Goalie Pad Sizing + How To Measure Goalie Pads

What Size Goalie Pads Do I Need?

Most goalies determine the correct pad size by measuring their ankle-to-knee distance (ATK), choosing the correct pad category (Youth, Intermediate, or Senior), and matching that measurement to the brand’s size chart. Height can help, but ATK is the most important number.  (see our diagram below)

Goalie pad sizing is one of the hardest things to do without actually trying the gear on in person. Luckily, with the advancements in technology today, sizing goalie pads is easier than ever. In fact, you should be able to get your correct pad size without ever stepping into a store! Use the 4 step pad pad sizing process we’ve outlined below and match your ATK with the specific pad manufacturer you’ll be ordering from, choose the retailer you’d like to buy from and place your order.

Here’s how to accurately measure which size goalie pads you need

• How To Measure Goalie Pad Sizing
  • Measure the Goalies Ankle to Knee Distance (ATK)
  • Determine Thigh Rise
  • Pick Youth / Junior, Intermediate, or Senior
  • Order Pads

Goalie Pad Sizing Charts by Gear Manufacturers

• Warrior Goalie Pad Size Chart
• Brian’s Goalie Pad Size Chart
• CCM Goalie Pad Size Chart
• Bauer Goalie Pad Size Chart
• Vaughn Goalie Pad Size Chart
• True (Lefevre) Goalie Pad Size Chart

Goalie Pad Sizing FAQs

• What Does +1 Mean?
• How Should Pads Fit?

The golden rule in measuring goalie pads: don’t stress. You can do this. Finding the right pad size is easy, we’ll walk you through it.

Second, both Pure Goalie and Goalie Monkey have excellent return policies. It’s 2021, ordering goalie gear on the internet is totally normal, despite it’s (often times) confusing sizing guides. If you’re a goalie parent and have a question on sizing goalie gear that you can’t find here, please head over to our Goalie Parents Facebook Group, where over 13,000 other Goalie Parents hang out with similar questions (and answers). Or, follow us on Instagram @goaliecoaches, if you send us a message we’ll get back to you as soon as we can!

How To Measure Goalie Pads? The Only Goalie Pad Sizing Guide You’ll Ever Need

How do you measure goalie pads sizing? What does ATK mean? What does the +1 on gear mean? Will my goalie grow into pads, or should I buy the right size right now? These are the questions every goalie parent asks themselves over the course of their goalies career.

Being a goalie is one of the most important positions in hockey. For parents, learning how to measure goalie pads is one of the most stressful tasks you’ll encounter. With the cost of good goalie pads fast approaching the $2,000 mark, the last thing you want is to order the wrong size (especially for those of you custom ordering). In this article, we’ve answered every question you could possible have when ordering new pads.

In this guide, we’re going to show you how to find the correct size goalie pads you need for every major brand on the market. Then, we’ll answer a few goalie pad sizing frequently asked questions.

Measuring for the fit of goalie pads really depends on just two numbers. One is massively important, the other is simply a preference.

Step 1: Determine The Goalies ATK

The first number you’ll need to know when finding out which pads will fit you the best.. ATK. Always known as Ankle To Knee. Finding the ATK measurement for a goalie is as easy as taking a tape measure and calculating the distance from the goalies heel to the center of their knee. Typically, this measurement is taken from the outside of a goalies knee.

What is ATK goalie pad sizing? 

ATK stands for ankle to knee. The ankle to knee measurement is the standard measurement used to determine the correct size of goalie pads you should wear.

How do you find your ATK for goalie pads?

To find your ankle to knee measurement, use a tape measure to get the distance from the center of your ankle bone to the center of the knee cap. You should stand with your legs shoulder width apart and in a comfortable position. Then, take the measurement on the outside of your leg.

This photo explains how to measure a goalies ATK, or ankle to knee. Additionally, it explains what +1 means on goalie pads. For use, please provide credit to GoalieCoaches.com

Step 2: Determine Thigh Rise

If you correctly measure the ankle to knee distance, your pads will fit correctly. The second number is “thigh rise”. What does the second number in goalie pad sizing mean? It’s thigh rise. So, 32+1 means that the pads are 32″ in height and +1″ on the thigh rise. Most pads come standard with a 1″ thigh rise, and that standard inch thigh rise will work for most goalies.

Step 3: Pick Youth, Junior, Intermediate, or Senior

The last step before ordering your new goalie pads is to determine what level of pad you’d like. Many brands combine youth and junior goalie pads, so if you only see “youth” or “junior” as an option, know that it’s the same thing.

As a rule of thumb, once a goalie enters High School, they should move into Senior sized goalie pads. Goalies can move out of youth-sized pads whenever they’re comfortable moving in something a bit bigger, like Intermediate.

Most goalies with experience should be wearing Intermediate or Senior sized pads. If you’ve measured your ATK, check the pad size chart of the brand you’re ordering below, many times the brand only offers a certain pad in one level.

For example, you may be sized to a 34″ pad with Warrior. If that is the case, you’ll be ordering a Senior sized pad.

