Field hockey equipment retail serves a dedicated community — school, university, club, and national-level players. Hockey England and Hockey Wales promote grassroots participation; schools are a major sales channel. The equipment is technically specific — stick composition (fibre ratios), bow profile, and pitch surface all affect product suitability. Migrating to Shopify is well-suited for hockey retail.

Product categories

Hockey sticks: Beginner, intermediate, advanced. Composition (fibre ratios), bow profile, length.
Goalkeeping kit: Helmet, chest guard, hand/body protectors, kickers, leg guards. Safety ratings.
Protective equipment: Shin guards, mouthguards, gloves (left hand), face masks.
Balls: Training, match (dimpled), wet/dry surface suitability. FIH approved.
Footwear: Hockey astroturf shoes (2G pitch), moulded rubber stud (3G), socks.
Bags: Stick bags, holdalls, goalkeeping bags.
Kit clothing: Match shirts, shorts/skorts, socks, training tops. Club kit printing.

Hockey stick specifications

product.metafields.hockey.composition = "100% Carbon / 70-30 Carbon-glass / 50-50 / Glass / Wood"
product.metafields.hockey.carbon_percentage = "70"           // higher = stiffer, more power
product.metafields.hockey.aramid_percentage = "10"           // dampens vibration
product.metafields.hockey.bow_profile = "Midi / Maxi / Low bow / X-bow"
product.metafields.hockey.bow_height_mm = "24"               // FIH limit 25mm
product.metafields.hockey.stick_length_in = "36.5"           // measured in inches (36-38")
product.metafields.hockey.weight_g = "545"
product.metafields.hockey.head_shape = "Mega / Hook / Shorti"
product.metafields.hockey.level = "Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced / Elite"
product.metafields.hockey.fih_approved = "true"

Bow profile selection guide

The bow (curve) of a hockey stick significantly affects playing style. A guide on product pages reduces returns:

Midi bow (20–22mm): Versatile all-round bow. Good for beginners and midfielders. Easier hit and push technique.
Maxi bow (23–24mm): More curved for drag flicking and 3D skills. Preferred by forward/drag flickers.
Low bow (high flex point, 24–25mm near base): Specialist drag flick bow. Harder to control for beginners.
X-bow / extra low bow: Maximum curve at lowest possible point. Elite drag flickers only.
FIH maximum bow: 25mm — any stick over 25mm is illegal for competition

Goalkeeping kit safety

product.metafields.hockey.gk_helmet_standard = "FIH approved"
product.metafields.hockey.gk_chest_protection = "Hard shell / Soft foam"
product.metafields.hockey.kicker_size = "S / M / L / XL"    // foot size based
product.metafields.hockey.leg_guard_size = "Junior / Senior"
product.metafields.hockey.hand_protector_type = "Right blocking / Left stick glove"

Pitch surface compatibility

Hockey is played on natural grass, sand-based 2G astroturf, and water-based 3G/4G pitches. Equipment suitability varies:

Balls: dimpled balls for water-based pitches (faster surface); smooth training balls for grass/sand
Shoes: 2G/sand-based astroturf → multi-stud turf shoes; water-based 3G → bladed cleats or flat-soled astro; natural grass → short metal or rubber studs
Note pitch surface suitability on shoe and ball product pages — reduces wrong purchase for type of pitch used

product.metafields.hockey.pitch_type = "Water / Sand / Grass / Multi-surface"
product.metafields.hockey.shoe_sole = "Astroturf multi-stud / Short stud / Flat"

Club and school kit

Hockey clubs, schools, and universities order kit annually:

Club jerseys: sublimation printing for club colours and logos; minimum 10 units per design
School PE: sticks, balls, cones, and shinpads in volume at budget price points
Stick sets: beginner stick packs for school trials (6 or 12 sticks per set)
Club wholesale: 15–20% discount for verified club and school accounts

Post-migration checklist for field hockey stores

Sticks: carbon percentage, bow height (mm), bow profile type, length (inches), and level as metafields
Bow guide: midi/maxi/low bow description on product pages or dedicated guide
GK kit: FIH approved status on helmets; safety standard noted
Balls: FIH approved and pitch surface suitability (wet/sand) as metafields
Shoes: pitch surface compatibility noted (astroturf vs water pitch vs grass)
Club kit: B2B quote process for sublimation jersey orders; minimum quantities noted
School accounts: trade pricing configured for PE department bulk purchases

Migrating a field hockey store from WooCommerce to Shopify (2026)