Goalie Stick Sizing
A very important detail when sizing a goalie stick is the paddle length. We measure the length of the paddle from the heel’s point of contact with the playing surface to the start of the handle.
It is critical to have your skates on when trying out different paddle lengths. This ensures you know exactly how the stick will feel during gameplay.
In your standing, game-ready position, the blade should be flush with the playing surface and the blocker just barely overlapping the leg pad. If the heel of the blade is lifting off the ground, go up in paddle size. If the toe of the blade is lifting off the ground, go down in paddle size.
Once you have decided which goalie stick to use, the last step is to decide which hand will be holding the stick. Generally, the dominant hand holds the stick and wears the blocker, while the other hand uses the catcher to make the glove save.
Left Hand – Regular:
This is the most common choice among goaltenders. The stick is held in the right hand and the goalie catches with their left hand. The curve is shaped in the same direction as a player’s left-handed stick.
Right Hand – Full Right:
Less common, the stick is held in the left hand and the goalie catches with their right hand. The curve is shaped in the same direction as a player’s right-handed stick.
| Category | Paddle Length | Age | Height (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Youth | 20″ | 5-6 years | Up to 1.27 |
| Junior | 21″ | 7-8 years | 1.22 – 1.32 |
| 22″ | 1.32 – 1.37 | ||
| Intermediate | 23″ | 9-14 years | 1.37 – 1.45 |
| 24″ | 1.45 – 1.65 | ||
| Senior | 24″ (AG5NT goal stick only) | 14+ | 1.68 – 1.85 (personal preference) |
| 25″ | |||
| 26″ | |||
| 27″ |
Goalie Pad Sizing
The first thing you need to understand is that no two goalie pads fit the same – even within the same manufacturer. We can take every model goalie pad: the overall size and knee cradle location will be slightly different. Most times these sizes are very close, side-by-side, however in some instances they can be quite a bit different. There are many variables that change how a goalie pad will fit, such as:
- knee cradle dimensions,
- foot channel structure,
- even strapping systems.
We have read other “big box store” guides that state measuring ankle bone to knee cap and “double it” is the ideal method. Well it is not that easy – therefore we took it upon ourselves to measure every single make and model we stock and created a fitting spreadsheet to provide you a precise guide to goalie pad sizing.
Please note, +1 and +2 sizing in goalie pads means an extra inch or two has been added to the top of the pad (the thigh rise) to increase 5-hole coverage in the butterfly position and does not impact the sizing below.
Goalie Pad Sizing Measurement
Our goalie pad sizing spreadsheet is based off where your ankle bone would fit in each pad, therefore where that would put the center of your knee in the knee cradle on the corresponding pad.
How to precisely measure your leg.
The key measurement in fitting any goalie pad is the center of the ankle bone to center of the knee cap. This should be done by using a tape measure with the goalie’s legs shoulder-width apart and slightly bent. This measurement should be taken on the outside of the leg. With this measurement, you can compare your number (in inches) against our sizing spreadsheet below to see what size pad would be an ideal fit.
If your ankle bone to knee cap measurement is correct, we have found that you have a very high chance the pad will be a great fit.If your ankle bone to knee cap does not fit the goalie pad, your knee will either be above or below the knee cradle, meaning the pad and goalie can not properly function together.
| Category | Pad Size | Shin Height (cm) | Pad Width (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Youth | S (20″) | 31.5 – 34.5 | 7.75 |
| M (22″) | 33 – 35.5 | 8.25 | |
| L (24″) | 34.5 – 37 | 8.75 | |
| Junior | S (26″) | 35.5 – 38 | 9 |
| M (28″) | 38 – 40.5 | 9.5 | |
| L (30″) | 40.5 – 45.5 | 10 | |
| Intermediate | XS (28″) | 38 – 43 | 10 |
| S (30″) | 40.5 – 45.5 | 10.25 | |
| M (31″) | 44.5 – 47 | 10.5 | |
| L (32″) | 45.5 – 48.5 | 10.5 | |
| Senior | XS (32″) | 45.5 – 48.5 | 11 |
| S (33″) | 48.5 – 51 | 11 | |
| M (34″) | 49.5 – 52 | 11 | |
| L (35″) | 51 – 54.5 | 11 | |
| XL (36″) | 54.5 – 57 | 11 | |
| XXL (37″) | 57+ | 11 |
Bauer Convential Sizing Chart
| Senior Pad Size | Size Equivalent |
| Small | 33+1 |
| Medium | 34+1 |
| Large | 35+1 |
| X-Large | 36+1 |
| XX-Large | 37+1 |
| Intermediate Pad Size | Size Equivalent |
| Small | 30+1 |
| Medium | 31+1 |
| Large | 32+1 |
| Junior Pad Sizing | Size Equivalent |
| Small | 26+1 |
| Medium | 28+1 |
| Large |
A goalie chest protector must fit perfectly in every area to ensure the equipment performs as designed. A too-small protector doesn’t provide the necessary protection, while one that’s too big prohibits movement.
SHOULDERS AND NECK
The goalie’s shoulders should fit comfortably within both shoulder caps, and the protector should rest squarely on the goalie’s shoulders. There should be enough space to allow comfortable movement, but not enough so the protector slips even slightly out of place, either to the side, or to the front or back.
Note: all chest and arm protectors have a neck guard-style pad that sits at the base of the neck. This pad is meant to help protect the neck area, but it is not a neck guard. A common misconception among new goalies (and their parents) is that this pad should sit against the goalie’s neck. This is not true. This pad should instead rest a few inches below the neck so that it rises up to the neck area when the goalie bends over in his stance. It is common, and recommended, that a separate, snug neck guard is worn beneath the chest protector to protect both the clavicle and the neck.
