Elbow pads are an important part of any hockey players protection. When a fall on the ice does happen, it’s very common that you’ll land elbows first. Apart from protecting your elbows from impact, pads also help protect against slahes to your forearms and lower biceps. After going through all the information, we’ve come up with the below list of the best elbow pads for hockey in 2021.
SHORT ON TIME? Here are our picks
CCM ASV PRO
If you're on the search for the best OVERALL elbows pads. Our pick are the CCM ASV Pro. They provide advanced protection and superior comfort.
BAUER 3S
Our pick for the best BUDGET-FRIENDLY pair of elbow pads are the Bauer 3S. Comes with many of the bells and whistles of more expensive elbow pads but at a more reasonable price.
For full reviews, keep reading below…
Table of Contents
- 1) Bauer Supreme 3S Hockey Elbow Pads
- 2) CCM Jetspeed FT485 Elbow Pads
- 3) Bauer Vapor Hyperlite Elbow Pads
- 4) Bauer Vapor 3X Pro Elbow Pads
- 5) Warrior Alpha LX Pro Hockey Elbow Pads
- 6) TRUE AX7 Hockey Elbow Pads
- 7) Bauer Vapor 3X Elbow Pads
- 8) CCM Jetspeed FT4 Pro Elbow Pads
- 9) Bauer Supreme Ultrasonic Elbow Pads
- 10) CCM Tacks AS-V Pro Elbow Pads
- 11) CCM Tacks AS-V Elbow Pads
- Frequently Asked Questions
1) Bauer Supreme 3S Hockey Elbow Pads
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Overview
The popular contoured Bauer Supreme 3S elbow pads are ideal for players seeking Grade A-level performance at an affordable price. They’re constructed with comfortable IX Foam to help absorb impacts before the energy makes it to your elbow joints. The anatomically, low-profile forearms are surrounded with injected-plastic and Vent Armor Foam for protection as well as Active Motion Protection (AMP) technology for maximum mobility.
The split forearm caps feature 360-degree molded plastic while a three-strap system keeps the pads firmly in place. Your elbows are kept cool and dry thanks to the soft antimicrobial Thermo Max liners with moisture-wicking management which also reduces drying time. The also pads boast a hinged-bicep, molded plastics, synthetic leather and polyester exteriors
The three-piece breathable Bauer Supreme 3S elbow pads are available in various sizes with the senior medium model weighing a lightweight 290 grams. These pads can typically be found in the low to mid price range.
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2) CCM Jetspeed FT485 Elbow Pads
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Overview
New to the market this hockey season are the lightweight three-piece Jetspeed FT485 elbow pads by CCM. These are a fine option for competitive players on the hunt for superb mobility and affordable protection as they combine full range of motion with top-notch padding. The pads are made with tough molded plastic from the forearm to elbow while CCM’s JDP (joint Dispersion Protection) Technology disperses impacts into the foam padding.
The biceps and forearms feature a low-profile design while the pads are locked securely in place all game long with a sturdy three-strap system. The pads showcase hinged, floating biceps with foam and plastic-insert padding as well as molded plastic, Polyester and EVA Foam elbow caps and forearms. They also come with comfortable brushed nylon liners to wick away moisture, germs and odours.
The CCM JetSpeed FT485 contoured elbow pads come in assorted sizes with the senior medium pads weighing just 208 grams apiece. They offer extreme value as they can usually be found in the low to mid price bracket.
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3) Bauer Vapor Hyperlite Elbow Pads
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Overview
New to the Bauer line in 2022/23 are the three-piece Vapor Hyperlite Elbow Pads. This lightweight models offers supreme protection, comfort and mobility to highly-competitive players thanks to the new compressed-foam EXO-Lite Skin and synthetic leather construction. They come with protective Hyperlite foam around the forearms and elbows to help properly absorb the energy from on-ice battles, blocked shots and slashes.
The pads feature Dynaflex nylon bicep straps to keep them firmly in place during the heavy going as well as Thermo Core Zero liners to help expel moisture, odours and bacteria while keeping you cool and comfortable. These popular pads also boast molded PE inserts in the biceps, elbow caps and forearms and don’t hinder your passing, shooting and checking range of motion at all.
The low-profile Vapor Hyperlite Elbow Pads by Bauer come in various sizes with the senior-medium model weighing just 261 grams and can typically be found in the higher-price range.
