Finding the Right Curling Broom: What Every Player Should Know
A curling broom may look like the simplest piece of equipment in the sport, until you pick up two different ones back to back.
The right broom should almost feel like an extension of your arm: balanced, easy to control, and suited to how you actually sweep. The wrong one can leave you fighting fatigue halfway through a game or forcing you to work harder than necessary to sweep effectively.
This guide explains how to choose a curling broom by breaking down the features that matter most, from handle materials and head types to sizing and finding the setup that matches your experience level and style of play.
How Your Curling Broom Affects Your Game
A curling broom does more than help you sweep. Its weight, balance, handle stiffness, and grip all affect how comfortable you feel and how much control you have throughout a game.
For new curlers, the differences between brooms may not be obvious at first. Many beginners start with a club broom, but after playing regularly, players often notice that equipment suited to their size, playing style, and experience level can make the game easier and more enjoyable.
Sweeping is also more physical than it appears. A broom that feels too heavy, poorly balanced, or uncomfortable in your hands during the first few ends can become much harder to manage as the game goes on.
Sweeping works by generating heat and pressure against the ice, which temporarily reduces friction and lets the stone travel farther and straighter. A broom that lets you apply consistent pressure without tiring you out isn't just about comfort. It helps you sweep more effectively when it counts.
Whether you're just starting out or already playing regularly, the best curling broom isn't necessarily the lightest or most expensive option. It is the one that matches how often you play, how you sweep, and what you want from your equipment.
What Makes Curling Brooms Different?
Modern curling brooms have three main components: the handle, the head, and the pad. Each plays a role in how the broom performs.
The handle is the longest part and has the biggest influence on how the broom feels in your hands. It connects to the head at a fixed or adjustable angle and contributes significantly to the broom's overall weight. Handle material is one of the biggest factors affecting broom price.
The head is the component that attaches to the bottom of the handle and holds the pad flat against the ice. A good head distributes pressure evenly across the pad when you sweep, which makes your effort more effective. Most modern heads are designed to keep the pad stable under pressure rather than allowing it to move excessively.
The pad is the fabric surface that makes direct contact with the ice during sweeping. Pads wear out and can be replaced independently of the rest of the broom, which extends the life of the equipment considerably.
Curling Broom Handle Materials Explained
This is where much of the price difference between brooms comes from.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass handles are strong, reasonably lightweight, and more affordable than composite or carbon fiber options. Fiberglass handles typically have more flex than higher-end materials. Some players prefer the softer feel, while others prefer the added stiffness of composite or carbon fiber. For a first broom, this is a practical starting point.
Composite
Composite handles blend carbon fiber and fiberglass. The result is lighter and stiffer than fiberglass, with better energy transfer when you sweep. Composite sits in the middle of the market in terms of both performance and price.
Carbon Fiber
Carbon fiber handles are the lightest option available. Less weight can mean less fatigue over the course of a game, especially for players who curl frequently or compete regularly.
Handle Diameter
Handle diameter is also worth knowing. Most adult brooms come in 1" or 1-1/8" options. The difference is mainly about grip comfort rather than performance. Players with larger hands often prefer the 1-1/8" diameter.
Carbon fiber handles also come in a tapered design, where the shaft narrows toward the head of the broom. The narrower end allows for a tighter grip near the ice and results in less overall weight.
Head Types and Pad Materials
Curling broom heads mainly vary in two things: how much they weigh and how evenly they distribute pressure across the pad throughout the sweeping motion. A lighter head keeps overall broom weight down, while a design built to distribute pressure more consistently can matter more to players who sweep frequently or competitively.
Asham's two head designs reflect that difference.
The V2 Head
The V2 head is a lightweight option designed to fit standard oval pads. The V2 design is used across Asham's fiberglass and composite lines.
The Ultra Force Head
The Ultra Force head uses a reinforced design that helps keep pressure even across the full pad surface on both the forward and back stroke. This is a feature some competitive players prefer. The head is shaped and sized to let you sweep close to a moving stone without making contact with it.
Pad Materials
Pad material affects durability, feel, and how the broom interacts with the ice, so understanding the differences can help you choose the right setup. Cordura nylon is durable and efficient for recreational play. It sweeps cleanly and holds up well over time.
WCF-approved competition pads are required for sanctioned play and are available from Asham as replacements. If you're playing in a league that follows World Curling Federation rules, check whether pad certification matters for your level.
Pads attach to the head and can be swapped out when they wear down. Changing one takes a few minutes without tools on most models. If you buy a used broom or inherit one from a club, replacing the pad is often worthwhile before you start using it.
Handle Length and How to Size It
Standard adult handles are typically around 52 inches. Asham also offers a 54-inch version for taller players.
Here's a common sizing method: stand with the broom head flat on the floor. The handle should reach roughly to your chin or between your chin and eyes. Too short and you'll hunch over while sweeping; too tall and the broom may feel harder to control.
If you're buying online without the ability to try the broom, your height is a reasonable proxy. As a general guideline, players under about 5'6" may find 52" handles comfortable, while taller players may prefer 54". Arm length and personal preference also play a role.
Matching a Broom to Your Level
With the materials, heads, and sizing covered, the right choice mostly comes down to how often you play and what you're comfortable spending.
New and Recreational Players
Most new curlers don't need the lightest or most advanced broom available. What matters more at this stage is developing consistent delivery and sweeping technique. A fiberglass handle is durable enough to withstand the inevitable knocks and missteps that come with learning, without asking you to pay for weight savings you may not fully appreciate yet.
Asham's Velocity V2 fiberglass broom is built around that entry-level approach, priced at $89.99 CAD and including a V2 head and pad so there's nothing else to buy before you're ready to play.
