Pants

• Hockey pants come in a variety of sizes, usually ranging from extra small to extra large. The pants feature a tab closure to adjust fit around the waist, with a drawstring closure in the front to allow room for the player's protective groin cup (pelvic protector for female players). Stiff plastic inserts are sewn into the front of the thighs for impact protection. Most pant models have kidney protection that ends upwards from the rear waist of the pant for additional protection. The pants are loose fitting (to a degree) and permit the wearer more freedom of movement.
  
  

Girdle

• Girdles are similar to athletic compression shorts. The girdles are generally made of spandex and lycra, with light protective padding sewn into tender areas. Most girdles are available with a protective groin cup already sewn in to the material. Shells--lightweight nylon shorts with a waist drawstring--are worn over the girdle for aesthetic purposes. Most girdles have padding in the very same areas as the pants and are form fitting.
  
  

Pant Pros & Cons

• Players claim they can move much better when they skate, as the pant legs don't hug their legs and inhibit movement. The pants also provide for ample protection with the plastic inserts. Since there is some movement, some players may not like the way the pants shift when skating quickly. The pants also allow air to pass through, which may help cool a sweaty player. Pants are only one color, so if a player switches teams, they may prefer to match their team colors and have to purchase new pants.
  
  

Girdle Pros & Cons

• Since girdles are form fitting, they tend to heat up rather quickly, making the player sweaty in a short amount of time. Girdles are lighter in weight than many pants, so many roller or inline hockey players prefer the girdle. The girdles do not offer the same degree of protection as pants, and since many models of the girdle come with a groin cup, female players tend to prefer pants. Different colored shells can be worn to match team colors if the player switches teams.
  
  

The Argument

• All professional ice hockey players wear pants for their better protective qualities. Some pro inline hockey players choose the girdles to wear under their roller hockey pants. Many players encourage others to weigh the pros and cons and try both the pants and the girdle to see what their preference is.