Best football shin guards for adults, and 1 for your child

Whether you are a professional or an amateur at football, one of the most important items to have is a shin guard.

Because football is a physically demanding contact sport, shin guards are crucial to prevent injuries.

I use myself this Nike Protegga. It has an ankle shin guard and is made of synthetic + EVA material. In my opinion the best choice for an adult player.

I think they are a little less suitable for my son because of the weight. I bought the Adidas X Kids for him. It is an ankle protector made of lightweight PP sheet. It is an excellent choice for children because of the sturdy lightweight material.

I probably don't need to explain the importance of shin guards in football. Just look at actions like this and you'll know right away:

Each person will have his or her own opinion on what the best shin guards are. Velcro or slip-on, or ankle protection or not, there are so many varieties and customizations to choose from.

I would choose this one myself, depending on whether you buy for yourself or your child:

Shin guards	Images
Best price quality ratio: Nike Protegga	(view more images)
Best for kid: Adidas X Youth	(view more images)
Best lightweight shin guards: Nike Mercurial Flylite	(view more variants)
Best shin guards with sock: Adidas Evertomic	(view more images)
Best fit: Puma Evo Power 1.3	(view more variants)
Best Ankle Shin Guards: Adidas X-Reflex	(view more images)

In this article I discuss the rating of the top picks in the market right now.

What are shin guards for?

Shin guards are systems that have been around since ancient times, and they were mainly used by combatants in the field to protect themselves.

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They were mainly made of carbon or various types of hard and sturdy materials.

Shin guards are nowadays mostly used for sports such as football, hockey and other contact sports, rather than fighting on a real battlefield. They are designed to prevent injuries and protect the sensitive bones of your body also already used for Crossfit exercises.

What do you base your choice for buying shin guards on?

Most shin guards you can find in your local stores are made from lightweight materials to enhance a player's movements without getting in the way.

With shin guards, choosing the ones that make you comfortable is the best way to go. However, there are a lot of points to consider eg the material used to make the shin guards and whether the material is comfortable and lightweight for you.

The protective features are the most important parts of the selection process as the whole point of shin guards is to protect your legs while playing on the pitch.

There are also different types of shin guards for different purposes.

While hordes of players don't like wearing shin guards, you should know that they not only protect you, but they also improve the way you play with a football.

Now that you've cleared up the different types and what to look for, let's take a look at reviews and my selection:

12 Best Football Shin Guard Reviews

Since there are many protectors available right now, choosing the best one can be quite a daunting task as you have a lot to consider such as the features, comfort, size, weight and also the price. Below are some of the best shin guards out there so you can too can prevent injuries.

Best price-quality ratio: Nike Protegga

These protectors are made of carbon fiber and fiberglass material, making the protectors lightweight and durable even with higher usage amount.

Lightweight and have a carbon fiber shell for flexible protection with a non-slip microfibre strap held in place. The anatomical fit is perfect and fits well.

They provide immense impact protection so you can play as hard as you want on the pitch.

With the Protegga's Reinforced Beam Construction feature, the extra carbon fiber in its central spine can better amplify and tone down your effects.

These shin guards can better protect your shins and absorb shock better than any standard shin guard.

They are for sale here at bol.com

Best Lightweight Shinguards: Nike Mercurial Flylite

The Nike Mercurial FlyLite is designed to be lightweight to improve your speed. It has a hard shell with a molded foam underneath for optimal shock absorption and shin protection.

Mercurial Flylite performs effectively, especially during long training periods, as they keep your legs from getting tired.

These shin guards are extremely lightweight. It also has breathable sleeves meant to keep you comfortable while you play.

Check the current prices at footballshop.nl

Best Shin Guards With Sock: Adidas Evertomic

If you are looking for a more basic look that will give you the best performance, either for training or a real game, Adidas Evertomic Soccer Soft Shin Guards are perfect.

They are made of plastic which is perfect for beginners as they fit more easily into the case.

They have a stirrup that locks them in place in your cleats and they have a velcro attachment on the top which some people may prefer.

These Adidas shin guards are for sale here

Best Fit: Puma Evopower 1.3

Puma Evopower 1.3 Shin Guards are entry level shin guards that fit incredibly. They provide total protection and durability, and they are absolutely lightweight.

They are made from a special plastic that has the ability to knead and apply pressure to any surface, meaning these shin guards fit snugly into your legs.

They are very lightweight so they don't feel on your leg while playing. They are also very flexible but still very resilient. The back of the foam is very soft and absorbs the impact effectively.

The Evopower 1.3 is perfect for extended use without being bored for the entire duration of the game.

These Puma shin guards are available at Amazon

Best Ankle Shin Guards: Adidas X Reflex

Adidas X reflex shin guards are perfect whether you are a beginner or an advanced exerciser and they are my personal favorite.

These are ankle shin guards so they have extensive coverage from your shin to your ankle. You can do hard kicks with this without worrying about getting hurt.

They have a soft and durable back making them durable and lightweight, perfect for cushioning and comfort.

Plus, they fit really well, especially if you're looking for the maximum protection and long-term durability.

