Neck Guards
A neck guard is a piece of protective equipment worn by an ice hockey player around the neck area. The guard is designed to prevent accidental injury to the neck by pucks, hockey sticks, and skate blades.
Most neck guards, such as those manufactured by Bauer, contain fabric that is BNQ (Bureau de Normalisation du Quebec)-certified. Most neck guards have a moisture system which helps keep the guard cool, ensuring the player's neck won't get too hot while playing.
Weight
The weight of the hockey neck guard is an important feature you need to consider when you are selecting a hockey neck guard. A lightweight hockey neck guard facilitates easy movement while a heavier neck guard could provide a bit better protection, but may get bogged down with sweat over the game and be uncomfortable.
Design
The design of a hockey neck guard is extremely important, and this can greatly impact your comfort during the game. The design of hockey neck guards should be ergonomic so it provides players with maximum comfort and while providing protection from injury.
Material
A very important component of the neck guard you need to pay attention to is the material. The material used should always be durable yet comfortable around the neck. There is nothing worse than having a wet and/or itchy neck guard.
Size
You need to consider sizing when choosing a hockey neck guard. Different hockey neck guards come in a range of sizes from small to extra-large, to fit players of all sizes.