What Do Hockey Players Wear Under Their Pads?

As the adrenaline-pumping sounds of skates on ice echo through the arena, and the crowd roars with anticipation, hockey players step onto the rink wearing armor from head to toe. While the sight of these players clad in their protective gear is a common one, many wonder what lies beneath the numerous bulky pads.

What do hockey players wear under their pads?

Hockey players usually wear a shirt, underwear, and socks under their pads. However, some hockey players forgo some if not all of these items of clothing.

What Do Hockey Players Wear Under Their Pads?

Hockey players wear a variety of garments under their protective gear to ensure comfort, performance, and injury prevention. These under-gear items are designed to address specific needs, such as breathability, muscle support, and impact absorption.

The following are the most common things that hockey players wear under their pads.

What Do Hockey Players Wear Under Their Shoulder Pads?

There are many different options for hockey players when it comes to upper-body clothing. Although each has its pros and cons, the choice of what to wear will usually just come down to personal preference.

Here are what hockey players wear under their shoulder pads:

1. Regular T-Shirt
   • A lot of hockey players will wear a plain old cotton T-shirt under their pads. This is more common among casual players, and less common among pros.
2. Breathable, Athletic T-Shirt
   • Some players will wear athletic, breathable T-shirts under their pads instead of regular cotton T-shirts. Athletic T-Shirts and lighter and keep the player cooler during a game.
3. No Shirt
   • There are a decent number of players who don’t wear any T-Shirt. This is the most breathable and lightweight option for a player, however, the lack of a soft undershirt can lead to chafing or rashes.
4. Padded Shirt
   • The least common, upper-body option for hockey players is padded T-Shirts. These are like athletic T-Shirts with extra padding added to exposed areas around the ribs and back.

What Do Hockey Players Wear Under Their Cups?

When it comes to what to wear under a cup there aren’t many options. There are really only two:

1. Regular Underwear
   • For their underwear, most hockey players will just wear their normal underwear (boxers, briefs, etc.)
2. Commando
   • Some players choose to not wear any underwear under their cups. As with “not wearing a shirt”, wearing no underwear has the added benefit of being lightweight and breathable, but again may lead to rashes or chafing.

What Do Hockey Players Wear Under Their Skates?

Socks are the final article of clothing that hockey players may consider wearing under their pads. It may seem trivial but what you wear under your skates can affect both the breathability and grip of your feet.

Here are the most common things hockey players wear under their skates:

1. Crew Socks
   • For their feet, most hockey players will wear regular long socks or crew socks. Players will usually wear generic or cheap socks because repeatedly skating in socks usually leads to a lot of wear and tear.
2. Athletic Socks
   • Some players will wear hockey brand, athletic socks. These socks tend to be longer, lighter, and more durable.
3. No Socks
   • It is rare but some players will wear no socks at all. This behavior was more common in the past, such as with Hall of Fame defensemen Bobby Orr.

Do Hockey Players Wear Compression Socks

Some hockey players wear compression socks. However, most hockey players – especially in amateur hockey leagues – wear regular crew socks.

Compression socks are more common amongst pro hockey players, and offer more coverage (longer), mobility, and breathability. However, even then, many pro players prefer to wear regular crew socks, such as Nike crew socks.

Many players prefer regular crew socks because it’s what they grew up playing with. Performance compression socks tend to have a different feel in the skates.

Do NHL Players Undress During Intermission?

NHL players do not undress completely during intermissions. During intermissions, players typically stay in their hockey gear, which includes their skates, shin guards, pants, jerseys, shoulder pads, gloves, and helmets.

They may remove their gloves and helmets while sitting in the locker, but they do not undress down to their regular clothes. Some players, however, may choose to also take off their jersey and shoulder pads to cool down.

The intermission in hockey usually lasts about 15 minutes, during which players use the time to rest, rehydrate, and receive instructions from their coaches. They may also receive medical treatment for any minor injuries or make adjustments to their equipment if needed.

Since the intermission is relatively short, players keep their gear on to ensure they are ready to return to the ice promptly when the next period begins.

In summary, NHL players remain in their hockey gear during intermissions to maintain their readiness to play and make the most of the short break between periods.

What Do NHL Players Eat In Between Periods

Most NHL players will not eat in between breaks. Players will usually stick to liquids for hydration.

Some players however may choose to grab a snack in order to refuel.

Generally, the focus is on consuming easily digestible foods that provide a quick source of energy to sustain them throughout the intense game. Here are some common foods that NHL players may consume during intermissions:

1. Energy Bars: Many players opt for energy bars that are rich in carbohydrates and provide a quick source of fuel. These bars often contain a mix of sugars and complex carbohydrates to provide both immediate and sustained energy.
2. Fresh Fruit: Bananas and other easily digestible fruits are popular choices as they provide natural sugars and nutrients that can be quickly absorbed by the body.

Do NHL Players Shower In Between Periods?

NHL players do not typically shower between periods.

The intermission periods in hockey are relatively short, lasting around 15 minutes, and players use this time to rest, hydrate, receive instructions from coaches, and make any necessary equipment adjustments.

The priority during these short breaks is to conserve energy, stay focused, and be ready to return to the ice for the next period. Showering between periods would be impractical due to the limited time available, and it would not be a common practice in professional hockey. Players usually shower before and after the game, not during the intermissions.

Instead, players may use other techniques to manage their body temperature and freshness during the game. The players’ priority is to stay hydrated and mentally prepared during the intermissions, allowing them to perform at their best during the fast-paced and physically demanding game.