New to hockey? An old pro? Not sure if you’re supposed to get your daughter gloves for her field hockey practice? Proper equipment is a must when it comes to playing sports. Hockey gloves protect the hands from a number of different obstacles during practice or a game. Skaters wear them to shield their knuckles while holding and using their sticks. Goalies wear a catch glove, which is designed differently than a skater glove. Most hockey gloves come in different sizes, styles, and colors.
We looked at numerous hockey gloves online through Amazon to find the best. We checked out gloves made for street, field, and ice hockey, and those made for men, women, and youth.
We chose Grays International Pro Field Hockey Gloves for the Left Hand as our overall pick for hockey gloves. The Lycra material coupled with the foam construction creates a flexible, comfortable fit.
In This Article
The 5 Top-Rated Hockey Gloves
Editor's Picks | Brand | Rating |
---|---|---|
The Best Hockey Gloves Overall | Grays International Pro Field Hockey Gloves - Left Hand | 4.4 |
The Best Junior Hockey Gloves | Franklin Sports NHL Junior Street Hockey Gloves | 4.6 |
The Best Budget Hockey Gloves | Harrow Field Hockey Glove | 4.6 |
The Best Street Hockey Gloves | Franklin Sports NHL Hockey Gloves | 4.6 |
The Best Hockey Gloves for Females | Hummingbird Sports Girls Genuine Leather Lacrosse and Field Hockey Gloves | 4.4 |
*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change
Best Hockey Gloves Overall: Grays International Pro Field Hockey Gloves – Left Hand
A solid choice for field hockey gloves, Grays International Pro Field Hockey Gloves for the Left Hand is available in extra small, small, and medium. Choose from colors such as black and neon yellow, or black and pink. Made more for field hockey (and not suitable for ice hockey), the glove features full fingers to protect your hands all the way to your fingertips.
Designed with stretchable Lycra cloth, the Grays hockey glove is form-fitting, comfortable, and breathable. The ergonomic design of the foam padding inside the glove creates full cushion coverage, which allows for maximum movement of your hand. The elasticized cloth wrist stays snug while remaining soft, and helps keep your hands in fluid motion as well. The all-weather grip palm keeps the hand cool and comfortable while you play.
Grays International Pro Field Hockey Gloves – Left Hand Key Features:
- Right hand is also available separately
- Made with flexible Lycra
- All-weather grip
- Ergonomical design for optimum performance
- Multiple colors and sizes available
Best Junior Hockey Gloves: Franklin Sports NHL Junior Street Hockey Gloves
The best junior hockey gloves on Amazon is Franklin Sports NHL Junior Street Hockey Gloves. Made for street hockey and not ice hockey, these gloves come as a pair in a size small, for those measuring 10 inches from fingers to elbow. They feature an anatomical tapered fit so they’re a bit more snug, and a short cuff so they don’t ride far up the forearm. These gloves are designed to allow more flexibility and movement.
The Franklin Sports junior gloves have high-density foam padding to protect the hands, which is covered with a durable polyester material. The palm of the glove is a soft synthetic leather, and the fingers feature ventilation for breathability. The thumb is flexible at the knuckle.
Franklin Sports NHL Junior Street Hockey Gloves Key Features:
- Size small 10 inches
- Short wrist cuff
- Designed for street hockey
- Anatomical taper fit
- Synthetic leather grip
Best Budget Hockey Gloves: Harrow Field Hockey Glove
Our budget pick for hockey gloves is the Harrow Field Hockey Glove, which is made for field hockey. Featuring an open-finger design for the left hand, Harrow offers an affordable option for protecting your stick hand. Available in small and large, the glove comes in gray and black.
The Harrow Field Hockey Glove features high-density foam padding, which follows an ergonomic design so your fingers bend more easily. The thumb hole is also reinforced to provide a better fit, and reduce wear and tear. Keep your hand drier and decrease the chance of your hand slipping with the ventilated palm grip.
Harrow Field Hockey Glove Key Features:
- Multiple sizes available
- Palm is ventilated
- Thumbhole is reinforced
- Open-finger design
- Ergonomic foam padding
Best Street Hockey Gloves: Franklin Sports NHL Hockey Gloves
For the best street hockey gloves, consider Franklin Sports NHL Hockey Gloves. Available in an 11-inch size, this pair of gloves is designed with an anatomical fit. The comfort and flexibility of the materials lend to your optimum performance. The polyester outer layer covers a high-density foam padding that surrounds the entire hand. The underside of the fingers is ventilated for breathability.
The Franklin Sports street hockey gloves are durable but lightweight and are licensed by the NHL. Hold the stick with confidence with the synthetic leather palm grip. You’ll have wide mobility with the short cuff and contoured cuff roll.
