Best Pond Hockey Gear

Pond Hockey, is a casual and outdoor ice hockey experience that's played on frozen ponds, lakes, or outdoor rinks. Often played without goalies and with small nets, it embodies fun over structure and is a great way to bring family and friends together on a crisp winter afternoon. Whether you're gearing up for your first-ever pond hockey game or it's been a long-standing tradition for you and your friends, IW Hockey has put together a list of the Best Pond Hockey Gear. We've broken down pond hockey gear into player gear, apparel, and accessories to help you find one specific item or gear up for the winter season.

Nothing shouts pond hockey heritage better than the Sherwood 5030 "Hall of Fame" Wood Hockey Stick. With over 50 years to its name, the 5030 is known for its excellent puck feel and control and remains one of the most popular wooden sticks among players today. While it's not offered in youth flexes, it does come in a junior, intermediate, and senior flex so a wide range of pond hockey players can hit the ice with an affordable stick.

Protection for your head is key to staying safe as uneven ice surfaces can cause you to lose an edge and fall. The CCM Tacks 70 Hockey Helmet is a great entry point, providing fantastic comfort and great impact management. The senior model is offered in a cage combo or just the helmet itself while the youth and junior models come equipped with a cage combo for top-level face and head protection right out of the box.

Want to step onto the ice with comfort without spending a fortune on new skates? We recommend CCM's Next Ice Hockey Skates which are perfect for the new player or the returning veteran looking to get off the couch and back outside. They provide the perfect combination of support and stiffness for casual outdoor hockey while delivering really good comfort from the extra foam thickness in the ankle. Plus, they are even heat-moldable for elevated comfort and come pre-sharpened with a standard hollow, allowing you to take them straight to the pond.

Boasting a featherlight construction and a protection package ideal for pond hockey, the Sherwood Rekker Legend 4 Hockey Gloves are the perfect choice. They are game-ready with no need to break them in and come with synthetic Nash palm that gives you a great stick connection.

For the player wanting added coverage for their elbows and shins, the Warrior Rise Elbow Pads and Shin Guards are a great combo. Without breaking the bank, they deliver impact protection against falls so you can confidently weave through stick traffic. Their strapping systems provide a secure fit against the body and provide maximum coverage for recreational play without a ton of added bulk.

Whether you're looking for a hoodie to wear underneath your jersey or just rock a stylish one for your pickup pond hockey session, the Warrior Alpha X Aspire Men's Hoodie is the way to go. Built with a high collar, it helps keep wind at bay while the Thermal Polyester construction helps lock in heat to keep you warm. Pair the hoodie with the Warrior Alpha X Aspire Jogger Sweatpants and you'll be the most comfortable out on the lake.

Ladies, stay comfortable and stylish with the CCM 125 Years Hoodie, which offers raglan sleeves for premium mobility and a cotton-polyester blend for all-day comfort. The graphics represent CCM's long-standing reputation and give you an iconic look out on the pond. Perfect for wearing as a base layer, the Under Armour Heatgear Authentics Leggings are extra comfortable are designed to manage moisture. They have a fantastic 4-way stretch and come with anti-odor technology for longer freshness between uses.

For the youthful pond hockey superstars, comfort and style are acquired with the True Hockey Terry Graphic Hoodie and True Hockey Terry Graphic Joggers. The Terry Fleece fabric is a wonderful design in that it provides comfort in both warm and cooler weather, making these a great option for any weather condition. They excel at keeping players mobile so they can enjoy the outdoor experience and skate with speed.

You can't have a pond hockey game without some sort of hockey goal, and the Winnwell 3' X 1' is the perfect addition to keep score. Its smaller design makes it much easier to transport to your destination and turns an empty pond or lake into a fun and exciting hockey game. There's almost no better way to take your hockey gear to the pond than with the Snowshine Sports The Shiner Backpack. Thanks to the 1680D polyester exterior and water-resistant, mildew coating, it's built to handle the elements. Plus, it offers exterior skate pockets and a spacious interior to store your gloves and other protective gear.

You can't have a game without hockey pucks and one just won't do it. One deflected shot and your only puck can disappear into the snow, vanishing until summer. With IW's Official Ice Hockey Puck 6 Pack, you'll have enough to get started and keep the game going. It's built by Inglasco, the official puck supplier to the NHL, known for its quality, durability, and performance. A great addition to games played with hockey goals and no goalie, the Top Shelf Magnetic Shooting Targets provide a great way to keep score or to be used for shooting practice. They easily clip to metal goalposts utilizing their magnetic construction but they can also attach using the Shooting Target Tethers or an extra set of hockey skate laces.

Blade care is super important as being outside causes you to be exposed to things that may damage your hockey skate blades. For protection and convenience, the Blue Sports Trek Walking Ice Skate Blade Guards allow you to walk over any surface. They protect your blades against damage and even feature cut-resistant material and a Velcro fastening system so they don't fall off. One of the best skate blade tools that should be in every player's hockey bag is the A&R Re-Edger Ice Skate Blade Sharpening Tool. Nicks and burrs are unavoidable when it comes to skating outdoors and having this tool by your side will help repair your dull skate blade edges on the fly. It has a multi-function design, featuring ceramic steel prongs and replaceable honing stone. Together they remove nicks and burrs and bring your edges back to life so you can finish the game.

What is pond hockey gear?
Pond hockey gear includes skates, sticks, protective equipment, and accessories designed for playing on an outdoor ice surface like a pond, lake, or outdoor rink.

What type of skate should I use for pond hockey?
You can use any type of skate made for ice but hockey skates will offer the most agility and protection. A good starting point is a recreational ice hockey skate since they offer great comfort and performance for new or casual players while remaining affordable.

What kind of hockey stick should I use for pond hockey?
You can use virtually any hockey stick aside from a plastic construction for playing pond hockey. Many players prefer to use a more affordable stick such as a wood or recreational composite hockey stick since the gameplay is more casual.

Do I need a special type of puck or ball for pond hockey?
Since pond hockey is played on an ice surface, ice hockey pucks are most commonly used. For more family-oriented games, a street hockey puck or ball can be used for safer gameplay.

What protective gear do I need to play pond hockey?
It depends on the level of protection you want to have, but a good starting point would be gloves, shin guards, and helmet. For more competitive play or optimal protection, we recommend gloves, shin guards, elbow pads, and a helmet with a cage.

What gloves should I wear?
Hockey gloves offer the best protection for hands while offering performance benefits for stick handling and shooting. Some may just wear winter gloves but if you wear hockey gloves and need extra warmth, consider wearing hand warmers or thin-knit skating gloves underneath.

Can I use ice hockey equipment for pond hockey games?
Yes, ice hockey equipment provides the best protection for pond hockey. If you're seeking a budget-friendly option, recreational ice hockey equipment offers reliable protection at a lower cost. Youth Protective Kits are also available for younger players who need multiple pieces of gear to get started.

Do I need a special hockey bag for pond hockey?
A regular hockey bag works just fine, especially if you are bringing a full set of protective equipment to the ice. Hockey Gear Backpacks are more convenient for bringing only the essentials you'll need to play pond hockey.

What should I do if there is no goalie or nets?
Pond Hockey Goals are the ultimate addition to a pond hockey session. They are easy to transport and provide a way for each team to score. They come in different sizes so suit your needs and available space.

What should I wear to stay warm?
Dressing in layers is the most convenient way to stay warm while playing pond hockey. As you play your body temperature may rise and this allows you to adjust layers for the most comfortable playing experience. A typical pond hockey outfit is a moisture-wicking base layer, hoodie, and sweatpants. From here you can add or remove layers to adjust for temperature conditions.

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