As old as the debate over the chicken and the egg is the one about hockey shooting pads against tiles. However, the truth is that anyone looking to practice stick handling and shooting at home can consider both hockey shooting pads and tiles. Hockey players who are unsure about which ones to buy frequently ask us such queries. Hence, in this article, we’ll debate over hockey shooting pads vs. tiles.
What are Hockey Tiles?
For off-ice hockey practice, hockey tiles are interconnecting tiles that provide an ice surface that feels like a genuine ice ground. The tiles attach using a proprietary, symmetrical clipping method that can be quickly arranged into a ground and reduces the effect of seams even on uneven ground! Hockey tiles of high quality, produced by recognized businesses that have mastered the skill of making them, fit together well and are simple to put together.
What Are Hockey Shooting Pads?
Hockey shooting Pads, usually called shooting boards, are made for players who prefer a flat, smooth surface to shoot from. These pads are designed to provide a ground similar to ice as achievable. The shooting pads are made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE). This substance is well recognized for being exceedingly slippery and long-lasting (lasting over 100 years in some situations). Boxes and rails used in skiing and snowboarding, as well as the pads used in hockey rinks, are all made of HDPE. The major difference between hockey shooting pads and tiles is that shooting pads are usually bought in single pieces as they are usually used for stickhandling, whereas tiles are bought in bulk to create hockey rinks and to cover larger spaces such as a garage or basement.
Benefits of Hockey Tiles
Hockey tiles are special because they link on the bottom, allowing a more seamless connection and a slick, smooth surface than shooting pads. If you’re a pro, you can be sure that you’re making a fantastic investment for your hockey interests or even tournaments if you get hockey tiles that are of good quality, give some of the best value, and are among the least expensive on the market.
Benefits of Hockey Shooting Pads
There are many advantages to using the hockey shooting pad. The first benefit is that it provides a lovely, flat surface for you to fire off, simulating ice more closely. The pad’s smoothness is the second major benefit. This smooth surface will safeguard your hockey stick’s blade. The blade of your stick handle will deteriorate very fast if you fire and stick the handle on concrete or another unforgiving surface. Additionally, anything that helps safeguard your blade will ultimately cost you less money.
Size
Hockey tiles are often produced in 1:1 ratios and come in sizes like 12″ by 12″ or 18″ by 18″. You also have thickness options such as 11.1 millimeters thick or 12.6 millimeters thick tiles.
You have a few choices when buying a hockey shooting pad, such as solid pads, roll-up pads, and various sizes. For instance, HockeyShot offers three sizes: Professional, Intermediate, and Junior. Professional pads have dimensions of 30” x 60” and a thickness of 3/16 inch. The Intermediate pads measure 28″ x 52″ and have a thickness of 3/16 inches. Lastly, the Junior pads measure 24” x 48”, and it has a thickness of 1/8 inch.
Portability
Comparing hockey shooting pads vs. tiles shows that hockey tiles are more portable. The enormous shooting pad is one giant slab, making it simple to pick up and move in any direction. The pad may be readily stowed in an SUV, a van, or a truck. However, if you want to take it to a friend’s house, you might encounter some difficulties. A large pad flexes, making it rather difficult to fit inside a car.
Conversely, hockey tiles are simpler to choose and more practical than shooting pads. Hockey tiles may be readily stacked on top of one another, linked with a thread, and carried in a sealable bag for travel because of their small and practical shape and size.
Conclusion
In short, both items are excellent for off-ice training. It boils down to your training requirements, goals, and available area. The hockey tiles are perfect if you have ample space, as you can tile it entirely. Moreover, these portable tiles are excellent if you love playing on different terrains and spaces.
On the other hand, due to its compactness and portability, the shooting pad will provide an excellent training surface if you are short on space or have access to multiple training areas. Additionally, you can move it as far away from the objective or target as you like during shooting drills without having to fill in the entire gap.
