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Testing methodology
Every recommendation on HockeyTested follows the same process, so you can compare pages with confidence.
Sized for the player
Every recommendation starts with the player's age, height, weight and level, using the manufacturer's own size charts.
A clear verdict
Each review says who the gear suits, who should look elsewhere, and what to know before you buy. No filler, no hedging.
No paid placements
Brands cannot buy a review or a spot on a list. Partner codes save you money; they never decide what we recommend.
Kept current
Prices are dated, codes are updated across the site at once, and pages are revised when a product or rule changes.
Where our facts come from
We use the manufacturer's published specs and size charts (flex, curve, lie, skate fit profiles), the HECC and CSA certifications listed for helmets and face protection, and rules from USA Hockey, Hockey Canada, USA Field Hockey and the FIH.
What we check, by product type
| Sticks | Flex rating, length, curve or bow, lie, kick point, weight and grip. |
|---|---|
| Skates | Fit profile, sizing, boot stiffness, holder and runner or wheel and bearing specs. |
| Helmets | HECC certification (and CSA in Canada), sizing range, adjustment and cage or visor compatibility. |
| Protective gear | Sizing by height, coverage, mobility and weight. |
| Field hockey sticks | Length, weight, bow profile, composition and FIH approval for competition. |
Hands-on testing versus research
A review carries a "Hands-on tested" badge only when our team has used the product, and it lists the date and what we did. Every other page is built from published specs, governing-body rules, the brand's own documentation and owner feedback, and says so. Comparisons are research-based unless marked otherwise.
Prices and codes
Prices come from each brand's own store and are dated on every review. Reader codes come directly from the brands we partner with. When a brand changes an offer, we update the code everywhere it appears on the site at once.
Corrections
If you spot something out of date, email [email protected] and we'll check it and fix it.