FAQ Catagories Home

Here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions.

Interhockey & Consulting

Interhockey is a Swiss specialty retailer of ice hockey, floorball, and sports equipment. The product range extends from gear for beginners and youth players to high-quality equipment for ambitious and professional athletes.

In addition to our online store, you can also visit our physical stores for personalized advice.

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At Interhockey, you'll find equipment for ice hockey, floorball, inline hockey, street hockey, and ice skating, among other things.

The selection is rounded out by a range of sports shoes and outdoor products.

All sports


Interhockey has stores in:

There, you can try on products and get personalized advice on the right gear for you.


Hockey - Equipment & Getting Started

A complete set of ice hockey equipment usually includes:

Depending on age, league, and playing position, additional protective gear and clothing may be required.


As a beginner, a good fit, adequate protection, and comfort are what matter most. You don’t necessarily need the most expensive professional gear to get started.


What’s more important is that each piece of gear fits properly and is suited to your specific activity. It’s especially important to pay close attention to the fit when it comes to skates, helmets, and protective gear.


Children generally need protection for the same key areas of the body as adults—but in a design appropriate for their age and size.

You shouldn’t intentionally buy gear that’s significantly too large “to allow for growth.” A poor fit can compromise both protection and mobility.

If you’re unsure, we recommend getting sizing advice or trying the gear on.

Did you know you can also rent hockey gear from us? Check out the Rookie League


"Youth," "Junior," "Intermediate," and "Senior" refer to different size ranges and, in some cases, performance levels within ice hockey equipment.

However, the exact classification is not the same for every product and manufacturer. Therefore, don’t rely solely on the label—always check the size chart provided by the respective manufacturer as well.

 

 


Yes. Your helmet, gloves, pads, pants, skates, and hockey stick don't have to be from the same brand.

What matters most are fit, protection, comfort, and your personal preferences. That’s why it can make sense to choose different brands for different pieces of equipment.


Hockey stick

The right stick curve depends on how you shoot, pass, and control the puck.
For example, more open curves can help lift the puck. Other shapes may be better suited for controlled passes or flatter shots.
Since blade curves vary by manufacturer, you should consider not only the shape but also your current blade and your playing style.

 

TRUE

 

WARRIOR

 

CCM

 


As a general rule, the stick should reach roughly between your chin and nose when you're on skates.

A shorter stick can allow for greater proximity to the puck and better control, while a longer stick offers additional reach. Which length feels best therefore also depends on your position and playing style.


As a rough starting point, many players choose a flex that corresponds to about half their body weight in pounds.
However, in addition to body weight, strength, technique, and playing style also play a role. The calculated value should therefore be viewed as a starting point rather than a strict guideline.


A simple rule of thumb is:
Body weight in kilograms × approx. 1.1 = approximate starting flex value
Example:
A player weighing 70 kg can start with a flex of approximately 75–80 and adjust from there based on personal feel.
This calculation is intended as a guide. Strength, technique, and personal preferences can all influence the ideal flex.


When you shorten a hockey stick, the shaft feels harder or stiffer and is harder to bend.

The more you shorten the stick, the more its effective flex characteristics change. You should take this into account when choosing the length and flex.


The kick point refers to the area of the shaft that bends the most when taking a shot.

Low Kick: Designed for quick shots. Perfect for snap shots and wrist shots
Mid Kick: More focused on power transfer during the shot. Excellent for hard shots.
Hybrid Kick: combines different characteristics of both concepts.

Which kickpoint is best for you depends primarily on your shooting technique and playing style.


"Left" and "Right" refer to the playing side of the racket and do not necessarily indicate whether you are right- or left-handed.
With a left-handed stick, the blade is on your left side when you’re playing. With a right-handed stick, it’s on your right side.
If you’re unsure, use the side on which you naturally carry the puck as a guide.


Ice Hockey Skates

First, measure the length of your foot and compare it to the size chart provided by the respective manufacturer.
Hockey skates fit differently than regular street shoes and are often worn a size smaller. Since sizes and fits vary between manufacturers and models, you shouldn’t rely solely on your regular shoe size.

