Our exciting new research into sporting goods reveals what is the most used field hockey goalie stick brand by international players!
Not unexpected, but the results clearly show that the OBO field hockey stick is the most trusted by field hockey goalkeepers around the world. Harrow Sports is a manufacturer that strives to always bring the best technology to the forefront when making their sports equipment and their field hockey sticks are no exception.
The Kookaburra brand is very popular among UK keepers and is a very trusted brand also. The most surprising result here was that Grays didn’t make it any higher on the list. While they do have a comprehensive goalkeeping stick range, they tend to be on the cheaper side and don’t quite offer the same levels of strength and balance that you will find with OBO field hockey or TK field hockey goalie stick brands.
Check out our list of most recommended and best field hockey goalie stick brands currently available for 2019. Among these top brands you will find OBO, STX, Grays, Harrow Sports, and Kookaburra.
OBO Fatboy Field Hockey Goalie Stick
This is one of the most expensive goalie sticks out there, which isn’t too surprising as it is an OBO. This brand has been around for a while and only provides top quality field hockey goalie gear. This stick is a slightly heavier goalie stick and was designed to allow for a more powerful hit. It is extremely well balanced, however, so it’s still quick to move.
The head of this goalie stick is re-curved, and the lower shaft is shaped to deliver a larger stopping area. The Fatboy field hockey goalie stick also has an extended length grip and oval-shaped shaft that creates more of a comfortable and natural hand grip.
The toe for this stick is a hook and is the most commonly used toe for a goalie stick. You will also find that it is made with full-composite construction.
STX Field Hockey Shield Goalie Stick
This goalie stick is a well-priced stick that will serve any player well. It has an excellent shape for hitting the ball out of the D and sweeping. Different than a lot of field hockey goalie sticks, the STX Shield has a 22mm bow allowing for great ball control.
It is a lightweight stick as any good keeper’s stick should be with a bit of flex to it due to the 100% fiberglass construction. The stick has the standard goalie hook toe also. Overall, it is a great entry-level to intermediate goalkeeper stick for field hockey.
Specifications:
- Composition: 100% Fiberglass
- Stick Weight: 530g for a 35″ stick
- Bow: 22mm
- The shape and 100% fiberglass construction of the Shield gives keepers the control they need when using their stick to play the ball
- Hook shape for increased surface area when stopping and clearing
- Engineered to cushion the ball upon impact and minimize deflection for accurate clearing
- Toe shape increases surface contact with the ball for more controlled sweeps
Grays GX5000 Goalie Field Hockey Stick
One of Grays’s proven models, the GX5000 is a great weapon for any elite or advanced goalie. It features a thin and lightweight design allowing a goalie to move the stick quickly to make a save. Getting more power when hitting to clear the ball is increased with the higher carbon content of this stick, making it stiffer than the GX5000.
The thin and light design of this field hockey goalie stick allows the goalie to maintain the control and power they need. It has a specially shaped blade and extended hook as well which goes a long way in increasing the stopping area.
Specifications:
- Bow: 20 mm
- Toe: Hook
- Composition: Aramid, Carbon, Fiberglass
- Grip: Traction Hi-Soft
Click here for current prices and sizes
Harrow Sports Ninja Field Hockey Goalie Stick
This goalie hockey stick by Harrow Sports allows any goalie to block shots like a ninja. It is a lightweight field hockey stick that is made with 10% carbon to help reduce the rebound distance after each shot is blocked.
This field hockey stick for goalies also has a zig-zag design to it and this design helps to maximize the goal coverage area.
Specifications
- 16-mm Bow
- Option of 36-inch, 36-inch, or 37-inch
- 90% Fiberglass construction
- 10% Carbon construction
Kookaburra Goal Keepers Goalie Field Hockey Stick
This field hockey goalie stick is a popular model by Kookaburra and is available in a length of 36.5-inches. It has a pro hold grip that allows the goalie to have a better grip on the stick while blocking. The G-Hook head shape also allows for more well balanced hand positions and movement as well.
It is a good field hockey stick for goalies of all skill levels and its duo core construction offers more in the way of both power and stability during gameplay.
Specifications
- 36.5-inches in length
- G-Bow Technology
- Carbon fiberglass construction
Grays 500i Field Hockey Goalie Stick
- Rounded lower handle shape makes it easy to slide stick thereby extending reach.
- Ultrabow blade profile to enable stick saves.
- Micro headshape
- Fiberglass reinforced mulberry wood
- Hybrid heel protection for added durability
This goalie field hockey stick by Grays features a rounded lower handle shape which makes it easier to slide the field hockey stick and extend the reach as a goalie. This means more blocked shots and a better coverage area.
Its ultrabow blade profile helps enable stick saves and the stick is made from a fiberglass reinforced mulberry wood with hybrid heel protection for even more durability while out on the field. Its straight handle design allows the goalie to more easily sweep balls on the ground and it has a very lightweight design overall.
Specifications
- Ultrabow – 20mm
- Maxi toe shape
- Weight: 540 grams
Harrow Festival Field Hockey Goalie Stick
Harrow has created a great field hockey goalie stick here that has a double reinforced shaft which is durable and lightweight. The sticks “zig-zag” toe gives maximum coverage in order to make more saves. The stick is wrapped in a Kevlar sleeve, which helps absorb a lot of impact.
If you are looking for the perfect combination of both affordability and performance, then you will definitely find it if you purchase the Harrow Festival Field hockey goalie stick. It is durable and offers any goalie the best goal line coverage possible.
Specifications:
- J-Zig Zag head shape
- Made of composite materials
- Length: 36-inches
Goalie Stick Buying Guide
Sizing a Goalie Stick
A good goalie stick will work to help enhance the goalie’s stance and movement. The right size stick will allow the goaltender to keep the blade flush and centered between the toes of the pads. The blocker should then rest on the outer edge of the pad.
Types of Goalie Sticks
There are four types to choose from, including wood, foam core, hybrid, and composite goalie sticks. The wood sticks are the heaviest of all the options, but they do allow for much greater balance. The most popular choice would be the foam core sticks. The foam helps keep the total weight down, which helps greatly with weight distribution and adds to its overall durability.
Hybrids have components of both the foam core and composite sticks and benefit from the lighter weight as well. Composite goalie sticks are hollow and contain a small amount of foam. This is the lightest weight option you can currently find when it comes to goalie sticks.
Goalie Stick Curves
Usually, the curve of the stick really depends on the goalkeeper’s preferences; however, you still want to make sure that you have the ultimate shooting ability and you want to be able to quickly redirect the pucks when needed. This should all be considered and kept in mind when looking for the best field hockey goalie sticks.
Goalie Hockey Stick FAQ
What size goalie stick should I purchase?
When choosing a goalie stick, you want to be sure that the thicker part of the stick is long enough so that you can achieve the proper goalie stance. Your knees should be bent with the stick flat in front of your toes. The blocker should then be aligned with the leg pad so that it is not overlapping.
What is a full right goalie stick?
If you are a regular goalie, then you wear your catching glove on your left hand, and you block with the right hand. Regular goalie sticks are held ion the right hand and are typically curved like a left-handed player’s stick. A full right goalie wears the catcher on the right hand and instead blocks with the left.
Should goalie sticks be curved?
There are several types to choose from when looking for a goalie stick. However, full right goalie sticks are curved, and the paddle on the goalie stick is the wider portion that starts halfway down the shaft and then continues toward the blade.
What other field hockey goalie equipment do I need?
In addition to the goalie stick, you should also have shoulder pads, elbow pads, shin guards, gloves, a face mask, and a jockstrap for the ultimate protection during gameplay.