Everything you need to know about hockey pants sizing — components, how they should fit, complete sizing charts for Bauer and CCM, and tips on fit types and when to replace.
In This Guide
Ice hockey pants — sometimes called breezers — protect three critical areas of your lower body: the tailbone, kidneys, and quads. Every game brings blocked shots, slashes, and hard falls onto the ice, and properly fitting pants are what stand between you and a serious injury.
Traditional one-piece hockey pants offer the highest level of protection but sacrifice some mobility. Girdles and shells are lighter and more flexible, though they typically provide less coverage. This guide covers components, fit, sizing, and everything else you need to make the right call.
Almost all hockey pants are built from three layers: a durable nylon shell on the outside, stretch gussets for mobility, and hard foam and plastic padding on the inside for impact protection. Here's what each zone covers:
The nylon shell is thick and cut-resistant, while the stretch gussets — typically positioned at the inner thigh and knee — allow full skating stride without restriction. Interior hard foams and plastics are lightweight and absorb impact effectively across all the pad zones.
Hockey pants come in sizes Small through Extra Large and are produced by all major manufacturers including Bauer, CCM, Warrior, and True. The general rule is that they should fit snug but comfortable at the waist — tight enough to stay in place during play without sliding down.
When standing upright with the pants on, the bottom hem should rest 1–2 inches above the kneecap of your shin guards. When trying on pants, move around — skate stride, bend your knees, crouch into a skating position — to get a realistic feel for how they'll perform on the ice.
Use your waist measurement (in inches) as the primary guide. Measure around the natural waistline — not where you wear street pants.
| Size | Level | Waist (inches) | Waist (cm) | Typical Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XS / S | Youth | 18–22" | 46–56 cm | 4–7 yrs |
| M / L | Youth | 22–26" | 56–66 cm | 7–10 yrs |
| S / M | Junior | 24–28" | 61–71 cm | 9–12 yrs |
| L / XL | Junior | 26–30" | 66–76 cm | 11–14 yrs |
| S / M | Intermediate | 26–30" | 66–76 cm | 13–16 yrs |
| L / XL | Intermediate | 30–34" | 76–86 cm | 14–17 yrs |
| S | Senior | 28–32" | 71–81 cm | Adult (small) |
| M | Senior | 32–36" | 81–91 cm | Adult (medium) |
| L | Senior | 36–40" | 91–102 cm | Adult (large) |
| XL / XXL | Senior | 40–46" | 102–117 cm | Adult (XL) |
Note: sizing varies between brands. Always check the specific brand's size chart and try the pants on when possible — especially for youth players where growth needs to be factored in.
| Bauer Size | Level | Waist (inches) | Height | Weight (lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Youth S | Youth | 18–20" | 3'6"–4'0" | 40–55 lbs |
| Youth M | Youth | 20–22" | 4'0"–4'4" | 55–70 lbs |
| Youth L | Youth | 22–24" | 4'4"–4'8" | 70–90 lbs |
| Junior S | Junior | 23–25" | 4'6"–4'10" | 80–100 lbs |
| Junior M | Junior | 25–27" | 4'10"–5'2" | 100–125 lbs |
| Junior L | Junior | 27–29" | 5'0"–5'4" | 115–140 lbs |
| Int S | Intermediate | 27–29" | 5'2"–5'6" | 120–150 lbs |
| Int M | Intermediate | 29–31" | 5'4"–5'8" | 140–170 lbs |
| Senior S | Senior | 28–32" | 5'5"–5'9" | 130–160 lbs |
| Senior M | Senior | 32–36" | 5'8"–6'1" | 160–190 lbs |
| Senior L | Senior | 36–40" | 5'11"–6'3" | 185–220 lbs |
| Senior XL | Senior | 40–44" | 6'1"+ | 215+ lbs |
| CCM Size | Level | Waist (inches) | Height | Weight (lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Youth S–M | Youth | 18–22" | 3'6"–4'2" | 40–65 lbs |
| Youth L–XL | Youth | 22–26" | 4'2"–4'8" | 65–90 lbs |
| Junior S–M | Junior | 23–27" | 4'6"–5'0" | 80–110 lbs |
| Junior L–XL | Junior | 27–30" | 5'0"–5'5" | 110–145 lbs |
| Int S–M | Intermediate | 27–31" | 5'2"–5'7" | 120–160 lbs |
| Senior S | Senior | 28–32" | 5'5"–5'9" | 130–165 lbs |
| Senior M | Senior | 32–36" | 5'8"–6'1" | 160–195 lbs |
| Senior L | Senior | 36–40" | 5'11"–6'3" | 185–225 lbs |
| Senior XL | Senior | 40–44" | 6'1"+ | 215+ lbs |
Note: sizing charts are approximate. Always verify against the current brand sizing guide and try on when possible.
Most major brands offer two distinct fit lines. CCM's Super Tacks line features a traditional, wider cut that maximizes protection. Their JetSpeed line runs closer to the body — more anatomical — for better mobility and flexibility. The same principle applies across Bauer and Warrior. Neither is objectively better; it comes down to whether you prioritize coverage or freedom of movement.
If you prefer a traditional wider-fitting pant but find it slightly baggy for your build, hockey suspenders are a practical solution. They clip onto the pants waistband and keep everything in place during play. Adjustable and comfortable, they're a good option for players between sizes or those who prefer a looser fit without the risk of the pants slipping during a hard stride.
With proper care, hockey pants can last several years. Watch for these signs that it's time for a new pair: you've outgrown them and the hem now sits too low; the exterior shell has significant tears or cuts; or the interior padding has compressed and worn down noticeably. Competitive players who take more impacts will need to replace pants more frequently than recreational players — inspect the interior padding regularly for signs of wear.
Senior, intermediate, junior and youth pants from Bauer, CCM, Warrior and more — available at MonkeySports.
