After over 30 hours of research and reading customer reviews, after looking at over 20 pairs of pants, we have decided that the CCM Super Tacks Hockey Pants take the crown for best overall hockey pants. It uses various high density and smart foams across the thigh, kidney, and spine to protect you from shots, hits, and sticks. It also offers adjustable leg lengths (up to 1″) and a removable spine protector incase you need that extra protection for getting into the corners or in front of the net. No matter if you are a forward or defenseman, this pair of pants will keep your lower half save and injury free to keep you on the ice day in and day out.
The Best Hockey Pants
The CCM Super Tacks Pants AS1 offer the best combination of protection, adjustability, and advanced features to protect your legs and lower back
The CCM Super Tacks AS1 are the best pants in terms of protection and that’s why they are our top recommended pick. You can’t go bar down if you are injured, and these pants will do everything in their power to protect your legs and back. Multiple modes of adjustability are icing on the cake for these pants, allowing you to adjust them to your perfect fit. With the 1″ leg extension and leg zippers included on these pants, there is also some top of the line range of motion, making sure these pants won’t hinder your stride and slow you down.
Best Lightweight Hockey Pants
Designed with protection, light weight, and ultimate mobility in mind, the Vapor 2X Pro are the pants for players demanding the light weight and near top tier protection
Bauer set out to design the Vapor 2X Pro with one thing in mind – Reduce weight from last years model while maintaining the excellent protection that model offered. Using Bauer’s patented Curv composite free flex spine protector your spine remains protected at a very minimal weight cost. The pants feature Bauer’s Hyperlite HD foam in all the impact areas, and have stretchable gussets on the thigh to allow for excellent mobility. This also comes with Bauer’s standard 37.5 fast drying liner tech.
Best Value Hockey Pants
Coming in just over half the retail price of our top pick and runner up, these pants still offer great protection for the price
The Covert QRE 20 pants are a tapered fit hockey pants with great protection. These pants are designed with free flowing and natural skating in mind. These pants are equipped with high quality plastics to protect your thighs, spine, and kidneys, and have Warrior’s Wartech FNC liner with Polygiene for smell and wetness control. For a pair of pants that don’t hinder your skating and will still offer great protection, the QRE Pro’s are a value that can’t be beat.
Our Recommendations
The Best Hockey Pants
The CCM Super Tacks Pants offer the best combination of protection, adjustability, and advanced features to protect your legs and lower back
Buying Options
The Lightweight Choice
Designed with protection, light weight, and ultimate mobility in mind, the Vapor 1X Lite are the pants for players demanding the light weight and near top tier protection
Buying Options
Budget Friendly Pants
Coming in just over half the retail price of our top pick and runner up, these pants still offer great protection for the price
Buying Options
What We Based Our Research On
Choosing the best hockey pants is something that is going to have an impact on every stride you take, and understanding the differences in each model and brand is imperative to make the right decision for your game. We are going to be discussing the best hockey pants, focusing mostly on top tier models. Read on for reviews that break down everything you need to know from manufacturers specs, strengths of the equipment, possible weaknesses, and the overall value to you as a hockey player.
Below we will be reviewing the best senior hockey pants from all the major brands including CCM, Bauer, Warrior, and True to help you get the performance and protection you demand. We will layout the pants and evaluate them on protection, durability, fit, weight, and cost. These pants will all deliver high performance results and are sure to help your game, but we want you to make the choice that suits your game.
If you need a great pair of shin guards to equip under your pants, check our in depth article out to see all the best hockey shin guards available to you!
The Best Hockey Pants of 2023
1. CCM Super Tacks AS1 - Best Overall Hockey Pants
Specifications and Features:
- D30 Smart Material – A key element of this years Super Tacks pants, the D30 Smart material disperses the force created through impact away from the hip joint.
- Pro 400D Nylon – The exterior of the pant is made up entirely of 400D Nylon to minimize weight and increase durability.
- Molded Thigh Protection – CCM has utilized a combination of HD and PE foams to give a molded, professional fit with maximum protection.