EU shoe size approx. Foot length approx. TRUE Warrior CCM Bauer
33.5 21.0 cm 1 – 1 1
34 21.4 cm 1.5 – 1.5 1.5
35 21.8 cm 2 – 2 2
35.5 22.2 cm 2.5 – 2.5 2.5
36 22.6 cm 3 – 3 3
36.5 23.0–23.1 cm 3.5 – 3.5 3.5
37.5 23.4–23.5 cm 4 4 4 4
38 23.9 cm 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.5
38.5 24.3 cm 5 5 5 5
39 24.7 cm 5.5 5.5 5.5 5.5
40.5 25.1 cm 6 6 6 6
41 25.5 cm 6.5 6.5 6.5 6.5
42 26.0 cm 7 7 7 7
42.5 26.4 cm 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5
43 26.8 cm 8 8 8 8
44 27.2–27.3 cm 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5
44.5 27.7 cm 9 9 9 9
45 28.1 cm 9.5 9.5 9.5 9.5
45.5 28.5 cm 10 10 10 10
46 28.9 cm 10.5 10.5 10.5 10.5
47 29.3–29.4 cm 11 11 11 11
47.5 29.8 cm 11.5 11.5 11.5 11.5
48 30.2 cm approx. 12 12 12 12
49 31.0 cm – – – 13
50 31.8 cm – – – 14
51 32.6 cm – – – 15

A hockey skate should fit snugly and securely without causing painful pressure points.
There should be as little play as possible in the heel. When standing, your toes should lightly touch the front of the boot.
A boot that is significantly too large offers less support and control. If you’re unsure, we recommend trying them on or seeking in-person advice.


"Regular" and "Wide" describe the width and volume of a hockey skate, respectively.
Players with wider feet or a higher instep often need more volume than players with narrower feet.
These terms may vary by manufacturer. Therefore, in addition to the width specification, you should always consider the actual fit.


Many high-quality hockey skates can be better customized to fit the foot through controlled heating.
Whether a particular model is suitable for this depends on the manufacturer and the boot’s design.
Thermal molding should therefore only be performed on models designed for this purpose and carried out by a professional. We’d be happy to help you with this at one of our Interhockey stores.


New blades should be inspected before their first use and, as a rule, professionally sharpened.
The right sharpening ensures the desired grip and a controlled skating experience on the ice.


There is no set sharpening interval that works for every player.
How quickly the edges wear down depends, among other things, on ice quality, skating style, weight, and personal preferences.
Typical signs that it’s time for a new sharpening include:
• Noticeably less grip
• an unstable edge feel
• damaged or uneven edges


A deeper hollow grind tends to provide more grip, but it also creates more resistance.
A shallower groove offers better glide and less aggressive edge grip.
Which option is better depends on your riding style, weight, and personal preference.


Ice Hockey Protective Gear

A hockey helmet should fit snugly and evenly on the head without causing uncomfortable pressure points.
It must not shift noticeably when the head moves and must be properly adjusted and fastened.
The right fit is more important than the size label alone.


A full-face mask protects a larger area of the face, while a visor offers a clearer field of vision.
Which option is permitted or appropriate depends, among other things, on age, league, and personal needs.
Therefore, be sure to check the guidelines that apply to your age group.


Your fingers should reach roughly to the tips of the glove without bumping up against them too much.
At the same time:
• the wrist should remain flexible
• the glove should fit securely
• there should be as little gap as possible between the glove and the elbow pad
If you’re unsure, trying the gloves on is especially helpful.


Shin, elbow, and shoulder guards should fully cover the intended areas of the body without unnecessarily restricting your mobility.
The manufacturers’ size charts are a good starting point. However, what really matters is how the protective gear actually fits your body and works in conjunction with the surrounding pieces of equipment.


Ice hockey goalie

Goalie equipment includes, among other things:
• Goalie mask
• Chest and arm pads
• Goalie pants
• Groin guard
• Leg guards
• Catching glove
• Stick hand
• Goalie skates
• Goalie stick
In addition, there are matching clothing and other protective gear.
When it comes to goalie equipment, the fit and coordination of the individual components play a particularly important role.


The correct pad size cannot be determined based solely on height.
The position of your legs and knees, as well as the manufacturer’s specific measurement method—such as ankle-to-knee or floor-to-knee—are particularly important.
Since manufacturers measure differently, you should always use the size chart for the specific model.


The first number indicates the basic size of the shin guard.
The number after the plus sign indicates the additional “thigh rise” above the knee area.
A pad with a 34+2 designation therefore has a larger additional area above the knee than a model with a 34+1 designation.


In Regular, the goalie wears the catching glove on the left hand and the stick hand on the right.
In Full Right, the arrangement is reversed: catching glove on the right, stick hand on the left.
This term refers specifically to gloves and the corresponding orientation of the goalie’s equipment.


What paddle length do I need for a goalkeeper stick?

