High-performance carbon field hockey sticks are built around one principle: maximum stiffness, minimum weight, maximum power transfer. At 90 to 100% carbon construction, the shaft barely flexes during a hit, so almost all the energy from your swing goes directly into the ball. That is why elite players choose them, and why they dominate at club level and above for serious attackers, midfielders, and penalty corner specialists.
Carbon percentage alone does not tell the whole story. Bow profile, composite layup, weight distribution, and construction quality all determine how a stick actually performs. Here is what the numbers mean, what to look for, and how Naked Hockey's range fits the picture.
Carbon percentage at a glance
| Carbon % | Feel and power | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 30 to 50% | Soft feel, strong vibration absorption, lower power transfer | Beginners and developing players |
| 60 to 75% | Genuine mid-range power with more feel than high-carbon sticks | Players who prioritise first touch and control |
| 80 to 90% | High stiffness and strong power transfer, still durable | Most serious club players, all positions |
| 90 to 100% | Maximum stiffness and power, minimal vibration damping | Drag flick specialists, high-level attackers, penalty corner hitters |
Which carbon hockey stick should you buy?
Match the carbon percentage to your technique and position, not to the highest number available.
- Developing or club player who wants touch: the Supreme 30 (30% carbon, low bow).
- Forward or midfielder who wants a match stick that flicks: the Supreme 70 (70% carbon, low bow).
- Drag flick specialist developing technique: the Extreme 50 (50% carbon, extra late bow, concave face).
- Elite drag flick specialist: the Extreme Plus (100% Toray carbon, extra late bow).
- Elite attacker who wants maximum power: the Supernova Plus (100% Raw Carbon, extra low bow) or the Red Bull Power (100% TeXtreme carbon, extra low bow, the stiffest and least forgiving stick in the range).
For every stick's carbon percentage and fibre type side by side, see Carbon Field Hockey Stick Specialists Compared.
What carbon percentage actually means
A field hockey stick labelled 90% carbon contains 90% carbon fibre in its construction, with the remaining 10% made up of composite materials such as fibreglass, Aramid, or resin. The carbon fibre provides the stiffness. The composite materials provide vibration absorption and durability.
When 100% carbon is not the right answer
The highest-carbon sticks are not automatically the best choice for every player. There are three situations where a 100% carbon stick works against you.
If you are still developing your technique
Maximum stiffness amplifies errors. A 70 to 80% carbon stick gives you more feedback on touch and receiving, which helps you learn faster.
If you play as a defender
Defenders take more stick-on-stick contact than any other position. Ultra-high carbon sticks are not built for that kind of repeated impact and will show wear faster.
If your game is built on feel and short passing
Midfielders who play a short, precise passing game often find that 80 to 90% carbon gives them the right balance: power when they need it and softness in touch when they do not.
Bow profiles for high-carbon sticks
At the high-carbon end of the market, most sticks come with a lower bow, because the players buying them are predominantly attacking players who benefit from a lower bow position. In the Naked range, mid bow sticks stop at 50% carbon, and the sticks from 70% upwards come in four profiles:
| Bow type | Naked sticks from 70% carbon | Bow position from head | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pro bow | Dream 70, Dream 90, Dream Plus | 250mm | Club attackers and all-round players who want 3D skills and tomahawks |
| Low bow | Supreme 70, Supreme 90, Supreme Plus | 200mm | Midfielders and forwards who flick, use 3D skills and disguise passes |
| Extra low bow | Supernova 70, Supernova Plus, Red Bull Power | 190mm | Attackers and technical midfielders who want power and control |
| Extra late bow | Extreme Plus | 190mm, with a concave face | Drag flick specialists |
The extra late bow is our drag flick profile. Naked Hockey co-founder Felix Denayer is an Olympic gold medallist, and the Extreme range was developed with input from elite drag flickers.
For a full breakdown of every bow type, read our bow type guide.
Naked Hockey's carbon range
Naked Hockey makes sticks across the carbon range, from 30% to 100% carbon in the senior range, designed for club players through to elite athletes. We are an independent brand built around field hockey, and every decision in the stick range starts with performance.
Our construction is specific about carbon percentage, bow position, and layup composition. We build for players who know what they want from a stick and want a brand that can explain why every aspect of the construction is the way it is.
Browse our full stick range to find the right carbon percentage and bow profile for your position and playing style.
Position-specific carbon recommendations
Advanced midfielders
Midfielders cover more ground than any other position and need a stick that works in multiple situations: receiving under pressure, distributing quickly, hitting at pace, and contributing to attacking moves. The ideal carbon percentage for an advanced midfielder is 80 to 90%, with a low bow profile.
This combination gives you the power to hit and eliminate players when the opportunity comes, the stiffness for accurate longer passes, and enough composite in the construction to maintain feel in tight situations. A pro bow at this carbon level is also a strong choice if your game is built more on distribution than individual skill moves.
For other positions, see:
How to compare carbon field hockey stick specialists
When comparing sticks at the high-carbon end of the market, ask:
- What is the actual carbon percentage, not just the marketing label?
- What is the bow position in millimetres, and where is it measured from?
- What composite materials make up the remaining percentage?
- What is the stick's weight at full build?
At 90% carbon and above, the meaningful differences between sticks come down to bow profile, weight distribution, and construction quality rather than raw carbon percentage. Those are exactly the variables Naked Hockey is built around, and every design decision in the stick range starts with performance.
Frequently asked questions
Are higher carbon hockey sticks more brittle?
Higher carbon makes a stick stiffer and less forgiving. The carbon provides stiffness, while fibreglass, Aramid and resin provide vibration absorption and durability, so a 100% carbon stick has less cushioning on a mis-hit. For players who take a lot of hard stick-on-stick contact, such as defenders, that can show up as wear and discomfort sooner, which is why a 70 to 80% stick is often the better choice in that position. How long a stick lasts also depends on construction quality, not just the carbon percentage on the label.
Is a 100% carbon hockey stick worth it?
Only if your game uses the stiffness. Drag flick specialists, penalty corner takers and high-level attackers with clean technique get the most from a 90 to 100% carbon stick. For developing players and defenders, a 70 to 80% carbon stick is usually the better choice.
What is the best carbon percentage for a field hockey stick?
There is no single best figure. As a guide, 30 to 50% carbon suits beginners and developing players, 60 to 75% suits players who prioritise touch and control, 80 to 90% suits most serious club players, and 90 to 100% suits drag flick specialists and high-level attackers.