How to Break In a Hockey Goalie Glove

As a goalie, you need to be able to react at the speed of thought to stop all the quick wristers and booming slap shots that come your way. Your gear needs to feel comfortable and act as an extension of your own body, or else you could be fumbling with it when you should be making the play. Nowhere is this more true than when talking about your goalie glove. Breaking in a new hockey goalie glove is important if you want to be at your best between the pipes. Not only does it ensure it will feel comfortable on your hand, but it also means you'll be able to close it around the puck securely so you can make as many saves as possible. Read on to learn more about how to break in a new goalie glove.

Common Methods for Breaking in a Hockey Goalie Glove

Ask a dozen goalies how they prefer to break in a new glove, and you'll probably get just as many answers. Although many will tell you the best thing to do is just put it on and start using it, others would recommend some methods that offer a shortcut of sorts. Here are some of the most common techniques used by goalies at all levels:

• Wrapping: Rather than opening and closing the glove hundreds of times to get the materials softened up and shaped to your hand, you could try wrapping it. This means using string or something else to wrap the glove and hold it in a closed position for a long period of time. For example, you can keep your goalie glove wrapped when you're not using it.
• Heat Treatment: When talking about how to break in hockey goalie glove materials so they're pliant and easily shaped, some swear by heat. Putting the glove in a convection-style oven like a skate oven can help it become softer. The oven should be set between about 145 degrees Fahrenheit (63 degrees Celsius) and about 160 degrees Fahrenheit (71 degrees Celsius) to prevent damaging the materials. If you don't have a skate oven, you can try pouring a little hot water over the glove and flexing it until it dries.
• Freezing: On the other hand, you also could try popping your glove into the freezer for a few hours. This also can help make the materials softer. However, it's critical that you make sure it's completely dry before you do freeze it. This is because any ice that forms on or inside the glove can damage it and lead to it wearing out much faster.
• Using Conditioner Products: There are a number of commercially available oils and conditioner products that are meant to help soften gloves. Applying the correct amount before putting it on helps speed up the breaking-in process. But you need to be careful not to overdo it, because too much can create a buildup of gunk that can impact the glove's performance. 
• Practice: Of course, the tried-and-true method of breaking in a glove or any other piece of hockey equipment is to just start using it. As you play with it, the glove will start to conform to your hand and become easier to open and close. It will take longer to get it feeling just right this way, but many players prefer it because there's less chance of causing damage to the glove.

Taking Care of Your New Goalie Glove

Once you've broken in your new glove, the next step is making sure you take good care of it so you won't have to break in another one for a long time. Like leg pads, skates, goalie chest protectors and other equipment, goalie gloves can pick up some funky odors from heavy use. As soon as you take it off after practice or a game, use disinfectant spray or wipes on it, then let it dry in an open position. A drying rack is great for air-drying multiple pieces of gear. Every so often, give your glove a light scrub with cold water and some mild detergent and let it dry completely before treating it with disinfectant.

Let ProStockHockey.com Help You Find Your New Glove

With equipment sourced directly from the professional locker rooms, ProStockHockey.com is the best place to find a new goalie glove, goalie blocker, goalie mask or any other gear you might need. Because we carry equipment used by the pros themselves, you can be sure it will help you elevate your game. Get in touch with us today to learn more about what we have in stock.