Hockey gear can cost a lot. You can travel to across the border to see if you will save money, but there is more to it than just the cost comparison. There is Duty tax, sales tax, dollar conversions and other aspects. I’ve done the research to find out how the equipment compares between Canada and the US.
Is Hockey Equipment Cheaper in Canada? No, from the research I have done, hockey equipment is not less expensive in Canada compared to the United States. Keep reading below to see the exact numbers and currency exchanges I’ve provided for you.
Now you may be thinking, what the heck is this guy talking about. I have heard that I can go south of the border and spend less on hockey gear. Unfortunately its not that simple.
In this article I am going to compare every piece of equipment. I will find the same gear, or close to it, from a retailer in Canada and the United States and show the the price comparison. I will also show you the currency exchange difference as of today (Feb 2020). So without further jibber jabber lets get into it.
Jock and Jill Cost – Protect the Family Jewels
The jock is to protect the private parts of men/boys and the Jill does the same for women/girls. There are different styles you can buy. I am going to show you the Mesh shorts and Compression short style. As well as a long pant style with jock built in. I will put the type and cost in a handy chart.
This first chart is for youth boys and girls. The links below take you to the retailers websites. The jocks/jills might not be the exact same but I found similar styles and price points.
Junior
| Style | Canadian Store Price $CAD (US Conversion) | US Store Price $USD (CAD conversion) |
| BAUER ESSENTIAL COMP JOCK PANT – Boys | $69.99 ($52.38) | $64.99 ($86.84) |
| BAUER CLASSIC MESH YTH HOCKEY JOCK SHORT – Boys | $23.99 ($17.95) | $24.99 ($33.39) |
| BAUER BOY’S ESSENTIAL COMPRESSION JOCK SHORTS | $59.99 ($44.90) | $54.99 ($73.48) |
| BAUER GIRL’S MESH JILL SHORTS | $39.99 (29.93) | $29.99 ($40.07) |
| Shock Doctor Girls’ Core Compression Hockey Shorts | N/A | $34.99 ($46.75) |
Senior
| Style | Canadian Store Price $CAD (US Conversion) | US Store Price $USD (CAD Conversion) |
| BAUER MEN’S PRO CMFLOCK JOCK PANTS | $89.99 ($67.35) | $79.99 ($106.88) |
| BAUER MEN’S PRO CMFLOCK JOCK SHORTS | $79.99 ($59.86) | $69.99 ($93.52) |
| BAUER WOMEN’S COMPRESSION JILL PANTS | $64.99 ($48.64) | $59.99 ($80.16) |
| BAUER WOMEN’S COMPRESSION JILL SHORTS | $54.99 ($41.15) | $49.99 ($66.80) |
As you can see, with the strength of the US dollar, citizens of the US could save a little money buying in Canada, which will likely be a common theme throughout this article.
Also there are other brands like CCM, Reebok and brands from specific retailers. But for these charts I was able to compare Bauer gear to Bauer gear.
Lets keep going.
Shin Pads – You Can’t Hack my Bone
Shin pads are protective equipment that protects your knees and shin areas of your leg. They help protect from shots, sticks and skates. Lets look at some price comparisons. I’m going to pick two CCM brand and two Warrior brand. High price and Low price for each. Lets check it out.
Junior
| Style | Canadian Store Price $CAD (US Conversion) | US Store Price $USD (CAD Conversion) |
| CCM SUPER TACKS AS1 JR SHIN GUARDS | $149.99 ($112.25) | $129.99 ($173.69) |
| CCM JETSPEED FT370 HOCKEY SHIN GUARDS – JUNIOR | $84.99 ($63.61) | $64.99 ($86.84) |
| WARRIOR ALPHA DX JR SHIN GUARDS | $159.99 ($119.73) | $129.99 ($173.69) |
| WARRIOR ALPHA DX4 HOCKEY SHIN GUARDS – JUNIOR | $69.99 ($52.38 | $59.99 ($80.16) |
Senior
| Style | Canadian Store Price $CAD (US Conversion) | US Store Price $USD (CAD Conversion) |
| CCM SUPER TACKS AS1 SR SHIN GUARDS | $189.99 ($142.19) | $159.99 ($213.78) |
| CCM JETSPEED FT350 HOCKEY SHIN GUARDS – SENIOR | $59.99 ($44.90 | $44.99 ($60.12) |
| WARRIOR ALPHA DX SR SHIN GUARDS | $189.99 ($142.19) | $159.99 ($213.78) |
| WARRIOR ALPHA DX4 SR SHIN GUARDS | $79.99 ($59.86) | $64.99 ($86.84) |
Those are some examples of Shin Pad prices. I would only recommend buying new if you are able to and if you or your child is fully grown. Otherwise I would stick to the used stuff.
