The elbow pads are an important part of playing ice hockey for protection.
But in a sea of products, which one is the best hockey elbow pad for you or your kid?
Below are all my tips and selections:
- The 5 criteria to choose your elbow pad, easily explained
- The answers to your frequently asked questions
- Reviews of my selections for the best ice hockey elbow pads in 2021 (youth, junior and senior)
- Tips to take care of your pads
- ...
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Best Hockey Elbow Pads in 2021 - short answer
Choosing your elbow pad
This complete article gives your all the information your need about choosing the right elbow pad for you.
But if you don't want to read everything, below is an overview of my suggestions for youth, junior and senior players.
Detailed reviews can be found further down.
All pads are a balance of protection, fit and comfort.
3 best youth hockey elbow pads
4 best junior hockey elbow pads
5 best senior hockey elbow pads
About elbow pads
Why do you need elbow pads?
Elbow pads are one of the most important pieces of hockey gear. This is because they are responsible for keeping the arms of the players safe. They protect against:
- Falls on the arms or elbows
- Slashes
- Hits
Buying wrong elbow pads can also interfere with free shotmaking due to lack of mobility, slipping of elbow pads, or ends of the elbow pads getting stuck in gloves.
Therefore, you must understand the composition of elbow pads and go through the buying advice below to determine which factors to give importance to when choosing elbow pads.
Elements of an elbow pad
An elbow pad consists of the following components:
Elements of your Hockey Elbow Pads
- Forearm protection/guard: This is the long portion of the elbow that covers your forearm.
- Slash protection: This is the outer part of the elbow pad meant to protect you against slashes.
- Elbow cap: This is the cap or a round structure that covers the elbow.
- Bicep protection/guard: This is the part that extends towards the biceps to meet the bicep protectors of your shoulder pads.
- Inside arm: This is the internal side of the elbow pad that makes contact with your arm made using light padding material.
5 Criteria for choosing the best hockey elbow pads for you
#1 - Protection level
The level of protection delivered by elbow pads depends on the protective material built into them. The primary materials used in elbow pads are:
Plastic: Plastic is used in the elbow caps or plastic inserts in the forearm and bicep areas.
For optimal protection, you should not settle for elbow pads with:
- No plastic shells
- Thin plastic shells prone to cracks
It is best to opt for elbow pads with thicker plastic or mid-density PE foam.
Foam: Foam is heavily used in all hockey gear as the primary source of shock-absorbing material. For optimal protection, you should not settle for:
- Single-density foam padding
- Elbow pads that only rely on foam for protection with no use of plastic or plastic inserts.
It is best to buy elbow pads that come with mid-density, multi-layered foams. An even better option would be to buy elbow pads that use smart materials like D3O for protection.
In addition to this, the level of protection also depends on the size, fit, and coverage of the elbow pads. (More on this below)
#2 - Size and Fit
Size:
Elbow pads sizing guides reflect that elbow pads come in size bands and not absolute sizes. These size bands are often overlapping and can cause confusion.
To determine the right size of elbow pads for you, follow the steps given below:
- Extend your arm
- Take a measuring tape
- Measure the distance between your mid-forearm and mid-bicep
- Note this measurement down
- Note down your height
- Check the applicable brand-specific size chart
- Finally, opt for a size that matches both your arm measurement and size.
Fit:
Once you figure out what size elbow pad you should opt for, you should also ensure it fits properly.
Thus, a properly fitting elbow pad:
- Has the elbow cap completely covering the elbow
- There is no gap between the bicep protector on the elbow pad and the bicep protector on the shoulder pads.
- There is barely any gap between the forearm protector and the glove.
- The forearm is fully covered when the elbow pad is properly strapped.
- The forearm protector does not interfere with the glove and restricts mobility.
A smaller elbow pad:
- leaves uncovered spaces on the forearm
- leaves gaps between the forearm and the gloves as well as between the bicep protectors and the shoulder pads.
- restricts mobility
A bigger elbow pad:
- brushes with or overlaps gloves and shoulder pads
- Moves and slides with the movement of arms
#3 - Weight
The weight of elbow pads depends entirely on the type of material used and the quantity of padding. However, more weight does not always equal better protection.
This is because higher-end elbow pads employ smart foams or material specifically designed to offer higher levels of protection while providing a lightweight feel.
What matters is the feel of the elbow pads when worn.
- Do they feel too heavy for your arms?
- Do they weigh down free movement?
- Do they feel too flimsy?
If the answer to any of the above questions is yes, you should avoid buying those elbow pads.
