How To Maintain And Look After Your Field Hockey Equipment
Stick Care: Protecting Your Most Vital Tool
- Inspect after each use for any damage
- Ensure it is kept dry where possible after use to prevent mould from forming on the grips (we've seen some horrible ones!).
- Use new tape where possible on your grip to stop it slipping
- Replace your grip every 6-12 months
- Store in a cool, dry place (hot cars or super cold garages are not conducive to the carbon lifespan in a stick)
Some of our favourite tapes include:
Osaka Soft Grip Touch 2.0 Buffed Hockey Grip
Shoe Care: Keeping Your Footwear Fresh and Functional
- Air them out: after each session or game, remove the insoles where possible and let them dry out naturally (avoid radiators/ direct heat sources)
- Neutralise odours: we have a wide range of shoe inserts that help keep shoes smelling fresh!
- Clean Regularly: use a damp cloth and mild cleaning detergent to clean the surfaces (we'd avoid the washing machine wherever possible!)
- Monitor Wear: keep an eye on the wear to the grip on the bottom of the sole. We don't want any injuries!
Shin pad Care: Ensuring Protection and Hygiene
- Regular Cleaning: wash by hand where possible. Some shin pads have removable inner linings that is extra handy!
- Dry Thoroughly: after washing or after a particularly sweaty or rainy day make sure you let shin pads dry out
- Inspect for damage: check for any cracks or significant damage that is more than cosmetic bumps and scrapes
- Use Shin liners: wearing these keeps a natural barrier between the legs and shin pads, prolonging your shin pads' life and stopping them from smelling so bad!
Additional Gear Maintenance Tips
A lot players choose to wear protective or thermal hockey gloves. Ensure you machine wash on a gentle setting but ideally hand wash with a mild detergent, and then air dry thoroughly before subsequent use.
For your hockey bags, we recommend emptying and air out your stick bag/ backpack regularly to keep as fresh as possible (keep an eye out for rogue bananas at the bottom!)
General Maintenance Best Practices
- Routine Checks: regular checks of your gear will help increase lifespan
- Proper Storage: keep gear in a dry and well ventilated area as much as possible
- Follow guidelines/ ask for help: make sure you take care when looking after your gear (the tumble dryer is NOT your friend here!)