Hockey Pants – Protect the Bum Bum
Moving ahead steadily, next we will look at some Hockey Pants in both junior and senior sizes. Hockey Pants help protect your upper legs and some padding for your behind. Lets have a look. Again we will look at High priced and Low price for two brands.
Junior
| Style | Canadian Store Price $CAD (US Conversion) | US Store Price $USD (CAD Conversion) |
| BAUER SUPREME 2S PRO JR HOCKEY PANTS | $199.99 ($149.67) | $139.99 ($187.05) |
| BAUER NSX JR HOCKEY PANTS | $59.99 ($44.90) | $49.99 ($66.80) |
| CCM SUPER TACKS AS1 JR HOCKEY PANTS | $169.99 ($127.22) | $129.99 ($173.69) |
| CCM TACKS 9040 JR HOCKEY PANTS | $79.99 ($59.86) | $64.99 ($86.84) |
Senior
| Style | Canadian Store Price $CAD (US Conversion) | US Store Price $USD (CAD Conversion) |
| BAUER SUPREME 2S PRO SR HOCKEY PANTS | $249.99 ($186.65) | $219.99 ($294.64) |
| BAUER NSX SR HOCKEY PANTS | $69.99 ($52.26) | $59.99 ($80.35) |
| CCM SUPER TACKS AS1 SR HOCKEY PANTS | $239.99 ($179.19) | $199.99 ($267.85) |
| CCM TACKS 9040 SR HOCKEY PANTS | $89.99 ($67.19) | $74.99 ($100.44 |
New hockey pants can be a good item to purchase new. They should last a while and as a senior hockey player your should only need to buy one for your hockey endeavours.
Shoulder Pads – Make You Look Big
Onto the Shoulder Pads, you can get many different styles and sizes. There are large profile pads and smaller pads. You want something that fits snug but not too tight. Lets look at a couple options following the same theme as above. Two types from two brands each. Junior first then Senior.
Junior
| Style | Canadian Store Price $CAD (US Conversion) | US Store Price $USD (CAD Conversion) |
| CCM SUPER TACKS AS1 JR SHOULDER PADS | $189.99 ($141.85) | $159.99 ($214.28 |
| CCM TACKS 9040 JR SHOULDER PADS | $69.99 ($52.26) | $59.99 ($80.35) |
| BAUER SUPREME 2S PRO JR SHOULDER PADS | $199.99 ($149.32) | $169.99 ($227.26) |
| BAUER NSX JR SHOULDER PADS | $69.99 ($52.26) | $59.99 ($80.35) |
Senior
| Style | Canadian Store Price $CAD (US Conversion) | US Store Price $USD (CAD Conversion) |
| CCM SUPER TACKS AS1 SR SHOULDER PADS | $229.99 ($171.72) | $199.99 ($267.85) |
| CCM TACKS 9040 SR SHOULDER PADS | $79.99 ($59.72) | $69.99 ($93.74) |
| WARRIOR ALPHA DX SR SHOULDER PADS | $219.99 ($164.25) | $179.99 ($241.07 |
| WARRIOR ALPHA DX5 SR SHOULDER PADS | $74.99 ($55.99) | $59.99 ($80.35) |
There you go, a few examples for you to look over. Depending on your skill level and how often you play that is the price range you will be looking at. Several options in between the high and low points to choose from.
Elbow Pads – The Funny Bone Isn’t Funny
Next I am going to show you the ol’ elbow pad. In my opinion next to your helmet and skates, oh ya and jock, these are one of the most important pieces of gear. You fall once on your elbow without a pair and you will never skate without them again.
