Best Hockey Goalkeeping Kit for Club Players: A Buying Guide

The best hockey goalkeeping kit for club players is a mid-range setup from a specialist brand such as OBO, Grays or Mercian: a certified helmet with facemask, foam or hybrid leg guards and kickers, a lightweight body armour top, and well-fitted hand protectors. For most club goalkeepers this means spending roughly £300 to £700 across the full kit rather than investing in elite, match-only equipment designed for international standard play.

What makes up a complete goalkeeping kit

Goalkeeping is the one position in hockey where protective equipment isn't optional, and buying it piece by piece (or as a bundled set) is largely a question of budget and how often you play. A full kit typically includes:

• Helmet with integrated or separate facemask
• Body armour or chest guard
• Leg guards
• Kickers
• Hand protectors or goalkeeping gloves
• Protective shorts or an abdominal guard
• A dedicated goalkeeping stick

We stock all of these individually across our Hockey Goal Keeping range, and also as pre-matched Hockey Goalie Sets, which are a sensible starting point if you're kitting out a new goalkeeper and want everything to fit together properly from day one.

Choosing the right level of kit for club hockey

Starting out or occasional goalkeeper

If you're new to the position, or you split time between goalkeeping and outfield, there's no need for top-tier equipment. Entry-level sets from Grays or Mercian offer solid foam protection at a lower weight cost, and a Hockey Goalie Set bundle usually works out cheaper than buying each piece separately. Expect to pay from around £150 to £300 for a reasonable starter set including leg guards, kickers and a helmet.

Regular club or first-team goalkeeper

If you're playing every week and facing higher shot speeds, it's worth investing in dedicated OBO or Grays kit with better rebound control and more durable foam. Leg guards and kickers at this level generally run £150 to £350 for the pair, body armour from £40 to £120, and a good helmet with facemask from £100 to £250. This is where most established club goalkeepers sit, and it's the sweet spot between performance and value.

High-level or representative players

Players facing regular league or county-standard shooting may want to look at OBO's premium ranges, where advanced foam construction and closer, lighter-weight fits come at a higher price, sometimes £800 upwards for a full leg guard and kicker set. This is genuinely elite equipment, and for most club players it's more than is needed.

Helmet and facemask safety

Never compromise on head protection. A helmet should sit snugly with no lateral movement, the chin strap done up firmly, and the facemask cage giving unrestricted peripheral vision. Our Hockey Facemasks and Hockey Goal Keeping sections include options from Grays, Mercian and OBO, and if you're at all unsure of fit, it's worth trying a helmet on with your usual base layer or skull cap before matches, not just at the shop counter.

Getting the fit right

Leg guards should cover from just above the knee to the top of the kicker with no gap, and kickers need to wrap the boot securely without restricting ankle movement. Body armour should allow full arm extension for stick work. If you're buying online, check the brand's own sizing chart rather than assuming UK shoe or clothing sizes will translate directly, goalkeeping kit sizing varies noticeably between OBO, Grays and Mercian.

Budget-conscious options

If funds are tight, our Clearance Hockey Protection section is worth checking regularly, it often includes past-season goalkeeping stock at reduced prices. It's a good source for a spare helmet, training-only body armour, or backup gloves, provided you inspect padding and straps carefully before relying on it in a match.

Browse our full Hockey Goal Keeping range to compare leg guards, kickers, helmets and complete goalie sets from OBO, Grays and Mercian, or get in touch if you'd like fitting advice before you buy.