When to replace hockey gear
Replace a helmet after a severe hit or when it cracks, and in the US when its HECC certification date passes (6.5 years after it was made). Neck guards with HECC certification expire 5 years after manufacture. Other gear has no expiry: replace it when it cracks, the padding breaks down or it no longer fits. The table covers each piece.
| Gear | When to replace |
|---|---|
| Helmet | Replace it after a severe impact, or if the shell cracks, fittings come loose, liner pieces go missing, or the padding stops springing back. Painting, drilling or removing parts voids the certification. In the US, the HECC sticker shows a "Valid until" date, 6.5 years after manufacture; after it, the helmet is no longer certified for play that requires HECC. In Canada, CSA certification doesn't expire.1,2,3,4,5 |
| Cage or visor | Replace it if it cracks or breaks. Never cut or bend a wire mask; removing the chin cup voids CSA certification.5 |
| Neck guard | Replace a damaged or altered guard. HECC-certified neck guards expire 5 years after manufacture, even if they look fine. Neck guards are required in Canadian minor and female hockey, and in USA Hockey for all players under 18 since August 1, 2024.2,6,7,8,5,9 |
| Skates | Replace or repair a cracked toe cap before wearing them again, and fix damaged boots, eyelets, cracked holders and loose rivets. Replace them when they no longer fit; never buy skates to grow into.5 |
| Skate blades | Replace a cracked blade or loose rivets. A bent blade can sometimes be straightened; squeaking on stops is a sign to check. Steel can be replaced on its own if the boot is sound.5,10 |
| Stick | Replace it when the shaft cracks or goes soft, or the blade separates at the heel or toe.10 |
| Gloves | Repair or replace when finger or roll pads come off. Worn palms can be replaced at a leather or shoe repair shop. Replace when the back padding is so thin you feel impacts through it.5 |
| Shin guards | Replace a cracked shin cap right away, and replace guards that are too short or too long.5 |
| Shoulder and elbow pads | Repair or replace cracks, tears and missing fasteners. Replace elbow pads whose caps crack or go hard and brittle.5 |
| Pants | Replace any cracked pad, such as a thigh pad, and repair tears in the shell or liner right away.5 |
| Jock or jill | Replace a cracked cup; repair or replace torn straps.5 |
What to buy used and what to buy new
Sources
- USA Hockey memorandum, Rule 304(c) enforcement guidelines, Sept 26 2013 (governing body)
- Hockey Canada - Reminder regarding helmet certification and BNQ-certified neck protectors, 2022 (governing body)
- CSA Technical Committee letter to Hockey Canada, 'Hockey Helmet Certification and Life-span', June 1 2010 (CSA Group)
- HockeyMonkey - When to replace a hockey helmet (retailer)
- Hockey Canada - Safety/Insurance guide, Equipment Tips pp.69-82 (governing body, (c) 2021)
- HECC - Neck laceration protector expiration date correction (certifier)
- HECC - Certification program for neck laceration protectors, Jan 15 2025 (certifier)
- USA Hockey - Neck Laceration Protector Requirement Starts August 1 (governing body)
- Standards Council of Canada - CAN/BNQ 9415-370/2013 (R 2026) neck protectors
- SidelineSwap - Why buy used hockey gear (used-gear marketplace)