Junior
| Style | Canadian Store Price $CAD (US Conversion) | US Store Price $USD (CAD Conversion) |
| BAUER VAPOR 1X LITE JR ELBOW PADS | $149.99 ($111.99) | $149.99 ($200.89) |
| BAUER VAPOR 1X LITE ELBOW PADS | $36.99 ($27.62) | $29.99 ($40.17) |
| CCM SUPER TACKS AS1 JR ELBOW PADS | $139.99 ($104.52) | $139.99 ($187.49) |
| CCM JETSPEED FT370 JR ELBOW PADS | $59.99 ($44.79) | $39.99 ($53.56) |
Senior
| Style | Canadian Store Price $CAD (US Conversion) | US Store Price $USD (CAD Conversion) |
| BAUER VAPOR 1X LITE SR ELBOW PADS | $179.99 ($134.39) | $149.99 ($200.89) |
| BAUER NSX SR ELBOW PADS | $39.99 ($29.86) | $34.99 ($46.86) |
| WARRIOR ALPHA DX PRO SR ELBOW PADS | $119.99 ($89.59) | $99.99 ($133.92) |
| WARRIOR ALPHA DX3 SR ELBOW PADS | $84.99 ($63.46) | $69.99 ($93.74) |
And that’d be your elbow pad examples. Just to note there are about 20 different pairs of Senior elbow pads ranging in all prices. So do your research and find what you like. As well as Junior, there are over 20 styles, plenty to choose.
Hockey Gloves – Silky Mitts For Ya
My favourite type of equipment because you can get so many styles and they can look pretty cool. But they also help protect your hand from getting slashed and from the vibrations when taking hard shots.
Down below I’ll show you a few pairs from the junior and senior brands. I might include a few more examples because there are so many different kinds of gloves. Lets get into it!
Junior
Left: BAUER SUPREME 2S PRO
Right: BAUER NEXUS N2900
| Style | Canadian Store Price $CAD (US Conversion) | |
| BAUER SUPREME 2S PRO JR HOCKEY GLOVES | $199.99 ($149.07) | $149.99 ($201.22) |
| BAUER NEXUS N2900 JR HOCKEY GLOVES | $129.99 ($96.89) | $109.99 ($147.56) |
| BAUER NSX JR HOCKEY GLOVES | $59.99 ($44.72) | $49.99 ($60.36) |
| CCM SUPER TACKS AS1 JR HOCKEY GLOVES | $179.99 ($134.16) | $149.99 ($201.22) |
| CCM TACKS 9060 JR HOCKEY GLOVES | $109.99 ($81.99) | $89.99 ($120.73) |
| CCM TACKS 9040 JR HOCKEY GLOVES | $89.99 ($67.08) | $69.99 ($93.90 |
Left: CCM TACKS 9060
Right: CCM JETSPEED FT1
Senior
| Style | Canadian Store Price $CAD (US Conversion) | US Store Price $USD (CAD Conversion) |
| BAUER VAPOR 1X LITE PRO SR HOCKEY GLOVES | $249.99 ($186.34) | $219.99 ($295.13) |
| BAUER SUPREME S29 SR HOCKEY GLOVES | $129.99 ($96.89) | $99.99 ($134.14) |
| BAUER NSX SR HOCKEY GLOVES | $79.99 ($59.62) | $59.99 ($80.48) |
| CCM SUPER TACKS AS1 SR HOCKEY GLOVES | $229.99 ($171.43) | $199.99 ($268.30) |
| CCM TACKS 9060 SR HOCKEY GLOVES | $129.99 ($96.89) | $99.99 ($134.14) |
| CCM JETSPEED FT370 SR HOCKEY GLOVES | $119.99 ($89.44) | $89.99 ($120.73) |
Those are just a few examples of hockey gloves. There are some style of gloves that have over 20 different colours. There are also a couple other brands with their own style, colour and protection. The most important thing is not style and colour it is protection and functionality.
Helmets – AKA Brain Bucket
The Helmet is a critical piece of equipment. It will protect your head and face from pucks, sticks and skate blade. You MUST have a cage or face mask on your helmet in the younger stages of hockey. I suggest buying new when it comes to helmets because you never know how someone treated a used helmet. But that is just me.
Let look at some helmets in the junior and senior types.