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4) Bauer Vapor 3X Pro Elbow Pads
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Overview
Quick and agile hockey players are quite impressed with the new Bauer Vapor 3X Pro Elbow Pads as they provide top-level protection and comfort at a competitive price. The biceps and forearms are protected with lightweight, closed-cell Hyperlite HD foam while the three-piece construction style allows you to maximize your range of motion and mobility while stickhandling, passing and shooting. The pads come with 360-degree guards for the forearms and are kept securely in place via the three-piece nylon strapping system.
You don’t have to worry about sweat, bacteria and bad odours thanks to the soft antimicrobial Thermo Max+ liners which are designed to pull them away from your skin and keep you cool and refreshed at all times. In addition, the biceps, elbow caps and forearms are also protected with strong molded plastic inserts and foam padding and the polyester/synthetic leather/Hyperlite HD foam exteriors are extremely durable.
The low-profile Bauer Vapor 3X Pro Elbow Pads come in several sizes with the senior-medium model weighing just 236 grams and can generally be found in the mid-price range.
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5) Warrior Alpha LX Pro Hockey Elbow Pads
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Overview
Maximum mobility, comfort and protection is offered to hockey players with the new three-piece Warrior Alpha LX Pro elbow pads. They come with stretch zones on the forearm guards for excellent range of motion while the dual-density foam bicep guards are reinforced with strong plastic. The forearm guards also feature Warrior’s Impax Foam for optimal impact coverage from pucks and sticks.
The durable sleeve liners provide a perfect fit and are designed to last while the WarTech FNC technology boasts excellent sweat, bacteria and odour management. The pads are outfitted with a secure three-strap system with two low-profile forearm and bicep straps as well as a sling strap at the elbows. They’re also constructed with compression-molded EVA foam, molded plastic and foam elbow caps and Polyester exteriors.
The Warrior Alpha LX Pro contoured elbow pads come in assorted sizes with the senior medium pads weighing 291 grams apiece. They offer top-level protection and fit and can usually be found in the higher price range.
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6) TRUE AX7 Hockey Elbow Pads
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Overview
When it comes to top-notch protection and comfort, hockey players can rely on the newly-released, low-profile True AX7 Elbow Pads to do the job for them. The two-piece pads are built with high-density Absor Foam Technology for superior impact-absorption and protection. The biceps and forearms feature tough plastic inserts and dense foam while the elbow caps consist of moulded plastic and foam.
The exterior is constructed with durable synthetic leather and nylon with the interior being equipped with a soft and comfortable polyester liner which is designed to eliminate sweat, moisture and bacteria-causing odours. The pads are snugly kept in place with an effective nylon strapping system at the forearms, biceps and elbows which provides excellent range of motion.
The new contoured True AX7 Elbow Pads can typically be found in the low to mid-price range with the senior, medium model tipping the scales at just 236 grams. They provide a fine balance of mobility, protection and comfort for players of all skill levels.
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7) Bauer Vapor 3X Elbow Pads
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Overview
The three-piece Bauer Vapor 3X Elbow Pads are another fine new product and are geared towards players of all ages who are seeking optimal comfort and protection at a bargain price. The biceps, forearms and elbows are all protected with lightweight foam and molded PE inserts for maximum protection and range of motion. Meanwhile, the sublimated, antimicrobial Thermo Max liners are designed to wick away moisture while helping eliminate bacteria and odours as well as reducing the drying time.
The durable polyester/synthetic pads are kept firmly in place all game long with a nylon strapping system, making sure they don’t slide down your arms during the heaviest of action. They offer all the protection and comfort needed from pucks and sticks and when battling opponents along the boards and in front of the net.
The low-profile Bauer Vapor 3X Elbow Pads come in several sizes with the senior-medium model weighing just 223 grams and can usually be found in the low to mid-price range.
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8) CCM Jetspeed FT4 Pro Elbow Pads
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The new low-profile contoured CCM Jetspeed FT4 Pro elbow pads reduce weight without sacrificing and comfort and protection. The forearm guards come with anatomically-shaped reinforcements of hydrophobic foam and strong PE inserts which are attached with nylon straps for the ultimate in mobility and agility. The three-piece pads allow for natural arm movement while playing while the high-density foams provide incredible protection from pucks and sticks.
The unique JDP Technology quickly disperses impact energy into the surrounding foam to keep your elbow joints as safe as possible. In addition, the pads are equipped with the company’s DryFoam Technology with microfibre liners which are made to absorb less moisture and sweat while fighting off odours and bacteria. In addition, the pads also come with a floating bicep and three-piece strapping system and molded ZoteFoam.