Advantages:
- Exceptional Durability – One of the most important thing about pants is durability, and CCM has created one of the best hockey pants in this department. The Pro 400D Nylon exterior doesn’t break down or tear easily over time, and the D30 smart foam holds up extremely well over multiple seasons.
- Excellent Comfort – The Super Tacks are top of the line for a reason, they provide a very personalized fit so your stride and agility aren’t being held back because of your pants. Easily adjustable and extremely lightweight, these pants will keep you bouncing off hits and going bar down!
- Peak Protection –The Super Tacks have you covered in all aspects from a floating D30 foam spine protector, molded thigh and kidney protection, and reinforced hip protection. The CCM holds protection paramount to ensure your game isn’t cut short by an injury.
Disadvantages:
Its really hard to pick out a disadvantage for this product, but the price point is on the higher end.
BOTTOM LINE:
The Super Tacks AS1 have hit the mark again putting out one of the best pairs of hockey pants in the game today. They do not hamper your skating, and also won’t let you down when you’re getting hit into the boards or going down to block a shot. They don’t have a bulky feel at all despite the protection and give you a professional level fit and durability. There are really no downsides to investing in the CCM Super Tacks pants, they provide top of the line performance and protection for your game and should last you for years to come.
2. Bauer Vapor 2X Pro - The Lightest Hockey Pants
Specifications and Features:
- Inner Belt Lock – Bauer incorporated an inner belt locking system inspired by the pros to give a completely personalized fit to every players body.
- 37.5 Fast Drying Fabric – This technology is utilized in a few other Bauer products to help evaporate sweat, but also includes a new air transfer mesh to ensure your equipment dries quicker
- Hybrid Fit– The Vapor 1X has the standard loose fit at the top of the pants, but also combines a close to the body fit in the legs.
Advantages:
- Comfortable Fit – The Vapor 2X Pro pant has a hybrid fit that is extremely comfortable, loose on the hips and midsection but form fitted around the legs. This gives you a very mobile and powerful stride, without any pant to pant contact to slow you down.
- Exceptional Durability – Bauer focused on increasing the durability in this years Vapor pants, and they have done this through the use of high density foams and wear resistant exterior.
- Improved Ventilation – As featured in the Nexus 1N pant, the transfer mesh system really helps to air these pants out and keep them lightweight and ready for game time.
- The 37.5 fabric helps keep you cool to minimize sweat and keep your pants dry and light all game. These are one of the best hockey pants for sweat wicking performance in the key heat zones.
Disadvantages:
The new hybrid fit of this years Vapor hockey pants will take a few skates to get used to, but they have a really nice nonrestrictive and mobile feel to them.
BOTTOM LINE:
One of Bauers best hockey pants, the Vapor 2X Pro was created for optimum player performance by redesigning the fit with your skating stride in mind. The loose fitting upper section of the pants combined with the Curv composite thigh pads give you peak protection and elite mobility. The AEROLITE technology in all the protective padding areas reduce the weight of the pants but still give you incredible durability and protection. These are one of, if not the most flexible hockey pants on the market and are sure to give you the mobility and freedom you need to go bar down all season long.
3. Bauer Supreme 1S - Best Value Hockey Pants
Specifications and Features:
- Anatomical Fit – The Bauer Supreme 1S hockey pant features a close to the body fit, to decrease restriction in your stride.
- 37.5 Fast Drying Fabric – This technology is seen in other Bauer products to help evaporate sweat, but also includes a sanitizing odor-resistant treatment for increase odor control and bacterial/fungal protection.
- Extension Fit System – The Supreme 1S has an extension system that gives one inch of adjustment to ensure your hips and thighs are protected.
Advantages:
- Flexible Fit – The anatomical fit in the Bauer Supreme 1S pants really make the pants flow with every stride you take and doesn’t inhibit your motion at all.
- Lightweight and Comfortable – Bauer has cut down the weight of their pants with the tight fit and has a sweat resistant liner system making you more mobile on the ice.
- Premium Protection – As always, Bauer has improved their protection on this years Supreme 1S hockey pants, giving it additional adjustability for a unique fit to every players body.
Disadvantages:
The close fit of these pants take a little getting used to if you’re moving away from the classic fit, but are extremely comfortable after a few skates.
