Suiting Up: A Field Hockey Goalkeeper’s Guide to Choosing the Right Kit
- therookiereporters
- May 7
- 4 min read
An article about field hockey goalkeeping kit, including recommended kit for all abilities, the price ranges and how each piece will level up your performance.
The field hockey goalkeeper is one of the most demanding and vital roles on the pitch. Responsible for protecting the net and often facing high-speed shots, a goalkeeper's kit is not just about comfort—it’s essential for safety and performance. Whether you're just starting out, building your confidence in club-level matches, or competing at an elite level, having the right gear can make all the difference. This guide breaks down the key equipment needed and offers recommendations based on experience level: beginner, intermediate, and advanced.
What’s in a Goalkeeper Kit?
A field hockey goalkeeper kit is made up of several essential components, each with its own protective purpose. The helmet, with its full-face cage and foam interior, protects against head injuries, especially with a light-speed ball heading in your direction. A chest protector covers the torso and often includes shoulder and rib protection, while padded shorts and a groin or pelvic guard provide crucial coverage for the hips and lower body. Leg guards and kickers (foot protectors) are perhaps the most iconic parts of a keeper’s look, designed to block and deflect shots while allowing quick side-to-side movement. Hand protectors—one for the stick hand and one for the glove—shield the fingers, wrists, and back of the hand. Some goalkeepers also use arm guards or throat protectors for additional safety. Altogether, a good kit should balance mobility with coverage, offering the goalkeeper the freedom to move quickly while remaining safe in all situations.
Beginner Goalkeeper Kit Recommendations
For those just starting out in goalkeeping, simplicity, affordability, and comfort are key. Entry-level kits often offer integrated protection that’s easy to put on and adjust, making them ideal for young or new players. For a cheaper but still good quality kit, Mercian or Grays serves as the best option. The foam on the leg, hands and kickers allows complete mobility for new players, helping them to learn the critical techniques and get to grips with wearing such bulky kit. Any well fitting helmet is perfect for a goalkeeper at any level, but for beginners I would recommend the Grays GX 1000 helmet, which offers a comfortable foam interior with a strong and reliable metal cage to protect from speedy balls in training or matches. To help save money, companies such as Grays and Mercian offer affordable bundles complete with everything you need to start out your goalkeeping journey.
Intermediate Goalkeeper Kit Recommendations
As you progress in skill and begin playing faster-paced matches, the demands on equipment increase. Intermediate players benefit from gear that offers a higher level of protection, better fit, and more flexibility in movement. At this level, goalkeepers often begin selecting individual pieces rather than bundled sets, choosing equipment that fits their body and style of play more precisely. From here, a mixture of Grays and OBO, the finest quality of goalkeeping kit currently in the world, is the perfect combination for taking that next step in your play. The main places to upgrade are the helmet, legguards and kickers, as the higher quality foam allows for more precise rebounds and easier mobility. Luckily, OBO specialises in all ranges of ability, and upgrading to a set of CLOUD legguards and kickers, even those that are second hand, will help you to improve drastically in your gameplay. A higher quality helmet is also a must as you begin to face faster paced and balls that are lifted off the ground. A CLOUD helmet from OBO has a sturdy steel cage, with an extremely lightweight carbon fibre skull, to provide the utmost protection for you as you improve in your gameplay.
Advanced Goalkeeper Kit Recommendations
For experienced or competitive goalkeepers, high-performance gear is a necessity. Matches at this level involve fast, frequent shots, and the kit must be both durable and tailored to the goalkeeper’s individual needs. Once again, OBO is the best shout for upgrading kit, providing luxury sporting equipment at a reasonable price. While some players may prefer to upgrade their whole kit, personally, only moving up on the most critical and game changing pieces, such as the helmet, kickers and handguards, is what’s necessary to take that final step and become the best player you can possibly be. The most professional kit on the market is the OBO Robo + range, with huge increases in surface area, up to 40%, especially in the kickers and hands. My personal kit is made up of the Robo + legguards, hands and kickers, as they give me the ability to predict shots, control the rebound and ultimately lead my team to victory. While the price point is significantly higher, the performance benefits are significant, especially for those playing at a regional, national, or international level.
Goalkeeper kit is more than just equipment—it’s an extension of yourself, enabling safety, movement, and confidence in every match. Starting with basic, comfortable protection and evolving toward customized, high-performance gear allows you and others to grow into the position while maintaining the highest level of safety. Whether you’re new to the game, pushing for a spot on the club’s first team, or playing at an elite level, understanding your gear and choosing wisely ensures you’ll be well-prepared to face every shot that comes your way.
Article by: Sophie English
