What's in a Full Hockey Goalkeeper Kit?
A complete field hockey goalie kit covers every part of the body. The core components are:
- Helmet - full-cage or grille, with integrated or separate throat guard
- Body armour - chest and shoulder protection
- Arm guards / elbow pads
- Gloves / hand protectors - left-hand blocker and right-hand (stick) glove sold as a pair
- Groin guard - essential, often overlooked
- Padded shorts / overpants
- Legguards - the large foam pads covering shin and knee
- Kickers - foam overshoes that strap over boots for shot-stopping
- Goalkeeper stick
Most beginners start with a bundled set; experienced keepers tend to mix and match pieces from different ranges as individual items wear out.
OBO vs Mercian - Key Differences
OBO (New Zealand) is the most dedicated goalkeeper-specialist brand in the sport. Their range runs from the entry-level OGO (ages 7+) through Yahoo (ages 10+, fast-track improvers) and Cloud (serious club players) up to the ROBO - the kit used at national and international level. Every item is designed exclusively for goalkeepers, and the sizing system is detailed and well-documented.
Mercian is a broader hockey brand whose goalkeeper protection sits within a wider product line. It's a solid choice if you already play with Mercian outfield kit and want consistency, or if you're after a specific protective item at a competitive price point. It doesn't offer the same depth of goalkeeper-specific range as OBO.
In short: OBO for range depth and goalkeeper-first design; Mercian for value and brand familiarity.
Junior vs Senior Goalkeeper Kit
The differences go beyond just size. Junior hockey goalkeeper kit is built lighter - foam densities are lower, shells are smaller, and the overall weight is reduced so younger players can move freely without fatigue. OBO's OGO range, for example, uses softer foam specifically scaled for players from age 7 upward.
Senior kit adds width and coverage, uses denser foams that absorb harder shots, and is built to withstand the pace of adult club and league hockey. Hockey goalkeeper pads (legguards and kickers) are the items where the size gap is most obvious - junior legguards typically run up to around 32–34 inches, while senior sizes start from 36 inches and scale up from there.
When buying for a junior, check the brand's own sizing chart against the player's height, not just their age - growth spurts mean age guides can be out by a size in either direction.
Key Equipment Terms Explained
Not sure what you're looking at in the product listings? Here's a quick glossary:
- Kickers - padded foam overshoes worn over normal boots. They're the goalkeeper's primary tool for deflecting low shots and making sliding saves.
- Legguards - the large padded panels that protect the shin and knee. They strap directly to the leg and are used to block shots and make pad saves. Also called hockey goalkeeper pads.
- Body armour - a chest and shoulder protector worn under the goalkeeper shirt. It absorbs impact from aerial balls and drag-flick shots.
- Hand protectors - the gloves worn on each hand. The left hand (for right-handed keepers) wears a large blocker-style hockey goalkeeper glove; the right hand wears a smaller, more flexible stick glove.
- Helmet - the hockey goalkeeper helmet is a full-head cage or grille system, usually with a separate or integrated throat guard. Unlike ice hockey helmets, field hockey helmets are open-cage designs rated for outdoor play on artificial turf.
