The 7 Best Hockey Goalie Pants in 2023: Reviews and Buyer’s Guide

In the game of hockey, a goalie is at the maximum risk of incurring any injuries since every other player’s aim is to shoot the puck through the goal. Shooting a puck is an aggressive action. If you do not provide adequate coverage, you could seriously hurt yourself.

A goalie is one of the most important players on the team. If you think about it, if not for a goalie, how else would you prevent the opponent from scoring? Hence it becomes even more crucial to pay importance to the needs and protection of this important team member.

A goalie blocks the puck mostly from the torso and thigh region. The basic instinct is to block your front body region when you are under attack. Therefore, having the perfect goalie pants becomes essential. 

In this article, we will be talking about the ways in which you can determine the right fit and the different kinds of hockey pants. We will also be reviewing the seven best hockey goalie pants, which will make your purchasing decision very easy.

Quick Answer: The Best Pants for Hockey Goalies

Buying Guide

It is essential to know the fundamental dynamics behind perfect goalie pants. We are presenting you with a buying guide which will help you in understanding the important factors that you should consider while looking out for the apt pants. In this section, we will be telling you the ways in which you can fit your goalie pants. We will also differentiate between a regular hockey pant and a goalie hockey pant.

How to Fit Goalie Pants?

One of the most essential factors is knowing the right size and the fit of pants for yourself. goalie pants need to be more prominent in size compared to your regular pants. The pants should be close-fitting, but it should have room for adjusting thigh guards, knee pads, and chest protectors. A goalie pant usually measures 8 to 10 inches more than a regular hockey pant at the waist.

The goalie pants are also thicker because of the foam padding to provide protection from puck impacts. The proper fit is also determined by wearing chest, arm, and leg protectors simultaneously to check if all the pads are brushing against each other. It will also determine the ease of mobility during saves and jumps. Factors such as the height and build of the player are also taken into consideration.

Goalies who prefer wearing the arm and chest protectors on the outside should opt for a tapered-waist pant. Goalies who prefer wearing the protectors on the inside should opt for a barrel-fit pant. It will allow easy accommodation of all the pads. Ensure that the pants are a size bigger to provide extra room.

Regular Hockey Pants Vs. Goalie Hockey Pants

One of the significant differences between a regular pant and a goalie pant is the presence of internal paddings. A goalie pant has protective layers on the inside of thighs, hips, and front region to protect from harsh impacts. A regular hockey pant has no excessive layering. It is because the player needs to perform complex movements at a higher speed.

Hockey Goalie Pants Reviews

On the basis of product quality and durability, and also the popularity, we have collated a list of seven best hockey goalie Pants that you can look forward to in 2023. Let us look into the details of each one of them.

#1. Bauer Elite Hockey Goalie Pants

The prime focus of Elite goalie pants from Bauer is to provide maximum protection without compromising comfort or restricting any range of motions. The product’s exterior comprises of synthetic leather, polyester, and cable-knit nylon to prevent wear and tear. The nylon belts are present to adjust and secure the anatomical waist.

The Dynamic 2-Flex technology lets the hip and thigh protection to overlap without any difficulty in the flexibility of the movement. The Thermo Max+ liner is moisture and sweat resistant. It keeps the pants dry. The crotch gusset and the inner leg stretch enables you to move your legs freely. 

The pants have a thick inner coating of premium quality Shocklite foam, which keeps the tailbone, spine, hips, and thighs protected. The molded-plastic on the outside protects from the impacts.

The Bauer Elite pants do not add bulk to you, making it more comfortable to wear for a longer time. It does not make your movements difficult. It is available in various sizes, and you can choose accordingly.

#2. Bauer Supreme 2S Pro Hockey Goalie Pants

The Supreme 2S Pro is another exceptional goalie pant from Bauer. The Powerlite technology provides elite-level protection with no safety compromises. It does not restrict any movement and does not create any flexibility issues. The pants have an anatomical waist that is adjusted using an inner belt system. There is also an extension present to give extra length if required. The player also has a provision to integrate the chest protector using the pelvic vent hole present.

The thighs incorporate the Powerlite technology to give a light-weight feel. The pants come in NHL legal sizing specifications. The knee guard loop is integrated and built on the inner side of the thigh region.

The PORON hip floaters provide additional protection and keep the liner cool. It does not let sweat or moisture to accumulate on the inside, thus keeping you comfortable throughout the game. The spine’s protection is taken care of by the Vent Armor Foam. It is a top-quality material that gives maximum coverage with minimal bulkiness.

These goalie pants come in various sizes and absorb the harshest impacts. The product is extremely durable and lets you give your best performance during the game.

#3. Bauer Vapor X2.9 Hockey Goalie Pants

The Vapor X2.9 goalie pants by Bauer has an incredible design that offers consistent net coverage and a vast range of movements. The pants feature Bauer’s exclusive Dynamic 2-Flex System, which allows maximum protection, especially on the hips and thigs regions. The pants have multiple flex points to enhance your side movements.

