A properly packed hockey bag is the difference between a clean skate and 60 minutes of “does anyone have extra tape?” If you’re new to hockey — or you’ve been playing for years and still forget something every third session — this is the complete list. Every item earns its spot. Nothing here is filler.
Howies tape is the locker room standard. Jill is non-negotiable. Always carry two rolls of tape, spare laces, and a gear deodorizer. Unpack and air-dry after every session — it’ll still smell like hockey, but it won’t clear a room. Scroll to the master checklist to screenshot and go.
1. Tape — the consumable you’ll use most
You need two kinds: cloth blade tape (goes on the blade of your stick for puck control) and grip tape(goes on the shaft for hand feel). Howies is what most players use — it tears clean, doesn’t leave residue, and holds up through a full session. White for the blade, black for the shaft.
How much to carry:Two rolls minimum. One will last 2-3 sessions on the blade; shaft tape lasts longer. You’ll inevitably re-tape a teammate.
Cloth Tape
1″ blade tape. White or black. The standard.
Grip Tape
Thin + tacky for the shaft. Some use overgrip instead.
Tape Tin
Holds 3 rolls + wax bar. Keeps tape dry.
2. Wax — optional but some players swear by it
Wax goes over blade tape to repel water and reduce snow buildup. Keeps tape from getting waterlogged mid-session. That said — most players don’t use it. They just re-tape every couple sessions and call it good.
If you want to try it: rub a thin layer across the taped blade. Takes 10 seconds. One bar lasts months. Cheap experiment, zero downside.
3. Laces — always carry a spare pair
Waxed vs. unwaxed is pure preference. Waxed laces hold tension better and stay tied longer — but they can cut into your hands through gloves on hard pulls, and some players find them annoying to adjust mid-game. Unwaxed lacesare softer and easier on the hands but stretch more — you may need to re-tie at intermission. Plenty of players use regular laces and have zero issues.
Sizing:84″ covers most women’s skate sizes (roughly 4-6). Go 96″ if you skip the top eyelet and wrap. Always carry a backup pair in the bag— waxed or not, laces snap at the worst possible time.
Waxed Laces
Every color. Consistent coating, won't flake.
Prolace Waxed
Thicker weave. Good in cold rinks.
4. Protection — the non-negotiables
You already have the big five (helmet, gloves, shins, elbows, pants). Three pieces that new players overlook:
Women's Jill
Contoured shell for female anatomy. Compression shorts style. Not optional.
Neck Guard
BNQ-certified cut-resistant. Increasingly required at all levels.
Anti-Fog Visor
Stays clear longer than generic. Carry anti-fog spray too.
On jills — a puck to an unprotected pelvis is a serious injury. Men’s cups do not fit female anatomy and leave gaps. Get a women’s-specific jill. Compression shorts with the shell built in are the most comfortable option.
5. Skate care — protect the most expensive thing in the bag
Your skates are $200-$950. Treat them accordingly.
Blade Guards
Hard plastic, for walking. Never walk concrete without these.
Skate Soakers
Cloth covers for storage. Swap guards for soakers in the bag.
Shammy Towel
Wipe blades dry before soakers. 5 seconds = months of edge life.
6. Hygiene — damage control, not a cure
Hockey gear smells. That’s just the deal. Bacteria thrive in warm, wet, enclosed environments, and your bag after a session is a petri dish. You can’t eliminate it, but you can keep it from becoming a biohazard.
Unpack everything. Every time.
Hang gloves, shins, elbows, shoulders on a drying rack or over a door. Never leave wet gear zipped in the bag overnight.
Spray after every session.
Gear deodorizer inside gloves, shins, helmet. Kills bacteria on contact.
Wash soft gear regularly.
Socks, base layer, jill shorts — after every skate. Hard gear every 3-4 sessions in the tub with mild detergent.
7. Women-specific items most lists forget
Sports bra
High-impact, compression-style. Adjustable straps dig in under shoulder pads. Racerback works best.
Hair ties + headband
Low bun or braid, below the helmet’s occipital ridge. High ponytails push the helmet forward. Bring extras.
Period supplies
Keep a backup in the bag. Enough said.
Jill compression shorts
Two-in-one: protection + base layer. More comfortable than standalone jill + separate shorts.
8. The “veteran carry” — what experienced players always have
These are the items nobody tells you about until you need them:
The master checklist
Screenshot this.
| Category | Item | Brand pick | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tape & wax | Cloth blade tape (×2) | Howies | White or black, 1″ width |
| Grip tape (×1) | Howies | Shaft grip, thinner than cloth | |
| Wax bar (optional) | Howies | Over blade tape. Most skip it — cheap experiment. | |
| Laces & skate care | Laces (×2 pair) | Howies / Elite | Waxed or unwaxed — preference. 84″ / 96″. |
| Blade guards | Bauer | Hard plastic, for walking | |
| Soakers | Bauer | Cloth covers, for storage | |
| Protection | Jill / compression shorts | Bauer / CCM | Non-negotiable. Women’s-specific shell. |
| Neck guard | CCM | BNQ-certified cut-resistant | |
| Clear visor / cage | Bauer | Anti-fog model preferred | |
| Hygiene | Gear deodorizer spray | Howies | After every session |
| Shammy towel | — | Blade dry before soakers | |
| Personal | Sports bra (compression) | — | High-impact, no adjustable straps |
| Hair ties (×3+) | — | Low bun, below helmet ridge | |
| Water bottle (long straw) | — | Must reach through cage | |
| $20 cash | — | Pro shop emergency fund |
FAQ
What tape do hockey players actually use?
Howies Hockey Tape is the standard in most locker rooms — white cloth tape for the blade, black cloth tape for the shaft. It tears clean, sticks without residue, and holds up through a full session. Avoid generic athletic tape — it shreds on ice contact.
Do I need hockey wax for my stick?
Honestly? Most players don't use it. Wax goes over blade tape to repel moisture and reduce snow buildup — it does work — but plenty of players go entire seasons without it and tape up fresh every couple sessions instead. If you want to try it, a bar of Howies hockey wax is cheap and lasts months. Nice to have, not a must-have.
What is a jill and do I need one?
A jill is women's pelvic protection — the female equivalent of a cup/jock. It uses a wider, contoured shell designed for female anatomy instead of the narrow cup men wear. Yes, you need one. A puck or stick to an unprotected pelvis is a serious injury. Bauer and CCM both make jills that fit under hockey pants or a girdle.
How do I stop my hockey bag from smelling?
Real talk: you can't fully stop it. Hockey gear smells. That's the deal. But you can keep it from clearing a room. Unpack everything after every session and hang it to dry — never leave wet gear zipped in the bag overnight. Spray gear deodorizer inside gloves, shins, and helmet after each skate. Wash soft gear (socks, base layer, jill shorts) after every session. It'll still smell like hockey. It just won't smell like a biohazard.
What hockey laces should I use?
Pure preference. Waxed laces hold tension better and stay tied longer — but they can cut into your hands through gloves, especially on hard pulls. Plenty of players use regular unwaxed laces and re-tie at intermission. If you go waxed, Howies and Elite Hockey Prolace are the two go-to brands. Length: 84" for most women's sizes (roughly 4-6), 96" if you skip the top eyelet and wrap. Either way, always carry a spare pair in the bag — laces snap at the worst time.
Disclosure: her.hockey earns from qualifying Amazon purchases via links tagged herhockey-20. Commission never changes what we recommend. Brand picks above are based on what fitters actually stock and players actually use — not who pays us. Last updated 2026-05-07.