How Much Does Hockey Equipment Cost?
There is a wide variety of equipment you can purchase when playing the game of hockey. The right equipment is very important, especially the skates, because it needs to be perfectly fit for players to be able to play well and to protect you correctly. The costs, like buying any equipment for any sport, can greatly vary depending on your preferences.
How much does hockey equipment cost?
A brand new set of all the essential hockey equipment needed to play the game properly can cost up to about a $1,000 for either an adult or for a youth/beginner. Refer to our table below to see what each item can cost.
The website MyNextBuck.com offers a breakdown of an adult hockey player’s initial investment in the equipment for the sport. By the time everything is purchased, it could total about $1,000 to buy all of the equipment.
NewtoHockey.com says if you were to purchase everything brand new, then you should be prepared to spend $500 to $1,000, depending on the sales you can find. However, if you were to mix in some new items and some used, then the costs could drop to about $300 to $500.
As for a goalie, you will need different pads, which could double the price due to the pad sizes. A goalie, unlike a player, will need a different mask, chest pads, arm pads, a different stick and goalie-designed cup.
Hockey equipment is usually sold individually and not in sets, and te cost estimates quoted inside the table below will be priced per item. Depending on the brand, your preferences and where you purchase it, the price of each item can greatly vary.
| Equipment | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Bag | $50 to $100 |
| Cup | $10 to $30 |
| Elbow Pads | $40 to $90 |
| Gloves | $50 to $100 |
| Helmet | $50 to $175 |
| Hockey Bag | $30 to $60 |
| Ice Skates | $100 to $500 |
| Jersey | $10 to $100 |
| Mouthpiece | $10 to $20 |
| Pants | $50 to $150 |
| Shinguards | $30 to $100 |
| Should Pads | $30 to $75 |
| Socks | $5 to $15 |
| Stick | $25 to $200 |
| Tape | $3 to $5 per roll |
| Water bottle | $1 to $10 |
Hockey equipment overview
In essence, if you wanted to have every piece of equipment, it would include the helmet, cage, neck guard, shoulder pads, elbow pads, gloves, stick, pants, shin pads, skates, mouthguard, practice jersey, jock, socks and a bag to tote around your equipment.
All of your equipment can be purchased online via specialty retailers, local sporting good stores, such as Dick’s Sporting Goods or even found used on Craigslist or eBay.
What are the extra costs?
Aside from the equipment fees, if you plan on playing in a professional league, plan on spending money for ice time, travel costs and league dues. These will widely vary depending on the ice rink and league you are joining. League fees can range anywhere from $300 to $600. While extreme, one parent said they had paid $48,000 when everything was factored in.
Public open skate time can cost $5 to $15 for a one-time fee.
Professional lessons, if you feel that you need improvement on your game, will probably cost between $30 and $50 per hour.
Pick-up games for a night can cost $10 to $25.
Every few games, plan on having your skates sharpened for $5 to $15.
If you’re buying equipment for your child, remember that you should plan on upgrading this equipment every season until they stop growing.
How can I save money?
There are some communities with local hockey programs that offer equipment grants where they can loan you equipment for a season or even sponsor you by allowing your to use their equipment free of charge..
Buy used equipment when you can, but just make sure the products are not damaged. In general, pants, shin pads and skates don’t need to be purchased brand new, especially if you’re just starting out. Check out local retailers or online via Craigslist or eBay.
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