BOTTOM LINE:
The Bauer Supreme 1S offers you an extremely reliable and comfortable hockey pant that will not restrict your skating or mobility in any way. The anatomical fit increased protection by ensuring the material takes the majority of the impact away from your body. I can’t stress enough how important it is for the pant to fit the player, and the Supreme 1S is one of the best hockey pants for easy adjustability. After a few skates in these pants, they were fully broken in and feeling like i’d wore them half a season already. This is a premium model and a great investment to give you some of the best performance value for your game.
4. Warrior Covert QRE 20 - Best Fitting Hockey Pants
Specifications and Features:
- Covert Taper Fit – Tailored pro fit hugs your body closely and is designed to follow your natural skating posture allowing you to remain agile on the ice.
- Floating Internal Belt – The floating internal waist belt Warrior has utilized yields a comfortable fit and holds the protection on your hips, waist, and thighs in place as you move.
- Wartech FNC Liner – The liner is a collaboration with Polygiene, designed to keep you cool, dry, and completely odor free.
Advantages:
- Sleek Fit – The QRE 20 along with the Edge are the best looking hockey pants featuring the covert taper fit, which is extremely form fitting to your body. This gives you supreme quickness and agility on the ice.
- Peak Protection – The floating internal waist belt gives you a very comfortable and mobile protection, allowing everything to move with you as you deke defenders and go bar down.
- Superior Ventilation – The Wartech FNC liner keeps your pants light and dry all game via the Polygiene technology. These pants are extremely lightweight and and well ventilated in all the key areas.
Disadvantages:
These are one of the most popular Warrior pants and the price point is higher, but the durability and performance is second to none.
BOTTOM LINE:
Warriors top of the line hockey pants combine mobility and protection at an extremely good price. This is one of the best hockey pants for combining a sleek tapered fit, but still providing flexibility when you’re skating. The Wartech FNC liner is one of the best sweat wicking technologies on the market and I loved the cool, dry feeling you got all game long. The minimus outer shell gives you a lightweight and durable shell, constructed of premium denier nylon weaves. I can’t say enough about the look of the Warrior QRE 20 pants and how well they flow with your stride. These pants will be sure to increase your quickness and agility without sacrificing anything in the protection department.
5. True Hockey A6.0 SBP
Specifications and Features:
- Perforated Molded PE Shell – In this years model, True has gone with a perforated molded PE shell to increase protection in the hips and kidney areas.
- X-Tec Suspension – True has incorporated a gap between the outer shell and the upper padding suspension to increase impact absorption.
- Polyester-Nylon Gussets – The stretch gussets made up of a Polyester-Nylon material allow for greater flexibility.
Advantages:
- Superior Flexibility – Everything in this years model keeps your flexibility and mobility in mind. True has gone with the classic fit and included Polyester-Nylon stretch gussets to reduce any limiting impact your pants might have on your stride.
- Pro Level Protection – True has an innovative 800 Denier Nylon exterior combined with the perforated molded PE shell to give you the best protection in all the areas you need it most. These are the best hockey pants in terms of new protective technology, even including a tactical mesh ripstop to further protect the back of the legs to keep you fighting through the hits and slashes to get to the net.
- Dynamite Durability –True has made a lot of upgrades to the high abrasion areas of the pants to improve the life and durability of their hockey pants. The Denier 800 Nylon exterior is one of the best materials on the markets for wear resistance.
Disadvantages:
If you’re looking for the slim style fitting hockey pants, the True A6.0 SBP are a little bulkier than some of the competitors but still offers great mobility.
BOTTOM LINE:
The True A6.0 SBP pants aren’t the priciest model on the market, but don’t let that fool you as they offer unbelievable protection that can compete with all of the top hockey pants. True has focused their attention on creating a high protection, high durability hockey pant that will not encumber your game in any way. The classic fit and the Polyester-Nylon stretch gussets also ensure you have a lot of flexibility in your stride to burn past the opposition. These are hands down the best protective hockey pants you can buy for the price, giving you a long lasting and high performing product.
