Best Soccer Shin Guards for Kids and Adults

Choosing the best soccer shin guards isn’t always easy. There are many different types available, each with their own benefits and drawbacks. To make the process a little easier for you, we have compiled a guide to help you understand these products better so that you can make an informed decision about which ones to invest in.

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Best slip-in shin guards

Slip into something comfortable this season with the Nike shin guards. These lightweight shin guards are perfect for playing in comfort and style. The anatomical left/right-specific fit ensures a comfortable and snug fit, while the low-profile shell protects your shins from impacts. Plus, the breathable, contoured sleeve helps keep you cool and dry during play. Carry your gear easily to and from the game with the included carrying case.

Their tight sleeves will make sure they stay in place, while the slip-in design makes them easy to put on. So go ahead and give them a try – you won’t be disappointed!

Pros:

• Lightweight
• Good level of protection
• Legs don’t sweat
• Stylish design
• Matched to the size chart

Cons:

• The sleeves are tight

Customers say
“Lightweight, cool (temperature), cool (looks), good protection, minimal profile”

“I would buy them again if he needs new ones”

“Not only are the durable, they are beautiful and sleeves fit perfect!”

Best shin guards with ankle protection

When it comes to choosing the best guard for your needs, you want something that’s both lightweight and protective. That’s why our Adidas shin guards with ankle protection are the perfect option for everyday play. With anatomically designed and easy-to-wear features, you’ll be able to find a comfortable fit in no time – and know that your shins are well protected. Plus, the strap at the top helps keep them in place even during vigorous activity.

The incorrect size chart can be frustrating, but don’t worry – these shin guards come in a variety of sizes to ensure a perfect fit. Made with durable materials, these shin guards will last through even the most vigorous games.

Pros:

• Lightweight
• Ankle protection for everyday play
• Anatomically designed for natural fit
• Easy to wear

Cons:

• Incorrect size chart

Customers say
“They work great and are comfortable”

“Quality product”

“These shin guards are really nice and seem to be high quality. But, the sizing info on the product page is incorrect”

Best shin socks

Gear up for the next big game with Nike Soccer Shin Socks! They provide great protection and have a built-in hard shell and foam padding for optimum impact cushioning. Plus, they come with extra foam on either side of your ankle to create a comfortable fit – perfect for any player. Available in different sizes so you can find the perfect fit, these shin guards are a must-have addition to your game day gear. So don’t hit the field without them – grab a pair of Nike soccer shin socks today!

They stay in plays without the need for annoying straps. No fussing with too many pieces of equipment. Perfect for active youths who love soccer!

Pros:

• Great protection
• Breathable stretch fabric
• Available in different sizes
• Comfortable
• No additional accessories needed

Cons:

• Some may find them too hard to put on and take off

Customers say
“My son is very happy with these”

“Fit perfect”

“They fit to true size, good quality sock”

Best shin guards for the money

Looking for a great way to protect your shins while playing soccer? Then you need the Adidas Predator shin guards! These legendary shin guards are made with compression sleeves and stylish designs, these shin guards are perfect for kids and adults alike. Plus, the soft synthetic lining and close fit make them extremely comfortable to wear. And don’t worry – the EVA-backed shields provide ample protection against impacts. So grab a pair of Adidas Predator today and dominate the soccer field!

Pros:

• Great protection
• Compression sleeve
• Stylish
• Cheap, but quality
• Suitable for kids

Cons:

• Shin guards can slide around the leg

Customers say
“Really good price and protects me”

“My 7 year old wears them multiple times a week without complaint”

“Perfect size, great quality”

Best shin guards for kids

Looking for an easy-on, easy-off shoe that provides extra protection and ankle support? Look no further than the Adidas X Match! These shoes are perfect for kids of all ages and feature a durable construction that will keep your child safe and comfortable on the playground or during any other activity. Plus, the fun, bright colors make these shoes a great choice for any outfit.

The exterior of the guards is made of a thin layer of plastic, while the inside features a cloth-filled interior and foam to protect from shock when playing tough games.

Extra ankle support and tough bands allow the padded guards from Adidas X to fit comfortably around children’s legs. A single strap front closure makes for easy, on-and-off access.Extra ankle support and tough bands allow the padded guards from Adidas to fit comfortably around children’s legs. A single strap front closure makes for easy, on-and-off access.

The material is resistant to dirt and doesn’t absorb moisture, so your child can stay clean while playing soccer in the rain or mud.

Pros:

• Easy on and off
• Extra protection
• Ankle support
• Stay in place
• Durable

Cons:

• Guards run a little small

Customers say
“Works great”

“Great little shin guards. My daughter loves them”

“These are nice shin guards, but they run small. I recommend getting one size up”

How to choose shin guards? This question should be addressed as soon as you start playing regularly.
Any coach will tell you that amateurs injure both opponents and themselves in training much more often than professionals.

