A good soldier needs decent armor, and a good ice hockey player deserves the best hockey equipment (pads included!). Shoulder pads provide protection, increased durability, and superior mobility for the roughest of contests.
Ice hockey is an aggressive sport, and you need the best equipment to help you stay safe and play with confidence. One of the most important pieces of equipment for any hockey player is their shoulder pads.
No matter what level of hockey you play it’s imperative that your shoulders are fully protected at all times. These upper-body pads are designed to keep every hockey player injury-free from blocked shots, slashes, cross-checks, body checks, falls to the ice and collisions with the boards and glass.
The pads should protect your upper body (biceps, sternum, collarbone, clavicle, shoulders, and upper back and chest areas) and shouldn’t restrict your movement or weigh you down while playing. Shoulder pads are available in several designs, sizes, and weights and should fit snugly and comfortably without shifting on impact.
It’s so important to find proper equipment, and we’re here to help you find it with our list of the best hockey shoulder pads for seniors.
Whether you’re a senior hockey player with years of experience or brand new to the sport, you need high-quality shoulder pads to protect your upper body. Listed below are some of the best hockey shoulder pads we recommend.
SHORT ON TIME? Here are our picks.
CCM TACKS ASV PRO
We found that the best OVERALL shoulder pads are the CCM Tacks ASV Pro. These pads are for elite players and provide top of the line features, comfort and protection.
BAUER SUPREME 3S
These pads are a great mix of VALUE and FEATURES. An amazing middle of the pack set of shoulder pads. Tried and Tested!
BAUER X
Our pick for Best BUDGET-FRIENDLY Shoulder Pads are the Bauer X Shoulder Pads.. These pads are comfortable and provide adequate protection at a great price.
CCM FTW
The CCM FTW are specifically designed for women. They provide a superior level of fit and comfort with great protection and features.
Table of Contents
- 1) Bauer Vapor 3X Pro Shoulder Pads
- 2) Bauer Vapor 3X Shoulder Pads
- 3) CCM Jetspeed FT4 Pro Shoulder Pad
- 4) Warrior Alpha LX Pro Shoulder Pads
- 5) Bauer Supreme 3S Shoulder Pads
- 6) Bauer Hyperlite Shoulder Pads
- 7) CCM FTW Women’s Shoulder Pads
- 8) CCM Tacks AS-V Pro Shoulder Pads
- 9) CCM Tacks AS 580 Shoulder Pads
- FAQs About Choosing The Best Senior Hockey Shoulder Pads
1) Bauer Vapor 3X Pro Shoulder Pads
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Overview
The brand new lightweight Bauer Vapor 3X Pro Shoulder Pads provide elite-level protection, fit and comfort at a performance-level price. They feature Aerolite 2.0 Foam shoulder caps along with Hyperlite HD Foam in the collarbones and sternum optimal impact protection in the key areas. Both the closed-cell Hyperlite and Aerolite Foams are designed to resist moisture all game long while the spine padding is made of thick molded foam which also covers your back and rib cage.
The three-piece flexible front and back panels benefit from Bauer’s ventilated Flexaprene Vest construction which contours and wraps to your body for a firm but comfortable fit without obstructing your range of motion. To keep you, dry, cool and refreshed at all times, the inside of the pads is outfitted with a Thermo Max+ liner which is made to help eliminate moisture, bacteria and odours. In addition, the belly guard is removable, the adjustable bicep guards come with foam padding and molded plastic inserts and the pads are kept in place with an elastic nylon strapping system.
The low-profile Bauer Vapor 3X Pro Shoulder Pads come in several sizes with the senior-medium model weighing 685 grams and can usually be found in the mid-price range.
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2) Bauer Vapor 3X Shoulder Pads
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Overview
The Vapor 3X Shoulder Pads are also new from Bauer and offer protection from all types of on-ice impacts from pucks, sticks and opponents’ body checks. They feature foam padding and high-strength plastic inserts in all key areas such as the sternum, shoulders, bicep, rib cage and collarbones and come with a removable belly guard. The one-piece flexible front and back panels come with standard foam protection and were well ventilated to keep you cool all game long.
The pads contour to your body for a firm yet comfortable fit without obstructing your range of motion and mobility. To help keep you dry and refreshed at all times, the interior of the pads is equipped with a Thermo Max liner to help fight off moisture, bacteria and odours. The bicep guards are adjustable and the pads are kept securely in place with an elastic nylon strapping system.
The low-profile Bauer Vapor 3X Shoulder Pads come in several sizes with the senior-medium model weighing 710 grams and can usually be found in the low to mid-price range.
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3) CCM Jetspeed FT4 Pro Shoulder Pad
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Overview
The highly-rated CCM JetSpeed FT4 Pro shoulder pads are a favourite with quick, agile players who are looking for elite protection without giving up their mobility. These pads feature CCM’s new Amplified Mobility Design and lightweight Hybrid Shield spine and sternum guards as well as U Foam shoulder caps with durable EPP Foam and JDP Technology. This enables the pads to managing hard-hitting impacts by effectively re-directing energy away from your shoulder joints.
