Beneath their layers of heavy gear and behind their fortified masks, ice hockey goalies do, in fact, wear pants. Hockey goalie pants do not resemble a traditional pair of trousers, or even pants found in other sports: Their specialized design helps hockey goalies play their role on the ice.
What They Do
Protection is a top priority for goalie pants because a goalie's job is to stand in the line of fire as a barrier between the players and the goal. The pants protect against hits from the high-velocity puck, scrapes on the ice and jabs and slams from players' hockey sticks. Despite all that protection, the goalie still needs to move quickly and efficiently across the ice. Goalie pants have to stay in place during rough play while providing the protection and mobility the goalie needs. Goalies supplement their pants protection with other protective gear.
What They Look Like
Ice hockey goalie pants are short and thick, and they resemble a pair of shorts more than a pair of pants. The pants are generally knee-length or shorter to allow full freedom of movement at the knee. They are cut wide and roomy for optimum mobility on the ice. Goalie pants provide protection from the waist down, with additional lower-leg protection provided by goalie pads, which are sold separately. While the upper thigh areas are boxy, the pants taper inward at the waist. Goalie pants usually include a drawstring or belt at the waist for additional security.
Materials
Durable, thick nylon is the material of choice for goalie pants. Nylon resists abrasion and holds up to falls, skids and frequent contact with the ice. Although nylon appears on the outside of the pants, the inside is usually lined with mesh to provide air circulation to decrease and quickly dry sweat.
Padding
The pants for hockey goalies have special padding in the thighs, abdomen and groin. Thigh pads are usually bulky, rectangular pads that sit atop the thigh, whereas the abdomen and groin receive protection from teardrop-shaped pads that sit right below the belt. Certain pants come with Velcro padding for easy removal and adjustment. Other pants allow players to option to wear the abdominal pads inside or outside the pants. One more layer of protection comes from a protective cup worn beneath the pants, sold separately.
Buying
Ice hockey goalie pants are available at specialized sports retailers that stock hockey equipment. Goalie pant prices range from $40 to more than $275 at the time of publication. Price depends on the features and size.
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