#4 - Comfort
Elbow pad comfort depends on how cool and dry your arms feel when you wear them.
To supply a cool, dry feel, elbow pads use foam liners on the inside arm. These liners are made using thin absorbent foam or advanced moisture-wicking foams like Bauer’s Thermomax or CCM’s DryFoam liner that keep your arms free from the stickiness of moisture and sweat.
If you have the budget, it is best to opt for elbow pads that come with advanced moisture-wicking foams.
#5 - Price
The pricing of elbow pads varies based on size and brand. However, here are some broad rules about pricing and the corresponding quality of elbow pads:
Budget elbow pads:
- Come for a price under $60
- Use basic material like a thin plastic shell or single-density foam
- Work only for recreational players or absolute beginners
Mid-range elbow pads:
- Come for a price between $60 to $100
- Use a mix of basic and advanced material
- Offer great value for money with sufficient protection, comfort, and mobility
- Suit almost all levels of play
Expensive elbow pads:
- Come for a price above $100
- Use smart materials and sophisticated technology
- Offer superior protection, comfort, and mobility
- Provide a highly customized fit
- Suit only elite-level of play
Brand
The most popular brands making elbow pads are Bauer, CCM, and Warrior. These brands have variants specifically designed to meet different levels of play. Their quality and construction are excellent and are an ideal choice for players that practice and play matches regularly.
Brands like Sher-wood and Pure Hockey make elbow pads that are most suited only for absolute beginners and recreational players.
When deciding which elbow pads to buy, it is best to try out comparable elbow pads from all the leading brands and test them for their comfort and fit.
Best youth hockey elbow pads - reviews
In this section, you will find reviews of youth hockey elbow pads. Some are suitable for beginners, while some are meant for advanced players. Check out this section to determine which elbow pads work best for you and how they will perform when used on the ice.
Pure Hockey PH1
Pros:
- Excellent choice for absolute beginners
- Simple one-piece construction for more structure
- Good protection
- Budget-friendly
Cons:
- One-piece construction may not provide a proper fit for everyone.
Ideal for: Absolute beginners looking for budget-friendly hockey elbow pads
The Pure Hockey PH1 Hockey Elbow Pads are designed to provide hassle-free elbow protection to kids starting out with ice hockey.
Thus, these elbow pads come in a one-piece construction, i.e., the bicep protector and the forearm protector are all joined to the elbow pad as a single unit. This means that you simply need to slide your arm through it and adjust the straps on the forearm to customize the fit.
The simplicity of these elbow pads can prove to be a huge relief for young kids who do not feel confident enough to handle sophisticated elbow pads with customizable fits.
In terms of protection, the multi-density foam is pretty shock absorbent and works well for the beginner level of play. The one-piece hard cap neutralizes impacts and protects against falls on the elbow, which are fairly common at the beginner stage.
Thus, these elbow pads are a great option for those looking for a basic but functional design of elbow pads that doesn’t cost a fortune.
CCM Tacks AS1
Pros:
- Excellent arm coverage
- Impressive shock absorption
- Fits all hand-sizes
- Supports advanced levels of play
Cons:
- Young kids may need guidance to get the strapping right.
Ideal for: Advanced level players looking for protective elbow pads
The CCM Tacks AS1 have been built to offer maximum protection to young kids playing at an advanced level.
The elbow pads use a two-piece construction. The bicep protection employs CCM’s high-end D3O smart material, which provides unmatched shock absorption. The elbow protection is fortified using a JDP cap which prevents the blow from entering the body.
The use of these high-end materials also keeps the weight of these elbow pads much lesser than other lower-end models. This ensures good mobility.
Young kids find these elbow pads super comfortable because of their clean two-part construction. The strapping system renders a snug fit. The elbow pads wrap around the arm completely for optimum coverage.
Overall, these elbow pads are a terrific option for young kids playing at advanced levels.
Bauer Prodigy Shoulder and Elbow Pad
Pros:
- A combination structure saves a lot of time
- Great fit of elbow pads
- Affordable
- Excellent protection
- Suitable for all levels of play
Cons:
- The integrated design may not work for everyone
Ideal for: Those looking for a hassle-free hockey gear solution for young kids.
The Bauer Prodigy Hockey Shoulder & Elbow Pad Combination Top is essentially like a short to be worn over the head. It gives the dual protection of regular shoulder pads and elbow pads.
The main advantages of opting for this combination top are that it prevents gear loss and saves an incredible amount of time, otherwise put in, in getting young kids geared up for hockey. It also prevents elbow pads from slipping.
