Inline Hockey Pants - Getting the Best Fit for Your Game
There are a few things to consider when you go to buy inline hockey pants for the first time.
First, finding a pair that fits well may take some time since you shouldn't really just grab a pair off the rack because they look cool. You have to watch the length, the waistband and make sure they'll fit well over protective girdle and shin guards.
And most of all, they have to be durable and comfortable so you're the best at your game and not losing your concentration because your hockey pants aren't fitting right.
But just like the jeans you wear every day, inline hockey pants will fit differently depending on who made them. So even if you plan to save the most money by buying them online, it's highly recommended that you go shopping locally first and try on a few pair to see which brand and style will fit you best. Then look for the best deal on those brands and styles online.
Unlike your everyday jeans or pants, your game pants need to be loose fitting because you should be wearing a protective hockey girdle and shin pads underneath but you also don’t want them falling down while you're playing. So trying some different styles and brands on first will ensure you get the pants you need.
Get the Proper Fit
It's always advisable to wear a protection under inline hockey pants because the pants alone won't give you any more protection during the game than your jersey. So when you go to try on some pants, bring your protective gear wit
h you and wear them when you try on the pants.
Take your waist measurement first and get your weight and height measurements then start with pants that are the size of your waist measurement and go up from there, especially if the pants feel tight and restrict your movement while wearing your protective gear.
It's also a good idea to wear your hockey skates when you try on your pants so you're making sure to buy the right length. You don't want them too short but you don't want them so long that they'll get caught in the wheels of your skates e
ither.
Some Options to Think About When Shopping for Inline Hockey Pants
There are some features or options that are available on some styles or manufacturers pants that aren't available on others, even though 
the base construction is the same.
But here are some of the features that you can look for that are pretty much standard on just about any style of hockey pants, from top to bottom:
Elastic waistband.
Even though most pants have a belt, elastic waistbands are often preferred because they're more comfortable and you don't have t
o worry about a belt.
Adjustable belt at the waistband.
Some players prefer this option
to the elastic waistband above because they're able to control the fit of the pants. Some styles even have dual belts that you can tighten individually on each side.
Reinforced material at the knees.
This is really important because the tops of your shin guards may rub at the knees of the pants, your knees are bent a good deal of the time when you're skating and if you fall, you're probably going to skid on your knees.
So having some extra heavy duty material at your knees not only provides a bit more protection, but it makes your pants a lot more durable.
Mesh ventilation for breathability.
These mesh ventilation areas in the thighs, groin and calves mobility are made of a stretch material to enable proper mobility during play.
Shin straps.
Built into the calf of the pants, these straps secure your shin guards with Velcro. You'll have to look around for brands that have this additional feature since not all inline hockey pants are made with shin straps.
Tip: If you can repurpose some used stuff, you can have really good but cheap hockey sticks and use the money you save to buy some nice new inline hockey pants!