EQUIPMENT

Leg pads should also have a perfect fit, and of course, you should feel comfortable when wearing them, if they’re too small you will find that shots going through the five-hole are harder to stop, as well as your protection will be sacrificed. If they’re too big you will find your mobility will be sacrificed, and for an extra couple of inches of blocking surface, which I don't think is worth it in the end. Work on your technique and stick placement rather than getting pads that are too big. 

 

Size

Now to ensure a proper fit you will want to measure from your toe to your ankle, then from your ankle to the middle of your knee. This will tell you what size you should be wearing, most pad companies offer pads between 28-36 inch pads, then if you want a high rise (an extended piece above the knee) you can add +1+2 or +3 above this. 

You will also want to make sure the inner calf has good protection. Yes, from time to time I see these old school pads, and I wish someone would throw them in the garbage where they belong. Use them for street hockey, not on the ice. 

 

Now as all pad companies have slightly different ways of measuring their pads, you will want to take your measurements yourself and talk to a representative of the company and have them recommend the proper size pad for you. If you are going to buy your pads from the store, I recommend that you bring your skates and pants to ensure a proper fit.

 

How to wear your leg pads

Most goalies these days use a skate lace to tie the toe of their pad into the toe of their skate. There are many different techniques to do this, just make sure your technique allows the toe of your skate to move freely if your toe is locked into your pad, your butterfly will be sacrificed. Also, make sure the pad lace is tied securely in a knot or double knot to ensure that it doesn't come undone when you are on the ice. I see this all too often, and it doesn't look good!!!

 

Now the straps that go around your skate and legs are a comfort thing, some goalies like them tight, some like them loose, and some like them really loose. All I will tell you, is you want to make sure that when you go into your butterfly your knee and your leg should rotate freely in your pads and your knee should land on the knee landing gear, not on the leg pad itself. Should you be landing on the leg pad itself, your pads are probably to tight, try loosening them one or two holes, most likely the skate strap. This should improve your butterfly technique, and also make for a wider butterfly.