In terms of protection, Bauer has used a mid-density foam on the elbows, a molded double density foam for the torso, and double density foam caps for the shoulder. The use of high-quality foam provides excellent protection throughout. Moreover, the breathable fabric of the shoulder pads keeps the players comfortable.
For the elbow pads, this top employs an adjustable elbow system to refine the fit as per the hand size.
Thus, if this top fits your kid well, i.e., aligns perfectly with his shoulder caps, torso, spine, and elbows, you will never feel like buying elbow pads and shoulder pads separately.
Best junior hockey elbow pads - reviews
In this section, you will find reviews of junior hockey elbow pads. Some are suitable for beginners, while some are meant for advanced players. Check this section out to determine which elbow pad works best for you and how they will perform when used on the ice.
Bauer Vapor 2X Pro
Pros:
- Top-quality protection
- Breathable, lightweight
- Ergonomic cap for improved fit
- Excellent mobility
- Suitable for elite-level players
Cons:
- Higher price range
Ideal for: Elite-level players looking for the best-in-class protection, comfort and mobility
The Bauer Vapor 2X Pro elbow pads look and feel premium and deliver a top-notch experience.
They have been made using Bauer’s high-quality materials such as the Comfort Edge and Sleeve Fit technology. These technologies promote mobility and allow the player to explore his/her full range of motion.
The highlight of these elbow pads is the ergonomic 3-piece cap. You can immediately sense that the elbow sits much deeper in these caps as compared with regular elbow pads. The fit feels natural and immediately enhances the overall experience.
To improve the feel further, Bauer has used a moisture-wicking Thermocore Liner which keeps the arms dry and cool. The forearm strap is wide, and the velcro wraps the entire arm while the bicep extension keeps the top-end snug.
The fit and comfort of these elbow pads are so superior and organic that you will forget you’re wearing elbow pads.
To round up, these are an excellent option for elite players and definitely well-worth the higher price tag.
Bauer Supreme 2S
Pros:
- Excellent choice for all levels of play
- Deliver great value for money
- Complete all-round protection and comfort
- Impressive coverage
- Affordable
Cons:
- Elite players may prefer the elbow cap of advanced models.
Ideal for: Those looking for affordable all-round elbow pads to complement their advancing ice hockey skills.
The Bauer Supreme 2S Hockey Elbow Pads can be a delight for players, irrespective of their level of play. This is because these elbow pads offer all-round protection, comfort, and mobility at a much lower price than top-end elbow pads.
These elbow pads use the hard PE foam throughout their body, i.e., on the elbow caps, biceps, and forearms. This hard padding makes the elbow pad feel much more protective than elbow pads that employ only foam. The impact of falls and slashes gets instantly nullified thanks to the properties of PE foam.
The fit of the elbow pads also feels natural, thanks to the anatomical forearm construction. The Y-shaped straps closing the elbow pads help keep the elbow pads snug on the arms. The Thermomax liner also excels at keeping the arms dry.
The overall design and construction also aid free movement. The AMP integrated into the elbow caps, the floating biceps, and the molded forearms combine into a seamless unit that enhances mobility to a great extent.
Thus, unless you want a sophisticated design that employs a 3-piece elbow cap, you don’t need to upgrade to top-end elbow pads. These elbow pads are capable of supporting elite-level performance as well.
CCM Tacks AS1
Pros:
- Excellent arm coverage
- Impressive shock absorption
- Fits all hand-sizes
- Supports advanced levels of play
Cons:
- Players may need guidance to get the strapping right.
Ideal for: Advanced level players looking for protective elbow pads
The CCM Tacks AS1 have been built to offer maximum protection for player with an advanced level.
The elbow pads have a two-piece construction, with a weight much lesser than other lower-end models. This ensures good mobility.
The bicep protection is protected with CCM’s high-end D3O smart material, which provides unmatched shock absorption.
The elbow protection is fortified using a JDP cap which prevents the blow from entering the body.
Players find these elbow pads super comfortable because of their clean two-part construction. The strapping system allows for a snug fit. The elbow pads wrap around the arm completely for optimum coverage.
Overall, these elbow pads are a terrific option for players at more advanced levels.
CCM Jetspeed FT370
Pros:
- Budget-friendly
- High-quality protection
- Fit highly adjustable
- Durable
- Ideal for beginners
Cons:
- Inadequate coverage for wider forearms
Ideal for: Those looking for budget-friendly elbow pads with good protection
The CCM Jetspeed FT370 are the budget-variants of CCM that cater to beginners and recreational players looking for cheaper elbow pads with moderate protection.
