CCM Hockey Socks aren't really socks, but hockey socks aren't socks anyway
Written: Jun 14 '04 (Updated Jun 14 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Big enough for me, Plethora of available colors
Cons: Not all sizes available, no carbon fiber
The Bottom Line: CCM socks won't disappoint you. They won't make you giddy with overwhelming satisfaction either.
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| puckmugger's Full Review: CCM Colorado Avalanche Hockey Socks |
Hockey Socks? Now he’s gone completely insane, hasn’t he? Oh, I’m pretty sure I crossed the threshold of complete insanity many years ago. So that bit of irrelevant information passed by, yes, I am now going to review a pair of hockey socks.
▪ What makes Hockey Socks Special?
The first thing that you should be aware of is that hockey socks aren’t even socks. The simple truth is that the hockey industry has conspired to make things as confusing as possible. So called hockey socks are a prime example.
There is no foot in hockey socks. They are open at both ends to cover the player’s shin guards. Hockey socks are in fact more like leg warmers (gasp!). Wait, maybe it isn’t a conspiracy but an attempt to separate hockey gear from dance gear and popular women’s fashions of the 80’s . . . Leg warmers? Socks? You pick which one sounds manlier.
▪ Sizing
Hockey socks aren’t all the same size . . . well, obviously they come in various sizes for various sizes of hockey players. Maybe a quick word on the sizes that CCM offers is in order before I get to the more important point. CCM makes socks in Mite, Junior, Senior and Pro sizes. (Pro is the biggest, but amateurs can use them too).
This is a fair selection of sizes. Still many custom uniform companies make an intermediate size which is a pretty important size between Junior and Senior. Also the youth size falling between Mite and Junior is missing from the CCM line. The Pro size socks are too big for almost anyone . . . which brings me to the point on size I was originally going to make - socks aren’t all the same size, even when they say they’re the same size.
Many brands of senior socks that I have tried simply don’t fit over my shin guards. Let me tell you, I have strong legs, but they aren’t huge. My shin pads are bigger than average, but I’ve seen some bigger. Point is, CCM Socks fit over my pads nicely. They are bigger than a number of other brands. I’ve never had anyone bring a pair of senior CCM socks back because they though they were too small.
▪ Materials and comfort
CCM Socks are made from 100% yarn. This is the best material for socks currently being used by any sock maker. OK, just seeing if you’re still awake (this is a sock review. It isn’t going to keep your rapt attention without a little help).
The specific yarn in CCM socks are a polyester blend. There is no carbon fiber, Kevlar, aluminum or any other type of high tech material. While this might seem like a mistake to those who want a pair of hockey socks that last forever, it makes them much more comfortable to wear. In fact no other company has developed a more high tech sock than the CCM Sock (which is made from polyester yarn, remember).
There are some other brands of socks using a polyester mesh, like a jersey. They might last longer, but the overall comfort level of the mesh socks isn’t as good in my opinion.
▪ Durability
I suppose the only complaint I would have about CCM Socks is the durability. You buy a pair, you get out and people step on them with sharp skates, smack them with sticks and shoot rock hard pucks at them. A pair of CCM socks lasts me a mere two hundred hours on the ice . . . um, let’s see, that’s an outrageous $60 a game . . . wait, I messed up the decimal point make that about 6 cents a game. Hmm, that’s not bad actually.
When they do run, you can always find a guy in the locker room with a little bit of nail polish to put on them. Actually, if there is someone in the locker room with nail polish, you might be in the wrong locker room. Duct tape is actually more widely acceptable for repairs.
▪ Colors
The pair I am reviewing are the Colorado Away . . . er Home, the NHL changed the colors to confuse us all. These are the primarily maroon socks with gray, navy and beer colors on them. (The beer color was an aftermarket locker room addition).
CCM makes their socks in a number of colors to match all the NHL team colors. They also come in a plethora of plain colors, yellow, red, black, white, blue . . . etc.
▪ Final Thoughts
Are socks all the same? No way. CCM is one of the better brands that I’ve used. SP has been pretty close in quality and size. SP is a little cheaper as well. As far as durability the SP socks seem to hold up just a bit better with their tighter weave.
Other brands that I’ve picked up have been ridiculously small. I’ve had some that I gave away after trying to wear them once. They just didn’t work. Man, that’s annoying to drop $10 to $15 on socks that just don’t fit over the shin guards.
So the bottom line is CCM socks aren’t special enough to make you excited, but they won’t really let you down either.
A few of my other reviews that you might find helpful:
Fitting and Selecting Hockey Protective Gear
Pro Guard Water Bottle
Bauer Protec Toe
CCM 1152 Wheel Bag
Looking for real socks? Try these: Wigwam Footliners
Recommended:
Yes
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