Regular Recreational Players
Once you're playing multiple nights a week, fatigue starts to matter more than it did when you were only curling occasionally. Sweeping for two hours once a week feels very different from doing it several times a week. A composite handle addresses that directly: it's lighter and stiffer than fiberglass, which can mean less arm fatigue by the end of a long game, without the price jump to full carbon fiber.
Asham's Composite V2 sits in that middle range, offering a step up from fiberglass without moving into premium carbon fiber pricing. It's priced at $119.99 CAD.
Competitive and League Players
Players sweeping at a high volume, whether that's a demanding league schedule, playoffs, or tournament play, notice the impact of handle weight differently than someone playing once a week. This is where carbon fiber's weight savings become more noticeable, and where head design can play a bigger role too, since maintaining even pressure across a long sweep becomes more difficult as you tire.
Asham's Ultra Lite Taper Grip V2 and Ultra Lite Force Taper Grip models are designed for players looking for that lighter, more responsive setup. They are priced at $179.99 CAD and $184.99 CAD respectively. The Force model pairs the same handle with the Ultra Force head, which some competitive players prefer for its pressure distribution.
Club and Rental Brooms: What They're Like
Most curling clubs stock fiberglass brooms in standard sizes that are shared by many players. Because they're used by different curlers, the fit, condition, and overall feel can vary. Pads may also wear down over time, which can affect sweeping performance.
Borrowing a club broom makes sense when you're trying curling for the first time or deciding whether you want to continue playing. Once you're curling regularly, having your own broom gives you a more consistent fit and a setup that matches your height, grip, and sweeping style.
If you're ready to buy your first broom, a fiberglass model is a practical starting point: it's durable, affordable, and easy to maintain since replaceable pads mean you don't need to replace the entire piece of equipment as it wears.
Ready to Find Your Broom?
Once you've narrowed down the material, head type, and size that fit how you play, the next step is finding the right broom for your level.
Asham has been manufacturing curling equipment in Winnipeg for over 40 years. Its lineup runs from entry-level fiberglass brooms for new curlers to Ultra Lite carbon fiber models for players looking for a lighter, more advanced setup. Every Asham broom is also backed by a warranty for the life of the product, which can be worth considering when choosing between different tiers.
Explore Asham's full lineup of curling brooms to find the setup that matches your level and playing style.
Frequently Asked Questions
What handle material is best for a curling broom?
It depends on how you play. Fiberglass handles are heavier and have more flex than the alternatives, which makes them forgiving to learn with and the most affordable option. Composite handles blend carbon fiber and fiberglass, giving you a lighter, stiffer feel than fiberglass without the full cost of carbon fiber. They are a good fit once you're curling regularly enough to notice arm fatigue. Carbon fiber handles are the lightest and stiffest option available, best suited to players sweeping at a high volume or in competitive play, where reduced fatigue over a long game matters most. There's no universally "best" material. The right one depends on how often you're on the ice and what you're willing to spend.
What is the best curling broom for beginners?
For most new curlers, a fiberglass broom is the best starting point. It's durable, functional, and forgiving enough to learn proper technique with, without asking you to spend on features that matter more to experienced players. Asham's Velocity V2 fiberglass broom comes with a V2 head and pad already included, so there's nothing extra to buy before you're ready to play. You can always upgrade to a composite or carbon fiber handle later once you have a clearer sense of how often you'll be curling.
How much should I expect to spend on a curling broom?
Entry-level fiberglass brooms start around $89.99 CAD and come ready to play. Composite brooms sit in the middle of the market at around $119.99 CAD. Carbon fiber models run from about $179.99 to $184.99 CAD depending on the head. Beyond the initial purchase, budget a small amount for replacement pads over time, typically $29.99 to $32.99 CAD, since the pad wears out well before the handle or head does.
When should I get my own curling broom instead of using a club one?
Club brooms are a sensible way to try curling for the first time or figure out whether you'll stick with the sport, so there's no rush to buy anything right away. Once you're playing regularly, a few things usually tip the decision: club brooms are shared among many players, so the condition, size, and pad wear can vary from one you pick up to the next. A broom fitted to your height, with a pad you know is in good shape, tends to feel noticeably more consistent than whatever's available on a given night.
How do I know what length broom to get?
Standard adult broom handles run around 52 inches, with a 54-inch option available for taller players. A simple way to check fit: stand the broom head flat on the floor next to you. The top of the handle should land somewhere between your chin and your eyes. Too short and you'll hunch over; too tall and you'll lose leverage. If you're buying online, height is a reasonable guide. Players under about 5'6" often do well with 52-inch handles, while taller players tend to prefer 54-inch handles.
How often do I need to replace my broom pad?
There's no fixed schedule for this. It comes down to how often you play and how the pad performs against the ice rather than a set number of games or months. Many players notice a drop in sweeping effectiveness before the pad shows obvious visible wear, and swapping one takes only a few minutes without tools on most models, so there's little reason to wait once you notice the difference.
Do curling broom handles break easily?
Not from normal sweeping. Fiberglass, composite, and carbon fiber handles are all built to hold up under the pressure and repetition of regular play. Where handles actually get damaged is off the ice: being stepped on, caught in a car door, or having something heavy set on top of them in a trunk or equipment bag. A handle that's already cracked from one of those incidents can snap if enough sweeping pressure is applied to it later, so it's worth inspecting a used or inherited broom for hairline cracks before relying on it in a game.
Do curling broom heads wear out?
The head itself is durable and typically outlasts several pads over its lifetime. It's not something you'll need to think about often. It's the pad, not the head, that wears down with regular use and needs periodic replacement. The one thing worth checking occasionally is that the pad still sits flat and secure against the head. If it doesn't, or if the head itself ever cracks, it's time to replace the head rather than just the pad.