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Original poster

Mouth guards, shin guards and padded gloves (for hockey)

33 replies

KristinaM · 03/11/2018 08:05

DS aged 11 has just started playing hockey at high school and loves it. Now want to join a local hockey club. I’m delighted as he has Aspergers and has never been into sport before.

A local club has spaces for his age group and he’s going along next week. However he needs to have his own shin guards, mouth guard and padded gloves.

He has some sensory issues, which means that the feel of things bothers him much more than it does other children. Can anyone recommend brands or types of mouth guards which are more comfortable to wear ?

He already has shin guards for school , which he does wear but complains that they make his ankles hot. I don’t know if all brands are the same ?

I think he will be ok with the gloves but any advice on them also welcomed. Thanks

OP posts:
FrogsSpawnofSanta · 03/11/2018 08:13

I use a sisu mouth guard for karate. I can't wear thicker ones. The sisu ones are very thin and can be re-moulded.

FrogsSpawnofSanta · 03/11/2018 08:15

Should have added you can get them on amazon. Can't add a link as I'm on my phone.

FrogsSpawnofSanta · 03/11/2018 08:15

Should have added you can get them on amazon. Can't add a link as I'm on my phone.

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11 year olds General sports
Meet0nTheIedge · 03/11/2018 08:19

You can get liners for shinpads which make them a lot more comfortable/less sweaty. My DS struggled with the feel of shinpads for a long time till we got these www.shinnerz.com

Original poster
KristinaM · 03/11/2018 08:19

Thank you Frog. I think the mouth guard will really bother him , I’m afraid he will refuse to use it and ( quite rightly ) not be allowed to play At the club. Which would be such a shame.

That SISU one looks thin and has mostly good reviews on Amazon .

OP posts:
milienhaus · 03/11/2018 08:24

Be careful with a thin mouthguard for hockey I would say - a hockey ball to the face could do a lot more damage than some other sports and you generally want the best protection possible! I have one from the dentist which is pretty good but realistically they’re always quite uncomfortable to wear.

Can second the recommendation for shinnerz.

Sunnysidegold · 03/11/2018 08:25

Another thing to consider for the future is a dentist made gumshield. My son got his made through his rugby club and it was about 40 which is pricy but maybe something to consider for comfort of the hockey live continues.

Sunnysidegold · 03/11/2018 08:26

Although they obviously have to do a mould first which i didnt think about but would perhaps be tricky for a child with sensory issues. Apologies for not thinking that through OP.

weekendatlastyay · 03/11/2018 08:41

I'd get his buy in by allowing him to research the different types and how they work

The fitting process is a bit of an ordeal for boil and bite or you need a professional impression for a custom fit

but then if you get a well fitting one it will be more comfortable and more likely to be worn.

Depends how much you are able to spend. We have always used OPRO look at their website but they sell their boil and bites on amazon or good independent sports shops (they have different levels of impact) OPRO customer service v helpful in my experience

They are not cheap but good quality also if you go for a custom fit he can choose the design which for Aspergers might help with motivation to wear it.

One thing to consider is whether he's still losing/gaining teeth as the mouthguard might need replacing sooner than you think

Dafspunk · 03/11/2018 08:46

I’m sure you’ve thought of this but probably worth buying the kit one piece at a time and practising wearing it at home bit by bit so it’s less of an assault on the senses than ‘padding up’ on the edge of the field.

meala · 03/11/2018 08:59

Another vote for the sisu mouthguard. It has been great for my son. Read up on their website about the science behind it and why it is still safe although thin.

Original poster
KristinaM · 03/11/2018 12:42

Thank you all for these posts, I really appreciate your advice.

In the school hockey club they don’t wear any safety equipment so we were very pleased that he agreed to wear the shin guards . I think they are acceptable to him because his friends wear them for football.

The mouth guards is a whole new thing to me because none of my other children have done sports where they were required . So it’s a steep learning curve for me.

And of course he needs all this kit NOW ( as in I need to order it today ) to even go along for the first session at the club. Fortunately they can lend him a stick.

And it’s indoors now for the next few months so no need for so many layers of clothing .

OP posts:
Meet0nTheIedge · 03/11/2018 12:55

I hope it goes ok. My DS also has AS and has been playing for the local hockey vlub for several years now, they have been great with him. He chews mouthguards to bits though, we usually replace about once a term.

Original poster
KristinaM · 03/11/2018 14:23

Thank you for your good wishes MeetOn, that’s good to hear that your son enjoys hockey. We are unreasonably pleased that DS has found a team sport that he likes and seems to be OK at. As you know this is A Big Deal for Aspies.

He was over the moon to be chosen to the school team, even though they have lost all three games they have played.

Is there any particular mouthguard that works well for your DS?

I forgot to ask more glove questions - do I need to buy full or Half fingers? And why on earth do you buy them singly when in the rest of life gloves are sold as a pair ?

OP posts:
Original poster
KristinaM · 03/11/2018 14:24

I’m going to get these shin pad liners as well.

I’m guessing I have to go into a ship to get gloves fitted rather than buy online ? This is a whole new world of consumerism to me .

OP posts:
weekendatlastyay · 03/11/2018 14:29

Oh well you won't have time for a custom fit mouthguard then sorry! But maybe consider later once he gets all his teeth

Good luck hope he enjoys it!!

MissMarplesKnitting · 03/11/2018 14:39

Opro mouth guards are very good.

With shinnies I like to wear two pairs of socks (I wear base layer compression socks but normal socks work!) and put the shinnies between each pair. That helps because I hate sweaty shinpads too.

As for gloves, I honestly would recommend full gloves if he can bear them. I have seen lots of fractures of fingers and smashed knuckles. I used to use a half glove but it doesn't really give any protection from stray sticks.

MissMarplesKnitting · 03/11/2018 14:42

Definitely get hockey shinpads too as football ones aren't designed to take the ball impact hockey ones are. Once the ball starts pinging about at a decent rate his shins will thank him!!

Mercian are always a good place to start for quality gear and reasonable prices.

Ring a hockey specialist shops like one hockey (NE), Barrington's (NW) and ask their advice.

You may well be able to get last year's ranges cheap too.

Meet0nTheIedge · 03/11/2018 14:46

We use Opro silver self fit mouth guards. It's not a barrel of laughs fitting them, try and do it a day or two in advance, watch the little fitting video, pick a time when you aren't in a rush. Buy a spare in case it really all goes wrong. Sorry!

Mine has never had proper hockey gloves, he just wear soft ones that he can grip a stick with. We did try ordering thin hockey ones online but sizing was very difficult.

Meet0nTheIedge · 03/11/2018 14:48

Sone local sports shops are better than others for hockey. Sports Direct has very little. Our local independent shop gives a discount for club members.

Original poster
KristinaM · 03/11/2018 19:44

Yikes, I didn’t even realise that hockey shin pads were different from football one Blush

Thank you for explaining.

OP posts:
Meet0nTheIedge · 03/11/2018 20:14

They cover much more of the leg and ankle.

MissMarplesKnitting · 03/11/2018 20:36

A scooting just-off-the-floor mistimed hockey ball to the ankle is supremely painful.

Definitely get proper shinnies....

LilyTheSavage · 03/11/2018 20:41

Two of my sons played hockey at a very high level. I can't agree more with the pp who said that hockey shin pads are different to football. Really important to get the hockey ones. I think they're available online. My sons initially wore a half glove and were fine. Opro were good for gum shields as well.

Hope your DS enjoys playing.

greendale17 · 03/11/2018 20:45

My DB plays hockey and he said everyone there wears Opro mouthguards

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