Start up gear help for female friend who wants to play.

[Speedz98 15]

A friend of mine wants to start playing hockey but she's not sure what gear to get and what will fit her. She's 5' 7'' . Besides a woman's jock strap what else should I suggest to her?

Thanks for any suggestions.

[shoeshine boy 249]

don't buy into the women's specific gear. other than the jill she should be able to get everything else the same, maybe even in junior sizes for some of it.

[Chadd 916]

Go shopping with her and tell her to try a bunch of stuff on. It shouldn't be too hard, she is a woman. I would look specifically at gloves with tapered fingers or with an anatomical fit. Ladies hands tend to be longer and thinner proportionally than guys.

[bwhinnen 1]

As my wife plays, the advise above is paramount, especially for shoulder pads, try as much on as you can, and get that which fits the best. A few women I know here will also add some additional strapping on their shoulder pads to keep them from riding up over the bust area, specifically those with more up top ... but most of them have also said to stay away from the women's specific gear and just get the mens stuff in small senior or xl junior depending on build etc.

[SirJW 207]

My wife has all men or youth gear accept her shoulder pads. If your friend is is big breasted she will find the women's shoulder pads won't move around. There aren't many choices though . I think she has Bauer. Let me know if you want I will find links for you.

Also many women I know prefer intermediate sticks.

[bolt91 31]

As stated, stay away from women's specific gear. It just doesn't fit correctly and feels weird.

If she's endowed on top, shoulder pads will ride up. Tie them down to the pants or add something extra to them.

Like other posters have said, have her go to the LHS and try on anything and everything. If she's brand new to the game, I'd suggest a junior stick with an extension plug (unless she is really strong). The junior shaft is easier to hold and the flex will help her get started learning how to flex the stick.

[Chadd 916]

I used to sell a ton of the TPS shoulder pads for women, I'm really surprised to hear so many people advising avoidance of gear designed specifically for women.

[bolt91 31]

I used to sell a ton of the TPS shoulder pads for women, I'm really surprised to hear so many people advising avoidance of gear designed specifically for women.

The TPS shoulders weren't as bad from what I've heard. A lot of the women on my team wear them. However, the shoulders on the market now are just terrible. I tried both the Bauer Supreme One40 and the CCM U+W09. Both slide up over the chest and are bulky. I use the mens Bauer Supreme One40. Less bulk and a lower profile.

[Speedz98 15]

Thanks every one for the help, very useful information.

[oldtrainerguy28 478]

don't buy into the women's specific gear. other than the jill she should be able to get everything else the same, maybe even in junior sizes for some of it.

I am kinda curious why you would say that?

The pants for some one 5'7" would be a great idea being the inseem is longer so they would fit better and the shoulder pads well as mentioned depending on build could be a much better fit?

[SolidifiedPenguin 0]

The womens specific pant might work for her too if she has wider hips but dont need them as long. She may or may not need them.

I have actually fitted some...hefty, kids in womens pants, because the of the waist. Like they would need a Med/Large, but would come down way past their knees, so we stick them into womens pants.

[bolt91 31]

I am kinda curious why you would say that?

The pants for some one 5'7" would be a great idea being the inseem is longer so they would fit better and the shoulder pads well as mentioned depending on build could be a much better fit?

A lot of women wear junior shin guards and elbow pads. It depends on their build and what fits right so going to the LHS to try on a ton of things is necessary.

[jsykes 35]

Girdles also work well for women if they're slim. They have the ability to shape to a woman better than pants do because of all the lycra and stretch material.

[shoeshine boy 249]

The womens specific pant might work for her too if she has wider hips but dont need them as long. She may or may not need them.

I have actually fitted some...hefty, kids in womens pants, because the of the waist. Like they would need a Med/Large, but would come down way past their knees, so we stick them into womens pants.

with the pants it just depends on the person. some women are 5'7" but most of the height comes from torso length not leg length. if the legs aren't very long a 110lb woman could possibly fit into a junior xl pant.

most of my comment about avoiding women's specific gear was for the shoulder pads. I'd rather have a regular pair of shoulder pads "smooshing" stuff down than a women's specific shoulder pad creating a "bump" that I have to see over if I'm trying to find the puck in my feet. a skate lace tieing your shoulder pads to your pant belt will keep shoulder pads from riding up better than anything else.

[SirJW 207]

To each her own I suppose. My wife had men's shoulders and they never stayed in place ( didn't try the tie down at the time though). She is very happy with her woman's specific shoulder pads and they don't stick out or effect her vision looking down.

Shoeshine Boy you seem to make a lot of assumptions assuming you are a boy.

[bolt91 31]

I'd rather have a regular pair of shoulder pads "smooshing" stuff down than a women's specific shoulder pad creating a "bump" that I have to see over if I'm trying to find the puck in my feet. a skate lace tieing your shoulder pads to your pant belt will keep shoulder pads from riding up better than anything else.

This

[shoeshine boy 249]

To each her own I suppose. My wife had men's shoulders and they never stayed in place ( didn't try the tie down at the time though). She is very happy with her woman's specific shoulder pads and they don't stick out or effect her vision looking down.

Shoeshine Boy you seem to make a lot of assumptions assuming you are a boy.

but you are assuming I'm a boy because of my screen name. don't ask, don't tell. :)

[forbs02 20]

I actually really like the Bauer women's shoulder pad. It has the right amount of padding (not too much, not too little) and you don't get the gaps in protection that occur with a men's shoulder pad. To the people suggesting to tie the shoulder pads to the pants, come on. That is silly. Just buy a pad that fits, even if it is "women's specific".

[bolt91 31]

I actually really like the Bauer women's shoulder pad. It has the right amount of padding (not too much, not too little) and you don't get the gaps in protection that occur with a men's shoulder pad. To the people suggesting to tie the shoulder pads to the pants, come on. That is silly. Just buy a pad that fits, even if it is "women's specific".

For some of us, no pad will fit unless we tie it down. Believe me, I've tried.

[shoeshine boy 249]

For some of us, no pad will fit unless we tie it down. Believe me, I've tried.

+1

[oldtrainerguy28 478]

with the pants it just depends on the person. some women are 5'7" but most of the height comes from torso length not leg length. if the legs aren't very long a 110lb woman could possibly fit into a junior xl pant.

most of my comment about avoiding women's specific gear was for the shoulder pads. I'd rather have a regular pair of shoulder pads "smooshing" stuff down than a women's specific shoulder pad creating a "bump" that I have to see over if I'm trying to find the puck in my feet. a skate lace tieing your shoulder pads to your pant belt will keep shoulder pads from riding up better than anything else.

Well if your not a guy you sure dont know much about women.......Last time I checked MOST women have longer legs and shorter torso's Well atleast of the last 10 years I have coached and or been a trainer for womens hockey?

[bolt91 31]

Most women wear men's pants. They are more comfortable.

[wrangler 157]

but you are assuming I'm a boy because of my screen name. don't ask, don't tell. :)

It doesn't matter, as long as you stay humble, and lovable.

[shoeshine boy 249]

Well if your not a guy you sure dont know much about women.......Last time I checked MOST women have longer legs and shorter torso's Well atleast of the last 10 years I have coached and or been a trainer for womens hockey?

women come in all shapes and sizes. :)

It doesn't matter, as long as you stay humble, and lovable.