Now that we’re nearing the end of summer, it’s Back-to-Hockey season, which means shaking out your legs—and your hockey gear. Some may have been playing spring or summer season, which is great! But if you haven’t, then it’s been a while since you’ve touched your gear at all, most likely.
This article serves as a Back-to-Hockey Checklist you can go through at your leisure; if you prefer a shorthand version, we have also provided one at the end. Please note that this is written in a way that is specific to players; however, goalies are also free to follow along and check equivalencies in their own equipment.
Preview image: Photo by Mark Landman on Unsplash
Back-to-Hockey Equipment 2026 Checklist
□ Do a Mock Dress-Up
This one is way more important than you might think. I can’t express the number of times I’ve stepped on the ice for the first time before a tryout, to realize that, very specifically, I was missing a shin guard. And it was always a shin guard.
You’re coming back from summer break, which means you probably haven’t touched ice in a while, at least not at the frequency you’re used to in the winter and springtime. It’s very likely that you’ve lost a bit of that mental muscle memory when it comes to packing all your gear and even putting it on.
You don’t have to actually put the gear on, but go to your bag and set your gear to the side in the order that you would put them on. This is a great way to double-check that all your gear is accounted for (elbow pads are notorious for sneakily rolling away when pulling your gear out of storage) and enure your equipment is still working.
If you’re doing the mock dress-up right now, follow along with this next section as you go. It’s written in standard dressing order, though your own routine may differ slightly.
□ Protectives Have All Their Parts
A few rips in the fabric won’t be a big deal, but frayed straps, pads cracking, or even full shield caps ripping off can cause a lot of issues, particularly in younger or elite leagues. You may be able to fix your gear temporarily with tape or even by sewing on Velcro strips, but these fixes could potentially be distracting or disruptive to your game. In some cases, the broken parts could chafe your skin or push against pressure points.
If you notice some tears in your protective gear but aren’t sure whether it needs replacing, try it on for a game or practice. If that spot rubs uncomfortably or puts pressure on a bad area, it may be time for a replacement. You can also consult with a store associate or hockey expert on whether a piece of equipment can be fixed. Some stores, like The Hockey Shop, can also do repairs on certain equipment, so it might be worth asking someone about your options.
For minor pant fabric repairs, you can check out PantSkinz and other similar repair options. These are adhesive patches that go over ripped and frayed portions of your pants as extra reinforcement.
□ Skates are… complicated
Generally speaking, you probably don’t need to replace your skates just because of a few scratches or some stiffness after a long time away. Even a couple of rips in the sides or padding don’t necessarily mean you need a whole new pair, unless you really want one. For skates, it’s a good idea to visit a skate repair shop, like the one at The Hockey Shop, if you aren’t sure about the condition of your skates.
Your skates might just be stiff and need time to soften up, or a few spots could use a touch-up. Give them a skate or two and see how they feel. If they’re too small, or if the ankles have lost their support, it might be time to invest in a new pair.
Skates are designed to last a long time, based on your skating strength and frequency. If they seem to wear down heavily after only 1-2 years of use, then you may need to invest in a higher skate level.
For more information on buying hockey equipment, including skates, check out our buying guide:
The Master Guide to Buying Hockey Gear for Beginners - UPDATED 2026
□ Tendon Guard Maintenance
Speaking of worn-down skates, you should double-check the integrity of your skates’ tendon guards as well. They should not be cracked or bent. Their primary function is to protect your tendons, which are extremely vulnerable to slashes and skate blades. Getting sliced or slashed in this area can be season-ending. Depending on the price point and level of skate, you may also get more rigid tendon guards that add some stride support, which you don’t want to miss out on.
With some skate brands, you may be able to replace a broken tendon guard without replacing the whole skate. You can also check with a repair shop to decide your options.
To prolong the life of your skate’s tendon guard, make sure you’re using the right skate for your hockey level and activity, and that you aren’t bending the tendon guard back when taking your skates off. Doing so can add extra wear on your hockey skates.
□ Sharpening
The next thing to check once you get to your skates is whether they’ve been sharpened. This is also the part of the checklist that tends to be forgotten about until the moment you step on the ice. I definitely forget every time I get to the rink after a long break.
For many players, their final game was probably their toughest, which also means there’s a high chance your skates took quite a beating the last time you skated on them.
Before the season starts, it’s just a good idea to get them sharpened. Even if they don’t need much work, having a professional look at your skate blades will ensure they’re in tip-top shape for your first skate.
□ Laces
And by this, we don’t just mean your laces, but also your skate eyelets. Your skate laces wearing down is perfectly normal, and you will probably have to replace them at least a few times within the full lifespan of your skates. However, this should be pretty infrequent.
Skate eyelets can wear down, either through rust or snapping. In both cases, the texture can become rough or sharp, easily cutting into your laces and breaking them prematurely. This is why it’s important to check not just your laces, but your skate eyelets too. Some repair kits come with replacement eyelets, and if yours doesn’t, spare eyelets and grommets aren’t too hard to find. You can also bring your skates to a hockey repair shop and let the experts handle it.
□ Laces
And by this, we don’t just mean your laces, but also your skate eyelets. Your skate laces wearing down is perfectly normal, and you will probably have to replace them at least a few times within the full lifespan of your skates. However, this should be pretty infrequent.
