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If you have a kid in hockey, you know the smell. It hits you when you open the bag, and the car never quite recovers. Gear stinks because it stays damp: sweaty pads get zipped into a dark bag and sit there until the next practice. The fix is mostly drying it fast, then giving it a wash or a spray now and then. Here are the tools that make that easy.
Quick picks
- Best for drying a full set of gear: Winnwell Deluxe Hockey Drying Rack
- Best for gloves and skates: DryGuy Force Dry DX
- Best odour spray between washes: Vapor Fresh Sports Cleaner and Deodorizer
How we picked
We’re a hockey family, and our kids’ gear has reached the stinky stage, so this one is personal. We compared popular drying racks, dryers, sprays and detergents sold on Amazon, and read what hockey parents say after a season of use. We haven’t used these ourselves yet. If that changes, we’ll say so here.
1. Winnwell Deluxe Hockey Drying Rack: best for drying a full set of gear
A steel tree-style stand from Winnwell, a long-time Canadian hockey brand. You hang the whole set on it after every skate, from the helmet and gloves to the pads, pants and jersey, so air can get to every piece instead of it sitting in the bag. This is the single biggest step for less smell, and there’s nothing to plug in.
Good to know:
- Holds a full set in one spot, so gear stops ending up on the floor
- No power needed, and steel holds up to heavy wet gear
- Downsides: it takes up floor space, and it dries by air only, so gloves and skates can still be damp by the next morning
Skip it if: you have no room in the garage, laundry room or basement. A door-hanging rack takes less space.
2. DryGuy Force Dry DX: best for gloves and skates
Gloves and skates are the worst for smell because they hold sweat deep inside. This dryer blows air up into four items at once, with a heat switch you can turn off and a 3-hour timer. DryGuy says most boots and gloves dry in about an hour. Two extension tubes reach into taller items.
Good to know:
- Dries the inside of gloves, which a rack alone often can’t
- The timer means you can set it and go to bed
- Downsides: it’s bulky, the fan makes some noise, and some buyers say the parts don’t snap in firmly
Skip it if: you only want one thing to buy. Start with the rack. For skates, check what the skate maker says about heat and use the no-heat setting if unsure.
3. Vapor Fresh Sports Cleaner and Deodorizer: best odour spray between washes
A spray made with plant oils (tea tree, lavender, eucalyptus and ho wood) and no added perfume, so it doesn’t cover the smell with a stronger one. You spray the pads, gloves and helmet after they come out of the bag, then let them dry for 10 to 15 minutes. It comes in a 16 oz bottle.
Good to know:
- Quick to use after every practice
- Works on pads, gloves, helmets and shoes
- Downside: a spray helps between washes, but it won’t fix gear that never gets dried
Skip it if: anyone in the house dislikes the smell of tea tree or eucalyptus.
4. WIN Sports Detergent: best for jerseys, base layers and socks
Base layers and hockey socks are made of synthetic fabric that holds body oil, and regular detergent often leaves the smell behind. WIN is made for those fabrics. It comes in fragrance-free and scented versions, and it goes in the washer like any detergent.
Good to know:
- Made for the synthetic fabric in base layers, jerseys and socks
- A fragrance-free option is available
- Downsides: it costs more per load than regular detergent, and some buyers say the cap can leak
Skip it if: you mainly need help with pads and gloves. Check the tag before washing any pads, and start with the rack and dryer.
5. Sof Sole Sneaker Balls: best small add-on for the bag
Small balls you twist open and drop into skates, gloves or the hockey bag between uses. They’re cheap and easy, and kids tend to like them. Think of them as a top-up, not a fix.
Good to know:
- Low cost, and a pack covers skates and gloves
- Twist closed when you’re not using them
- Downside: they add a scent rather than drying anything, so wet gear will still smell
Skip it if: your gear is still going into the bag wet. Fix the drying first.
Side by side
| Product | Best for | Needs power |
|---|---|---|
| Winnwell Drying Rack | Full set of gear | No |
| DryGuy Force Dry DX | Gloves, skates | Yes |
| Vapor Fresh spray | Odour between washes | No |
| WIN detergent | Base layers, socks | No |
| Sneaker Balls | The bag | No |
A routine that keeps the smell down
- Unzip the bag as soon as you get home. Gear left zipped up overnight is where the smell starts.
- Hang everything up. Open the gloves and pull the tongues of the skates forward so air gets inside.
- Wash the base layer and socks after every skate. These touch skin the most.
- Spray, then let it dry. A spray works best on gear that’s already drying.
- Wash the pads a few times a season. Follow the tag, and air dry them rather than using a hot dryer.
Questions people ask
Why does hockey gear smell so bad?
Sweat soaks into the padding, and if the gear stays damp in a closed bag, the smell builds up. Drying it quickly after every skate is the biggest fix.
Can I put hockey gear in the washing machine?
Many pads, gloves and pants can be washed, but check each tag first. Use cold water and a gentle cycle, and air dry instead of using the dryer.
Is a drying rack enough?
For most kids, a rack plus washing the base layer gets you most of the way. Add a glove and skate dryer if those are still damp by the next practice.
Bottom line
Start with the Winnwell drying rack, because drying the gear is what makes the biggest difference. If gloves and skates are still damp by the next skate, add the DryGuy Force Dry DX. A bottle of Vapor Fresh and a pack of Sneaker Balls are cheap extras that help between washes.
