Hockey Gloves or check out some of our other gear review articles!