Skate eyelets can wear down, either through rust or snapping. In both cases, the texture can become rough or sharp, easily cutting into your laces and breaking them prematurely. This is why it’s important to check not just your laces, but your skate eyelets too. Some repair kits come with replacement eyelets, and if yours doesn’t, spare eyelets and grommets aren’t too hard to find. You can also bring your skates to a hockey repair shop and let the experts handle it.
□ Lace Bite / Ankle / Heel Gel Protectors
You probably haven’t touched ice in quite a while and might even be feeling a bit sore and stiff. Unfortunately, your gear is probably feeling that way too. As mentioned earlier, stiff gear can lead to chafing when it hasn’t been used in a long time. The problem is, while you’re waiting for your gear to soften up, it can be pretty painful to wear, especially if it’s your skates.
You might not realize you need any of these until you step on the ice and start skating. Lace bite usually comes down to improper lacing technique. If you feel a sharp pain along the front of your foot but don’t have lace bite pads handy, take an extra moment to retie your laces.
Skates can be the cause of a myriad of issues when you’re first returning to the ice. Your blades could be dull or broken, the inside boot is probably more rigid than usual and could lead to blisters, and your laces might be stiff—and not in a nice way. That stiffness could increase friction and pressure, hitting pressure points that wouldn’t normally be a problem with softer laces. If you are worried that your skates might cause issues with your comfort, it might be nice to have some gel protectors handy in your accessories bag, just in case.
For more information on lace bite and prevention methods, check out our article:
□ Extra Jersey / Socks Without Too Many Holes
This is one I always just have in the back of my mind. Toss an extra jersey, ideally a dark and a light, and a pair of socks in your bag. It’s not necessarily the end of the world if either of these are a bit ripped or frayed, but maybe avoid bringing anything that’s completely torn in half or nearly ripped to pieces. Jerseys and socks are relatively inexpensive and easy to replace; if you’ve been playing a while, you’ve probably accumulated a good number of extras already.
□ The Condition of your Mouth Guard and Neck Guard
Now to check your mouth guard and neck guard. Not all leagues require these, but if yours does, then it’s important to make sure they are accounted for and still functional. While you’re here, you could also check that you have extras in your bag as well.
Because they are so small, they’re also very easy to forget or lose. A good strategy is to make it a habit of sliding them into your helmet after every ice skate.
□ Helmet Isn't Cracked
Unless you’re in the United States, your helmet does not have an expiry date. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be checking it for wear, however. First and foremost, there shouldn’t be any cracks in the shell, and the padding along the inside should still be functional and intact. By that, we also mean the padding should still fit around your head without moving around or feeling too tight.
Head injuries are a serious issue in contact sports and can potentially lead to worse issues down the road if not taken seriously. Ensuring your helmet is the proper fit and still has all its parts intact is the first step to keeping yourself safe.
For more information on head injuries and prevention, check out our article: Evolving the Sport: A History of Head Injuries in Hockey.
□ Gloves Still Have Palms
Of course, check the general state of your gloves as a whole, not just the palms—though we all know the palms are usually the first to go.
Unless the top protective shields are starting to move or fall out from rips or frayed portions of the nylon mesh, you probably don’t have to replace them just yet, but maybe watch out for it. If your palms are frayed, it’s either time for some new gloves, or you could look into repairs yourself. Similar to Pant Skinz, there are also Palm Skinz. This material functions as a patch that you can apply over your glove palms for repairs and added reinforcement.
If you haven’t had your gloves for very long, but the palms are already frayed after one or two seasons, it might be worth going up a gear level. Gloves labeled as “performance-level” usually place a heavier focus on durability.
□ Hockey Bag Can Still Carry Your Gear
Now that you’ve determined what equipment needs to be replaced, make sure your hockey bag can still hold all your equipment. New gear doesn’t always pack the same as before, and a new pair of skates or a bulkier set of pads can easily eat up more space.
Also ensure your bag itself is in good shape—you don’t want an elbow pad falling out of a hole you didn’t know was forming in the corner. Give the bag a quick once-over of the zippers, seams, straps, and bottom corners, which tend to wear down first. A zipper that’s starting to separate or a strap that’s fraying is a lot easier to deal with at home than at the rink.
Extras
□ Accessories Bag is Refilled
Check if your accessories bag is restocked! It sucks getting to the rink and realizing you’re completely out of sock or stick tape. Things to look for in your accessories bag can include, but are not limited to:
Shower products/towel /sandals
Medical supplies (depending on your situation)
Need a bunch of tape accessories at once? You could try our Custom Tape Box and save a bit of money while you restock.
□ Water Bottle
This could technically be considered an “accessory item,” but it’s probably the most important accessory item. You can survive an ice skate without stick tape or sock tape, but without a water bottle, you might be in for a rough time, especially if your first skate is of high calibre.
Hydrating before, during, and after hockey is the best strategy for recovery and making it through each session.
d any of these until you step on the ice and start skating. Lace bite usually comes down to improper lacing technique. If you feel a sharp pain along the front of your foot but don’t have lace bite pads handy, take an extra moment to retie your laces.
Final Words
At the end of the day, a quick ten-minute once-over of your gear is a small inconvenience in exchange for peace of mind at the rink. Fix what needs fixing, replace what needs replacing, and good luck in the upcoming season!
If you want a printable, shorthand version of this checklist for you to go through everything step by step, we’ve provided a printable version for you here.
Leave a comment