Junior
| Style | Canadian Store Price $CAD (US Conversion) | US Store Price $USD (CAD Conversion) |
| BAUER RE-AKT 100 YTH COMBO HOCKEY HELMET | $124.99 ($93.17) | $119.99 ($160.97) |
| BAUER LIL SPORT YTH HOCKEY HELMET COMBO | $62.99 ($46.95) | $59.99 ($80.48) |
| CCM FITLITE 3DS YTH HOCKEY HELMET | $79.99 ($59.62) | $59.99 ($80.48) |
Senior
| Style | Canadian Store Price $CAD (US Conversion) | US Store Price $USD (CAD Conversion) |
| BAUER RE-AKT 200 HOCKEY HELMET | $349.99 ($268.88) | $299.99 ($402.46) |
| BAUER 4500 HOCKEY HELMET | $74.99 ($55.90) | $69.99 ($93.90) |
| CCM FITLITE 500 HOCKEY HELMET | $249.99 ($186.34) | $199.99 ($268.30) |
| CCM 50 SR HOCKEY HELMET | $59.99 ($44.72) | $49.99 ($67.06) |
Those helmets are just a few examples. There are many many helmets you can choose, some are less expensive and some might be more depending on where you get them. It is very important to make sure it fits perfectly in order for it to be used correctly.
Hockey Skates – Lightning Fast, Use Your Edges
I saved the best for last, the piece of equipment you do not want to cheap out on or make the mistake buying the wrong size. If your skates are too big you will trip over your feet and get some nasty blisters because your foot will be sliding around inside the skate causing friction.
If you skates are too small you will have extremely sore feet. Trust me, I currently have skates that are border line too small, too narrow I think, and my feet get pretty sore. Lets have a look at some examples of skates and give you an idea of what they cost. Get ready because the price will shock you.
Junior
| Style | Canadian Store Price $CAD (US Conversion) | US Store Price $USD (CAD Conversion) |
| BAUER VAPOR 2X PRO JR HOCKEY SKATES | $799.99 ($596.31) | $699.99 ($939.080 |
| BAUER VAPOR X2.7 JR HOCKEY SKATES | $199.99 ($149.07) | $169.99 ($228.05) |
| BAUER NSX JR HOCKEY SKATES | $79.99 ($59.62) | $69.99 ($93.90) |
| CCM JETSPEED FT2 JR HOCKEY SKATES | $849.99 ($633.58) | $649.99 ($872.00) |
| CCM JETSPEED FT470 JR HOCKEY SKATES | $249.99 ($186.34) | $209.99 ($281.72) |
| CCM TACKS 9050 JR HOCKEY SKATES | $129.99 ($96.89) | $109.99 ($147.56) |
Senior
| Style | Canadian Store Price $CAD (US Conversion) | US Store Price $USD (CAD Conversion) |
| BAUER VAPOR 2X PRO SR HOCKEY SKATES | $1,099.99 ($819.93) | $899.99 ($1207.40) |
| BAUER VAPOR X2.7 SR HOCKEY SKATES | $249.99 ($186.34) | $209.99 ($281.72) |
| BAUER NSX SR HOCKEY SKATES | $99.99 ($74.53) | $89.99 ($120.73) |
| CCM JETSPEED FT2 SR HOCKEY SKATES | $1149.99 ($857.20) | $899.99 ($1207.40) |
| CCM JETSPEED FT470 SR HOCKEY SKATES | $419.99 ($313.06) | $329.99 ($442.70) |
| CCM TACKS 9050 SR HOCKEY SKATES | $169.99 ($126.71) | $109.99 ($147.56) |
As you can see the most expensive skates are extremely high end. They are meant for professional hockey players or players who are taking their hockey careers far. Or if you have the money by all means buy what ever you would like.
I included high end, mid range and low end, there are many different kinds and price ranges of skates but that should give you a decent idea as to what to expect when buying new skates.
Wrapping Things Up – An End to the Value Train
I really hope you have found this article extremely valuable. The only thing I didn’t include would be the neck guard and hockey sticks, as well as Goalie Skates. You could probably assume Goalie skates would fall into the range of the skates above. And I think hockey sticks could have an article of their own.
From what I have seen and researched you won’t save any money as a Canadian by going to the USA to buy equipment. By the time you drive there, buy your stuff, pay duty and drive home, not to mention the time you’ve spent you are going to spend a lot more than shopping at home. Fuel+Duty+Exchange+Time= LOST MONEY!!
On the FLIP side, If you’re an American coming to Canada you might save a little but again the equation above might put you in a savings of a few dollars. And that really only works for people closer to the borders.
I suggest you support your local community and stay home to shop. Make smart decisions when making your purchases and get help when making those big purchases. Good luck and enjoy the greatest game on Earth.