How to Break in a Hockey Goalie Glove

Hockey goalie gloves can be very stiff when purchased, leading to discomfort and poor performance. The best way to break in a glove is through extended use, which molds the glove to your grip and softens the material. You can use other methods to break in the glove during off-ice or off-court time, however, such as storing pucks in the glove pocket and using a softener. They will help to assure the glove's game time readiness.

Things You'll Need

  • Hand towel
  • Shaving cream or white petroleum jelly
  • Large rubber band or rope
  • Hockey pucks or balls
  • Mattress
  • Hockey court or rink
  • Hockey net
  • Goalie helmet
  • Mouthpiece
  • Goalie pads
  • Goalie forearm blocker
  • Goalie stick
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Instructions

    • 1

      Rub the glove gently with a hand towel lubricated with shaving cream. Ensure you use the towel between the glove seams. White petroleum jelly also works for this purpose.

    • 2

      Store the glove tied shut with hockey pucks or balls inside it underneath a mattress for 12 to 24 hours. The balls or pucks should be in the deepest part of the glove's pocket.

    • 3

      Practice with the dried glove by having another player shoot on you. Use the glove in all the ways you anticipate needing to use it in a real game, including backhand catches, scoops and high grabs.

    • 4

      Open and close the glove a few hundred times while wearing it. The exact amount of times depends on the particular glove and goalie.

    • 5

      Repeat this process as necessary. It is a good idea to place the glove with a puck or ball inside it under a mattress for a few nights. That will help to form the pocket even after you feel comfortable with the glove's fabric quality.