Hockey pant shells vs girdles vs hockey pants: a guide for teams
What each piece does, why many teams switch to a girdle and shell, how sizing and stripes work, and what to send us for a quote on custom pant shells.
In short
Hockey pants (breezers) have padding built in. A hockey girdle is a padded protective garment worn under a cover. A pant shell, also called a pant cover, girdle cover or breezer cover, is a lightweight woven nylon or polyester shell that goes over the girdle. Teams use shells to match jerseys and socks and to change colours without buying new padded pants. Blackthorn World makes custom pant shells from 10 pieces per design.
- Shell fabric
- Woven nylon or polyester
- Sizes
- Youth to senior; goalie on request
- MOQ
- 10 pieces per design
- Sample
- About 2 weeks
- Bulk
- 3–4 weeks after sample approval
- Indicative FOB
- $10–14 per shell
Pants, girdles and shells: what is the difference?
| Hockey pants (breezers) | Girdle + pant shell | |
|---|---|---|
| Padding | Built into the pants | In the girdle; the shell has none |
| Changing team colours | Buy new padded pants | Replace only the shell |
| Weight | Heavier | Lighter shell over the girdle |
| Typical buyers | Players buying their own gear | Teams, leagues and clubs matching a uniform |
Because the shell carries no padding, it is the cheaper way to give a whole roster matching pants. It is also easy to replace when it wears or when a team changes its colours.
Sizing a pant shell to a girdle
Pant shells are sized to standard girdle sizes, from youth to senior, with goalie size on request. Tell us the girdle brand and sizes your players use and we confirm the fit before sampling. A size chart is supplied with your quote.
Stripes, numbers and logos
- Stripe colours and widths matched to your jerseys and socks so the uniform reads as one set.
- Player numbers on the hip and a team or league logo on the leg.
- Cut-and-sew stripes, dye sublimation, screen print or embroidery.
- Sizes, names and numbers can be mixed within the 10-piece minimum.
How to order custom pant shells
Send your team colours or a jersey photo, the girdle sizes and quantities, and your delivery country. We reply with a quote and a mockup, make a sample in about 2 weeks, then run bulk 3–4 weeks after you approve it. We supply clubs, leagues and teamwear suppliers in the USA, Canada, Sweden, Finland, the UK and Europe.
Related guides and products
Frequently asked questions
What is a hockey pant shell?
A lightweight woven nylon or polyester cover worn over a padded hockey girdle, so the whole team has matching pants.
Is a pant shell the same as a breezer cover or girdle cover?
Yes. Pant shell, pant cover, girdle shell, girdle cover and breezer cover are names for the same item.
Do pant shells fit over any girdle?
They are sized to standard girdle sizes from youth to senior. Send us your girdle brand and sizes and we confirm the fit before sampling.
What is the minimum order for custom pant shells?
10 pieces per design, with sizes, names and numbers mixed.
How much do custom hockey pant shells cost?
Indicative FOB prices are $10–14 per shell, depending on fabric, decoration and quantity.