Best Elbow Pads For Hockey Reviewed [2022]

Posted on May 13, 2019 by Dan Kent
elbow pads

Hockey is a sport that can leave you with some serious injuries if you don’t protect yourself properly. One of the crucial parts of your hockey gear is the elbow pads.

If you’ve been having a hard time trying to find a pair of elbow pads that are best for your playing style, you’ll be glad to hear that we’ve researched and reviewed some of the best options that are currently available.

You can learn more about the top features, downsides, as well as how to go about picking elbow pads. The buyers guide section that’s available at the end can be useful in helping you to find the best possible pair of elbow pads to help you perform well while also being protected on the ice.

Comparison Table

PadsNameAwardPrice
Warrior Alpha QX Pro Senior Elbow Pads CCM Jetspeed FT1 LE Senior Best OverallCheck Price
Warrior Alpha QX Pro Senior Elbow Pads Warrior Alpha QX Pro SeniorBest Snug FitCheck Price
WinnWell Classic Sr. Elbow PadsWinnWell Classic SeniorBest for FlexibilityCheck Price
CCM Jetspeed FT370 Senior Hockey Elbow PadsCCM Jetspeed FT370 SeniorBest for ComfortCheck Price
CCM Jetspeed FT370 Senior Hockey Elbow PadsBauer Supreme 3S JuniorBest for JuniorsCheck Price
CCM Jetspeed FT370 Senior Hockey Elbow PadsWarrior Alpha DX5 JuniorBest for BeginnersCheck Price

CCM Jetspeed FT1 LE Senior

Best overall

CCM Jetspeed FT1 LE Senior

CCM’s Jetspeed FT1 LE Senior hockey elbow pads include three pieces involving different foam materials. A foam liner is included that helps to keep you dry and wick away moisture. Ths line also includes antimicrobial features that are great for preventing odors.

The forearm included Zoefoam and molded HD foam materials that are great for keeping you protected. These materials are also lightweight to ensure that you still have plenty of mobility. The bicep part of the construction includes RocketFrame materials that work effectively to keep your elbows protected without reducing mobility. 

We liked how the strapping design of these pads includes a combination of a nylon forearm strap and a neoprene strap in the middle. These straps both fit the body anatomically to ensure that your arms are protected whilst still being flexible.

Molded PE caps have been used to design the elbow part of these pads. This is fantastic for reducing impact and keeping your elbows protected. 

Awesome Features

  • Flexible design
  • Odor-preventing liners
  • Anatomical fit
  • Excellent protection 

Downsides

  • A little pricier than some were hoping for 

Where To Buy?

Check Price 

Warrior Alpha QX Pro Senior 

Best for a snug fit 

Warrior Alpha QX Pro Senior Elbow Pads

These elbow pads come with a Quick Strike feature which is excellent for ensuring that they fit you comfortably. Furthermore, they provide you with a lot of mobility to keep you flexible while you’re on the ice.

We also liked how there is are bicep guards that are durable and effective at protecting your arms. They are also lightweight, which boosts the mobility benefits.

With a sling wrap lock strap system, you can easily secure these elbow pads and feel comfortable due to how they have a customized fit. You can also make them super secure to prevent having to readjust them while you’re playing.

People have also been liking how there’s a Wartech FNC liner available too. It implements polygiene fabrics which are awesome for keeping you dry and cool to prevent odors.

A 2-piece design has also been used with the construction of these elbow pads. This makes them reliable for keeping you well protected.

They have incorporated synthetic leather materials too which improve the durability of these elbow pads. There is also high density foam within the plastic inserts that’s great for absorbing heavy impact.

These elbow pads also have an anatomical fit. As a result, they are a better option for people who want a more snug fit.

Awesome Features

  • Quick Strike for comfort and mobility
  • Sling wrap lock strap system for a more secure fit
  • Wartech FNC liner to keep you cool and dry
  • 2-piece design for durability

Downsides

  • Anatomical design may feel too tight for some

Where to buy?

Check Price

WinnWell Classic Senior 

Best for flexibility 

WinnWell Classic Sr. Elbow Pads

We liked how these WinnWell Classic Senior Hockey Pads included a fantastic combination of advanced technology and a traditional design. They’ve designed the pads to feel lightweight and flexible to keep you mobile on the ice.

There is a 3-strap system available that allows you to tighten the pads to your preference. This system ensures that the pads stay securely in place to keep you protected.

