How do I Reduce Goalie Equipment?

Hockey goalie gear has gone through changes over the years, going from nothing more than simple cricket pads to the modern rotating pads of today. These changes are partially a result of goaltender rules in the National Hockey League; a 2009 ruling saw the reduction of goalie leg pads, going from 12 inches in width to 11 inches, the current width allotment of the pads. If you still have the older 12-inch pads, you can reduce the width to stay in compliance with your league.

Things You'll Need

  • Seam ripper
  • Craft knife
  • Colored thread
  • Heavy gauge needle
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Instructions

    • 1

      Lay one of your pads down horizontally on the floor with the outer leg (the side with the logos) facing you. Feel under the lip of the vertical roll (the long, thin, vertical pad on the main pad's face) to find the inner seam where the pad was sewn together.

    • 2

      Use a seam ripper to remove the stitching along the seam line under the V-roll; remove about a foot or so of seam length, enough to reach into the pad and pull the internal front face foam from the pad's cavity.

    • 3

      Use the craft knife to cut about a half-inch from the foam's width; the additional half-inch will be reduced once you compress the foam back into the pad cavity. Stuff the foam back into the pad once you've cut it, and reposition the foam into the front pad face.

    • 4

      Sew the seam using thread colored the same as your pad or the same as the previous color, folding the excess material over to take up slack in the pad, thus compressing the foam back into the cavity. Repeat the process to reduce your other pad.