What kinds of protection for the legs and how to choose it? Let’s find out together.

Are Soccer Shin Guards Necessary?

Soccer players wear shin guards to protect their shins from contact with the ball and other players. Without them, a player can sustain serious injuries.

They are an important piece of the soccer kit and every team member on the field wears them.

Some players don’t think they need them, believing that their lower leg is sturdy enough to take any kind of hit or collision with the ball or other players. But this is not true! Shin guards provide additional protection for your legs.

As you know, there are a lot of things to consider while choosing soccer shin guards. You’re able to choose among super protective, lightweight, hard, etc.

Are you sure that you’re choosing the right soccer shin guards for you?

Soccer is a contact sport that can often cause injury. Soccer players must wear shin guards to protect themselves from getting injured due to kicking, tackling, or any other kind of contact with the shin. Regardless of whether you play soccer professionally or it’s just your hobby, you need to use special protection. There are several ways to keep your legs from injury when playing soccer, one of which is wearing shin guards. They should be comfortable and provide the necessary protection.

Shin guards are not like regular socks. They require a precise size and shape in order to stay on the player’s feet without slipping off during play. Choosing that doesn’t fit properly can lead to frustrations and discomfort for the player.

Here is the guide related to all you need to know.

Soccer shin guards for you: things to consider

Soccer shin guards are necessary for players on every level of the game. To reach the best legs protection you need to know a few things to choose the best pair of shin guard for you.

Shin guards come in all shapes and sizes, and there is a shin guard available to suit every player’s needs.

There are some things that you should consider when purchasing new soccer shin guards to ensure that you get the best possible protection.

The first thing to consider is the type of shin guard. There are three types of soccer shin guards — slip-in shin guards, ankle shin guards, and shin socks.

The second thing to consider is the size of the shin guard. It’s clear that kids and adults would have different sizes of shin guards due to differences in height.

And the last but not the least thing you need to consider while choosing soccer shin guards is shin guard material. The type of material from which the shin guards are made determines its comfort, weight, level of protection that they give, and cost.

Some additional considerations include:

-Your position on the field.

-Your personal preference in terms of color, shape, and material.

Shin guard size chart for kids and adults

Shin guards, also called shin pads, offer protection to your upper leg when you are playing soccer. They can be used by children, as well as adults. There are different types of shin guards for sale today — from those that are made for certain sports and games to those that can be worn with any type of shoe. Let’s take a look at what’s currently available on the market:

• Slip-in shin guards are what they are called. A compact, lightweight shield that you slip in under your socks. Freedom of movement is their primary benefit. Slip-in shin guards can be advantageous for forwards or goalkeepers. This type is commonly used by high-level players. They provide protection, comfort, and a larger range of mobility. But keep in mind that slip-in shin guards offer a minimal level of protection and have a tendency to slip around so you may need to buy special accessories like tape and sleeves.
• Ankle shin guards are designed to provide additional protection to both your shins and ankles. This type usually has a hook loop strap that wraps around the bottom of the foot. Ankle shin guards offer a high level of protection (reduce the risk of ankle sprains) and comfort. They are perfect for beginners and intermediate players, as well as for the players who demand as much protection as possible. These can offer much-needed protection for defenders who take a lot of punishment.
• Shin socks, also known as sock shin guards, are built in socks. Due to its convenience shin socks are usually used by younger players.

No matter what type you will choose it’s necessary to properly size your shin guard.

Here is an averaged sizing chart:

Size	Player age	Height	Player height
XS: Extra small	6-9 years	150 sm and below	below 4’6”
S: Small shin guards	10-13 years	150-160 sm	4’7” — 5’3”
M: Medium	14-17 years	160-175 sm	5’3” — 5’10”
L and XL: Large and Extra Large	adult players	175 sm and higher	5’7” — 6’10”

While choosing take into consideration your personal parameters. In general shin guard size correlate with height. Be sure that they cover most of the area between your ankle and knee (two inches below your knee).

Tip

To find the size that you need, measure your leg from the beginning of the foot to the middle of the kneecap. Multiply that number by 0.75 to get the length of the pad that fits you.

Which material is better to choose?

It is believed that the first soccer player to use pads was Sam Weller Widdowson of English soccer club Nottingham Forest. In 1874, he attached a shortened pair of cricket pads over his woollen leggings. This innovation was not initially embraced by the players, but later began to be used by other players.

The first pads were made of metal, wood and leather. They were attached to the leg with straps, protecting the leg from injury. This made it difficult to move the legs freely and also interfered with the circulation of the lower leg. As a result, it could cause rapid fatigue and even cramps. Most players began to remove their pads to reduce weight and thus prevent the occurrence of cramps. The reason for all this was the close contact between the shin guard and the foot.

