Here is some advice from HockeyGiant.com on how to buy Inline Hockey Pants

Function

Inline hockey pants are are worn as a covering for your girdle and shin guards. They are not to be worn as protective gear. Inline pants are an important piece of equipment with a specific function, but they will not give you any more protection than a jersey. In order to protect your legs you will need to wear a girdle and shin guards under your inline hockey pants. Many inline hockey players don’t wear a girdle, but it is highly recommended.

Inline Hockey Pants Construction

Inline hockey pants are typically constructed with high-grade, denier nylon on the knees and breathable mesh/polyester or nylon to cover the rest of the legs. Usually, spandex and elastic mesh are used in the waistband and thigh region for increased mobility and ventilation. Almost every pair of inline hockey pants will have an adjustable strap or elastic band on the waist to secure the pants. Inline pants are made up of several pieces of material that are stitched together, which allows the manufacturer to use the appropriate materials in each section of the pants.

Inline Hockey Pant Features

The basic features of inline hockey pants vary from one pair to the next. Certain features are available with certain pants that are not available with others, but generally most inline hockey pants are constructed in similar fashion. Here’s a list of options to consider when choosing the right pants for you:

• Elastic waistbands – to secure the pants around your waist
  

  Most inline pants are secured with a belt, but some players prefer the fit of an elastic waistband instead of an adjustable belt. Tour 10W20 Inline Hockey Pants have an elastic waistband and provide a very comfortable, relaxed fit.



• Adjustable belts – to manually tighten/loosen the waist band of the pants
  

  This is the preferred choice of most players because waist belts tend provide a more adjustable fit than elastic waistbands which usually have a narrower fit range. Mission Axiom T9 Inline Hockey Pants have dual belts which can be tightened individually at the front of each hip.



• Reinforced knees – for increased durability
  

  All inline hockey pants have reinforced knees, but $35 pants have lower denier nylon on the knees than $100 pants do. The denier rating of the nylon used on the knees usually ranges from 800D to 1680D. A higher number indicates heavier, thicker material which, in the case of inline hockey pants, translates to greater durability.




• Stretch mesh ventilation – in the thighs, groins and calves for breathability and mobility
  

  Most inline pants are now made with stretch mesh in each of the targeted flex zones, but the material quality varies from one pair to the next.





• Shin straps – built into the calf area of the pants for securing your shin guards
  

  Shin straps are tightened around your shin guards and secured with Velcro. This is a feature only available with certain models, such as the Mission Soldier SE Inline Hockey Pants Shin straps are commonly called shin slings.

Inline Hockey Pant Manufacturers

Some of the most well known names in inline hockey are Mission, Bauer, Tour, Valken and Reebok. There are many other manufacturers of inline equipment , but the most notable brands are the five previously mentioned. Each of these brands have established themselves as reliable choices for a player who is looking for quality hockey gear. Sizing is fairly consistent amongst the manufacturers, but there can be slight differences from one brand to the next so make sure to check the sizing guides for an accurate measurement.

Proper Fit

If you do decide to wear a girdle, make sure that you take into account the possible difference in pant size that may be needed in order to fit them over the girdle and shin guards, especially if you prefer to wear your pants baggy. Inline hockey pants are made to accomodate a girdle and shin guards, but as a rule of thumb, if your waist size is borderline medium/large (for example), the best choice would be the large pants because the girdle ought to make up for the difference in waist size. The best way to measure for pant size is to go by waist size, then height, and then weight.

Click on the following link to check out HockeyGiant.com's selection of Inline Hockey Pants