The CCM JetSpeed FT4 elbow pads come in a variety of sizes with the senior, medium pads weighing just 248 grams each. They offer tremendous value and can usually be found in the mid to high price range.
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9) Bauer Supreme Ultrasonic Elbow Pads
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When it comes to elite-level comfort, fit, mobility and protection in the elbow area, many competitive hockey players look to the newly-released Bauer Supreme Ultrasonic elbow pads. Your arms are able to fully extend thanks to the Active Motion Protection (AMP) system which features a split forearm guard. The forearm is also protected with the company’s Adaptiv Skin Protection technology as well as breathable and Vent Armor Foam for complete 360-degree coverage against slashes and pucks.
Moisture, bacteria and odours are kept at bay with the effective Thermo Core liners which also speed up the drying time of the pads after games and practices. The three-piece pads showcase a hinged bicep for superb mobility and are constructed with molded PE inserts, high-density foams, synthetic leather, Lycra and mesh nylon. They also have a three-piece elastic-nylon strapping system at the forearm, elbow and bicep.
The contoured Bauer Supreme Ultrasonic elbow pads come in a multitude of sizes with the senior medium pads weighing the scales at 336 grams each. These high-performance pads are usually found in the higher price bracket.
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10) CCM Tacks AS-V Pro Elbow Pads
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The new CCM Tacks AS-V Pro Elbow Pads are aimed at hard-hitting competitive hockey players who need the best protection and coverage possible for all types of on-ice impacts. These pads feature CCM’s D3O Lite Foam in the tips of the elbows to help absorb and disperse impact energy while D3O Aero is placed on the inside of the elbow doughnuts for added protection and comfort. At the same time, the JDP, Max Protk elbow-cap design disperses impact energy into the D30 Foams and away from your joint.
The pads are held securely and comfortably in place with an elastic and nylon strapping system which features a dual-pull anchor strap on the outside and inside of the pads. The forearms come with X-Slash Guards while the two-piece floating biceps have EVA foam and strong plastic inserts. The pads are outfitted with durable polyester/EVA foam/D3O exteriors while the interiors come with sublimated polyester liners to wick away moisture and help eliminate odours and bacteria.
The high-profile CCM Tacks AS-V Pro Elbow Pads come in several sizes with the senior-medium model weighing 340 grams and can usually be found in the higher-price range.
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11) CCM Tacks AS-V Elbow Pads
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The Tacks AS-V Elbow Pads are new from CCM and built for competitive hockey players of all ages who are in need of top-level comfort, fit and protection at an affordable price without sacrificing any mobility and range of motion. The pads feature CCM’s D3O Lite Foam system with JDP, Max Protk elbow caps to disperse impact energy into the foam padding and away from your elbow joints.
The elbows, forearms and two-piece floating biceps are all equipped with durable plastic inserts and thick foams and are all held comfortably and firmly in place with an easy-to-use elastic, nylon and mesh strapping system. The pads are outfitted with strong polyester/EVA foam exteriors while the insides feature soft, sublimated polyester liners to wick away moisture and help eliminate foul odours and bacteria.
The high-profile CCM Tacks AS-V Elbow Pads come in various sizes with the senior-medium model weighing 302 grams and can usually be found in the mid to high-price range.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are ice hockey elbow pads made of?
The majority of the elbow pads available on the market today are hard caps that are covered with foam and fabric.
Should I buy used elbow pads?
Used elbow pads are fine, as long as they’re in decent shape (straps & velcro are relatively fresh, and no damage to the shell).
| Size | Height | Arm Lenght |
|---|---|---|
| Youth Small | 3'3" - 4'0" | 6.5" - 7.5" |
| Youth Medium | 3'5" - 4'2" | 7" - 8" |
| Youth Large | 4'1" - 4'6" | 7.5" - 8.5" |
| Junior Small | 4'4" - 4'8" | 8.5" - 10.5" |
| Junior Medium | 4'8" - 5'2" | 9" - 10" |
| Junior Large | 5'2" - 5'6" | 9.5" - 11.5" |
| Senior Small | 5'4" - 5'8" | 13" - 14" |
| Senior Medium | 5'7" - 5'10" | 13" - 14" |
| Senior Large | 5'10" - 6'2" | 14" - 15" |
| Senior X-Large | 6'1"+ | 16"+ |