Nowadays, there are a lot of materials soccer shin guards are made of. The most common materials are fiberglass, plastic, polyurethane, and foam rubber. The material determines the level of protection you get. And also has an effect on comfort, lastingness, and cost.

Material	Fiberglass	Plastic	Polyurethane	Foam rubber
Advantages	Lightweight Hard Lasting Ultimate protection and support	Lightweight Support and protection Cheap	Heaviest and most rigid Give the most support	The most lightweight Ease of movement Comfort
Disadvantages	Most expensive Doesn’t offer much movement or flexibility	Not very comfortable Won’t hold up against serious injury	Most uncomfortable to wear	Protection is not on high level Wear out quickly Expensive

Each material has its pros and cons. Taking into consideration factors like lightweight, hard, comfort, durability, cost, and level of protection you are able to choose the best for you or your children.

Choosing shin guards for toddlers make sure that there is additional padding. This padding gives extra protection and prevents those delicate little legs from chafing.

Fortunately, most of the soccer shin guards on the market are meet the highest standards. They are comfortable, lightweight, and protective.

What does a soccer shin guard consist of?

They consist of three elements:

The front part, also called the face plate. The task of the front part is to take the main damage when hitting the player’s leg.

The bracing. Their task is to fix the pads tightly on the leg. Make sure that the product will not fall off. And did not cause the player discomfort. Shin guards can have different bracings. Some models use special straps as fixation elements. Such pads are fastened with velcro. Other models of shields use so-called compression sleeves. In some models there is no fixation system at all. Soccer players wear them under gaiters. Also quite a handy option of shields.

Padding. This is the inner part. The padding should be soft. It should cushion the impact on a leg. It makes that the player receives minimal damage.

Shin guards and your position on the field

For defenders

The type and material of the pads is chosen according to the player’s individual preferences and his position on the pitch. Defensive players often have to engage in fierce confrontations, fearlessly go into the fray and slide tackle when their position is lost. Defenders also have to block kikcs of attackers. All of this work on the field is risky in terms of shin injuries. To minimize the risk, sturdy, heavy pads with a large enough surface area will be required.

For midfielders

Midfielders also need a solid leg protection, but buying heavy models is not recommended. Midfielder should be maneuverable and light, but heavy gear will hamper his movements. Optimal is sturdy, but medium-weight pads.

For forwards

Forward play is all about speed and mobility. To show the best qualities, forward should refuse from heavy shin guards and choose light, comfortable models with minimal protection.

For goalkeepers

What kind of soccer shin pads to choose for goalkeepers? Goalkeepers operate in a restricted area and rarely come into contact with opposing players. In infrequent collisions with field players, goalkeepers injure their torso, arms and head, and get hit in the legs only by unfortunate circumstances. For protection, goalkeepers need only a small, lightweight synthetic shin guards.

How to wear soccer shin guards to stay safe?

The most important reason why you wear them is that soccer is a very contact sport and you get kicked a lot in the legs during the game. You can buy the best pair of shin guards ever, but it doesn’t matter how good they are if you wear them wrong. It’s essential to know how to wear them the right way to stay safe.

The perfect way how to put on the shin guard is to wear it between your ankle and your knee. Not too low on your ankles or too high on your knee — just in the middle. Shin guards are worn under the socks.

If the shield is represented by the front panel only, you must first put on the gaiters. Then the panel is inserted and the gaiters are lifted up to the knee. If the shield is not equipped with fixators, you should fix it yourself, using taping. The tape is applied under the shield and over it.
If the pads is equipped with locks, you must first put on protection, and then pull on the gaiters.
If the shin guards are equipped with ankle protection, you must first put on sports socks. After that, you must fix the shin guards on the shin, pull on the socks and make a rigid fixation with a tape.

Accessories

There are a few shin guard accessories to think about if you want to have the most enjoyable time on the field.

• Shin Guard Tape: Players who wrap shin guard tape over their socks at both the top and bottom of their shin guards usually do so to keep it in place. One significant advantage of shin guard tape is that it allows the user to choose how strong a grip they want on the shin guard.
• Shin Guard Stays: Shin guard stays are another option for those who don’t want to deal with tape. The majority of shin guard stays wrap around your leg and have a hook-and-loop closure to keep your shin guards in position.
• Shin Guard Sleeves: If you wear slip-in shin guards, consider wearing shin guard sleeves to ensure a proper fit. You don’t want your shin guards sliding down your leg when the game is on the line.
• Ankle Guards: If you choose shin guards that do not include ankle protectors, you may always add them later if necessary. They are generally available separately, and they usually have the same stirrup design as ankle shin guards.