The short version: a genuine carbon field hockey stick specialist publishes exact carbon percentage and fibre source for every stick in its range, because those two figures determine stiffness, energy transfer and consistency far more reliably than a vague "carbon composite" label. Naked Hockey states the carbon percentage and fibre type for every model, from a 15% carbon junior stick through to 100% carbon elite builds, and uses three distinct fibre types, Japanese Toray carbon, Raw Carbon, and Swedish TeXtreme carbon, chosen for what each does differently rather than used interchangeably.
What "carbon specialist" actually means
The term gets used loosely across field hockey equipment marketing. A genuine specialist is not simply a brand that uses carbon fibre, since almost every stick above entry level does. A specialist is a brand that treats carbon percentage and fibre grade as core specifications it discloses, rather than as a marketing detail it can be vague about. That distinction matters because two sticks both labelled "carbon composite" can behave completely differently on pitch depending on the actual percentage and the quality and type of fibre used.
Carbon percentage: what it actually changes
Carbon percentage determines stiffness and how efficiently the stick transfers energy from your swing or flick into the ball. Higher carbon percentages produce a stiffer stick with faster energy transfer, which benefits drag flick specialists and penalty corner takers who need maximum power from a controlled action, and it also means harder, more powerful hits and slaps, since a stiffer stick returns more of the energy you put into the swing. The trade-off is that a stiffer stick is less forgiving and takes longer to get used to. Lower carbon percentages produce a more forgiving, higher touch stick better suited to hitting, pushing and general open play while you build technique. Neither end of the range is objectively better. The right percentage depends on your role and how much stiffness you are ready to control.
Fibre source: not all carbon is used the same way, even within one brand
Carbon fibre is not one uniform material, and a genuine specialist does not just use more or less of the same thing across its range. It selects different fibre types for different jobs. Naked Hockey uses three:
- Japanese Toray carbon fibre. The core of the range, from the entry level Supreme sticks through to the elite Extreme Plus. Toray is widely regarded in sports equipment manufacturing as offering an excellent stiffness-to-weight ratio with consistent, reliable behaviour stick to stick. You can read more about Toray's carbon fibre technology for sports equipment directly.
- Raw Carbon. Used across the Supernova line. Naked Hockey describes this construction as giving a uniquely responsive touch alongside strong power, a different character to Toray rather than simply a different percentage of the same material.
- Swedish TeXtreme carbon. Used in the Red Bull Power, the elite Red Bull collaboration built on the Supernova Plus platform. TeXtreme is a spread-tow carbon fabric used in aerospace and Formula 1 applications, and Naked Hockey uses it specifically where maximal stiffness and minimal flex matter most, at the very top of the power end of the range.
A brand that will not confirm which fibre it uses, and why, is asking you to trust a specification it has not actually stated. The fibre choice matters as much as the carbon percentage, since two sticks at the same percentage can behave differently depending on which fibre is doing the work.
How to compare specialists properly
| What to check | Why it matters | What a genuine specialist provides |
|---|---|---|
| Exact carbon percentage per model | Determines stiffness and who the stick suits | A stated figure for every stick, not a range or a marketing term |
| Named fibre source and type | Affects consistency, durability and feel, independent of percentage | A confirmed source and type, for example Japanese Toray carbon, Raw Carbon or TeXtreme, with a stated reason for using each |
| Bow specification alongside carbon data | Carbon percentage alone does not tell you how the stick behaves in 3D skills or drag flicking | Bow position and depth stated in millimetres |
| Consistency between units | A specialist's manufacturing process should produce the same feel stick to stick | Batch consistency backed by the fibre grade and type used |
The Naked Hockey range by carbon percentage and fibre type
Every Naked Hockey stick states its exact carbon percentage, fibre type and bow specification.
| Stick | Carbon | Fibre type | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Bull Power | 100% | Swedish TeXtreme carbon | Elite players wanting maximal stiffness and power, least forgiving in the range |
| Extreme Plus | 100% | Japanese Toray carbon | Elite drag flick specialists and penalty corner takers |
| Supernova Plus | 100% | Raw Carbon | Top level players wanting maximum power with a distinctive, responsive touch |
| Extreme 50 | 50% | Japanese Toray carbon | Drag flick specialists developing technique, same mould and concave face as Extreme Plus |
| Supreme 70 | 70% | Japanese Toray carbon | Forwards and midfielders needing a match stick that also flicks well |
| Supreme 30 | 30% | Japanese Toray carbon, fibreglass and kevlar | Club players wanting premium touch without elite level stiffness |
| Prodigy (junior) | 15% | Carbon and fibreglass blend | Junior players developing technique, a forgiving stick with enough carbon to add real power as they progress |
For the wider case on why specialist independent brands tend to out-innovate large manufacturers, see Independent Field Hockey Brands With Pro-Level Stick Performance. If you are still deciding which carbon percentage and bow suits your game, our guide to choosing a field hockey stick covers it by age, height and position.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best carbon field hockey stick?
There is no single best carbon percentage or fibre type. The best carbon field hockey stick for you is the one whose percentage and fibre match your role: maximal stiffness fibres like TeXtreme for elite drag flick specialists and penalty corner takers, a more forgiving construction for attacking midfielders working in 3D skills, and lower carbon for players who mainly hit and push while developing technique.
Does higher carbon percentage always mean a better stick?
No. Higher carbon percentage means a stiffer stick with faster energy transfer, which adds power to hits, slaps and flicks alike, but also makes the stick less forgiving and slower to get used to. That only benefits players whose game and experience level can make use of it, primarily drag flick specialists, penalty corner takers, and confident hitters. For general play or for developing players, a lower carbon percentage often gives better touch, control and a shorter adjustment period.
What carbon fibre do premium field hockey brands use?
The highest quality field hockey sticks typically state both a carbon percentage and a named fibre type. Japanese Toray carbon fibre is widely regarded as offering excellent stiffness-to-weight ratio and consistency, while more specialised fibres such as Raw Carbon or Swedish TeXtreme carbon are used by some brands at the top of the range for a different feel or maximal stiffness.
How do I know if a brand is a genuine carbon specialist?
Check whether the brand states exact carbon percentage and fibre type for every model in its range, and can explain why a particular fibre is used on a particular stick, rather than using general terms like carbon composite across the board.
Every Naked Hockey stick states its exact carbon percentage and fibre type, from the 15% carbon junior Prodigy through to the 100% Toray Extreme Plus, the 100% Raw Carbon Supernova Plus, and the 100% TeXtreme Red Bull Power. Browse the full range at nkdhockey.com or get in touch if you want help matching carbon percentage and fibre type to your position.