Buying used gear is a sustainable way to score high-quality items at a fraction of the cost. Not only can you find great deals, but you might also stumble upon rare or discontinued gear that’s no longer available in stores. When buying used hockey gloves, here's what to look for:
✔️ Check the palm for signs of tears or holes, which can arise from friction during use.
✔️ Inspect the exterior padding for tears or damage, especially along the fingers, backhand, and wrist. Small tears are usually fine, but large cuts can expose your hands to injury. Check the stitching for loose threads.
✔️ Ensure the padding is evenly distributed, especially over the knuckles, palms, and fingers. Protection can be compromised if it has shifted or bunched up.
✔️ Stains or discoloration could indicate poor cleaning, affecting hygiene and performance. While cleaning can help, heavily stained or odorous gloves may be too far gone for use.
✔️ Check seams for loose or fraying stitching, focusing on stress points between the fingers, palm, and cuff. If the stitching is undone, it can weaken the gloves and cause larger rips.