Quick verdict
Great curling shots are the product of great preparation. Equip yourself with a competition-quality brush like the Goldline Competitor, back up your practice with a training mat, and deepen your understanding of the sport with essential reading. Every piece of quality gear on this list moves you one step closer to your own legendary shot.
Goldline Competitor Curling Broom
The Goldline Competitor is a mainstay on competitive sheets for good reason. It features a full-size performance sweeping pad and a balanced carbon fiber handle that reduces arm fatigue during long ends of aggressive sweeping. The pad delivers consistent surface contact and generates reliable heat to influence stone path. If you're playing at a competitive club or bonspiel level, this is the brush you want in your hands.
Inspired by the greatest shots in curling history? The right equipment is how champions are made. Here are the top gear picks for curling fans and serious players alike.
The greatest shots in curling history – Brad Gushue’s perfect draw in the 2006 Olympics, the Miracle on Ice at Torino, Jennifer Jones’s championship-defining raises – weren’t just talent. They were the result of thousands of hours of practice with quality equipment, coached strategy, and the kind of dedication that separates good curlers from great ones.
Whether you’re a devoted fan looking to understand the sport better or a player working toward your own defining moment, the right equipment makes every session on the sheet more productive. Here are five essential picks for curling players and enthusiasts in 2026.
Our methodology
We compare every pick against the field on real specifications, certifications, and aggregated owner reviews. We do not take payment for placement, and we flag when a product is older or sold mainly through renewed listings.
Side by side
| Pick | Best for | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goldline Competitor Curling Broom | Competitive sweepers | Check price | |
| Balance Plus 500 Curling Brush | Intermediate players | Check price | |
| A Pebble in the Pond: Curling Stories | Fans & students of the game | Check price | |
| Curling Stone Target Mat Training Aid | Skill development | Check price | |
| BalancePlus Curling Glove | All players | Check price |
The full reviews
Goldline Competitor Curling Broom
The Goldline Competitor is a mainstay on competitive sheets for good reason. It features a full-size performance sweeping pad and a balanced carbon fiber handle that reduces arm fatigue during long ends of aggressive sweeping. The pad delivers consistent surface contact and generates reliable heat to influence stone path. If you're playing at a competitive club or bonspiel level, this is the brush you want in your hands.
Balance Plus 500 Curling Brush
The Balance Plus 500 is one of the most trusted intermediate brushes on the market. It balances performance and affordability well, with a solid pad that sweeps cleanly and a handle length suited to most player heights. The foam grip reduces hand fatigue and provides enough feedback for sweepers to feel their pressure. For club players who want a step up from rental gear, this is the clear first upgrade.
A Pebble in the Pond: Curling Stories
Every serious curler and fan should have a copy of this beloved collection. "A Pebble in the Pond" gathers stories, insights, and history from the sport of curling - covering legendary shots, the culture of the rink, and the strategic depth that makes curling one of the most intellectually rich sports on ice. It's an essential read for understanding why those championship moments land so hard and what it took to make them happen.
Curling Stone Target Mat Training Aid
A curling stone target mat lets you practice your delivery line, weight, and release on any hard floor - no ice required. The printed target circles replicate the house dimensions so you can build muscle memory between ice sessions. It's particularly useful for beginners working on their slide path and for competitive players refining their delivery angle during off-season training.
BalancePlus Curling Glove
The BalancePlus curling glove is a simple but genuinely useful piece of kit. It keeps your grip hand warm during play - crucial for a sport played at ice temperatures - while providing enough tactile sensitivity to feel your broom handle and maintain clean sweeping pressure. It's also a popular choice for the hack foot during delivery, giving players a better feel on the ice. Inexpensive and practical.
What matters most
Brush pad quality
The pad material (WCF-approved fabric) determines how much friction and heat you can generate while sweeping. Hair pads and icePad technologies are common at competitive levels.
Handle weight and length
A heavier handle causes fatigue during intense sweeping. Most players prefer carbon fiber or fiberglass handles in the 160-175cm range.
Training aids
Off-ice tools like delivery mats and slider boards let you maintain form and mechanics between ice sessions - invaluable for beginners and competitive players alike.
Gloves and apparel
Curling is played at around -5°C on the ice surface. Layered, flexible athletic clothing and gloves that don't impede grip are essential for comfort and performance.
Our take
Great curling shots are the product of great preparation. Equip yourself with a competition-quality brush like the Goldline Competitor, back up your practice with a training mat, and deepen your understanding of the sport with essential reading. Every piece of quality gear on this list moves you one step closer to your own legendary shot.
Frequently asked
To start curling, you need curling shoes (or at minimum a slider attachment), a broom or brush, and appropriate warm layered clothing. Many clubs provide stones and basic gear for beginners. As you advance, a dedicated brush with a quality pad, a curling glove, and your own shoes become worthwhile investments that improve your consistency and feel on the ice.
The terms are often used interchangeably today, but traditionally a broom referred to corn-straw models while a brush uses a fabric or synthetic pad. Modern competitive curling universally uses brushes with performance pads. The sweeping motion is the same - what differs is the pad material, which affects how much heat is generated and how the stone's path is influenced.
'Absolutely. Books like ''A Pebble in the Pond: Curling Stories'' offer a wonderful blend of history, strategy insight, and fan-favorite moments that deepen appreciation for the sport. Online, the World Curling Federation and national federations publish instructional videos and strategy guides. Joining a local club and playing in structured leagues is still the fastest path to real improvement.'
