As a new player to the game, you are probably wondering what to put under your hockey pads.
The best things to wear under your hockey pads are compression shorts, jock shorts or pants, a cup, and socks. If you are a woman you should also add a sports bra to the list of necessary items to wear under your hockey pads. optional items to wear under your pads are a shirt, slash guards, and a skull cap. I have also seen skaters choose to have socks as an optional item, however, I prefer socks.
Below we will talk about what makes some items better than others when it comes to what to wear under your hockey pads.
Best Compression Shorts For Hockey
I will never play a game without wearing these bad boys. Compression shorts are mandatory in my book. They keep your boys all nice and snug and they eliminate all chaffing issues.
I would recommend going with a name-brand pair like under armor or Bauer. I have ordered a few cheaper ones on amazon and over 50% of the time they end up ripping at the seems with about a seasons worth of work. This is a case where you get what you pay for I guess.
Best Jock Shorts For Hockey
The best jocks for hockey are combo compression shorts and cup holders with velcro on them. This CCM Compression jock with cup holder is awesome. Two birds, one stone.
Another popular option I see around the locker room is these bright-ass yellow Bauer mesh jock shorts. These are loose-fitting shorts that are made out of material a lot like a basketball jersey or something similar. They are described as having anti-odor technology, but I call BS. Nobody smells good after a hockey game.
There are also compression pants jock holders as well. If you would like all of your legs covered for whatever reason these are a great option although they are a bit more expensive.
For me, comfort is what makes a jock good. Most jocks have two straps you have to put your legs in and those straps like to cut through your cheeks! Find one that does that comfortably for you.
I also really enjoy having the velcro straps for your hockey socks. They end up saving me a little bit of tape each game.
Jocks for women are called Jills, I can’t speak from personal experience here but I would assume all the same rules apply.
Best Cup For Hockey
A cup is obviously essential. You gotta protect the boys! It’s beer league, we don’t know how to aim the puck. I have a cheaper, hard-shelled cup and it has been just fine for all of these years.
I’ve seen a few newer cups come out that are called “soft” cups. I’m not sure I trust that. They are made of compressed foam and a fabric shell. That doesn’t sound right, But I’ve also never used one! If you have, and you think they are great, write us and let us know why!
If I were in the market for a new cup I would go with any of the hard-shelled shock doctor cups. They are a good brand and I would trust my jewels with that.
One other thing that makes a cup great is having comfortable rubber edges. If they are not soft enough, or way too sharp they will dig into your hip area. Try hopping over the boards one time with a sharp-edged cup, write us about that experience too.
Do I need to wear a shirt under my hockey pads?
A shirt is not 100% mandatory to wear under your pads. I currently don’t wear a shirt under my pads and I do not experience any chaffing or soreness on my nipples at all! Woo! Who wants bloody nipples, am I right Andy? (office reference for you fans out there)
However, if you do have sensitive nipples or are worried about any sort of discomfort I would recommend getting a shirt made out of fabric that is breathable and sweat-wicking.
Something like this Under Armour compression shirt is great, it’s a polyester-based shirt that is super breathable and will not bunch up. There are a lot of other off-brand ones that are similar or on-brand Bauer ones from sites like Hockey monkey. Pick whichever one you like, they are all somewhat similar but like jocks, you get what you pay for. Cheaper ones will probably end up splitting at the seams after decent use.
Are Slash Guards Necessary For Hockey
Slash guards are exactly what they sound like. They go on your forearms to protect you when being slashed. In beer league, I would say those slash guards are not necessary. I have not worn them and I have not had to get any stitches or anything yet. I suppose this depends on how your league is. Does it have a lot of stick-swinging goons? Maybe you should get some slash guards then.
If you are going to wear them, these Aegis ones look like the best ones. All of the other “slash guards” look like wrist sweatbands.
Should I Wear A Skull Cap Under My Hockey Helmet?
The benefits of wearing a skull cap are to wick sweat away and have less of it fall into your eyes and fog up your visor.
Seems like there are mixed reviews on is skull caps are worth it or not. Some people love them, others prefer an old-school sweatband.
I think it depends on your helmet. Some people say they make their helmets slide a little bit more. That could be an ill-fitting helmet, to begin with though.
Some people say that they actually make their head get cold because it just collects all that sweat.
What To Wear Under Hockey Gear
The best things to wear under your hockey gear are compression shorts, a jock, a cup, and socks. If you are a girl git a jill instead of a jock and add a sports bra to the mandatory list of items to wear under your hockey pads. Socks are a thing that I have seen some players play without but I would never want to do that.
Optional items to wear under your hockey pads are compression shirts, skull caps, and slash guards.