The Thermo Max+ liner ensures the safety and does not bulk up the pants. The foam’s quality is excellent. It does not add bulk during body movements and is also extremely durable. The liner also ensures zero retention of sweat or moisture, thus keeping the insides cool. The hips have a barrel-like fit, allowing the goal-keeper to tuck in the chest protectors with comfort.

The pants stay secure closer to the body with the help of a hybrid adjustable belt. The thighs have an internal loop to connect the knee guard as well. The thighs have a rounded shape for maximum puck deflection. A tough plastic molding has been done for protecting your tailbone, spine, and lower abdomen region. The pants are light-weight and have an incredible fit, and are available in various sizes.

#4. CCM Axis Pro Hockey Goalie Pants

The CCM Axis Pro goalie Pants provide great coverage and excellent protection without slacking the comfort of the player. The pants stay secure with the assistance of internal and external nylon belts. There is also a provision to extend it by one inch to attain the best fit.

The pants consist of molded plastic and high-density premium quality foam. The major impact areas such as thighs, groins, hips, and spine have an insertion of D3O Smart Foam. It is incredibly protective and hardens instantly upon impact. The tailbone and waist regions are provided with molded foams for extra benefit.

The materials used in the pants’ exteriors are polyester and 420D nylon. It enhances durability. The mesh back panels promote breathability. The crotch gusset is stretchable, thus improving mobility during the game.

The liners are moisture-resistant and made from premium quality foam. They are quite flexible and do not bulk up during complex body movements. It also keeps your insides dry. The pants are available in several sizes for you to select accordingly.

#5. Vaughn Velocity V9 XFP Hockey Goalie Pants

The Vaughn Velocity V9 XFP goalie Pants have an excellent taper fit and are possibly a great pair of protective pants. The product durability is excellent, and the coverage and comfort are maximum. The high-density foam padding is held by the finest nylon exteriors.

The Pure Pro Carbon is present in the major impact regions to provide additional protection and also avoid abrasions. The Aero-Spacer mesh lining adds ventilation and comfort to the inner areas. The waist design enables a player to tuck the chest protectors in without bulking up. The thighs have an anatomical fit for great torso movement.

The groin area has a large flexible pad, and the hips region has additional cushion padding for extra protection since these are sensitive areas. All the components are secured with the help of internal and external nylon straps. It also ensures the safety of spine and tailbone areas.

The interiors of the pants stay dry due to moisture-wicking liner material. The side groin pads also contribute to the overall protection. These pants are available in different sizes for you to choose from.

#6. Warrior Ritual X2 Hockey Goalie Pants

The Warrior Ritual X2 goalie Pants are a perfect combination of innovation and technology. Warrior’s AxyCut Technology and FlexPlate system provide the best protection while keeping the product light-weight. The thigh protectors have top-notch quality foam. It is pretty dense but does not restrict bodily movements.

The internal belts have a dual-clip system to secure the pants closer to your body while experiencing the best fit. The belts are adjustable to provide even tension. The suspender buttons are removable and help in the fittings.

The liners contain the best quality foam to protect from impacts. The material is flexible and does not add bulk when you perform difficult body movements. It is also moisture and sweat resistant to keep your body cool, thus preventing any odor accumulation.

The Ritual X2 goalie Pants by Warrior promise the best durability and comfort. Warrior as a brand is very trustworthy. The exteriors do not damage quickly, even after multiple puck impacts. You can choose the apt pants from a wide range of sizes that are available.

#7. Bauer Pro Hockey Goalie Pants

The last pants on our list are Bauer’s Pro goalie Pants. The competitive goal-keepers who are looking for a fantastic fit, superior comfort, best quality, and extended durability can opt for these pants. The pants do not restrict your mobility. You can perform a series of movements without any discomfort.

The anatomical hip area comprises of Poron XRD Foam. The thighs are safe due to Curv Composite foam material, whereas the ShockLite Foam has a presence throughout the product. The full coverage on the legs is due to the three-piece thigh guards. They are comfortable and flexible.

The Dynamic 2-Flex design ensures that the hip and thigh protection can overlap without any friction. The knee guards also attach to the pants through the internal loops. The Thermo Max Liner keeps the moisture away and doesn’t let odor to accumulate. It keeps your body dry and prevents any sort of rashes.

The exterior material consists of synthetic leather and polyester. It avoids abrasions and provides longevity to the pants. You can shop your size accordingly as they are available in different sizes.

Conclusion: Which one Should you buy?

Searching for the right pair of goalie pants may not be a thrilling experience, but if you are a goalie, it is critical to safeguard yourself during the game. The puck flies at a fast speed and can cause severe damages if it hits any exposed body part. The goal-keeper is at maximum risk of getting hit with intense impacts since all the shoots aim his direction.

Determine the right fit for yourself. Our guide above will help you in finding the right way of obtaining the perfect fit. Our reviews of the seven best hockey goalie Pants will narrow your search further. The analysis of each of these will let you know of the factors to look for before clicking on the “Buy Now” button.