How To Choose The Right Hockey Stick

With so many hockey sticks available and the number of things you are asked to consider, choosing the right hockey stick can be overwhelming. ONE Sports Warehouse gives you the complete guide to choosing and buying the right field hockey stick for you.

A good starting point is to choose from a few easy options below.

1. Buy the same stick you've always bought — but is it actually the most suited stick to you? Perhaps your game or the hockey stick world has changed.
2. Come in store to our dedicated demo area where you can try over 100 demo sticks and get advice from our staff with over 50 years' experience.
3. Still need help or want to learn more about the technical bits? Keep reading. We cover the main questions we get from people deciding on which stick is right for them:

• What size of hockey stick is right for me?
• Hockey stick bows explained
• What are hockey sticks made of?
• How much does a hockey stick cost?
• What is the right hockey stick for my position?
• Shop current 2026/27 ranges

What size of hockey stick is right for me?

For junior players we usually work off the measurement of floor-to-belly button in inches. If you're in between sizes, always go a size up — we all know how quickly kids grow!

For adult sizes, the above is a great guide but it also comes down to personal preference. The extra inch between 36.5" and 37.5" makes very little practical difference. Read more in our full stick size guide.

Hockey stick bows explained

The world of hockey bows can be baffling — even different brands call their bows different names. Here's a quick overview. For the full picture, read our hockey stick bow guide.

Standard Bow: Very straight, very forgiving. Great for juniors and entry-level adults. Less suited to drag flicking, aerials and 3D skills.

Mid Bow: More bow than standard, keeps the ball well on the pitch. A great option for hitting and a popular bow for entry-level mid-bow adult sticks.

Gradual Low Bow (Pro Bow): Sits between mid and low bow. Excellent for players moving up a level, or juniors transitioning to adult sticks. The Y1 GLB/GGLB range is a great current example.

Low Bow: The most popular adult bow. More pronounced curve. Excellent for 3D skills and aerials in the right hands. The Y1 LB is a specialist low bow built for drag flicking and aerials. Browse all low bow hockey sticks.

Ultra Low / Extra Low Bow: Very late bow, fantastic for advanced players. Ideal for drag flicking, aerials and 3D skills. The Y1 YLB is a specialist drag-flicking and aerials stick.

Extreme Bow / Concave Drag-Flicking Bow: Ultra-late bow, often with a concave face to hold the ball longer. A specialist stick for the most advanced drag flickers and 3D skills players. The Y1 BB/BBX is the most extreme bow in the Y1 Cosmic range — suited to elite drag flicking, aerials, Indian dribbling and close control. Browse all concave drag-flicking sticks.

A big bow is not a good or a bad thing — it's about finding the balance for your game. If you're not sure, come in store or message us via live chat. Bigger is not always better.

What are hockey sticks made of?

The materials vary depending on price and level. Basic junior sticks will be wood; mid-range sticks will be composite; and advanced sticks are heavily carbon.

Carbon percentage comes up a lot, but brands like adidas and Grays no longer advertise carbon % — because the quality and layup of the carbon matters far more than the raw number. Don't get too caught up chasing a percentage.

How much does a hockey stick cost?

Junior hockey sticks:

£20–£30: Great starting point — usually wood.

£30–£50: Fibreglass — our recommendation for most juniors.

£50–£120: Higher carbon for advanced juniors not yet in adult sizes.

Senior hockey sticks:

£30 or less: We wouldn't recommend it.

£30–£75: Entry-level carbon. Good for those just starting out.

£75–£150: Good mid-range — carbon % increases significantly here.

£150–£250: For more advanced players.

£250–£400+: Flagship sticks. 80–100% carbon. The best on the market from Y1, Grays and adidas.

What stick is best for my position?

Choosing a stick purely on position is largely a marketing ploy. Instead, focus on:

• What length do I need?
• What level of hockey do I play (and want to get to)?
• What skills do I use most in a game?

For position-specific advice, read our guides on best sticks for attackers and best sticks for midfielders.

Shop the current 2026/27 hockey stick ranges

• Y1 2026/27 Cosmic Hockey Sticks — ADB, MR, GLB/GGLB, LB, YLB, BB/BBX and AH16 (Alex Hendrickx signature)
• Grays 2026/27 Hockey Sticks
• adidas 2026/27 Hockey Sticks — Estro, Fabela, Ruzo, Chaosfury, Ina, Youngstar
• Browse all hockey sticks

Need help choosing?

1. Come and try our 100+ demo sticks in-store
2. Chat with us via live chat
3. Try a friend's or teammate's stick
4. Call us on 0191 447 4744

You can also read our best hockey sticks for beginners guide.