With this level of support, you’re able to pull off shots with more accuracy and power.

If you’re worried about your elbow pads becoming sweaty and causing odors over time, you’ll be glad to hear that it isn’t an issue with these pads. This is a result of the special CleanSport NXT fabric that has been used which keep your dry and cool while playing.

Awesome Features

  • Cleansport NXT fabric to prevent odors
  • 3-strap system for a secure fit
  • Lightweight and flexible
  • Plenty of support to generate more power

Downsides

  • These pads may not be so great for defensive players

Where to buy?

Check Price

CCM Jetspeed FT370 Senior

Best for comfort 

CCM Jetspeed FT370 Senior Hockey Elbow Pads

The CCM Jetspeed FT370 hockey elbow pads have been made with an incredibly lightweight design. This means that you’re able to move around with more mobility.

They’ve managed to achieve this lightweight design without reducing the protective features. It has been constructed using a rocketframe composite that’s super durable.

The strength of this material is effective at keeping you protected. Furthermore, they have used a molded PE cap insert for the forearm piece which is highly protective.

Not to mention, a JDP design has been used for the elbow caps to absorb energy upon impact. We also liked how the PE inserts used for the biceps are reliable for keeping you protected too.

A 3-strap system has been implemented and it used nylon materials. It feels elastic to ensure that you’re able to get a customized fit while also being comfortable.

Awesome Features

  • 3-strap system made with elastic nylon is comfortable
  • JDP design for impact absorption
  • PE cap insert to protect the forearms
  • Lightweight and flexible design

Downsides

  • We couldn’t find any downsides to these pads

Where to buy?

Check Price

Bauer Supreme 3S Junior

Best for juniors

Bauer Supreme 3S Junior

The S3 elbow pads by Bauer come with a 360-degree bicep design which is fantastic for allowing players to move around with more flexibility. This bicep design is also lightweight and includes a molded feature that keeps you protected from impact.

We liked how anchor straps have been included as it allows you to tighten the elbow pads to achieve a comfortable and snug fit. 

THERMOMAX liner materials have been used on the inside of these pads. This liner is excellent for keeping you comfortable. It also wicks moisture away which enables you to stay dry whilst playing. The liner is also great for preventing the buildup of odor-causing bacteria due to how quickly it can dry out. 

Awesome Features

  • Incredibly flexible design
  • Antimicrobial liner
  • Excellent protection 

Downsides

  • A little bulkier than some were expecting 

Where To Buy?

Check Price 

Warrior Alpha DX5 Junior

Best for beginners

Warrior Alpha DX5 Junior

The Warrior Alpha DX5 elbow pads are ideal for beginners due to how they cover all the bases when it comes to fit, mobility, and protection. We liked how the bicep guards have been made with a strong design to withstand slashes and impact from blocking shots and sticks.

In addition to this, the DX5 pads feature a strapping system that has three pieces. As a result, players have been able to securely tighten the elbow pads to their arms to fit comfortably and tightly enough to provide protection whilst remaining mobile. 

A mesh liner has also been added to the interior of these pads. These materials are fantastic for wicking away moisture and keeping you dry. Players have found that they’re able to be more comfortable due to this moisture-wicking liner. It also helps to prevent the buildup of odor-causing bacteria. 

These pads are also available for a cheap price. Therefore, they could be a fantastic option worth considering for beginners as it doesn’t require a big investment, to begin with.

Awesome Features

  • Three-piece strap design
  • Flexible 
  • Moisture-wicking materials 

Downsides

  • It May not withstand constant use by more experienced players 

Where To Buy?

Check Price 

Hockey Elbow Pads Buyers Guide 

After reading through our review of some of the best hockey elbow pads, you may be wondering more about how to find the right size, the type that’s best for you, and so on.

Well, that’s why we’ve put together this buyers guide section. You can find some useful information throughout this section that will make finding your perfect pair of elbow pads a breeze.

The Different Elbow Pad Designs

While reading through the various options throughout this review, you will have noticed that there are a few different types of elbow pads. They include a single-piece, 2-piece, and 3-piece designs.

Finding an elbow pad design that’s right for you is one of the most important factors when it comes to your comfort, flexibility, and protection.

You should also consider the kind of level that you’re playing at too. For example, if you’re in a higher league, you may want more protection than someone who’s in a lower league.

The single-piece design (AKA soft shell) has an interior that has been made out of plastic materials. On the exterior, there is usually padded materials .

