Checking Your Equipment For The New Hockey Season

The 26/27 season is underway. The league campaign has kicked off, the evenings are drawing in and those late-night training sessions are back on the calendar. Now is the perfect time to take stock of your kit and make sure it's ready for the long season ahead. Here's everything you need from the 26/27 Grays Hockey Collection to be at your best on the pitch.

1. Check Your Hockey Stick

Everything starts with your hockey stick. Look it over for cracks, chips and worn edges, and think about whether it can handle the rest of the season.

As many of you will already know, at Grays Hockey we’ve led the market with some of our most trusted hockey sticks shapes still firm favourites within our 26/27 Hockey Stick Collection both at club and international level. Think, Jumbow, Probow and Dynabow – just to name a few...

Dynabow (DB): Designed for all-round gameplay, the DB range is an ever-popular choice amongst players looking for ultimate control, dynamic range of passing and quick hand movements.

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Jumbow (JB): Sculpted for optimised power, the JB range is the ideal choice for drag flickers and versatile players needing power, distribution and 3D capabilities.

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Probow (PB): Engineered for advance skill, the PB range is strategically crafted for outstanding 3D skills, aerials and power.

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However, if you're looking to take your game up a level this season, your hockey stick is the obviously the best place to start. We've developed our new Plus ranges to do exactly that. The Grays Hockey Plus ranges add more power, control and 3D skill to the shapes you already know. Whether you want to hit harder, flick faster or pull off skills you've been working on, there's a Plus stick to help you get there:

Dynabow+ (DB+): The DB with extra power. It keeps the touch and quick hands of the classic Dynabow but adds a stronger spine and a low backhand zone, so you get more power and better 3D skills without losing control.

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Jumbow+ (JB+): The JB taken up a level. It has the same low bow and familiar feel Jumbow players know, with a face designed to help drag flickers load the ball and release it faster. It also has the largest low backhand zone in the Grays range for cleaner, more consistent reverse hits.

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Probow+ (PB+): For the most technical players. The PB+ keeps the low Probow profile with a contoured head that cushions the ball, giving you great touch for 3D skills, aerials and carrying the ball at speed. A reinforced rear profile adds extra power when you strike the ball.

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2. Get the Right Protective Gear

Good protection gives you the confidence to commit to every tackle. Make sure you have the following:

Shinguards: A comfortable, well-fitting pair of shinguards is essential. Our pick this season is the G900 shinguards, the choice of many of our elite athletes for its high level of protection. The G700 and G600 shinguards are still two of our most popular models for comfort and durability, and the wider Grays Hockey Shinguard Collection runs from ultra-lightweight options through to maximum protection.

Gloves: hether it's the ball, a stick or a sand-based pitch (we all know the pain of the latter... sorry if that's you!), a good glove makes a difference. New this season, the Apex Touch Glove gives you protection while keeping the feel you need on the ball. Our palmless Touch Pro and Touch Gloves are still regulars at the top level thanks to their lightweight design (there’s only a few left if you’re specifically looking for these gloves). If you want more cover, the Apex Full and International Pro Gloves offer full-hand protection, as trusted by many of our international athletes. The new Prime Gloves are also coming soon – these are set to lead the line in glove technology!

Mouthguard: Don't be that teammate. It's not worth the risk. The Virtuo Dual Density Mouthguard protects your teeth and jaw, and the X Brace Dual Density and Viper Pro 3 are also available if you want to try something different.

3. Upgrade Your Footwear

Rain, frost, sand and water-based pitches will all feature this season, so you need a pair of hockey shoes you can trust on every surface. Is the grip on your soles wearing down? Are the seams starting to let water in? The Grays Hockey Shoe Collection has you covered before your next match:

AeroCage X10 and XW10: Leading our new footwear range, the AeroCage X10 is built for speed, agility and responsiveness, making it the ideal choice for players who are always accelerating and changing direction. The XW10 offers the same performance in a slightly narrower women’s fit. The AeroCage X is still available too and remains a favourite with our international athletes.

Raid 3.0: The newest version of the Raid focuses on speed and grip, with more stability and support while still giving you the comfort elite players expect.

Stealth: Lightweight, versatile and grippy on every surface. The Stealth is well priced and suits a wide range of players, from grassroots to experienced club players, who want a reliable, comfortable shoe that works on any pitch.

Invest In Your Choice Of Bag

Your hockey bag has to get your stick, shoes and kit to every training session and match, whatever the weather, so it's worth picking the right one. The Grays Hockey Bag Collection covers every type of player, whether you like to travel light or need room for everything including a change of clothes for after the game. Here are our top picks for 26/27:

XI Gen4 Rucksack: Just landed for the new season, the XI Gen4 is built for players who want one bag for the commute and the pitch. There's a spacious main compartment for your kit, a separate ventilated shoe section to keep wet or muddy shoes away from clean clothes, and a padded laptop pocket so you can go straight from school or the office to training. An external stick loop and padded straps make it easy to carry.

Cyclone WP Range: Made from water resistant material, the Cyclone range keeps your kit dry whatever the weather, and it's a favourite with our international athletes. The Cyclone WP Kitbag has plenty of room for sticks, shoes, protection and clothing, and there's a new black Cyclone WP Rucksack for 26/27 if you want something smaller.

G900 Kitbag: If you need space and durability, the G900 is a proven favourite. It's made from heavy-duty, water-repellent material, with a padded stick compartment that holds up to four sticks. Wheels and double-padded straps let you pull it or carry it, and side pockets keep your valuables and drinks close by.

G150 Rucksack: Still one of our most popular bags, the G150 is a compact rucksack with dedicated compartments for your kit, laptop, essentials and stick.

Coming soon, the Omega Gen4 Holdall: For players who want more room without going up to a full kit bag. It has a large main compartment for kit, pads, shoes and accessories, external loops for one or two sticks, and convertible padded backpack straps for away days. Its water-resistant build and ventilated, zipped pockets keep wet kit separate from the rest of your gear.

Refresh Your Accessories

Never underestimate the importance of accessories, they often make a big difference. Here’s a few essentials to tick off your list:

Grips: A fresh grip makes your stick feel better in your hands and gives you more confidence on the ball. The Grays Hockey Grip Collection comes in three types, each with a different mix of comfort, grip and cushioning.
Water Bottle: Stay hydrated. The Grays Hockey Water Bottle is designed so teammates can share it without their mouths touching the bottle. Yes, really. Take a look to see how it works.
Coaching Folder: With a faux black leather cover, the Grays Hockey Coaching Folder looks smart on the sideline and is built for everyday use. Inside there's a wipeable tactics board with a detailed pitch diagram and marker, plus magnetic counters and full and one-third pitch boards so you can show your players exactly where you want them.
Tactic Board: With clear half-pitch and full-pitch markings, the Grays Hockey Tactic Board helps coaches explain their ideas quickly. Its durable surface can be wiped and reused, making it ideal for training sessions and matchdays.