They are for sale here

ADIDAS F50 LITE SHIN GUARDS

Complementing Adidas' F50 line, they have come up with their all-new line of shin guards. The shin guard F50 LITE is an attachable shin guard that is very comfortable and light thanks to its synthetic and EVA padding.

It is made of polyurethane and therefore it is lightweight. It also fits very well on any leg. Using all the materials the F50 Lesto is made from, this special line of shin guards is meant to last before it wears out.

They are available here at bol.com

NIKE HARD SHELL SLIP-IN

It is a small, lightweight and sleeveless entry-level shin guard that is great for players who prefer not to wear shin guards.

It has an EVA foam backing which makes it really comfortable and absorbent to shocks. It also has a PP shell, which is very durable and perfect for intense play on the pitch.

You can slip it on a sleeve to make it more stable, but other than that, this is a solid choice for any player looking for affordable football shin guards.

They are the cheapest here at bol.com

NIKE MERCURIAL LITE SLIDING SHIN GUARDS

This shin guard is aimed at more advanced and elite players as it provides the maximum protection needed for bigger leagues with more intense matches.

It is made of polyurethane, which makes it lightweight for maximum speed of movement. In addition, it is an entry-level shin guard and has its own sleeve to keep it in place. It has a mesh lining, which prevents it from slipping and helps to keep moisture out and air in.

Available here at bol.com

VIZARI PRESTON SHIN GUARD

It is a unique guard because it gives you the option to remove the ankle guard that comes with it. When playing with friends, take off the ankle pads.

If you're playing with people you don't know, it can get very aggressive, so it may be best to turn it back on.

However, it is not a hassle to keep the ankle protector on as it is very light. It is also made with EVA foam backing which makes it a very comfortable and durable option for you.

Available here from Amazon

PUMA ONE 3

Puma is one of the world's leading sporting goods manufacturers and it's no surprise that they have released one of the best on the market.

Their power plate shin guards offer minimal protection to allow you to move freely while still having protection. The Puma ONE 3 football shin guard has an EVA foam backing, which makes it really comfortable.

It also comes with a handy cover to prevent it from falling off. It is certainly a cheaper take on shin guards and a good alternative to similar products.

Buy them here at footballshop.nl

UHLSPORT SOCKSHIELD LITE

If you are someone new to the football world, chances are you may not have heard of Uhlsport. One thing you should know about them is that they create exceptional and high quality gear, perfect for your protection.

Their shin guard comes with a compression sock, which makes it visually appealing and always stays in place.

It has a removable guard plate so you can switch between different plates you prefer. Like most of their products, Uhlsport's shin guards are very durable, perfect for extended use.

Football shin guards are necessary, especially if you play the sport all the time. A shin guard will keep you safe and reduce potential injuries when you're on the pitch.

Finding the best is necessary when completing your gear, whether you're a beginner or a professional player. Some may find their shin pads smaller so they can run faster.

Others also want them to grow bigger for more protection. But everything is up to you. Always consider what makes you comfortable and what makes you feel so that you can perform better and safer on the pitch.

It is available here at bol.com

Best Shin Guards For Your Child: Adidas X Youth

It uses a lightweight PP shell material that enhances protection and it has a foam padded backing for added protection.

The sock of this shin guard is pulled around the calf so that it remains firmly in place. Very very lightweight and this would be my recommendation for kids under 16.

For a shin guard that is basically cheaper than most, this Adidas still offers comfort and a quality construction, making it very durable and ultra-protective.

Like any corner shin guard, it protects most of your leg for maximum ankle protection. You should take this into consideration, especially if you are a beginner and training for the big leagues.

It is for sale here at Voetbalshop.nl

Also read: the best futsal shoes

How big should my shin guards be?

Shin pads should cover most of the area from your ankle to your knee. Measure your shin from just below the knee to about an inch above your shoe. This is the correct length of your shin guard. Some manufacturers label their shin guard sizes by age.

The shin guard of most brands is determined by your height. Use your height along with this shin guard size chart to find the right shin guard size.

The larger the shin guard, the longer and wider they are suitable for larger leg diameters. Shin pads should fit just above the bend of your ankle when you bend your foot to a few inches below the knee.

Adult Size Chart

Children's size chart

Do you wear shin guards under or over socks?

Often your shin guard can dictate how you wear your socks. For guards with built-in ankle protection (usually preferred by younger players), players attach the guard to their leg and then pull their socks over them.

Can you wash shin guards?

Wash your shin guards in your washing machine at least once a month. If they're plastic on the outside, put the guards in a pillowcase that you wrap around it, then toss them in the washing machine. Use both detergent and fabric softener to eliminate odors.

How do you keep shin guards in place?

1. Put on your socks. Place the shin pads under the socks on your leg.
2. Unroll the tape and wrap it around the sock, just below the shin guard.
3. Roll up more tape and apply it to the sock between the calves and the knee, above the shin guard.

Also looking for a good football: read our review of the best footballs

Joost Nusselder, the founder of referees.eu is a content marketer, father and loves to write about all kinds of sports, and has also played a lot of sports himself for most of his life. Now since 2016, he and his team have been creating helpful blog articles to help loyal readers with their sports activities.