Step 4: Order Your Pads

The last and most exciting step is ordering your new gear. We highly recommend reviewing the pad size chart with the specific brand of pads you’ll be ordering, as there is not a globally followed pad sizing system by each manufacturer. Once you’ve finalized your pads, the next step is to order them!

For stock and custom orders, we recommend using Pure Goalie or Goalie Monkey as they’ve got the best return policies for online orders.

One of the most common questions we get asked is, “Can I order goalie pads without trying them on?”

Yes. Most goalies and goalie parents order pads online without trying them on first, and it’s completely normal today.

If you’ve measured ankle-to-knee (ATK) correctly and matched that number to the brand’s size chart, you can be very confident you’re ordering the right size. ATK is far more reliable than height alone, and it’s the same measurement used by manufacturers when they build their sizing charts.

The other reason ordering online works so well is return policies. Retailers like Pure Goalie and Goalie Monkey allow you to try pads on at home and return or exchange them if the fit isn’t right. That takes a lot of the risk out of the process, especially for growing goalies.

The biggest mistakes happen when goalies guess their size or buy larger pads hoping to “grow into them.” If the knee doesn’t land properly on the knee block or the pad limits movement, it’s too big. Getting the right size now almost always leads to better performance and comfort on the ice.

If you’re ever unsure between two sizes, ordering the smaller option is usually the safer choice.

Goalie Pad Size Charts by Brand

Below, we’ve built pad sizing charts from each of the major goalie pad manufacturers.

• Warrior Goalie Pad Size Chart
• Brian’s Goalie Pad Size Chart
• CCM Goalie Pad Size Chart
• Bauer Goalie Pad Size Chart
• Vaughn Goalie Pad Size Chart
• True (Lefevre) Goalie Pad Size Chart

Warrior Goalie Pad Size Chart

Warrior uses the standard +1 sizing system used by all other brands except Bauer. Use the size chart below to correctly and accurately size Warrior goalie pads.

Warrior Goalie Pads

• Check Goalie Monkey Price

Brian’s Goalie Pad Size Chart

Brian’s goalie equipment follows the same goalie pad sizing guidelines as CCM, Warrior, and Vaughn. Use the size chart below to determine the right size Brian’s pads you’ll need.

Brian’s Goalie Pads

• Check Goalie Monkey Price

CCM Goalie Pad Size Chart

CCM goalie pads follow sizing guidelines used by all other major equipment manufacturers except Bauer. Use the size chart below to accurately measure which size CCM goalie pads you’ll need to order.

CCM Goalie Pads

• Check Goalie Monkey Price

Bauer Goalie Pad Size Chart

Bauer is by far the most challenging gear brand to figure out your correct size. Bauer will tell you this is to make finding your pad size easier, but it’s actually a bit more challenging. Don’t worry, chances are, if you fit into a 33+1, you’ll fit into a 32+1.

Here is the Bauer Goalie Pad Size Chart

Bauer Goalie Pads

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Why does Bauer size their goalie pads using letters?

This is because of the fact that Bauer wanted to streamline their costs. If they can manufacture a lower number of models, they can limit costs and options. This, in turn, saves them on manufacturing costs because they’re producing less SKUs.

Vaughn Goalie Pad Size Chart

Vaughn Goalie Pads

• Check Goalie Monkey Price

True (Lefevre) Goalie Pad Size Chart

True Lefevre Goalie Pads

• Check Pure Goalie Price

Other Things to Ask When Sizing Goalie Pads

What does the +1 mean on goalie pads?

The plus 1 (+1) sizing system for goalie leg pads means that an extra inch is added to the top of the pad, in the thigh area. Most goalie pads today are automatically +1 sizing, so you’ll see a number +1. For example, 33+1. Means 33 inches, plus 1 inch on the top. Pads can also be +1.5 or +2, but they’re custom ordered.

How should goalie pads fit?

The most important thing with fitting goalie pads is where your knee sits on the knee block when you go into the butterfly position. Goalie pad fit is determined using a standard measurement called ATK, or ankle to knee.

Are goalie pads too big?

Goalie pads are too big only if you cannot move in them! You should be able to enter and exit the butterfly position easily, without the pads obstructing your movement. One of the most common mistakes goalies make when ordering new pads is ordering them too big.

Goalie pad sizing by height is the most challenging way to size goalie pads. So, we’re not going to cover it super extensively, however, here are some recommendations.

What size goalie pads should somebody who is 5’9 wear?

We recommend nothing less than a 32+1 sized pad. You’ll feel comfortable in a 33+1 Brian’s, a 32+1 CCM, a size XS Bauer pad, and a 32-34+1 Warrior.

What size goalie pads should somebody who is 6 feet tall wear?

We recommend nothing less than a 34+1 sized pad. You’ll be the most comfortable in a 35+1 or a 36+1. Some folks who get used to a larger pad at a young age like to go as high as a 37+1 sized leg pad. Keep in mind, that 37+1 is on the very large end of goalie pad sizes.

What are the knee blocks on goalie pads?

The knee blocks are one of the most important pieces of a goalie pad, as they are the single highest wear area on your pad! Knee blocks are the part of the goalie pad that the goalies knee lands on when they ender the butterfly.