Auston Matthews Is Back In Bauer, But For How Much Longer?

Auston Matthews has given hockey fans plenty to talk about this season, and one of the more surprising storylines has been his return to using Bauer hockey equipment.

For the first time since the end of the 2018–19 NHL season, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ captain is back in a full Bauer setup. While hints of a transition began just under a year ago, when he switched back to Bauer skates, few would have predicted he would be fully outfitted in Bauer gear again so soon.

Since returning from injury, Matthews has taken the ice in Vapor FlyLite skates, Vapor HyperLite gloves, a Vapor FlyLite graphic stick, and has rounded out the look with Bauer pants and a Bauer helmet. It’s a complete shift from the CCM era that defined several seasons of his career, and it immediately caught the attention of equipment watchers everywhere.

After years of being one of CCM’s premier athletes, Matthews embracing Bauer once again marks a notable turn in his ongoing gear evolution.

But as quickly as this transformation has happened, it may be premature to assume that Matthews is officially partnered with Bauer for the long term. According to a social media post from Jeff Marek of The Sheet and Daily Faceoff, Matthews is currently without any equipment deal in place.

Marek indicates that Matthews is simply trying Bauer again, rather than entering into a renewed formal relationship with the company. That detail adds a whole new layer to the situation, suggesting that what we’re seeing now may be more of a testing phase than a committed shift.

This uncertainty is further supported by recent signs that Matthews is still exploring a variety of options. Just a few weeks ago, he was photographed heading onto the ice at a Maple Leafs’ practice with a handful of sticks. Among them was a Warrior Alpha LX3 Pro, a possible indication that he hasn’t locked himself into one brand. 

If he’s still actively experimenting with different sticks, it’s reasonable to believe that his overall gear choices could continue to change as the season progresses.

That may very well be the most intriguing aspect of this entire equipment storyline, considering we’re not even halfway through the season. In recent years, Matthews has shown a willingness to make adjustments to his gear, whether out of comfort, performance preferences, or simple curiosity. 

With that in mind, it’s difficult to imagine a scenario where his current Bauer setup remains static for the rest of the year. In fact, given how unpredictable his equipment choices have been, it almost feels more likely that we’ll see additional changes before the season is over.

At this point, it doesn’t seem out of the question that Matthews could try sticks from Sherwood, True, or other brands he has used in the past. The landscape is wide open. 

For a player of his stature, taking his time to find the perfect setup makes sense. Equipment companies would undoubtedly love to secure him as a long-term face of their product lines, and his willingness to test multiple brands gives him both flexibility and leverage in any future negotiations.

For equipment enthusiasts and Maple Leafs fans alike, Auston Matthews’ gear choices have become a fascinating subplot to follow. Whether his current return to Bauer marks the beginning of a new era or just another chapter in an ongoing experiment.

This story is far from finished. With Matthews’ history of surprising shifts, there’s no telling what he will be using a month from now, let alone by the end of the season. Whatever happens next, it will be worth keeping an eye on as new developments unfold.

Photo Credit: Justin Berl