These pads have one longer piece which may not offer quite as much protection as higher league players may be hoping for. Having said that, these types of elbow pads provide you with a lot of mobility.

The 2-piece elbow pads are among the most popular hockey elbow pads that you can find. Usually, the main guards have been made using plastic that has been molded for durability and strength.

These pads are split up between the bicep and forearm guard pieces that cover the elbow. Therefore, these pads come with an additional piece on the bicep that offers more protection that single-piece pads.

The most premium elbow pads that are currently available are the ones that have a 3-piece design. They are segmented the same as the 2-piece pads, however, they also have more protection at the bottom of the pad.

This added part offers more protection, while also providing you with more mobility compared to the single and 2-piece elbow pads. It’s a benefit that players notice the most when it comes to straightening their arms out.

Forearm and Bicep Guards 

The type of protection that you have available for your forearms and biceps is vital when playing ice hockey. This is because these body parts can be easily hurt if they’re not properly protected.

The forearm protection that comes with elbow pads will vary depending on the type that you choose. When it comes to the softer shell pads, the guards included foam with a single layer that doesn’t always cover your entire forearm properly.

The impact absorption with a single layer of foam also isn’t so great. With the 2-piece elbow pads, there are usually more plastic inserts available that provide you with more coverage.

If you start using the 3-piece elbow pads, there are plastic inserts that cover your entire forearm, as well as high-quality foam materials to absorb the impact.

As far as the bicep guards are considered, there are 3 choices available. They include the single, 2, and 3-piece constructions.

The single-piece pads are made with a softer shell that includes a single layer of foam. It can absorb impact but not as well as some players may be hoping for.

With the 2-piece elbow pads, there are plastic inserts included that provide you with better protection on your upper arm. The 3-piece elbow pads come with thicker pieces of plastic, as well as high-quality foam materials.

So, if you’re looking for the best forearm and bicep protection, the higher end elbow pads that have a 3-piece design would be your best option. This is especially the case for defensive players who are often using their bodies to block shots.

However, if you’re a more attacking player, the single or 2-piece elbow pads may be all you need. There’s less plastic and foam materials to ensure that you can remain lightweight and quick.

The Various Strap Systems 

The strapping systems are another one of the crucial factors to lookout for when searching for your ideal pair of elbow pads. Simply going for the higher end choices may not be the best option if you aren’t able to keep them secure on your arm.

Having an easy-to-use and secure strapping system is incredibly important to prevent the pads from moving around and leaving your exposed.

The elbow pads that are for beginners usually have a 2 or 3 strap system that uses Velcro. This lets you secure the one or two pieces of the pad to your arm with ease.

When it comes to the medium range elbow pads, there is often a 3-strap system available. However, the materials tend to be nylon, which feels more comfortable and keeps the pads more secured in place.

As far as the high end elbow pads are concerned, most of them feature elastic straps that are made out of neoprene. These materials are of a high-quality, easy to adjust, and keep the various pieces of the pad secured tightly onto your arms.

Elbow Pad Liners 

The liners that are used in hockey elbow pads are important to consider when it comes to your comfort.

With the beginner line of elbow pads, it’s likely that the liner has been made using nylon materials that are soft and comfortable. However, they may not do a whole lot to help with absorbing impact.

The medium range and higher end elbow pads include liners that are better for absorbing impact. Furthermore, there are also some excellent liners that can help to make the pads more breathable to ensure air can circulate.

As a result, they can prevent odors by keeping you cool and dry.

Conclusion 

So, that brings our review of the best hockey elbow pads to an end. Be sure to read through the main features, upsides, and downsides of each option.

We also recommend that you think about the kind of playing style that you have. This is to ensure that you can use a pair of elbow pads that help you perform better as either an attacking or defensive player.

Our buyers guide section includes some great information that can prove to be handy if you’re struggling to make a final decision. We hope that the details in our review have helped you gain a better idea of the different elbow pads that are available and how to choose the best pair for yourself.

Dan Kent

About the author

Growing up in a hockey hotbed (Calgary, Alberta. And yes, I'm an Oiler fan), I decided to put my love and knowledge of the game to work. I started at five and am still playing today into my early 30s. By acquiring Brave Stick Hockey and rebranding it to Big Shot Hockey in 2023, I plan to teach people about this great game and educate them on the best equipment and history of the game. On a career level, I am in finance, running one of the largest financial websites in Canada, Stocktrades.ca.

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