Generally, skates will fit 1 to 1 ½ sizes smaller than your shoe size. For women, this size is 2 to 2 ½ sizes smaller. CCM skates tend to be wider, and Bauer's tend to be narrow. If you have wide feet, you might find CCM's are much more comfortable, whereas if you have narrow feet, you might find them too loose. In the end however, a proper fit is determined by trying on a number of different types and sizes and feeling which ones are most comfortable.

When trying the skate on, you should kick your heel into the very back of the boot, and your toes should only barely be able to feel the toe cap. If they curl, or are crushed in any way, the boot does not fit properly. As you lace up the boot, be sure to kick your heel back so that it stays firmly locked against the back of the boot. Laces should be snug, but not too tight. Common practice is to have looser lacing along the front of the footbed, tighter lacing along the part of your foot where the ankle meets the foot, and then slightly looser up near the top. When completely laced, eyelets should be 1.5 to 2" apart. If further apart, a wider boot would be better. And if the eyelets are closer, look for a narrower boot.

When the skates are laced, get up and walk around. The heels should remain firmly against the back of the skate. If it slips or there is movement, then the skate is too large. Your foot should be comfortable in the footbed, and your toes should be able to lie flat in the boot. It is always a good idea to take the skates off completely and trying them on again before making any final decisions. Red areas or pressure points on your feet are signs of an improperly fitted skate.

When fitting children, remember not to fit them too large, even though some room for growth should be given. It is wise to only have about a half an inch between the heel and the boot when their foot is pushed up as far as it can go into an unlaced boot. Also, remember to buy them as close to the season they need them for as possible, so that they give you more wear before you must buy another pair.

The following table outlines the various foot measurement systems in use:

The areas to consider when choosing a helmet are protection, comfort and fit. You should always look for equipment that feels comfortable. The helmet should be adjusted to fit snug to prevent any shifting and maximize protection. Make sure the chinstrap is adjusted so it gently makes contact under the chin when fastened.

It is recommended that the player wears CSA and HECC certified helmets. All CSA and HECC certified helmets have a sticker indicating their certification. Open your helmet to it's largest setting and place it on the head so that the rim is one finger width above the eyebrow. Gradually begin to downsize the helmet until a comfortably snug fit is achieved.

Hat size method - measure from the top of one ear to the other ear crossing over the top of your head.

Circumference method - measure around the forehead.

Neck guards are designed to protect the throat area from lacerations and cuts - they are not designed to protect against spinal injuries.

The neck guard should be snug, but not uncomfortably tight. It should completely cover the throat, and with the bib style, the upper chest area. Measure the player's neck and match this size to the adjacent sizing chart.

Junior: 11" to 14"
Senior: 14" to 18"

Neck protector must have a BNQ certification label.

Athletic mouthguards are an essential piece of safety equipment. Mouthguards not only significantly reduce the incidence and severity of injuries to the teeth and mouth, but they also act as a shock absorber against more serious injuries like concussions and jaw fractures. A good mouthguard, such as Shock Doctor® mouthguard will offer the following protection:

• Protect the brain from concussion by absorbing and dissipating the shock of a blow to the lower jaw
  
• Protect the temporomandibular (jaw) joint from dislocation and other injury by supporting and cushioning the lower jaw
  
• Protect the jaw from fractures by providing a cushion between upper and lower jaw
  
• Protect against broken, chipped, lost or nerve damaged teeth by absorbing and deflecting the force of a blow
  
• Protect oral tissues from laceration by shielding the lips, tongue, cheeks and gums

Goals skates are sized similar to player skates. Goal skates differ from player skates in the following ways:

• Boot is surrounded by hard plastic shell for added protection.
  
• The height of the boot in relation to the ice is lower, giving a lower centre of gravity and more stability.
  
• The blade is flatter (not rockered), leaving more blade in contact with the ice, which gives better balance.

A goalie helmet has to fit snugly. This allows the shape and composition of the shell to equally distribute shot pressure. It is recommended that all goaltenders wear CSA and HECC certified masks. All CSA and HECC certified masks have a sticker indicating their certification.

When fitting the goaltender mask, adjust the unit so that the upper perimeter of the frontal component is ¼ " above the eyebrow. For a proper fit, make sure all straps are fastened so that the chin cup fits snugly against the chin and the mask achieves a snug fit.

The following stick characteristics will help you choose the correct size:

Curves
1. Youth goalies under 10-12 years should not have a curve. House Leagues should wait a couple more years before buying a curved stick. Learn to stop the puck before shooting it.

2. Junior goaltenders don't need a huge curve. The bigger the curve, the bigger the chance of missing a shot at the stick. Pokechecking is more difficult with a curved stick - the toe of the stick is off the ice when the blade is pushed forward. In the backhand position, the puck can easily slide under the curved area. Curved sticks often cannot be placed totally flat. The blade is usually rockered which will put the toe up when the heel is down and vice versa. Rebounds are also much harder to control off a curved surface as opposed to a straight one.

Shaft Length
In stance with skates on and the stick blade flat on the ice, the shaft should not be higher than the goalie's shoulder. Buy a stick that fits. Never cut a goalie stick. They are balanced and cutting the shaft eliminates that required balance.

Paddle Length
In stance with skates on and the stick blade flat on the ice, the blocker should be positioned between the waist and the bottom knee roll on the pad. If the blocker is too low, the goaltender will lean forward, be off balance and he will have difficulty with the top corner. If too high, the goaltender will have difficulty with low shots and stick maneuverability.

Lie
In stance with skates on and the stick blade flat on the ice, the goaltender must be comfortable. Use the lie number on the shaft as a guide, but don't rely on each manufacturer's lie to be the same - they're not even close! (E.g. A Louisville l3 lie is 2 or 3 inches different from a Koho lie 13). Pro Pattern sticks often do not show a lie so be careful. The lie signifies the angle the blade is on. A 13 lie will position the blocker hand further away from the body and closer to the ice, thus creating a larger opening under the arm. Using a 15 lie will put the blocker hand closer to the body and further from the ice. Every goaltender will like a different lie and this may change during the season and throughout his/her career. It may be necessary to try several sticks before finding the correct one. Quite often incorrect glove positioning is mistaken for incorrect lie. Before rushing to get a new stick, make sure the hands are in the proper location.