ELBOWS
The goalie’s elbows should fit squarely into the elbow padding. Most protectors feature adjustment lacing in the elbow pads that allow for micro adjustments for a proper fit.
CHEST AND BELLY
The chest and belly portion of the protector should extend to the waist or beltline. This will ensure the goalie has adequate coverage, and that the protector will allow the goalie to bend freely at the waist.
ARMS
The arm pad should terminate approximately one inch above the wrist bone—about where a watch would be worn. Arm pads extending beyond the wrist will not allow proper wrist flexibility. Pads that are too short will create unprotected gaps between the arm and glove padding.
In some protectors, the arms are laced into the chest pad directly below the larger shoulder floaters. This lacing allows the goalie to extend or shorten the length of the arms a little for a more custom fit.
SIZING A GOALIE CHEST PROTECTOR
Sizing for a chest and arm protector is determined by using “wingspan” (the distance from middle fingertip to middle fingertip with the arms stretched wide, as measured in centimeters.) and height measurements. To determine your size, you need a cloth tape measure.
To measure your wingspan, pinch the measuring tape between your index and middle fingers and stretch your arms out as wide as possible. Note this distance in centimeters.
For an accurate height, stand with your back against the wall making sure your heels are also against the wall and have another person mark your height at the top of your head.
Once you have both measurements, consult the chart below to determine the proper size. Though the wingspan and height measurements will often be the same, it’s important to confirm both measurements, as different manufacturers use different sizing criteria when determining size.
Note: use this chart as a guide only. Not all brands are sized alike.
| Category | Chest Protector Size | Age | Weight (kg) | Height (m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Youth | S/M | 5-7 years | 18 – 24 | 1.04 – 1.19 |
| L/XL | 6-8 years | 21 – 26 | 1.12 – 1.27 | |
| Junior | S/M | 8-10 years | 25 – 31 | 1.24 – 1.42 |
| L/XL | 9-11 years | 28 – 36 | 1.32 – 1.50 | |
| Intermediate | S | 11-12 years | 35 – 41 | 1.47 – 1.57 |
| M | 12-13 years | 40 – 45 | 1.55 – 1.65 | |
| L | 13-14 years | 44 – 59 | 1.63 – 1.70 | |
| Senior | S | 13+ years | 45 – 68 | 1.65 – 1.75 |
| M | 14+ years | 59 – 77 | 1.70 – 1.80 | |
| L | 15+ years | 68 – 86 | 1.75 – 1.85 | |
| XL | 15+ years | 82+ | 1.80+ |
GOALIE PANTS
Chest protectors are worn either inside or outside the pants. Regardless of what you prefer, it’s smart to wear your goalie pants when trying on the chest protector to make sure the protection is adequate and that there are no mobility concerns.
BAUER HOCKEY PANT SIZING CHART
| SENIOR | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | Waist (in.) | Height | Weight (lbs.) |
| Small | 30″ – 34″ | 5’5″ – 5’9″ | 120 – 160 |
| Medium | 32″ – 36″ | 5’7″ – 5’11” | 140 – 180 |
| Large | 34″ – 38″ | 5’9″ – 6’1″ | 160 – 200 |
| X-Large | 36″ – 40″ | 5’11” – 6’3″ | 180 – 220 |
| XX-Large | 40″+ | 6’1″+ | 200+ |
| JUNIOR | |||
| Size | Waist (in.) | Height | Weight (lbs.) |
| Small | 22″ – 24″ | 4’3″ – 4’7″ | 60 – 90 |
| Medium | 24″ – 26″ | 4’6″ – 4’10” | 70 – 100 |
| Large | 26″ – 28″ | 4’9″ – 5’1″ | 80 – 110 |
| Large Tall | 26″ – 28″ | 5’0″ – 5’4″ | 80 – 110 |
| X-Large | 28″ – 30″ | 5’0″ – 5’4″ | 90 – 120 |
| YOUTH | |||
| Size | Waist (in.) | Height | Weight (lbs.) |
| Small | 20″ – 22″ | 3’3″ – 4’1″ | 40 – 60 |
| Medium | 21″ – 23″ | 3’7″ – 4’4″ | 45 – 65 |
| Large | 21″ – 23″ | 3’9″ – 4’7″ | 50 – 70 |
Goalie Mask Sizing
Determining the goalie’s head circumference is the first step in sizing a goalie mask. To get an accurate measurement, take a cloth tape measurer and place it around the goalie’s head at the hat line, beginning and ending at the center of the goalie’s forehead. The number that you see when the measuring tape meets is the goalie’s head circumference measurement. Write this measurement down, then find your proper size by visiting the “Sizing” Chart on any of our goalie mask product pages.
Mask Model | Size | Head Circumference (cm) |
NME ONE | S | 53 – 56 |
M | 55 – 58 | |
L | 57 – 60 | |
BAUER 960 | S | 53 – 56 |
M | 55 – 58 | |
L | 57 – 60 | |
BAUER 950 | S | 53 – 56 |
M | 55 – 58 | |
L | 57 – 60 | |
BAUER 940 | JR | 51 – 55 |
S | 53 – 56 | |
M | 55 – 58 | |
L | 57 – 60 | |
BAUER 930 | YTH | 49 – 53.5 |
JR | 51 – 55.5 | |
S/M | 53 – 57 | |
M/L | 56 – 60 |