Franklin Sports NHL Hockey Gloves Key Features:
- High-density foam padding
- Anatomical fit
- Short cuff
- Synthetic leather palm
- Contoured cuff roll
Best Female Hockey Gloves: Hummingbird Sports Girls Genuine Leather Lacrosse and Field Hockey Gloves
The best female hockey gloves title goes to Hummingbird Sports Girls Genuine Leather Lacrosse and Field Hockey Gloves because the measurement is based on the width of your hand, not the distance between your fingers and elbow. It also doesn’t hurt that the company exclusively makes sports equipment for the female athlete.
Available in extra small, small, medium, and large, these gloves use the circumference of your hand below the knuckles to determine the correct size. Featuring a full-finger design, sizes range from about 6 inches to 9 inches. Handcrafted from Cabretta leather, the Hummingbird Sports gloves are form-fitted and feature Lycra mesh material for enhanced flexibility and breathability.
Unlike hockey gloves made for men, these female hockey gloves are extra lightweight and have less padding. This allows the gloves to be more flexible so you can hold the stick easier. The leather palm grip helps keep hands comfortable and dry while providing friction for your grip.
Hummingbird Sports Girls Genuine Leather Lacrosse and Field Hockey Gloves Key Features:
- Available in multiple sizes
- Made with Lycra mesh
- Leather grip with lightweight material
- Full-finger design
Who Should Buy Hockey Gloves
Everyone knows hockey can be a tough sport. Protect your hands from stick hits, flying pucks, and falls to the ice or concrete with hockey gloves. Hockey gloves are designed to pad your hands to help prevent injury from the game. They come in a wide variety of sizes, so whether you’re a beginner or a pro, or you’re shopping for your son or daughter, there’s a size and style out there that’s suitable.
For other hockey equipment, you may also want to check out our article on The Best Hockey Helmets.
Important Features to Consider
Hockey gloves should have several important features. Here’s what to consider when selecting hockey gloves:
- The size of the gloves and proper measurement. For hockey gloves to do what they’re designed to do – protect your hands – and not hinder your game, they have to fit properly. The first thing you should do when considering hockey gloves is to measure the person who will be wearing them. To size your hands for hockey gloves, measure from your fingertips to your elbow. This measurement, for example, 13.5 inches, is what you use to size gloves. In this example, go up to a 14-inch glove. How snug or loose the glove fits is mostly personal preference. Just keep in mind the ability to hold and use the stick with them on.
- The various styles of hockey. Hockey gloves are made according to the style of hockey. Some gloves can be used across styles, while others are made specifically for either ice hockey or field hockey. Choose from half- or full-finger gloves. Consider which style of hockey the gloves will be used for and make your selection accordingly.
- Materials and padding. What are the gloves made of? Sure, all hockey gloves are built to protect your hands, but the materials matter. Gloves feature single-density or high-density foam. Higher quality gloves may also have plastic inserts and extra padding on the sides of the gloves. The material that covers the padding is typically cloth, but higher quality gloves sport durable nylon shells. The palm, important for your grip on the stick, is made with cloth, synthetics, or leather.
- Other features. Other features on hockey gloves include the wrist and thumb, both of which need to remain flexible enough for you to still use your hands. Some gloves come with an adjustable wrist strap, so you get to decide how tight you want the gloves.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do hockey players wear gloves?
Yes, hockey players wear gloves to protect their hands from serious injury due to contact with flying sticks or pucks. Ice hockey players wear gloves to also protect their hands from potential ice burns. Goalies wear two different types of a glove on each hand – each of which serves a different purpose. One is a catch glove, which is larger than a standard glove and is designed to catch pucks or balls. The other is an arm guard blocker, designed to deflect shots.
Do hockey gloves make a difference?
Hockey gloves are an important part of the game. They’re protective gear for your hands. Gloves will keep your hands safer, but they may also affect your game. Appropriate and well-fitted gloves can make a positive difference to your performance. However, ill-fitted gloves could hinder your game.
What gloves do NHL players wear?
NHL players wear a variety of hockey glove brands. Among them include CCM, Warrior, and Bauer.
What size hockey gloves do I need?
Check with the manufacturer of the hockey gloves you are purchasing. Many companies offer a sizing chart with their product so you can choose the right fit. As a general rule, measure from your fingertips to your elbow pad. Use this measurement to help determine your corresponding glove size.
Other Hockey Gloves We Reviewed
We looked at 20 other hockey gloves. Even though they didn’t make our 5 best hockey gloves list, they’re still great options for you. The information you need to compare each one is included with the listing.
- Youth Hockey Gloves
- Street Hockey Gloves
- Field Hockey Gloves
- Hockey Goalie Gloves
- Other Hockey Gloves
Youth Hockey Gloves
Franklin offers gloves that are fully covered in high-density foam padding, and feature a knit outer.
