Hockey Referee Pants Guide
Choosing the right referee pants matters for safety, comfort, and a professional look on the ice. Below is a quick guide to the main types of pants, what they’re best for, and how to pick the right pair for your level.
Basic Referee Pants
Best for: new officials, officials on a budget
- Light padding or no padding
- Simple, straight-leg cut
- Durable fabric
Padded Referee Pants
Best for: regular officials, competitive youth games
- Built-in padding at hips, thighs, tailbone
- Fits over base layers
- Durable and thick fabric
Pro / Elite Referee Pants
Best for: high-level officials, juniors, college
- High-grade padding and technical fabric
- Tailored pro look
- Reinforced seams and zippers
Shells / Over-Pants
Best for: officials who already own padded girdles
- Thin outer layer with no padding
- Designed for separate girdle
- Highly flexible
How to Choose the Right Pants
1. Match pants to your level
3. Look at protection zones
New official or low-contact games → Basic or light padded pants. Frequent games / higher speed → Padded or pro pants.
Extra padding on hips, thighs, and tailbone is key. Reinforced knees help against falls and boards contact.
2. Check the fit in full gear
4. Think about comfort and climate
Try them on with shin guards. You should be able to squat and stride without pulling. Legs should cover skate tops.
Warmer rinks: lighter fabrics help. Colder rinks: thicker fabrics and more insulation feel better.
Ready to upgrade your gear? Compare basic, padded, and pro-level referee pants to find the pair that matches your level, budget, and the games you work most often.
Compare Hockey Referee Pants Brands
Image
Brand
Type
Key Protection Features
Fit & Notes
Bauer
Basic / Padded
Features a girdle with protective foam and padding for the spine, hip, and thighs padding for maximum coverage.
Padding is quite noticeable and shiny. Good for the price and entry-level officials. Would not recommend for officials wanting to work higher-level hockey.
CCM
Basic / Padded
Features an adjustable lightweight girdle and padding for the hips, thighs, and kidneys.
These pants use a breathable material and have similar pricing to the Bauer pants. Padding tends to be bulky if not sized properly.
Stevens
Padded / Pro
Features a soft adjustable girdle with built-in padding in the kidneys, tailbone, hips, thighs, and calves.
One of the top choices for NHL and pro hockey officials.
ZebrasClub ZP1
Basic
Features an elastic material that allows for protective gear to be worn underneath
Overall, a good choice for entry-level officials or officials on a budget. Will get the job done for the price.
ZebrasClub ZP-PRO
Padded/Pro
Features five removable pads that protect the hips, legs, and tailbone. Tapered or straight tailored options available for a professional look.
Excellent choice for officials trying to work higher-level assignments or those who prefer a tailored aesthetic. However, the cost is high, and stock is usually limited
Force REC
Basic
Features a durable and comfortable material optimized to be an economical option.
High-quality budget pants, great choice for entry-level or budget-conscious officials.
Force PTX-Pro
Padded / Pro
Padding zones, fabric, durability
Fit notes, heat, comfort