Choosing the Right Stick: Top Hockey Sticks Reviewed

Only one of the best hockey sticks on the market can turn a hollow piece of carbon into a natural addition to your body. Feel the teeniest vibrations with a product so light you could almost forget it's there and bring your stickhandling to the next level in no time!

All that’s left to do is make your choice! Choosing the right hockey stick can be challenging, but we've got you covered. We're sharing our top picks and we've also put together a buyer’s guide to help you pick the right one for you!

Our Top Picks

Best Overall
Bauer Vapor X5 Pro

Budget Budget
CCM Ribcor 86k

Best Youth
CCM Jetspeed Youth Grip

Best Overall

Bauer Vapor X5 Pro

The Bauer Vapor X5 Pro easily tops this list of the best hockey sticks with unmatched innovation and technology throughout every aspect of its design.

This stick manages to hit the perfect balance between weight and strength. At 390 grams with a layered carbon fiber shaft, this is the best hockey stick you’ll find that can handle the force of your slapshot without tiring out your arms.

Its low kickpoint also creates the perfect whiplash effect, flinging the puck into the back of the net before the goalie even has the chance to move! Not to mention the carbon bridges along the inside of the blade that work to stabilize the puck.

A low flex point can create challenges for players who prefer quick-release shots, but this is still one of the best hockey sticks out there!

Pros

• Lightweight
• Low kickpoint
• Carbon bridges are built into the blade to add stability
• Layered carbon fiber shaft for increased durability

Cons

• Not versatile

Best Budget

CCM Ribcor 86k

It can be hard to find a truly amazing product that doesn’t break the bank. Yet CCM’s Ribcor 86K makes it look easy! For nearly half the price of a pro-level product, the Ribcor gives you some of the most incredible design features on the market.

The durable, layered carbon fiber that makes up both the shaft and blade of this product has been given two separate flex profiles!

In the shaft, a low kickpoint provides the whipping motion you need for a good slap shot. In the blade, a higher flex near the tip works to emphasize your quick release.

This hockey stick may be a bit heavier than some of the others on the market, but the ergonomic design of its shaft makes that weight feel like nothing!

Pros

• Flex profile in the blade to optimize shots
• Ergonomic shaft design
• Low kickpoint for better slap shots
• Durable carbon fiber construction

Cons

• Heavier

Best Youth

CCM Jetspeed Youth Grip

If you’re looking for the best youth hockey stick on the market, look no further! The CCM Jetspeed Youth Grip is specifically made for your kid’s growing body to ensure their skills develop properly and quickly.

In terms of the stick itself, the shape, curvature, and lie are all made to fit your child’s needs. Plus, lightweight materials and a mid-kickpoint ensure that your kid won’t develop any unwanted lopsidedness in their shot.

Keep in mind that this stick is built for young players and won’t be able to handle as much force as something with a bit more weight. If your kid is already taking slap shots like a pro, you may want to go with something else.

Pros

• Youth-specific flex profile
• Lightweight
• Youth-specific Sigmatex carbon shaft design

Cons

• Not very bendable

Hockey Stick Buyer's Guide

Material

Wooden sticks may be few and far between in the hockey world, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have their benefits.

When it comes to durability, there’s no question that the Sher-Wood 5030 Heritage is the best hockey stick on the market.

That being said, there are reasons why composite hockey sticks are more popular:

• Lighter materials make your stickhandling quicker
• Flexible shafts with flex profiles
• More power and accuracy from your shots
• Less vibrations make them more comfortable

Size

To make sure you always get the best hockey stick, you’ll also need to pick the right size. Otherwise, your weight will hit the wrong part of the stick during a slap shot and you’ll always be off-balance.

That’s why you should always check the size chart made by the same brand that made your stick. If you’re looking to buy one of the choices above, here are the size charts you’ll need:

Bauer

CCM

Then, you can measure the stick and cut it to the exact height you need.

First, place the bottom tip of your stick’s blade on the ground between your feet and stand up straight. Then mark a line where the shaft reaches just under your nose and cut!

Flex

Hockey has changed a lot over the years, and the way your equipment is made has changed with it. That’s why all of the best hockey sticks now have flex profiles!

Instead of your entire stick being made with the same density, a section along the shaft is made to bend easier than the rest of it. This section is called the kickpoint.

When choosing your flex profile keep in mind that:

• Mid kickpoints and low flex are better for offensive players that shoot with a quick release
• Low kickpoints and high flex are better for defensive players that take more slap shots
• A stronger player might want a higher flex that creates more power
• A player that’s not as strong might want a lower flex

At the end of the day, your stick’s flex profile is a personal preference. These guidelines can be helpful, but the best hockey sticks are always found through trial and error.

Blade Pattern

Another important decision when picking the best hockey stick for you is the blade pattern.

A lot of brands offer you a choice of varying blades that can be attached to their sticks to fit your unique play style.

Here are all the different things that go into blade patterns and what they do:

• A curvier blade is better for wrist shots, but flatter sticks provide better control
• Players that struggle with stick handling might want a lower lie to their blade
• A closed face angle points the blade toward you, while an open face angle points it away
• Players who want more accurate and higher shots should have more of a toe curve
• Deeper blades are more stable, but shallower blades give you better agility

Picking a blade pattern will take a lot of experimentation, but once you find the right one, your game will immediately change.

Perfect Your Shot With One of the Best Hockey Sticks on the Market!

Take to the ice with one of the best hockey sticks on the market, and your stick handling will be pro-level in no time--especially if you’re practicing your skills with our Online Hockey Training regimen!