Not many hockey players have an equipment staff or an NHL-style stick prep station at their disposal. But that doesn’t mean you need to be empty handed at the rink when you need to make a minor repair or other adjustment to your gear.
Toiletry bags (also referred to as tape bags, shower bags or shave kits) have become popular items in locker rooms over the last few years as the preferred option for keeping your hockey bag organized. Virtually every hockey company makes some version of one of these bags, meaning you can find great deals on hockey toiletry bags online.
What you choose to keep in the bags is up to the sort of player you are. Maybe you’re the type who is always borrowing clear tape. Or you’re always making some tweak to your stick or other equipment and you need more accessories and tools at your disposal. If you’re thinking of picking up a toiletry bag or if you got one at Christmas and aren’t sure what to put in it, here is a list of the five best items to keep in your hockey bag.
Tape and Wax
This is an easy one and having a toiletry bag makes it easier to find your rolls of tape when you’re in the locker room. I tend to keep at least two rolls of stick tape handy to ensure I’m not going to run out at an inopportune time. Depending on your preference, it might be good to keep a couple rolls of clear tape handy as well. At minimum one roll of stick tape and one roll of clear tape is a must. If you’re a wax user, your toiletry bag is the perfect home for that as well.
Laces
Don’t be left empty handed if your laces rip before a game or practice. There’s nothing worse than getting ready for a late beer league game when the pro shop is closed and your laces bite the dust. Keeping an extra set in your tape bag will ensure you aren’t stuck if you need to swap out a pair.
Multi-Tool, Scissors or a Screwdriver
Bit of a dealer’s choice here. Screwdrivers and scissors are equally useful in the locker room. If you need to tighten a screw on a helmet or swap out a cage, you’re going to need a screwdriver. Scissors can be clutch for tape jobs, among other uses. A multi-tool can be more compact and convenient than stuffing a screwdriver and pair of scissors into your bag. It can also be a little safer since you won’t have any sharp edges or points poking out. Multi-tools can provide a bit more utility as well. But at least one of those items, scissors, screwdriver or a multi-tool, should be in your bag each time you’re at the rink.
Helmet Kit
Many of the items on this list aren’t just useful for you, but your teammates as well. A helmet kit isn’t an everyday necessity but are great in emergencies. Minimally, it’s good to know where extra screws and buckles are for your helmet at home. Some kits even come with a small screwdriver, so if you’re hoping to check the box above, certain helmet kits can fill both needs. Bauer sells a nice kit that’s practically pocket sized that would be right at home in a toiletry bag.
Skate Sharpening Tool
This title is a little misleading because many tools billed for skate sharpening can be snake oil adjacent. But “sweet sticks” or “sharpening sticks” are handy to keep around if you’re in a pinch. Some even have a small honing stone on them. If you’re not into those sharpening sticks, putting a stone to rub out burrs and nicks in your skate blades is a must. But be careful, if you have a set of black blades or other colored set, a traditional stone will ruin the finish on them. You’ll need to use either a leather hone or the rubber hone sold by Howies is what you’ll need to use. Something along those lines should be one of the very first things you toss into a hockey toiletry bag.
Two in the Box 