These elbow pads employ a two-piece structure that is highly adjustable thanks to the provision of three straps. The fit can be adjusted depending on your hand size and the shoulder pad and gloves’ length.
Once they fit you properly, you will notice that they provide great protection for this price range. They feel natural, and the hard PE foam does not feel bulky on the hand at all.
For the elbow caps, CCM uses the same JDP technology used in its top-end variant. This technology excels at preventing impacts from entering the body and delivers excellent protection against direct falls on the elbows.
The use of a two-piece structure with floating biceps with a break at the elbow ensures great mobility to support beginners working on their shotmaking techniques.
The only area where a slight improvement would have been welcome is their forearm coverage. The design of these elbow pads can leave wider or longer forearms slightly open.
Best senior hockey elbow pads - reviews
In this section, you will find reviews of senior hockey elbow pads. Some are suitable for beginners, while some are meant for advanced players. Check out this section to determine which elbow pads work best for you and how they will perform when used on the ice.
Bauer Vapor 2X Pro
Pros:
- Top-quality protection
- Breathable, lightweight
- Ergonomic cap for improved fit
- Excellent mobility
- Suitable for elite-level players
Cons:
- Higher price range
Ideal for: Elite-level players looking for the best-in-class protection, comfort, and mobility
The Bauer Vapor 2X Pro elbow pads look and feel premium and deliver a top-notch experience. This is an excellent option for elite players and definitely well-worth the higher price tag.
They have been made using Bauer’s high-quality materials such as the Comfort Edge and Sleeve Fit technology. These technologies allow for greater mobility and full range of motion.
The highlight of these elbow pads is the ergonomic 3-piece cap. You can immediately sense that the elbow sits much deeper in these caps compared to regular pads. The fit feels natural for a higher comfort and mobility.
To improve the feel further, Bauer has used a moisture-wicking Thermocore Liner which keeps the arms dry and cool. The forearm strap is wide, and the velcro wraps the entire arm while the bicep extension keeps the top-end snug.
The fit and comfort of these elbow pads are so superior and organic that you will forget you’re wearing elbow pads.
Bauer Supreme 2S
Pros:
- Excellent choice for all levels of play
- Deliver great value for money
- Complete all-round protection and comfort
- Impressive coverage
- Affordable
Cons:
- Elite players may prefer the elbow cap of advanced models.
Ideal for: Those looking for affordable all-round elbow pads to complement their advancing ice hockey skills.
The Bauer Supreme 2S Hockey Elbow Pads is enjoyed by many players, irrespective of their level of play. They offer all-round protection, comfort, and mobility at a much lower price than top-end elbow pads.
They use the hard PE foam throughout their body. This hard padding makes the elbow pad feel much more protective than elbow pads that employ only foam. The impact of falls and slashes gets instantly nullified thanks to the properties of PE foam.
With their anatomical forearm constructio, the fit feels natural. The Y-shaped straps closing the elbow pads help keep the elbow pads snug on the arms. The Thermomax liner also excels at keeping the arms dry.
The overall design and construction aid free movement. The AMP integrated into the elbow caps, the floating biceps, and the molded forearms combine into a seamless unit that enhances mobility to a great extent.
Thus, unless you want a sophisticated design that employs a 3-piece elbow cap, you may not need to upgrade to top-end elbow pads. These elbow pads are capable of supporting elite-level performance as well.
CCM Tacks AS1
Pros:
- Excellent arm coverage
- Impressive shock absorption
- Fits all hand-sizes
- Supports advanced levels of play
Cons:
- Players may need guidance to get the strapping right.
Ideal for: Advanced level players looking for protective elbow pads
The CCM Tacks AS1 have been built to offer maximum protection for player with an advanced level.
With their two-piece construction, the weight much lesser than other lower-end models. This ensures good mobility.
The bicep protection is protected with CCM’s high-end D3O smart material, which provides unmatched shock absorption.
The elbow protection is fortified using a JDP cap which prevents the blow from entering the body.
The strapping system allows for a snug fit. The elbow pads wrap around the arm completely for optimum coverage. And with their clean two-part construction, players find these elbow pads super comfortable.
Overall, these elbow pads are a terrific option for players at more advanced levels.
These elbow pads being super protective, do feel a bit thicker than other elbow pads. However, the extra protection feels well worth the bulky feeling.
