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Equipment

Dress the Part

By Ontario Minor Hockey Association, 02/23/15, 11:00AM EST

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Base layer is as much of a piece of equipment as the rest of the gear in your bag

Gone are the days when you would reach into the drawer and grab a pair of long underwear, thick old socks and a cotton t-shirt, throw them into your bag and head to the rink. Today, base layer is as much of a piece of equipment as the rest of the gear in your bag. Performance apparel has created an entire category in the hockey industry that in the past did not exist. With all of the major manufactures producing apparel this category has become as technical as any other piece of gear. 

Performance apparel is just that, it performs, and it deserves the attention that it is getting. The industries top manufactures including Bauer, Reebok and Under Armor are putting as much emphasis on what you wear under your gear as the gear itself. These pieces act as an important layer between your body and your gear and can make a substantial difference in the way you and your gear perform. Performance apparel is built with the athlete in mind.

 

Moisture Management
One of the primary benefits of performance apparel is that it wicks moisture away from the body, keeping you cooler and drier while also keeping your gear lighter. The material that it is made from is designed to pull moisture from the body through the garment to the surface so that it can dry quicker. This technology can be found in socks, shorts and pants and of course shirts, some manufactures like Bauer are even incorporating this technology into their equipment to create a complete moisture management system. 

Fabric
Beyond moisture management, performance apparel is also sewn with the hockey player in mind, strategically sewn and placed seams for comfort and reduced abrasion under the gear, longer hems in the bottom of shirts so they stay tucked in and in place, strategically placed materials for fit and performance not to mention the number of different fits and styles. They come in a number of fits ranging from compression to fitted, to loose fit depending on the player’s needs or preference. 

Protection
Many of the pieces today also feature additional protection in the form of padding or cut resistant materials in high impact areas. From cut resistant Kevlar socks to Kevlar sewn into wrists and neck areas to help reduce the possibility of lacerations these pieces of apparel are built with the hockey players needs in mind and are designed to keep the player on the ice. Additional padding in high impact areas can also be found for both players and goalies; this can be found on the arms, across the shoulders and also on the rib cage making these pieces far more than just an undershirt.

Fit
Lastly, performance apparel is built to help provide the best fit for your gear. From grip printing placed on strategic areas to help keep your gear in place to socks that help provide the closest skate fit possible to the foot; these pieces help make your gear fit better, feel better and ultimately perform better.   

What you wear under your gear is an important decision so think of it as a piece of equipment and not a piece of clothing. 

Check out www.prohockeylife.com or drop into any one of the Pro Hockey Life Mega Stores.

 

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