How to Put on Goalie Leg Pads

Over the years, a hockey goalie's leg pads have changed from little more than cricket-type pads to today's modern "pro-fly" style. Once simply a piece of gear to protect the goaltender's shins, knees and upper thigh from hard shots, the pads now rotate around the leg to form a veritable horizontal wall along the ice to aid in stopping the puck. Correctly strapping on the pads is paramount for the safety, comfort and performance of the pads.

Instructions

    • 1

      Don your goalie pants and skates and tie them as you normally would. Lay each pad face down on the floor with the boot channel closest to your skates. Make sure the correct pad matches its corresponding leg; an easy way to ensure this is to remember the strap buckles always rest on the outside edge of the leg.

    • 2

      Tie a knot in the toe ties of each pad approximately one inch down from the toe bridge. This creates a buffer that allows the pads to rotate properly. Sit on a bench and begin with one pad. Pull the toe ties toward you until your skate blade rests flush against the knot.

    • 3

      Thread one toe tie string underneath your skate, behind the toe blade, and through to the opposite side. Do the same for the other string. You should now have the toe ties forming an X underneath your skate. Continue wrapping the toe ties around your skate blade until about 5 inches of length remains.

    • 4

      Tie the remaining 5 inches either directly on top of your skate (on top of your skate laces) or around the heel of your skate--either is a matter of preference. The pad is now tied securely to your skate. Pull the pad up and onto your leg so that your leg rests firmly in the pad's leg channel.

    • 5

      Thread the single boot strap underneath your skate and fasten it to the adjacent buckle. Fasten the strap slightly looser than you normally would so that the pad feels somewhat loose. Depending on what brand of pad you own--some feature more straps than others, but still fasten the same way--the next two straps should wrap firmly around the back of your leg.

    • 6

      Attach the final two straps as loose as you did the boot strap. Make sure your knee lies flush to the inside knee cradle. Attach the remaining pad in the same manner as you did the first. Drop down into the butterfly position to check if the pads rotate and your knee stays in the cradle. If needed, tighten or loosen the pads one notch until you find the perfect fit.