Key Features:
- Short, contoured cuff
- Synthetic leather palm
- Junior size, medium, 11 inches
Cost: $27
Mylec Youth and Men Hockey Player Gloves
This extra small pair of gloves have Velcro wrist rolls for a more secure fit.
Key Features:
- Rugged leather palm
- Made with Lycra material
- Made for street hockey
Cost: $32
PowerTek V5.0 Tek Youth Ice Hockey Gloves
Ice hockey gloves that feature synthetic nylon material, plastic inserts, and a tapered fit.
Key Features:
- Flexible, full-motion cuff
- Available in multiple colors and sizes
- Soft inner lining
Street Hockey Gloves
Franklin Sports Senior Hockey Gloves
These 13-inch street hockey gloves made by Franklin Sports feature an anatomical design with molded foam protecting the back of the hand.
Key Features:
- High-density foam padding
- Short, contoured cuff
- Synthetic leather palm
Cost: $28
This pair of hockey gloves is available in small or medium and features an adjustable wrist roll.
Key Features:
- Lightweight, secure fit
- Made for street hockey
- Rugged palm grip
Cost: $35
Mylec Elite Street/Dek Hockey Gloves
Available in medium, the Mylec hockey gloves have a rugged palm to enhance your grip.
Key Features:
- Foam padding
- Adjustable wrist-roll
- Lightweight design
Cost: $38
Mylec’s men’s hockey gloves are lightweight and durable.
Key Features:
- Available in multiple sizes
- Made for street or ball hockey
- Rugged palm grip
Field Hockey Gloves
Byte International Field Hockey Glove
Byte offers a blue padded field hockey glove.
Key Features:
- Full-finger design
- Soft, flexible palm
- Padded foam backing
Cost: $16
Grays Anatomic Pro Field Hockey Gloves – Left Hand
The Grays Anatomic left-hand hockey glove is made with Lycra, has an all-weather grip, and is insulated with high-density foam padding.
Key Features:
- Comes in different colors and multiple sizes
- Open-finger design
- Molded knuckle padding
Cost: $23
GRAYS Anatomic Pro Right Glove
The Grays Anatomic right-hand hockey glove has a Lycra covering with an all-weather grip. The glove features a high-density foam padding.
Key Features:
- Half-finger design
- Available in multiple colors and sizes
- 1-year warranty
Cost: $21
GRAYS International Pro Field Hockey Gloves – Right Hand
Constructed with Lycra cloth for a snug fit, these hockey gloves are also padded with foam to protect your hands from blows and hits.
Key Features:
- Different sizes and two colors available
- Ergonomic, full-finger design
- All-weather grip
Cost: $42
The Harrow Double Down Gloves feature high-density foam padding on the back of the glove to protect the knuckles.
Key Features:
- Available in a few sizes
- Ventilated palm
- Full-finger design
Cost: $44
STX Stallion Field Hockey Glove
For the left hand, the STX field hockey glove features an adjustable Velcro wrist.
Key Features:
- Available in a few sizes
- Half-finger design
- Anatomic fit
Hockey Goalie Gloves
Franklin Sports NHL SX Pro GC 1300 Goalie Catch Glove
Franklin Sports delivers goalie gloves made from polyester, synthetic leather, plastic, and nylon.
Key Features:
- Lightweight, high-impact foam padding
- Plastic thumb-guard insert
- Reinforced perimeter
Cost: $42
Franklin Sports Tuukka Rask Goalie Undergloves
Receive two left-hand gloves that are made to be worn under your goalie glove. One glove has additional padding, while the other does not.
Key Features:
- Available in multiple sizes
- Made with sheepskin leather
- Tectonic fit inserts
Cost: $36
Franklin Sports Youth Hockey Goalie Glove
Franklin Sports offers a goalie catch glove with full padded coverage on the back of the glove. The goalie glove also features a deep pocket for stopping those pucks.
Key Features:
- 11-inch size
- High-impact, plastic thumb guard
- Wide net t-trap
Other Hockey Gloves
Mylec Inc Mk5 Large 3-Roll Pro Player Hockey Gloves
These Mylec hockey gloves feature a leather palm with foam padding.
Key Features:
- Size 13 inches
- 3-roll, full-finger design
- Lightweight and breathable
Cost: $50
Hockey gloves that have synthetic palms.
Key Features:
- Available in two sizes
- Ventilation in the thumb
- Reinforced tech grip
Cost: $35
STX HG RX30 14 NY/WE Ice Hockey Surgeon RX3 Glove
Both an anatomical and tapered fit, these ice hockey gloves have a cable flex thumb.
Key Features:
- Single-seam palm design
- Size 14 inches
- Guard lock strap
Cost: $100
This pair of Warrior hockey gloves features flexible cuffs so your wrist can bend easily.
Key Features:
- Size 12 inches
- Tapered design
- Ventilated for breathability
Cost: $50