Buying Used Hockey Gear: What's Safe and What to Check

Used gear is part of hockey in Canada. Kids outgrow equipment long before they wear it out, and bins of hand-me-down pants and shin guards move from family to family every autumn. Buying second-hand is a sensible way to keep the game affordable. It just helps to know which pieces are easy wins and which deserve a closer look.

Usually fine to buy used

• Pants. Durable and forgiving. Check that the belt or laces work, the thigh and hip padding is intact, and the shell isn't torn open.
• Shin guards. Look at the kneecap for cracks and make sure the straps still hold. Worn liners are cosmetic.
• Elbow pads. Press the cup. It should be rigid, not crushed. Straps and velcro should grab properly.
• Gloves. Palms wear through first. A thin or torn palm can be replaced by a repair shop, but factor that into what you pay. Squeeze the backhand padding to check it hasn't gone flat.
• Goalie pads. Often a smart used purchase, especially for a young goalie still deciding whether the position is for them. Check the straps, the knee block and the face of the pad for broken stitching.

Helmets need real care

Minor hockey in Canada requires a helmet with CSA certification, and most associations and officials will look for the sticker. If the sticker is missing or peeled off, treat the helmet as uncertified. Many helmets also carry a manufacturer's date or expiry label. Foam liners break down with age and impacts, and a helmet past its date may not be accepted and may not protect the way it did new.

Beyond the paperwork, look for cracks in the shell, especially around the screws and adjustment points. Press the inside foam. It should spring back, not stay dented. And ask directly whether the helmet has taken a hard hit. You may not always get a straight answer, which is part of why many parents choose to buy helmets and cages new even when everything else is used.

Skates take a careful eye

A used pair can be excellent value, but there are three things to check.

1. The holder. Look for cracks in the plastic, particularly at the front and back where it's riveted to the boot. Wiggle the blade. It shouldn't move.
2. Steel left on the blade. Every sharpening removes metal. Compare the height of the blade to a new one if you can. If the steel is close to the holder, the skates may need new runners soon, which adds cost.
3. Boot breakdown. Squeeze the ankle area and try to fold the boot. A boot that collapses sideways with little effort won't support the ankle. Check the heel counter and look inside for exposed seams or packed-down padding.

Fit still matters most. A great used skate in the wrong size is not a deal.

Sticks

Composite sticks can hide damage. Run your hand along the shaft and blade feeling for soft spots, and look for hairline cracks, especially near the heel of the blade and just above the hands. Flex it gently and listen for crackling. A stick with a crack may snap on the next slapshot. Wooden sticks are easier to judge by eye.

Trade-in culture

Many sporting goods shops across Canada take trade-ins and sell used gear alongside new, and some community associations run equipment swaps before the season starts. Swaps are a good place to find youth gear in bulk. If you're trading in, clean the gear first and bring pieces that are complete and working. Broken straps and missing laces lower what anyone will offer.

Cleaning what you bring home

Treat used gear as dirty until you've dealt with it. Most soft pieces can go in a front-loading washer on a gentle cycle with cold water, velcro fastened so it doesn't shred the liners. Skip the dryer and let everything air dry fully, ideally with a fan on it. Wipe helmets and hard shells with mild soap and water. Leave skate liners open to dry, and consider a sports gear spray for the insides of gloves and skates.

After that, the rule is the same as for new gear: take everything out of the bag after every skate and let it dry. Gear that dries out lasts longer and smells a lot better in the car.