Best Hockey Neck Guards

With so many different styles, fits, and protection levels, it can be difficult to narrow down which hockey neck guard is right for you. Here at IW, we have you covered and have compiled a list of the best hockey neck guard shirts, collars, bibs, and neck guards for goalies. Each style has been categorized into the best 'Overall Performance' and the 'Best Value', with each choice offering at least BNQ certification. Overall performance is based purely on tech, spec, and comfort while best value is determined by which neck guard offers the most value for your money.

For players who participate in leagues within North America, BNQ certification is required for Canadian Minor Hockey, while in the United States, Minor Hockey League players must use a neck guard built specifically for hockey. Hockey neck guards may also come with an ANSI Cut Level rating, which is a protection level based on a scale between A1 and A9, with A9 offering the highest cut protection possible. The NHL and NHLPA have also provided a list of cut-resistant products that have been cleared for use in the NHL. To learn more about BNQ certification, ANSI Cut Levels, and which products have been cleared for use in the NHL, click the 'Learn More' red button below!

$179.99 MSRP for Senior (SM, MD, LG, XL, XXL)

CCM has delivered an amazing option as well, providing ANSI Level A6 cut protection for both the neck and wrists. While still expensive compared to some options, the CCM Pro Cut Resistant A6 Neck and Wrist Guard Shirt is built for elite-level play and comes with premium base layer features.

The neck guard comes with an anti-snag closure for elevated comfort and to prevent hair from getting caught in the Velcro. A silicone grip was added to the forearms to offer extra security for your elbow pads, ensuring they stay locked on the arm when you battle for loose pucks.

It's also built to handle sweat and combat heat with the help of CCM's AER-TEC TotalDry technology, which are strategic mesh panels and fabric that quickly evaporate sweat and expel heat. If the CCM Pro A6 shirt is out of your budget or playing level, CCM has designed an A3 version, which features all of the same base layer benefits but with ANSI Level A3 cut protection in the neck and wrists. This shirt is ideal for the recreational to competitive player and even comes with a women's specific fit.

Similar to the Warroad model, the Shock Doctor Shirt comes with a Sleeve Lock System that allows the arm sleeve to fold back over your elbow pad, ensuring a tight and secured lock for your protection. Along with the elite-level cut-resistant aramid fibers for neck and throat protection, the shirt has many features throughout that makes it highly comfortable and mobile. A huge plus is the fact it comes in a men's and women's specific fit, as well as a wide range of sizes so players of all ages and skill levels can benefit from its performance and protection.

Sherwood's Cut Resistant Neck Guard Shirt is another great option for players looking for something more affordable. They also provide a women's specific fit in their SWD model and with each coming in a wide range of sizes. It features ANSI Cut Level A4 protection which is a great choice for the highly competitive player and is even cleared for use in the NHL. These also come with great stretch and moisture control for premium performance throughout the game.

$35.99 MSRP (SM/MD, LG/XL)

For players looking for cut protection along with impact protection, look no further than the Aegis Interceptor Neck Guard Collar. Seen throughout many different sports and protective apparel is D3O Smart Foam, a rate-sensitive foam that hardens upon impact and dissipates the energy away from the body. This material is soft in its natural state, so it contours around the neck with no discomfort while providing impact protection against pucks, skates, and sticks.

The neck guard is designed with DuPont Kevlar Fibers, a high-end cut-resistant material to provide elite-level protection against skate blades. With the Aegis Interceptor, players can skate with confidence knowing they have both cut and impact protection to reduce the risk of injury.

$24.99 MSRP (SM/MD, LG/XL)

The Sherwood Cut Protective Neck Guard Pro is a wonderful choice for players of all skill levels and comes with a premium fit and protection for a great price. It has a soft and flexible design in a low profile, so it offers amazing comfort for the player on the ice multiple times a week. It was rated with an A4 protection level on the ANSI scale, providing solid protection against skate lacerations for the competitive player, and is even cleared for use in the NHL.

