Helmet

• Goalie helmets protet the neck and chin.Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
  
  Goalie helmets and masks are sturdier than those of other hockey players. Goalie helmets are made from fiberglass or Kevlar, the material used to make bulletproof vests. Many masks have a deflector pad that hangs down from the chin, protecting the neck and throat. Helmets should fit with ease over the head, but not too loose that it moves during play.
  
  

Padding

• Goalies block many shots with their pads.Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
  
  Goalies require additional padding to protect their limbs from high speed shots. Leg pads cover the entire area of the goalie's legs. They protect the legs and help goalies block shots. Special chest padding extends down to the arms where the goalie's gloves meet to provide full protection.
  
  

Gloves

• Goalies wear two different gloves with special purposes.Jupiterimages/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images
  
  Goalies wear two different types of gloves. A catching glove has padding around the wrist and hand to protect against cuts and bruises. The backhand glove is a flat rectangular pad made of leather and typically covered in fiberglass. The palm of the glove is thin so the goalie can keep a firm grip on his stick.
  
  

Skates

• A goalie's skates are different other players in that they are shorter. The skates are designed to fit with the hefty padding of a goalie and are reinforced in the front to protect the feet from the high velocity of a flying puck. A goalie's skates are virtually covered by the padding with just the front of the skate visible.
  
  

Stick

• A goalie's hockey stick is wider to help block shots.Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images
  
  The goalie stick has a larger blade to help deflect shots. Tape at the top of the stick allows the goalie to push the stick outward without losing it in the middle of play.