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The Ultimate Stick Buying Guide

The Ultimate Hockey Stick Buying Guide

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Choosing the right stick for your style of play is crucial to your performance and success. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the anatomy of a stick and give you a brief overview of our families so you can make an informed, confident decision. 

But before we dive in, here are a few questions to consider:

  • How many times per week do you play?
  • What is your current stick?
  • What do you like and dislike about your current stick?
  • What would you like to achieve with your new stick?

Anatomy of a Stick

Every BAUER stick features a unique combination of designs and technologies that, when properly selected, can positively influence your game. Below are some of the most impactful things you’ll want to keep in mind when buying a stick. 

Right-Handed vs. Left-Handed 

If it feels more natural to hold a stick with your right hand at the bottom, you will use a right-handed stick. If it feels better to hold a stick with your left hand at the bottom, you will use a left-handed stick. 

Flex 

Hockey sticks are designed to be able to bend, or what we call “flex.” The amount of flex is indicated by a number on your shaft, and choosing the right one can help add more power to your shots. A higher number offers a stiffer feel that’s great for powerful slapshots, while a lower one is whippier and can be easier to flex for lighter players. We recommend starting off with a flex number that is a little less than half of your weight. 

Kick Point 

The kick point is where your stick flexes the most. A low-kick construction will flex closer to the blade and can help you get the puck off quickly, while a mid-kick stick flexes more in the center of the shaft to help add velocity to your shot. 

Shaft Shape 

Your shaft shape plays a big role in determining how your stick feels in your hands. Some of our most popular shapes include: 

  • 5-Sided: This shape is built to match the contour of your hand to help with puck control. 
  • Rounded: This design allows you to easily move and twist the stick — perfect for stickhandling. 
  • Hybrid: This construction features a square shaft with rounded corners to help increase playability in all scenarios. 

Blade Curves 

The curve of your blade heavily influences how you shoot and stickhandle. Mid-curves help you cradle the puck and generate spin on your shots, while toe curves are great for toe-dragging defenders and pulling the puck towards you before you release it. Our most popular blade curves include: 

  • P92: A consistent mid-curve pattern that can do it all. 
  • P88: A versatile mid-curve design that helps you control the puck and fire off shots. 
  • P28: A popular toe-curve construction built for those who like to toe drag and shoot the puck. 

Our Stick Families 

Our collection of sticks can be split into three different families: VAPOR, NEXUS, and our Innovation Series. 

VAPOR 

VAPOR sticks primarily feature a combination of low-kick designs paired with stiffer blades to help get the puck off your stick quickly.  

SHOP VAPOR STICKS

NEXUS 

NEXUS sticks are typically mid-kick constructions that feature soft blade cores for enhanced puck feel and control. 

SHOP NEXUS STICKS

Innovation Series 

Innovation Series sticks feature the latest in BAUER stick technology and are designed to help elite players get the most out of their games. 

SHOP INNOVATION STICKS

Custom Sticks 

Want to add a personal touch to your stick? We offer two levels of customization for select models that allow you to dial in your specs and show off your style. 

MyBAUER QuickTurn 

QuickTurn allows you to choose from our most popular color and spec options and delivers in as little as five days. 

MyBAUER Custom  

Custom gives you more possibilities with additional options for blades, flexes, and colors — as well as your choice of grip. 

MyBAUER Pro Custom 

Pro Custom gives you the power to customize your stick just like the pros. On top of offering even more choices, you can mix and match family technologies to make a stick that is all you. 

CUSTOMIZE NOW WITH MYBAUER

Preparing Your Stick 

Once you have your stick picked out, there are a couple things you can do to get it ready for gameday. 

Adding Stick Tape 

Taping your blade offers added friction to help better grip the puck when shooting, stickhandling, or catching passes. Most players also use stick tape to add a knob at the ends of their shafts. 

Cutting / Extending Your Stick 

Your stick should be roughly the height of your nose when wearing shoes or between your chin and bottom lip if you’re wearing skates. If it’s too tall or short, you can either cut it or add an extension to correct the size. Keep in mind that cutting your stick will increase the flex number, while extensions will lower it. This change in flex is indicated on the shaft of most BAUER sticks.  

Start Exploring 

Now that you’ve learned the ins and outs of finding the perfect stick, it’s time to grab the one that’s right for you. Visit our sticks page to see our entire selection of products and learn more about each of our families. 

Have fun out there!