If comfort is a major priority for you, the Warroad Tilo Cut Resistant Neck Guard is the ultimate choice. It offers cut protection that NHL players feel confident wearing and even offers a bit of foam padding for impacts. If you're a player who struggles to wear a neck guard or struggles adding or changing gear, the Warroad Tilo Neck Guard is an easy adjustment. It comes with BNQ certification and a very high ANSI Level A7 cut protection that is cleared for use in the NHL.

The Warrior Max Cut Resistant Neck Guard is an affordable yet protective collar neck guard from Warrior, offered in sizes for youth to senior hockey players. It has a great design in that it provides a ton of coverage to the throat and neck without sacrificing comfort or mobility. Warrior used heavy-duty 1680D for ANSI A3 cut-level protection and a soft padded liner for a premium fit around the neck. It is both BNQ and CE-certified, delivering a ton of value and allowing it to be used in any hockey league.

$37.95 MSRP (XS, SM/MD, LG/XL)

For only a few dollars more than the Aegis Collar mentioned earlier, the Aegis Interceptor Neck Guard with Bib provides the exact same collar design but with extended coverage for even more cut protection. This makes it a fantastic choice for players wanting the incredible D3O impact protection to the throat but with maximum cut coverage against sharp skate blades.

The extra material around the bib can rest underneath your shoulder pads to help it stay secured around the neck. It's also available in an XS size, perfect for the younger and smaller players.

$32.99 MSRP for Junior
$34.99 MSRP for Senior

Boasting a status that is cleared for use in the NHL and coming with an ANSI Cut Level of A3, the CCM Pro Cut Resistant Bibbed Neck Guard offers great cut protection against skate lacerations. With a mix of Kevlar, cotton, and rubber, it provides a super comfortable fit around the neck and has plenty of extended coverage below the throat. Its Velcro closure system also helps players customize the fit and helps cater to a variety of neck sizes.

The Winnwell Premium Bibbed Neck Guard is a solid honorable mention, providing a ton of extended cut coverage and added material through its bibbed design. It has DuPont Kevlar fibers for competitive-level cut protection and is a great choice for the player who wants maximum coverage for playing multiple times a week. The extended material also helps to keep the neck guard in place when rested underneath the shoulder pads.

Offered in sizes from youth to senior, the EOS TI30 Neck Guard is a lightweight and BNQ-certified option for players of all ages. It has a very affordable design and comes with Ballistic reinforced nylon for top-notch cut protection without hindering comfort.

$44.99 MSRP for Junior
$49.99 MSRP for Senior

Since goalie gear is already so expensive, the CCM BNQ Certified Goalie Neck Guard is a great choice for the goalie on more of a budget. It features BNQ and CE certified cut protection for the neck, ensuring goalies have top-level coverage against lacerations. While it may not be D3O like the Aegis, it comes with a very high-density foam to guard against impacts from pucks and sticks that make their way past your chest protector.

While one of the most expensive options, the CCM Pro BNQ Shirt Style Goalie Neck Guard is a premium choice for the goalie on the ice multiple times a week and constantly taking on big shots. It comes with BNQ and CE-certified cut protection along with high-density impact foam coverage for the throat, sternum and clavicle. Since everything is designed into a shirt, goalies will enjoy a very comfortable fit and will experience very little movement of the protection.

If the Aegis Interceptor Pro-G was out of your budget but you want the protection of D3O still, the Aegis Interceptor-G Goalie Neck Guard is a much more affordable option. It has less impact coverage than the Pro-G but you're still getting D3O impact protection for the throat and upper chest, an area most prone to pucks slipping past the chest protector. On top of that, the Interceptor-G comes with the same elite-level cut protection around the neck as the Pro, ultimately providing you with key body coverage in a lower-profile fit.

If you are unsure how to select the right size or having trouble deciding which style of neck guard best suits your game, head over to our dedicated learning centers by using the buttons below!