Make sure you buy a jersey with wider sleeve openings for it to be able to accommodate these thick elbow pads.
CCM Jetspeed FT370
Pros:
- Budget-friendly
- High-quality protection
- Fit highly adjustable
- Durable
- Ideal for beginners
Cons:
- Inadequate coverage for wider forearms
Ideal for: Those looking for budget-friendly elbow pads with good protection
The CCM Jetspeed FT370 are the budget-variants of CCM that cater to beginners and recreational players looking for cheaper elbow pads with moderate protection.
With the three straps, the fit can be adjusted depending on your hand size and the shoulder pad and gloves’ length. They are highly adjustable for better comfort.
Once they fit you properly, you will notice that they provide great protection for this price range. They feel natural, and the hard PE foam does not feel bulky on the hand at all.
They use the same JDP technology used in its top-end variant, which excels at preventing impacts from entering the body and delivers excellent protection against direct falls on the elbows.
The use of a two-piece structure with floating biceps with a break at the elbow ensures great mobility to support beginners working on their shotmaking techniques.
The only area where a slight improvement would have been welcome is their forearm coverage. The design of these elbow pads can leave wider or longer forearms slightly open.
Bauer Supreme S29
Pros:
- Excellent variant for beginners
- Budget-friendly
- Great coverage and protection
- Excellent fit
- Durable
Cons:
- Not as mobile as mid-range variants
Ideal for: Absolute beginners who want complete protection for a budget-friendly price
The Bauer Supreme S29 are budget-friendly elbow pads designed by Bauer specifically for absolute beginners. Beginners are far more susceptible to falls due to flailing arms and need elbow pads that focus on complete protection.
It comes with a molded cap for the elbows and PE technology protection for the biceps and forearms. To enhance the protection, it uses an independent construction on the biceps. This restricts unnecessary arm movement and protects against injuries.
The forearm, however, is anatomically molded (just like the 2S model) for an excellent snug feel. The Y-shaped straps lock the arm beautifully and prevent unwanted movement or slipping of the elbow pad.
The secure feel backed with a comfortable Thermo Max liner allows beginners to fully focus on improving their skills instead of worrying about injuries or slipping elbow pads.
Care tips for hockey elbow pads
Elbow pads, like shoulder pads, if not looked after properly, can start showing signs of wear and tear within a few uses. To prevent damage to elbow pads and to elongate their lifespan, you must:
- Dry the elbow pads completely after every single use. Open all the straps completely, and then put the elbow pads on a gear drying rack or hanger.
- Spray the elbow pads lightly with a sports deodorizer to prevent microbial growth and bad odors.
- Soak elbow pads in a tub with a scoop of gear-friendly detergent or Oxiclean and then rinse them off thoroughly and leave them out to dry.
- Check the strapping regularly and get any early signs of wear and tear fixed or repaired.
- Inspect the elbow caps and the shell for cracks; replace cracked or broken elbow pads immediately with brand new elbow pads.
Ice Hockey Elbow Pads - Frequently Asked Questions
What elbow pads do NHL players wear?
NHL players wear pro-level elbow pads made by leading brands like CCM, Bauer, Warrior, etc.
Which elbow pad goes on which hand?
To determine which elbow pad goes on which hand, remember that the protective sides should stay on the outer side of the arm that’s visible to others when you cross your hands. This way, the strapping usually stays on the inner side of the arm.
How tight should elbow pads be?
Elbow pads should not feel too tight but should feel snug, i.e., they should not move when you move your arm but should not be so tight as to cut into your arm or restrict your movement.
Complete your hockey equipment set!
Other protective gear to get for hockey players:
- Best hockey helmets - read article
- Best hockey gloves for players - read article
- Best hockey mouthguard - read article
- Best hockey shin guards - read article
- Best hockey shoulder pads - read article
And if you want to work out off ice:
- 10 essential elements to cover in your off-ice workouts - read article
- 10 best off-ice hockey training equipment - read article
- Best hockey shooting pads and tiles - read article
- Best slide boards for hockey training - read article
- Best synthetic ice for hockey players - read article
- Best net targets and shooting tarps - read article
- Best hockey passers and rebounders - read article
- Best balance boards for hockey players - read article
- Best stick handling tools - read article
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About the author
Hello! I am Ryan.
I am Claire‘s alter ego to share our articles about ice hockey.
I have spent my whole childhood at the rink.
I too think that ice skating is the best feeling in the World, but I prefer doing it on hockey skates while playing with a puck.
I hope you, or someone close to you, can experience that same joy.
Have fun!
