Complete Hockey Gear Guide for Mites & Tykes (Ages 4–8)
Your player’s first season starts here. This guide covers every piece of equipment they need — what it does, how to size it, and how to find the best price without buying things twice.
Walking into a hockey store or browsing online for the first time can feel like learning a foreign language. Shin guards vs. knee pads, helmet cage vs. visor, junior vs. youth vs. intermediate — it’s a lot. This guide breaks it all down in plain English so you can walk out confident your player has exactly what they need.
💡 Parent tip
At the Mites/Tykes level, your player will grow fast — sometimes more than one size in a single season. Don’t over-invest in gear they’ll outgrow in 8 months. We’ll flag where to buy budget-friendly and where it’s worth spending more.
Helmet & Cage
The helmet is the most important piece of equipment you’ll buy — and the one place we recommend spending a little more. At the Mites level, all players are required to wear a full cage (not a visor). Look for a HECC-certified helmet and make sure it fits snugly with no rocking side to side.
How to size: Measure your child’s head circumference just above the eyebrows. Most helmets come in XS, S, M with adjustable sizing dials. The chin strap should be snug — two fingers between strap and chin.
Bauer Re-Akt 85 Youth
Excellent entry-to-mid level protection. Adjustable fit system, lightweight shell, HECC certified. Ships with a compatible cage. Great first helmet that will last 2–3 seasons.
Typical price: $69–$99 · Compare across 4 retailers
CCM Tacks 70 Youth Helmet
CCM’s most affordable youth helmet. Solid protection, easy adjustment, fits most youth head shapes well. A reliable choice for first-year players.
Typical price: $49–$69 · Compare across 4 retailers
⚠️ Fit first
Never buy a helmet online without measuring first. A helmet that’s too big offers much less protection than one that fits properly. When in doubt, go to a local hockey shop and have it fitted in person.
Ice Skates
Skates are the second most important investment. At this age, fit is everything — a skate that’s too big will make learning to skate much harder. Hockey skates fit about 1–1.5 sizes smaller than regular shoe size, so don’t assume you know their skate size.
| Shoe Size (US) | Youth Skate Size | Approx. Age |
|---|---|---|
| US 7–8 Toddler | Y6–Y7 | 3–4 years |
| US 9–10 Toddler | Y8–Y9 | 4–5 years |
| US 10.5–11.5 | Y10–Y11 | 5–6 years |
| US 12–13 | Y12–Y13 | 6–7 years |
| US 1–2 | 1–2 (Junior) | 7–9 years |
Bauer NS Youth / Junior Skate
Bauer’s entry-level skate is built for new players. Thermoformable boot, comfortable liner, reliable blade. Doesn’t need heat molding but can be done at a hockey shop for a better fit.
Typical price: $49–$89 · Compare across 4 retailers →
CCM Tacks AS 550 Youth Skate
CCM Tacks are great for kids with wider feet. Slightly more anatomical fit than Bauer NS. Good ankle support for players just finding their edges.
Typical price: $59–$99 · Compare across 4 retailers →
⚠️ Don’t size up
It’s tempting to buy skates a size big so they “grow into them.” Don’t. An oversized skate wobbles at the ankle and makes learning to skate significantly harder. A proper-fitting skate is the single biggest thing you can do for your player’s development.
Hockey Stick
For Mites players, you want a youth stick (not junior — youth). The right length: when your player stands in skates, the stick should reach their chin. The flex should be very low — 20–30 flex for kids under 60 lbs.
At this age, don’t spend more than $40–60 on a stick. They’ll break it, lose it, or outgrow it by next season. Save the premium stick money for when they’re older and their game is developing.
Bauer Vapor 3X Youth Stick
Lightweight one-piece composite. Good feel for puck handling, low flex, youth sizing. The Vapor line is used by NHL players in senior sizes — the youth version gives your player the same feel at a fraction of the cost.
Typical price: $29–$49 · Compare across 4 retailers
CCM Tacks AS 570 Youth Stick
Slightly stiffer blade pattern — good for young players working on their shot. Durable and well-balanced for the price.
Typical price: $34–$54 · Compare across 4 retailers
Protective Equipment
Here’s the full list of protective gear required at the Mites level. We’ve marked each as Required, Recommended, or Optional so you know what you absolutely need to buy before the first practice.
Shoulder Pads
Protect the chest, back, and shoulders. Should cover the shoulder cap fully and allow arm movement. Measure chest circumference for sizing — sizes run XS to L in youth.
Budget: $25–$60
Elbow Pads
Wrap around the elbow cap and forearm. Slide the pad on — the elbow cap should center exactly on the elbow point. Not the forearm, not the upper arm — the elbow.
Budget: $20–$45
Hockey Gloves
Measured in inches — the distance from the base of the palm to the tip of the middle finger, multiplied by 2. For most 4–8 year olds, that’s a 8″ or 9″ glove. They should be snug but allow finger curl.
Budget: $25–$55
Shin Guards
Measure from the center of the kneecap to the top of the skate boot — that’s your shin guard length. They should cover the knee cap fully and extend down to (but not into) the skate boot.
Budget: $25–$55
Hockey Pants / Girdle
Pants cover the hips, thighs, tailbone, and kidneys. Should sit at the waist and overlap the top of the shin guard by about 2 inches. Suspenders are common for youth players to keep pants in place.
Budget: $30–$70
Neck Guard
A neck guard is required at most USA Hockey and Hockey Canada youth levels. Get a bib-style neck guard that tucks into the shoulder pads — they stay in place much better than collar-style guards.
Budget: $15–$30
Athletic Cup / Jill
Boys need a cup and jock strap or compression shorts with cup pocket. Girls need a jill (pelvic protector). This is non-negotiable at every level of hockey.
Budget: $15–$30
Hockey Socks + Garter Belt
Hockey socks go over the shin guards and are held up with a garter belt or velcro tabs on the pants. Many parents use hockey sock tape instead of a garter belt — either works fine.
Budget: $10–$20
Total First-Year Budget
Here’s what a complete setup costs for a Mites-level player, using our recommended budget picks. Prices pulled from live retailer comparisons.
Complete Mites Setup — Budget Build
💡 Save money tip
Check with your local rink — many have equipment swaps or loaner programs for first-year Mites families. Protective gear like shoulder pads, elbow pads, and shin guards are great candidates for gently used purchases. Helmet and skates are worth buying new.
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