What carbon percentage means on a hockey stick
The carbon percentage is how much of the stick is carbon fibre. More carbon means a stiffer stick: more power, less feel.
Most modern sticks are composite, made from layers of fibre set in resin. Carbon fibre is the stiffest of these fibres. Makers mix it with fibreglass and aramid and print the share of carbon on the stick, from about 10% on junior sticks to 90% or more on top senior sticks.
What changes as carbon goes up
- Stiffness and power. A stiffer stick bends less when it hits the ball, so more energy goes into the ball. Field Hockey Alberta notes that the higher the carbon, the greater the power.
- Less feel and more vibration. Stiff sticks are less forgiving when receiving the ball and send more sting into the hands on a mishit.
- Price. Carbon is expensive, so price climbs with it.
Carbon and price in our list
24 of the sticks we track state their carbon content. Here is what they cost in each band:
| Carbon | Sticks | Price range |
|---|---|---|
| 0% (wood or no carbon) | 5 | R250 – R850 |
| 1% to 30% | 8 | R325 – R1,990 |
| 31% to 69% | 4 | R1,140 – R3,390 |
| 70% to 100% | 7 | R1,680 – R6,450 |
One range, step by step
The Alfa AX range at SportsApp shows the pattern clearly, because the same model line comes in many carbon levels:
- Alfa Tango Hockey Stick: 0% carbon, R250
- Alfa Y 30 Hockey Stick: 10% carbon, R640
- Alfa AX 1 Hockey Stick: 15% carbon, R810
- Alfa AX 2 Hockey Stick: 25% carbon, R930
- Alfa AX 3 Hockey Stick: 30% carbon, R1,040
- Alfa AX 4 Hockey Stick: 40% carbon, R1,140
- Alfa AX 5 Hockey Stick: 50% carbon, R1,250
- Alfa AX 7 Hockey Stick: 75% carbon, R2,090
- Alfa AX 9 Hockey Stick: 95% carbon, R3,390
- Alfa AX 99 Hockey Stick: 100% carbon, R6,450
Which carbon level suits whom
- Beginners and young juniors: wood or about 10% carbon. Easy to control, cheap and forgiving.
- Developing juniors and school players: low to mid carbon. Field Hockey Alberta suggests under 20% for players aged about 10 and up with a year or two of hockey.
- Experienced senior players: 70% to 100% carbon, for players with three or more years of experience who hit hard.
Carbon is only one part of the picture. Length matters most for juniors (use the size finder), and the bow changes what skills the stick suits.
Questions parents ask
What does carbon percentage mean on a hockey stick?
It is the share of carbon fibre in the stick's composite material. The rest is usually fibreglass, aramid or other fibres. More carbon makes a stick stiffer.
Is more carbon better?
Not for everyone. More carbon gives more power when hitting but less feel and more vibration. Beginners and juniors usually do better with low carbon.
What carbon percentage should a junior use?
Junior sticks in our list with a stated carbon content mostly have 0% to 10%. Field Hockey Alberta suggests under 20% carbon for players of about 10 and up with one or two years' experience, and 70% to 100% only for players with three or more years.
Related: Wood or composite? · How sticks change with age · All sticks