Practical Guide - Which referee jersey/sweater should I get ?

You are new to the world of officiating. You've seen striped sweaters from a very young age, but you don't know much about them. There are "Pro" jerseys, "Beginner" jerseys, which one to choose?

Here is our Practical Guide on which sweater to choose.

Fabric quality

 First of all, the thickness of the fabric is very important when selecting. Logically, the "Pros" type sweaters are thicker. Advanced referees will officiate several games in a row and of a longer duration than the new referees. That's why they'll want to stay warm longer.

Image source: nhl

It is also a matter of preference. Several referees wear a compression shirt and a thick woolen sweater under their referee jerseys. Even with lots of skating, it can get very cold on the rink. Other's cope with the cold more easily and will wear a thinner sweater.

So here is the list, from the warmest, to the least warm sweater with prices.

1- CCM PRO 150S REFEREE JERSEY - LINESMAN, $ 74.99
2- FORCE PRO JERSEY LINESMAN, $ 69.99
3- ZEBRASCLUB ZL1 HOCKEY REFEREE JERSEY - LINESMAN, $ 64.99
4- RECREATIVE FORCE REFEREE JERSEY, $ 54.99
5- CCM M150 REFEREE JERSEY, $ 49.99

The fit

Even though all the referee jerseys available on the market today are very similar, there are still some differences in the design. Whatever type of sweater (Pro or Beginner), the design is the same for each brand.

CCM sweaters are made wider than Force or Zebrasclub. CCM made sure they had ample room to insert elbow-pads. The collars are flexible for maximum comfort. On the other hand, Force and Zebrasclub have opted for a firmer collar. This helps the collar stay in place when you skate at high speed. Slaps on the chin can be tiring in the long run. ;)

With a different type of fabric, Force and Zebrasclub have also made plenty of room for the sleeves to be able to insert elbow pads. On the other hand, the forearm and the wrist area have been made more "fit" to give a very professional look.

And there you go. You are now better equipped to make an informed choice!

For all other questions, come talk to us on the chat!