How to Break in Your New Hockey Gloves

The Importance of Properly Breaking in Hockey Gloves

Hockey gloves don't start out fitting like a glove. Before they start providing you with the grip and protection your hands need on the ice, you need to get them broken in so they feel like a part of you. Otherwise, it can feel less like you're wearing a glove meant to elevate your level of play and more like you're wearing an oven mitt. The last thing you want when you're skating up to the face-off circle or rearing back for a slap shot is to feel like your hands are encased in blocks of cement. That's why knowing how to break in hockey gloves is a crucial skill for players at any skill level. Gloves that are properly broken-in will feel comfortable and responsive, flexing with your fingers so you have maximum performance.

Before you start working on your gloves, you need to make sure you have the right size. No amount of working the gloves is a substitute for having the proper fit from the get-go, so shop our collection of hockey gloves if you haven't found the right set of mitts yet.

A Step-by-Step Guide

Traditionally, the only way to break in a hockey glove was to use it. Regular practice and play will naturally help mold the shape of the glove to your hand. You may even want to just wear them around the house whenever possible, flexing them while you watch TV or go for a walk. Many players swear by the old-fashioned way, and there's no doubt that if you want your gloves to conform to the shape and movement of your hands as closely as possible, this is the best method.

That being said, not everyone has the time it takes to do things the traditional way. Fortunately, there are some shortcuts you can take if you want to know how to break in hockey gloves a bit faster. These include:

• Taping — One technique is to bend the fingers backward and tape them down, then leave them like that overnight. Another method involves putting a softball or stack of pucks in the palm, closing the fingers around them like making a fist and taping everything shut.
• Heat or Steam — Warming the material without getting it too hot can help soften new hockey gloves and make them more pliable. You could apply a small amount of warm water to the glove and massage it with your hands until it becomes softer. Others might recommend using a hair dryer on a lower setting for a few minutes before working the material. A steamer like the kind used to get wrinkles out of clothing can be another helpful tool for breaking in new gloves.
• Skate oven — If you already have a skate oven for breaking in new skates, you can use it for new gloves, as well. Just be careful not to let them sit for too long, as the extreme heat can damage the fibers if overexposed. 5 minutes should do the trick.

Many of these same techniques can be used for breaking in a hockey goalie glove, as well.

Common Mistakes to Avoid During the Break-In Process

It's not uncommon for a player to go a little overboard when trying to break in a new piece of gear. Unfortunately, that can cost them on the ice. Going too far with some shortcut methods can lead to serious damage to the materials and shorten the lifespan of your gloves.

For example, be careful when steaming or baking your new hockey gloves to avoid damaging the materials beyond repair. A little heat can go a long way, but too much means there's no going back. Be extra-careful when breaking in youth hockey gloves, as they're often not made to be as durable.

Cleaning and Maintaining Your Hockey Gloves

Having clean hockey gloves is important for extending their lifespan and preventing the growth of nasty bacteria. Perhaps the best way to clean them is to wash them in a tub of warm water and some mild detergent. Once they're rinsed and thoroughly dried on a line, give them a spray of disinfectant inside and out. Some players choose to wash their mitts in a washing machine on the gentle cycle with warm or cold water, but others say there's too much risk of damage.

Now that you know what to do with a new set of gloves, ProStockHockey.com is your source for professional-grade equipment. We have a huge selection of gloves and other player protective gear direct from the pros' locker rooms. Browse through our selection today and find what you need.