6. Bauer Nexus 1N
Specifications and Features:
- Seven+ Technology – Constructed with lightweight molded foam, these pants are able to withstand multiple impacts while still being extremely light weight
- 37.5 Fast Drying Fabric – This technology is seen in other Bauer products to help evaporate sweat, but also includes a new transfer mesh to accelerate evaporation via maximized airflow.
- Extension Fit System – The Nexus 1N has an extension system that yields one inch of adjustment to ensure your hips and thighs are protected.
Advantages:
- Improved Ventilation – The transfer mesh system really helps to alleviate sweat and keeps your pants dry and light all game. These are one of the best pairs of hockey pants for sweat wicking performance.
- Lightweight Protection – Bauer has cut down the weight of their protective layering by using a lightweight foam thats very adept at withstanding frequent impacts.
- Excellent Mobility –The classic fit and the lightweight design give these pants a free feeling for when you’re skating down the ice. The loose fitting legs give you great mobility and a completely unrestricted stride.
Disadvantages:
The classic fit of the Nexus 1N gives you a bit of a bulkier fit and look, but give you the free feeling mobility of the classic fit.
BOTTOM LINE:
The Bauer Nexus 1N take advantage of the classic fit but has really cut down the weight and improved the flexibility in this years model. The molded foams give you high impact protection, but has also cut down the weight of the pants while still yielding superior durability. These pants are great for all players, but the classic fit tends to plays into the defensive style a bit more. I love these pants since they take advantage of the loose fitting style, but are extremely unrestrictive while skating and going bar down. This is one of Bauer’s top models and isn’t going to let you down in the performance department, it’s just a matter of personal preference and fit.
7. CCM JetSpeed FT1
Specifications and Features:
- DryFoam Technology – The JetSpeed FT1 liner is made up of a soft water repellent liner that absorbs less sweat keeping you dry and comfortable longer.
- Molded PE Caps – The hips and kidneys are protected by molded PE caps with vented zones for excellent comfort and feel.
- Textured Polyester Exterior – CCM has gone with a 400D Textured Polyester exterior for a lightweight feel that provides superior durability.
Advantages:
- Lightweight Feel – CCM has done everything they could to make the JetSpeed FT1 pants the lightest on the market, without sacrificing protection. The liner absorbs less sweat so your pants don’t weigh down over the course of a game, and the textured polyester liner reduces the weight even further to keep your speed up to burn around that defenseman in the 3rd.
- Premium Protection – The JetSpeed FT1 has a slim, molded fit to evenly distribute forces from impact ensuring you don’t get hurt. A floating spine protector with molded PE cap gives you high impact protection without hampering your mobility in the lower back.
- Dry Comfort – CCM has focused on creating the best hockey pant for staying dry and keeping you comfortable even if you are playing back to back games. The DryFoam technology barely soaks up any sweat and the vents on the hip and kidney protectors maximize airflow.
Disadvantages:
Right up there with the Super Tacks pants this is a premium product and the price point is up there, but the ultra lightweight protection is second to none.
BOTTOM LINE:
If you’re looking for top of the line protection combined with one of the lightest hockey pants on the market, the Jet Speed FT1 is the investment for your game. With molded professional grade protection everywhere from the lower back, the hips and kidneys, right to the thighs, these pants will keep you playing hard without holding back your stride. As soon as you step on the ice you can really feel the difference in the weight and how easily skating feels and no loss of mobility. The Jet Speed FT1 is sure to help your game if you’re looking for the lightest pant with professional grade protection and durability.
8. Warrior Covert QR Edge
Specifications and Features:
- Covert Taper Fit – Tailored pro fit hugs your body closely and is designed to follow your natural skating posture allowing you to remain agile on the ice.
- Axyflex Kidney/Spine Protection – The upper and lower parts of the pant are separated from the Axyflex spine and kidney protection, allowing them to move with you as you play the game.
- Wartech FNC Liner – The liner is a collaboration with Polygiene, designed to keep you cool, dry, and completely odor free.
Advantages:
- Sleek Fit – The QR Edge is an excellent looking pair of hockey pants featuring the covert taper fit, which is very form fitting. This allows you to be your quickest on ice and does not limit your agility.
- Improved Durability – This years QR Edge has a minimus outer shell fabricated from a mix of premium denier nylon weaves.
