Last updated on : October 29th, 2022 at 09:37 am
Here’s how to break in hockey gloves quickly, so they’re ready for your first match. For this purpose, wear gloves around your home, do a fire puck, use the streaming method, and then prepare the glove to hit the ice confidently.
A brand-new pair of gloves is always welcome. However, very few people genuinely enjoy the labor of softening gloves, so they are prepared for the ice.
Most hockey team members wear their gloves without doing anything special to make them soft because they will naturally break in during your first few hockey games.
Gloves that are not break in can also be very stiff, limiting the range of motion and many other difficulties.
Some players speed up this process using a steamer or skate oven, although doing so can be dangerous.
Below we’ve explained all these tips in detail. So without further ado, let’s get started!
Tips To Break In Hockey Gloves
It is essential to have soft gloves so that they are more comfortable to wear and so that you have better dexterity.
If you do not do this with your gloves, you may find it difficult to grip the stick or the puck.
Hockey gloves should be tight-fitting but not too tight. Are you worried about how to choose the right size of gloves?
Hockey gloves come in sizes ranging from 12 to 16 inches. Choose the gloves that have 1/2 inch of space between the end of your fingers.
If you want to know how to break in hockey gloves quickly, follow these tips:
#1. Wearing gloves at the house
You may test how well your gloves fit in your hand by wearing them at home while watching television(tv) or when resting.
To prepare for your next on-ice practice, you may occasionally soften the glove gear so that it fits more comfortably by clenching your fists.
Wearing gloves while doing different activities helps to loosen them up and conform to the shape of your hands.
#2. Fire puck method
You may practice stickhandling with gloves and do fire pucks if your house has adequate space for a sports net or training equipment.
Your glove will begin to break in, as a result, becoming soft and refined.
Breaking in other hockey equipment such as a helmet, shoulder pad, mouth guard, neck guard, shin pads, jersey shirt, and skates is also essential.
#3. Using the streaming method
Steaming your gloves is one of the simplest and quickest ways to guarantee a quick break in the process if you have a steamer sitting around your home or locker room.
Whether you’re using a latex glove, nylon, or leather glove, you must break them in so that they become soft.
It would help if you also learned how to soften leather work gloves for better grip.
In the streaming method, you’ve to place gloves close to the steamer head for 10 minutes, allowing the water and steam to permeate the gloves.
It’s okay for a small amount of moisture to pass through your glove, but only perform this method for 10 minutes.
After that, wait 20 seconds before re-putting your hands inside the gloves.
The hand movement is crucial, at least for 1-2 minutes. Wear your gloves for at least 10 minutes while flexing your fingers and wrists.
After10 minutes, you can remove your hands and rub your gloves to make the fabric level.
You must give your gloves some tender loving care if you want healthy hands on the ice.
Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)
Here we answered some questions:
#1. What is the difference between game-ready and broken-in gloves?
There are a few key differences between game-ready and broken-in gloves.
For one, game-ready gloves are designed to be used right out of the box, while broken-in gloves may require additional work to get them ready for game use.
Game-ready gloves are more expensive than broken-in gloves, as they are made with higher-quality materials and construction.
#2. How can I tell if my gloves are correctly broken in?
Assuming you’re talking about baseball gloves, you need to understand how to break in a new baseball glove with shaving cream so they break them in properly.
The best way to tell if your gloves are properly broken is to try them out in a match. If they feel comfortable and don’t impede your performance, they’re probably broken in just fine.
However, if you find your gloves too stiff or loose, you may need to work more to break them in properly.
#3. Should I use a glove conditioner when breaking in my gloves?
There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on personal preference.
Some people find that using a glove conditioner helps to soften the leather and make it more pliable, making the breaking-in process easier.
Others find it unnecessary and that simply working the gloves regularly is sufficient.
Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide whether or not to use a glove conditioner.
#4. Can I wash my gloves?
Yes, you can wash your gloves. However, there are a few things to keep in mind.
First, read the care label on your gloves before washing them. This will help you determine the best way to clean them.
Second, be sure to use a mild detergent and cold water when washing your gloves.
Hot water can cause the gloves to shrink. Third, after washing your gloves, be sure to air dry them.
It’s A Wrap!
To summarize, you must know how to break in leather gloves to make them soft so that they adapt to your hand structure.
The above-discussed methods are beneficial. Using these methods, you can break your hockey gloves to fit comfortably in your hand.
Sometimes your gloves break in naturally, but it takes too much time; using the streaming process is one of the quickest ways to break them in the new hockey gloves!
We hope that now you have learned how to break in hockey gloves!