Unique to this CCM model is the liner-free Stay Dry Design with ZoteFoam base panels. This innovative closed-cell method keeps the pads from absorbing moisture and sweat while keeping you dry and cool and wicking away bacteria-causing odours. The low-profile, contoured pads offer full protection at the sternum, belly, spine, shoulders, biceps and collarbone and come with adjustable elastic/nylon straps at the torso and biceps.
The new Jetspeed FT4 pro shoulder pads by CCM are available in assorted sizes with the senior medium pads tipping the scales at just 749 grams. They can usually be found in the higher price bracket.
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4) Warrior Alpha LX Pro Shoulder Pads
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Overview
The Alpha LX Pro shoulder pads by Warrior have a low-profile cap design with extra-protective compressed Impax Foam coverage throughout while still providing superb mobility and performance. The spine and rear panels is made of a mixture of foam densities while the company’s ventilated Fantom Stretch system connects the rear panels and offers a natural contoured fit. The pads are equipped with two-piece floating bicep guards with adjustable lengths to help seal any protective gaps with your elbow pads.
Warrior’s WarTech FNC liner with Polygiene Technology never stops working to keep you cool, fresh and dry by effectively wicking away sweat, moisture, odours and bacteria growth. There’s also a removable belly guard while the shoulder caps, biceps and collarbone are reinforced with strong plastic inserts. The entire package is kept snugly in place via the elastic/nylon straps at the biceps and torso.
The elite Warrior Alpha LX Pro pads are made in several sizes with the senior medium pads weighing in at 1,167 grams. They can typically be purchased in the higher price level.
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5) Bauer Supreme 3S Shoulder Pads
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Overview
The new Supreme 3S shoulder pads by Bauer have a flexible front and back panel with composite materials surrounding the high-density foam padding in all the key impact areas. The pads are designed to quickly wick away moisture, odours and bacteria thanks to the Thermo Core liner while also promoting maximum airflow. They’re outfitted with a removable foam belly protector while the bicep and collarbone guards come with tough and durable plastic inserts.
These anatomically-shaped pads are easy to adjust via the convenient strapping system at the torso and biceps and are made to take and give hits with maximum protection. The once-piece front and rear panel boast Active Motion Protection for mobility while the Adaptiv Skin System conforms to your body shape and fights off all types of impacts.
The Bauer Supreme 3S shoulder pads are ideal for intermediate and competitive players. They can be found in various sizes with the senior medium pads tipping the scales at 914 grams. They can typically be bought in the mid price bracket and provide plenty of value for the cost.
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6) Bauer Hyperlite Shoulder Pads
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Overview
The Bauer Vapor Hyperlite Shoulder Pads recently reached the market and are aimed at elite-level players who want the utmost in lightweight protection from slashes, cross-checks and on-ice collisions. These pads contain several types of popular Bauer technology such as AeroFoam 2.0 Lite, Shocklite Foam, Hyperlite HD Foam and compressed-foam Exo-Lite Skin to properly absorb and disperse impact energy when dishing out and receiving hits. The sternum, spine, shoulder, bicep and collarbone guards all feature foam padding with tough and durable plastic inserts making them ideal pads for blocking shots in.
The ventilated Flexaprene three-piece front and rear panel construction enables the pads to sit close to your body without restricting your range of motion, flexibility and mobility. The adjustable bicep guards come with the Exo-Lite Skin system while the Thermo Core Zero liner is designed to wick away odour, bacteria and sweat while keeping you cool, dry and refreshed. To keep these new Bauer pads in place while playing, they come equipped with an easy-to-use elastic nylon strapping system
The low-profile Bauer Hyperlite Shoulder Pads come in several sizes with the senior-medium model weighing 705 grams and can usually be found in the higher-price range.
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7) CCM FTW Women’s Shoulder Pads
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The CCM Jetspeed FTW Hockey Shoulder Pads are designed for women by women to make sure all of their protective needs are taken care of. They deliver superb torso protection while remaining close to the body at all times for a truly customized fit. They come with an adjustable side panel, torso, and biceps for comfort, fit and protection while the shoulder caps boast soft and flexible D30 Lite Smart Foam to help absorb and properly disperse impact energy.
These shoulder pads feature DryFoam Technology which helps resists moisture absorption to keep you dry and cool all game long. The belly guard is removable while the sternum, three-piece floating front/rear panels, spine, biceps and collarbones are all covered with a combination of foam and hard molded plastic where required. In addition, the laminated liner helps eliminate odours and bacteria and the pads come with elastic, Velcro and nylon strapping.
The low-profile CCM Jetspeed FTW Women’s Shoulder Pads come in several sizes with the senior-medium model weighing just 750 grams and can usually be found in the mid-price range.
