How to Prevent an Achilles Injury in Ice Hockey

The injury to Erik Karlsson last night was devastating to say the least. Achilles injuries are extremely painful, and can often take long periods of time to heal. Fortunately, some lacerations to the leg and achilles area are preventable thanks to the hard work of some of the world’s largest hockey equipment manufacturers. Below, we’ll explore a couple of options you have as an ice hockey player looking to help protect your leg and achilles tendon from cuts.

Bauer and Reebok Protective Skate SocksFirst up is the Bauer Elite Performance Skate Sock. This sock is constructed using 60% Kevlar and a combination of Coolmax polyester, nylon and spandex. The Kevlar protected area, which is colored in yellow, covers everything from just below your knee down to your your heel and back of your foot. This includes your calf and achilles area. The cut resistant Kevlar will help to provide resistance to skate blade cuts, while the Thermo-Max+ performance yarn helps to control odor and moisture.

The Bauer Elite Performance Skate Sock is available at most local hockey stores, including our friends at Pure Hockey. If you want to pick one up online, you can grab Bauer’s top end skate sock for only $34.99. Don’t forget to use the coupon code HOCKEYWORLD on your order.

Next up is the brand new Reebok 20k Protective Skate Socks. These are the top of the line skate socks from Reebok, and are constructed a bit differently than Bauer’s. The Reebok 20k Protective Socks utilize Dyneema, the world’s strongest fiber, for protection against cuts. Dyneema is an extremely abrasion resistant fiber which also provides great comfort, making it a perfect choice for use in these socks.

The Reebok 20k socks also utilize CuTec copper fibers to help prevent odor. Copper is known for its anti-odor, hygienic protection and skin wellness properties. Reebok’s 20k socks are constructed using 52% Dyneema, 25% polyester-copper, 20% polyester and 3% spandex.

Reebok’s 20k Protective Skate Socks, which are made in Montreal, are also available at many hockey retailers and will set you back $39.99.

Please keep in mind that while both of these products can add extra measures to prevent you from suffering an injury like Karlsson’s, neither product can guarantee 100% that it will not happen to you. You are, however, much better off with a pair of protective socks if a skate blade hits your leg as opposed to traditional socks.

Have you used either of the products mentioned above? If so, we want to hear from you! Drop us a line in the comments to share your experiences with the Bauer Elite Performance Skate Sock or the Reebok 20k Protective Skate socks!

5 Comments

  1. It’s always sad when a player is out –and not for a couple of games but for the season. I hope when Karlsson comes back on the ice, he’ll be wearing some cut resistance socks such as the socks offered at http://www.tuffnlitehockey.com or http://www.tuffnlite.com . If the players wear them maybe an injury like this would have only lead to a simple bruise or a couple of stitches and out only a game instead of the season. Maybe next time….

  2. Our specialty is not skates and sticks like other companies. Our manufacturer is the leader in cut resistant material and has been making protective garments for over 40 years for police, military and the safety industry. He has 30 patents. We know our protection. We are not Kevlar. Ours do not change colour under light and do not absorb moisture. Ours feel and stretch like cotton. We have 150 NHL players skating in our socks and have saved players at all levels of hockey. The accident to Karlsson was devastating to him and the game. Our socks are not cut proof but can prevent serious injury. We wish him a speedy recovery and can’t wait to see him on the ice again. The only good that has come out of his injury is that it has brought attention to the importance of cut resistance, but not all cut resistant skate socks are the same level. Always ask for documented ASTM test results that show cut level. Our socks test a three out of five. Play Hard, Play Smart

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