No hockey player wants to have their pants fall down during the heat of the action and that’s why most of them simply tighten them with a belt these days. Wearing suspenders is also an option to keep your pants in place but this method is more or less a thing of the past for most players other than goalies.
The best way to keep your hockey suspenders from sliding off your shoulders and down your arms is to make sure they’re worn beneath your shoulder pads. You may also find that wearing a suspender tie will help keep them in place or crisscross them.
Do Hockey Suspenders Go Over or Under Your Shoulder Pads?
This is purely a personal preference but if the suspenders are placed over the shoulder pads there’s a greater chance of them moving around while you’re playing or practising. Wearing them underneath the shoulder pads and over top of a Tee shirt will help keep them securely in place.
But oddly enough, some players swear that wearing the suspenders over the pads keeps both the suspenders and pads in place better. The best thing to do is try both methods and see which you prefer.
What if You’re a Goalie? Over or Under your Shoulder Pads?
Again, this is a personal preference. I’ve found that it’s about 50-50 when it comes to goaltenders as half of them prefer to wear suspenders over their padding and half of them like to wear them underneath. Those who wear them over the chest protector usually do so because they can easily and quickly adjust them if needed.
Many goaltenders who wear them over their padding also use some other method to keep them in place though such as tape, Velcro or a skate lace to tie them. They also believe that wearing them over the pads gives them a tighter fit and are more comfortable that way. In addition, some netminders feel suspenders keep the chest protector from moving around if they’re worn over top of it.
Tips to Keeping Your Hockey Suspenders from Falling
1. Suspender Tie
Many players will wear a short suspender tie or even two of them clipped across the chest, much like Wayne Gretzky wore, to keep the suspender straps from slipping. These are inexpensive items typically made of woven elastic with a clip on each end.
2. Crisscross the Straps
If you cross the straps of the suspenders over your head before putting them on it will make for a tighter fit as the angles of the straps are changed. This typically helps reduce the chance of them falling down or moving during the action.
3. Slide the Back Connector Further Up
On the back of the suspenders is a piece that connects the two straps into one. If this piece is raised up higher behind your back it should help keep the suspenders in place. If this connector is too low on the suspenders they’ll be more likely to move around or slip.
4. Tightening them Up
Simply tightening the suspenders up through the buckles could help keep them in place. Some players may not realize that they’re wearing them too loose.
Do You Need to Wear Suspenders in Hockey?
Wearing suspenders is basically an old-school tradition. There’s nothing wrong with it at all, but hockey pants can easily be tightened and secured at the waist with a belt so suspenders aren’t really needed anymore. They’re certainly an option though but it all comes down to your personal preference. However, if you’re wearing pants that don’t come with a belt you’re probably going to need suspenders.
Read our related post on hockey jersey fighting straps here.
Ian is an experienced ice hockey writer with a passion for the game. He has been covering hockey for over 25 years and has contributed to various publications. He covers all aspects of the sport, from NHL rules to in-depth analysis of the game as well as previews. Ian is also an avid fan who attends numerous games and has played hockey regularly since moving to Canada at the age of 10.