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8) CCM Tacks AS-V Pro Shoulder Pads
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Overview
The new CCM Tacks AS-V Pro Shoulder Pads provide serious hockey players with maximum coverage, mobility and protection due to placing D3O Foam in key areas and the JDP dual-core HD foam shoulder caps. This breathable model expertly absorbs and dissipates the energy away from your joints and into the foam and can handle any type of on-ice impact. They feature increased protection in the sternum and spine without affecting your mobility as well as Flex Motion panels, which provide extended padding in the lower back and floating collarbone protection.
You can achieve a custom fit with the adjustable elastic nylon bicep and torso straps while the lower back padding and belly guard are removable. In addition, the injected plastic inserts on the bicep guards are extendable by an inch for better protection between the shoulder pads and elbow pads. When it comes to keeping cool and refreshed, the sublimated polyester liner is designed to eliminate moisture, odours and bacteria. All areas of the pads feature premium foam padding while the biceps and collarbones have high-grade plastic inserts.
The CCM high-profile Tacks AS-V Pro Shoulder Pads come in several sizes with the senior-medium model weighing 1097 grams and can usually be found in the higher-price range.
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9) CCM Tacks AS 580 Shoulder Pads
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Also new from CCM are the Tacks AS-580 Shoulder Pads. These are aimed at competitive players who are seeking top-level mobility and coverage without having to break the bank. They feature a Flex Motion front panel for optimal mobility and range of motion as well as a hybrid shield sternum which contains molded plastic, compressed molded EVA foam and a ventilated base. The JDP shoulder caps are designed to handle all types of impacts by dispersing the energy into the padding and away from your joints while the compressed, molded plastic spine guard offers ideal protection for battling in front of the net and along the boards.
The shoulder blade and clavicle areas come with floating arches for top-level coverage and range of motion while the molded plastic bicep guards and removable belly padding are both adjustable for a perfect fit. In addition, the internal sublimated polyester liner is designed to help reduce moisture, odours, bacteria and drying time and the Anatomical Shield Design follows your body’s natural shape for mobility and comfort. These CCM pads are kept firmly in place at all times via their elastic nylon strapping system.
The high-profile AS-580 Shoulder Pads by CCM are available in various sizes with the senior-medium model weighing 1008 grams and can usually be found in the low to mid-price range.
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FAQs About Choosing The Best Senior Hockey Shoulder Pads
Are you still on the fence about which hockey shoulder pads to choose? Do you need some advice to ensure you’re getting the right fit?
Check out the answers to some frequently asked hockey shoulder pad questions below:
Do All Companies Provide Hockey Shoulder Pads Sizing Information?
Yes. All companies provide charts with measurements and sizing guidelines. This makes it easy for hockey players (and their parents) to choose the right size for their bodies and needs.
What Is the Difference Between Recreational, Performance, and Elite Hockey Shoulder Pads?
Recreational shoulder pads are made with medium-thickness foam, a one-piece design, and a traditional nylon moisture-absorbing liner.
Performance shoulder pads are more complex, with multi-density foam, two- and three-piece panels, and microfiber liner.
Elite hockey shoulder pads are the most advanced, with premium multi-density foam, two-piece panel construction, and advanced moisture-absorbing, antibacterial liners.
How Do I Measure to Make Sure My Shoulder Pads Fit?
Like hockey skates and other types of gear, there’s a specific way to ensure hockey shoulder pads fit properly.
To correctly measure for shoulder pads, the player should stand up straight but still be relaxed (don’t hold the breath and puff out the chest, for example). From here, use a soft measuring tape to measure the circumference of the chest (just below the armpit).
This measurement, combined with the player’s height, age, and weight, will help them choose the right size for their shoulder pads.
How Should Shoulder Pads Fit?
It doesn’t matter if you’re shopping for hockey shoulder pads for a junior player or hockey shoulder pads for a senior. Either way, the center of the player’s shoulders should always be lined up with shoulder caps to ensure a snug fit.
The bottom of the pads’ torso protection should match up with the top of the player’s pants, too.
What Are Signs That Hockey Shoulder Pads Are Too Small?
If a player’s hockey shoulder pads are too small, the shoulder caps may point upward instead of outward. The neckline may dig into the neck or shoulders, too, and the player may have a hard time raising their arms comfortably overhead.
What Are Signs That Hockey Shoulder Pads Are Too Large?
If a player’s hockey pads are too large, the neckline may sag to expose the collarbone. The pads may fall off the tops of the shoulders, too, or the bottom edges will droop below the rib cap, possibly overlapping with the hockey pants.
How Often Should I Replace My Hockey Shoulder Pads?
When well-cared for, hockey shoulder pads can last several years. Over time, the velcro may start to wear down, rendering them ineffective. This is the most common sign that a player needs to invest in new pads.