Approx. height TRUE Warrior CCM Guideline
up to approx. 145 cm 21"–23" 21"–22" 21"–23" Junior
approx. 137–163 cm 24" 23" 24" Intermediate / Small Senior
165 cm and up 25" 24" 25" Senior – on the shorter side
from approx. 165 cm 26" 25" 26" Senior – medium
from approx. 165 cm 27" 26" 27" Senior – rather long

The right paddle length depends on your height, stance, and playing style.
The key is that you can stand comfortably in your normal goalie position without having to hold your stick hand unnaturally high or low.
Since body height alone provides only limited guidance for determining the optimal length, a personal consultation is particularly helpful.


Floorball

For floorball, you basically need:

  • a properly fitting floorball stick
  • good indoor shoes
  • appropriate sportswear

Depending on your age, position, and the competition, additional protective gear—such as goggles—may be recommended or required.


The right pole length depends mainly on your height.

As a general guideline, a pole held vertically should end roughly between your navel and your sternum.

When comparing different models, pay special attention to the specified shaft length.

 


Flex describes how much the shaft bends under load.

The rule is:

Lower flex number = stiffer shaft
Higher flex rating = softer shaft

Softer shafts may be suitable for lighter or younger players, among others. However, the optimal flex also depends on strength, technique, and feel.


Your playing side depends on which side of your body you mainly use to control the ball.

With a left-handed paddle, the paddle is on the left side of your body when you play. With a right-handed paddle, it’s on the right.

Therefore, what matters most is your natural feel for the game, not just whether you’re right- or left-handed.


A stick's shape, material, and pre-curvature influence, among other things, ball control, passing, and shooting performance.

Players who focus heavily on scoring may prefer different characteristics than technically oriented players who place a high value on ball control.

If you’re already comfortable with a particular stick, it’s worth comparing its characteristics with those of potential alternatives.


On many floor hockey sticks, the blade can be replaced.

When doing so, make sure that:

  • the shaft and blade are compatible
  • the blade is mounted correctly
  • the rules of the respective competition are followed

Many floorball sticks can be shortened.

However, this changes the feel of the game and the position of the grip. The stick should therefore be shortened properly and then reassembled correctly.

So, if possible, consider which shaft length suits your height when you make your purchase.


Athletic Shoes

Indoor shoes with the following features are suitable for floorball:

  • good traction
  • lateral stability
  • support during quick changes of direction
  • adequate cushioning

Classic running shoes are primarily designed for forward movement and are therefore less suitable for the typical lateral movements in floorball.


Indoor shoes are designed more for lateral movements, quick changes of direction, and traction on indoor floors.

Running shoes, on the other hand, are primarily designed for a linear roll and repeated forward motion.

For sports involving many abrupt changes of direction, a suitable indoor shoe is therefore the better choice.

Discover athletic shoes


Inline Hockey & Street Hockey

For inline hockey, you basically need:

  • Inline hockey skates
  • a suitable hockey stick
  • appropriate protective gear

Depending on the surface and type of game, different wheels, blades, or protective gear may be more suitable than those used in ice hockey.


Ice Skating

Ice hockey skates are designed for speed, hard shots, and quick changes of direction. They feature a shorter, rounded blade without teeth and a sturdy, padded boot for protection against pucks.

Regular ice skates (often referred to as figure skates) have a longer, flatter blade with toe picks at the front and an often taller, elegant boot for spins and jumps.


Recreational ice skates should also fit securely on the foot and allow as little movement as possible, especially around the heel.

Skates that are too big can make it harder to maintain control and lead to friction or pressure points.

Therefore, don’t just go by your regular shoe size—make sure, above all, that the skates fit securely.


Ordering, Shipping & Returns

The Interhockey online store ships to Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein.


For regular orders below the minimum order amount for free shipping, Versandkosten apply.

Orders of CHF 150 or more currently qualify for free shipping. Bulky items are excluded from this offer; separate rates apply to them.

You can find the currently valid shipping terms in our shipping information.

Shipping Information


The Interhockey online store offers various payment options, including:

  • Credit card
  • TWINT
  • PostFinance
  • PayPal
  • Prepayment
  • Purchase on account via POWERPAY

You can also see which payment methods are available for your order during the checkout process.


According to the currently published return policy, the return period is 10 days after receipt of the merchandise.

The merchandise must be in its original condition. For information on return shipping costs, possible exceptions, and other conditions, please see the full return policy.

 

Printed and personalized products, such as team collections or jerseys, are excluded from exchanges and returns.