Goalie Equipment Sizing

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.

Bauer Senior Goalie Pad Sizing Chart
Goalie Pad SizeX-SmallSmallMediumLargeX-Large
Vapor 3X15.5 to 16.25″16.25 to 17.00″17.00 to 17.75″17.75 to 18.5″18.5 to 19.5″
Supreme Ultrasonic ProN/A16.25-17″16.75-17.5″17.25-18.00″17.75-18.5″
Supreme 3SN/A16.25-17″16.75-17.5″17.25-18.00″17.75-18.5″
GSXN/A16.25-16.75″16.5-17.25″17-17.75″17.5-18.25″
Supreme 2SN/A17-17.5″17.5-18″18-18.5″18.5-19″
Supreme S29N/A17-17.5″17.5-18″18-18.5″18.5-19″
Supreme S27N/A17-17.5″17.5-18″18-18.5″18.5-19″
Vapor 2XN/A17-17.75″17.5-18.25″18-18.75″18.5-19.5″
Vapor 2X ProN/A17-17.75″17.5-18.25″18-18.75″18.5-19.5″
Vapor X900N/A17-17.5″17.5-18″18-18.5″18.5-19″

 

Bauer Intermediate Goalie Pad Sizing Chart
Goalie Pad SizeX-SmallSmallMediumLarge
Vapor 3X14.25-15.0014.75-15.515.25-16.0015.75-16.5
GSXN/A15-15.75″15.5-16.25″16-16.75″
Supreme 3SN/A15.25-16″15.75-16.5″16.25-17″
Vapor 2XN/A15-15.75″15.5-16.25″16-16.75″
Vapor X900N/A15-15.5″15.5-16″16-16.5″
Supreme S29N/A15-15.5″15.5-16″16-16.5″
Bauer Junior Goalie Pad Sizing Chart
Goalie Pad SizeX-SmallSmallMediumLarge
GSX13.75-14.5″14.25-15″14.5-15.5″N/A
Supreme S2713-13.75″13.75-14.5″14.5-15.25″N/A
Vapor 2.713-13.75″13.75-14.5″14.25-15″N/A
Vapor X70013-13.75″13.75-14.5″14.5-15.25″N/A
 Bauer Convential Sizing Chart
Senior Pad SizeSize Equivalent
Small33+1
Medium34+1
Large35+1
X-Large36+1
XX-Large37+1
Intermediate Pad SizeSize Equivalent
Small30+1
Medium31+1
Large32+1
Junior Pad SizingSize Equivalent
Small26+1
Medium28+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.

INTERMEDIATE / ADULT SIZING
SizeHeightArm Span (cm)Height & Arm Span (cm)
Extra Small5’0 – 5’2″60 – 62152 – 158
Small5’3″ – 5’5″63 – 65159 – 166
Medium5’6″ – 5’9″66 – 69167 – 176
Large5’10” – 6’0″70 – 72177 – 184
X-Large6’1″ – 6’5″73 – 77185 – 196
YOUTH / JUNIOR SIZING
SizeHeightArm Span (cm)Height & Arm Span (cm)
Small4’0″ – 4’3″48 – 51122 – 130
Medium4’4″ – 4’7″52 – 55131 – 140
Large4’8″ – 4’11”56 – 59141 – 149
X-Large4’11” – 5’1″59 – 61150 – 155
XX-Large5’1″ – 5’4″61 – 64155 – 163
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
SizeWaist (in.)HeightWeight (lbs.)
Small30″ – 34″5’5″ – 5’9″120 – 160
Medium32″ – 36″5’7″ – 5’11”140 – 180
Large34″ – 38″5’9″ – 6’1″160 – 200
X-Large36″ – 40″5’11” – 6’3″180 – 220
XX-Large40″+6’1″+200+
JUNIOR
SizeWaist (in.)HeightWeight (lbs.)
Small22″ – 24″4’3″ – 4’7″60 – 90
Medium24″ – 26″4’6″ – 4’10”70 – 100
Large26″ – 28″4’9″ – 5’1″80 – 110
Large Tall26″ – 28″5’0″ – 5’4″80 – 110
X-Large28″ – 30″5’0″ – 5’4″90 – 120
YOUTH
SizeWaist (in.)HeightWeight (lbs.)
Small20″ – 22″3’3″ – 4’1″40 – 60
Medium21″ – 23″3’7″ – 4’4″45 – 65
Large21″ – 23″3’9″ – 4’7″50 – 70