Hockey Glove Guide - What Size Hockey Glove Do You Need?
Hockey gloves are becoming more and more popular. Whether you're defending short corners, tackling in midfield, or just want a bit more protection for your hands, a hockey glove can make a big difference. At The Hockey Shed we often get asked:
"Do I really need a hockey glove?"
The short answer is, not always. But for many players , they're a great bit of kit.Ā
Here's a simple guide to help you decide.
š Shop our hockey gloves here
This guide explains how hockey gloves work, what to look for, and how to choose the right size hockey glove for you.
Which Hand Do You Wear a Hockey Glove On?
Most hockey players wear a glove on their left hand. This is the hand that sits at the top of the stick and is most exposed when tackling, receiving the ball or defending short corners. Because of this, most gloves are designed specifically for the left hand. Some players choose to wear a glove on both hands, especially in indoor hockey or colder conditions, but the left hand glove is by far the most common.
Why Do Hockey Players Wear Gloves?
Hockey gloves offer protection without affecting stick control. To help protect against:
- Stick tackles
- Deflections
- Powerful hits and drag flicks
- Impacts when defending short corners
Modern gloves are lightweight and flexible, allowing you to maintain good feel and grip on the stick.
What Should You Look For in a Hockey Glove?
When choosing a hockey glove there are a few key things to consider. Different gloves offer different levels of protection, flexibility and grip depending on how and where you play.
Protection
Some gloves are designed with extra padding across the fingers and knuckles to protect against impact from sticks, balls and tackles. There are particularly popular with defenders or players who run out on short corners.
Other gloves offer lighter protection for general play.
Flexibility & Comfort
A hockey glove should allow you to move your hand naturally and control your stick comfortably. Lightweight materials and flexible padding help ensure you maintain good stick feel.
Grip
Good grip is important when holding your stick. Many gloves include textured palms or silicone grip to stop the stick slipping during tackles, passes and shots.
Fit
A glove that fits well will feel secure without being too tight. If a glove is too loose it can move around while playing, which affects control.
How To Measure for a Hockey Glove
The easiest way to find the correct hockey glove size is to measure from the base of your palm to the tip of your middle finger. Use a ruler or tape measure and compare your measurement to the guide below.
| Hand Length | Glove Size |
|---|---|
| Up to 15 cm | XXS |
| 15 ā 17 cm | XS |
| 17 ā 18.5 cm | S |
| 18.5 ā 20 cm | M |
| 20 ā 22 cm | L |
| 22 cm + | XL |
Sizes may vary slightly between brands, but this guide work well for most gloves including Grays and Y1, which we stock at The Hockey Shed. Junior players typically fall into XXXS-XS, while most adult players wear S-L depending on hand size.
Popular Hockey Gloves
At The Hockey Shed we stock a range of hockey gloves suitable for junior and adult players. Popular options include gloves from Grays and Y1, offering different levels of protection, flexibility and grip depending on how and where you play.