Disadvantages:
These are a very form fitted pant and it took me a skate or two to get used to moving in it coming from a classic fit design.
BOTTOM LINE:
One of Warriors top models gives you extremely good protection and durability at a very reasonable price point. This is one of the best hockey pants for combining a sleek tapered fit, with a very well ventilated and sweat wicking liner. These pants offer unrestricted mobility and agility with the tapered fit and separation from the kidney and spine protection. I am a big fan of how these pants look on the ice, and the performance and protection they offer doesn’t let you down either. Warriors best hockey pants are a great investment that I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend for any player.
How To Measure For and Size Your Hockey Pants
Most brands of hockey pant will fit adults ranging from 5’5″ to 6’3″ in height and 30″ to 40″+ in waist size. The actual length of the pants will vary a lot but the bottom of your hockey pants should land just below the top of your knees. Each pant will have a range of sizes it will fit for your waist and length, and its best to consult sizing chart of the brand you choose to buy. We have a guideline below for sizing Senior, Youth, and Junior pants sizes.
Once you have chosen the hockey pants you want the first thing you want to do is ensure the waist can be adjusted snug and the length of the hockey pants falls just below the top of the shin pads. You want a fit that is comfortable but the correct length and waist sizing for each individual player. If you order the incorrect size (determined by trying on at home before using on ice) retailers will accept exchanges, sometimes even helping with shipping costs.
Measuring your waist for Hockey Pants
If you’re buying hockey pants online, its very important you measure your waist and length from your hips to your knees properly. This is very easy and can be completed in literally minutes, and all you need is a soft tape measure!
1. You want to measure the circumference of your waist by using the soft tape measure positioned just above your hips. This can be done by yourself or with the help of a second person to ensure you get an accurate measurement.
2. Measure the distance from your hips to the top of your kneecap while you’re standing up. Same as the step above, its easier if you have a second person to help with this step!
Senior Hockey Hockey Pant Sizing
An important thing to remember when using our sizing guide below, is to always double check the brands sizing guide (which should be very similar to ours below) but can vary slightly from brand to brand. We’re going to use Bauer’s sizing guide as a reference, but keep in mind every player is built different and has a different preference on fit.
Junior Hockey Hockey Pant Sizing
When sizing for a Junior player, you need to remember senior hockey pants are also an option if none of the Junior sizes seem to line up. Junior hockey pants are usually recommended for players aged 8 – 14 years old. It is important to check hockey pant sizing and fit before the start of every season to ensure they have not outgrown the hockey hockey pants. It is also common for a waist size to not correctly match the length, thats ok! Just move up a size so the length matches and you can usually get the waist to tighten up enough!
Youth Hockey Hockey Pant Sizing
Youth hockey pants are very important for young players just trying to learn, because hockey pants that aren’t fitting correctly can hurt the progress in learning to skate! If a youth players hockey pants are a little big that should be fine as long as the waist fits correctly and they are long enough to protect the area above the shin guards.
We can’t emphasize enough that the most important thing about buying new equipment is ensuring the size and fit are comfortable for the player to provide the maximum possible protection. We hope this hockey pants sizing guide has been useful, and if there are any suggestions on how we can make it better please leave a comment below!
Parts of the Hockey Pant
Hockey pants are comprised of three main parts – kidney/lower back protection, hip protection, and upper leg protection.
The kidney and lower back protection sit just above your hips and wrap around almost the entirety of the pants. Some pants will have an additional piece of protection extending up higher on the lower back. The hip protection extends down from the waist, covering the entire hip bone. The are both adjusted with the belt to ensure proper fit on each players body. Finally, the upper leg padding protects both the quad and hamstring muscles. The majority of the material is in the quad protection as oppose to the hamstring because this is where most of the impact will occur.
Conclusion
We have talked about some of the best hockey pants 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 pants 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 pants are going to be a valuable investment to keep you from getting injured and going bar down game in and game out. My personal favorite is the CCM Super Tacks, I am a huge fan of the tapered fit and lightweight protection of these pants, and at a pretty reasonable price point. If anyone has an opinion or question on any of the pants I have talked about, we’d love to hear from you.
