Best Soccer Shin Guards (2024)

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Last updated on October 9, 2024 by Beau Bridges

Adult & Youth Shin Guards

Shin guards are everything in soccer! They help you avoid a long-term injury from a swift kick.

With so many options available, it can be difficult to determine which soccer shin guards are the best for your needs.

We will explore the top-rated soccer shin guards on the market based on my personal experience.

The three top things we considered in this no-fluff review were…

• Comfort
• Style
• Cost & Quality

What Size Shin Guard Should I Get?

Here is a general guide for what size shin guard a player will need. Always read the manufacturer’s size chart before purchasing. 

Best Shin Guards For This Season!

Nike Mercurial Lite

My son has been playing with the Nike Mercurial Lite’s for the past three years and he loves these shin guards. They are great for youth and adult soccer players. 

These slip-in shin guards are designed to provide excellent impact protection without slowing you down on the field. The ultra-thin design combines soft foam and a durable shell to diffuse impacts and protect your lower legs from injury.

If you are looking for a quality pair of shin guards, you should consider these! Not the cheapest but they will last many seasons.

Malker Soccer

One of the best features of the Malker Soccer shin guards is their lightweight design. They are easy to wear and do not add unnecessary weight to your legs.

The guards also come with a pair of sleeves that provide additional comfort and protection. The sleeves are made of a breathable fabric that helps to keep your legs cool during play.

I think this is a great shin guard for any youth soccer player who prefers the slide-in style.

Vizari Malaga 

These shin guards are geared more toward younger players. These guards are designed to provide maximum coverage and impact protection, without compromising mobility or comfort.

The Vizari Malaga Soccer shin guards are an excellent choice for players who need reliable and affordable protection on the field.  If you are looking for a great pair of shin guards for your child, these guards are worth considering.

For older players, I think that the previous shin guards mentioned would provide more mobility and freedom. 

G-Form Pro-S Vento

The G-Form Pro-S Vento Shin Guards are a top-of-the-line option for soccer players who demand the best in terms of protection, comfort, and performance. These guards are designed to provide maximum impact protection, while also being lightweight and breathable.

The SmartFlex technology provides excellent impact protection, while the hard shell protects your shins from hard hits and collisions. The guards are also NOCSAE-certified, which means they meet the highest safety standards in the industry.

These are worth considering if you prefer your shin guards with sleeves. You can’t beat the quality, modern design, and protection. 

Adidas Tiro

We chose these shin guards as ‘Most Trending’ because older players are starting to wear the smallest guards possible. 

The Adidas Tiro Club Shin Guards do a decent job of absorbing impacts and protecting your shins from injury. 

Based on the minimal design, affordable cost, and comfort, these shin guards could be your go-to this season. 

So, I didn’t want to include these because your shins aren’t protected as much as traditional-sized shin guards.

But, many youth players prefer them so I’ve included the best small shin guards to this list.

For players who want more freedom and are okay with less protection, these will do the trick! They are small (4″ tall) but still have hard plastic on the outside.

If you go with this type of shin guards, you’ll want to make sure you wear a sleeve or have tighter socks to keep them in place.

What’s the Point of Shin Guards?

Shin guards are designed to protect the lower leg from injuries during training or a game.

Shin guards are mandatory at all levels of soccer. If players do not have their shin guards on during a game, they will get sent off the field immediately. 

The primary reason to wear shin guards is to protect the player from injury. The lower leg is particularly vulnerable to injury due to the physical nature of the game. A collision with another player or a hard slide tackle can result in a painful injury that could have been prevented with the use of shin guards.

Shin guards are designed to absorb the impact of a collision or tackle, which helps to prevent injuries to the lower leg.

They are typically made of materials such as plastic, foam, and rubber, which are lightweight yet durable. The shin guard should fit snugly around the leg to ensure maximum protection.

Apart from protecting the lower leg from injuries, shin guards also keep the soft tissues safe from scrapes. The angle at which a strike hits can affect how much of the load the shin guards absorb, but wearing any shin guard is better than wearing none.

At the end of the day, the sport of soccer doesn’t ask for us to wear much extra equipment. The least we can do is put in two pieces of plastic to protect ourselves. 

What Style of Shin Guards Should I Buy?

When it comes to buying shin guards, there are several styles to choose from.

Each style has its advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to consider your needs and preferences before making a purchase.

1. Slip-in Shin Guards: Slip-in shin guards are the most popular style of shin guards. They are lightweight and easy to put on and take off. Slip-in shin guards sometimes come with a sleeve that fits over the leg, and the shin guard slides into the sleeve. They are great for players who prefer a minimalist design and want to avoid bulky protection. However, they may not offer as much protection as other styles and can sometimes slip down during play.
2. Ankle Shin Guards: Ankle shin guards have an extra layer of protection around the ankle. They are great for players who want extra protection for their ankles, or for those who have had ankle injuries in the past. Ankle shin guards are also slip-in style, which makes them easy to put on and take off.
3. Stirrup Shin Guards: Stirrup shin guards have a strap that goes under the foot, which helps to keep the shin guard in place. They are great for players who want a secure fit and don’t want to worry about the shin guard slipping down during play. However, stirrup shin guards are kind of annoying to put on and take off.

Extra Reading on Shin Guards

How to Wear Shin Guards

Wearing shin guards helps to protect your shins from injuries. On the other hand, not wearing them can result in painful bruises, cuts, or even broken bones.

Here’s a comprehensive guide to learning how to wear shin guards for ultimate protection.

Read ‘How to Wear Shin Guards‘.

How to Wash Shin Guards

Let’s face it, shin guards can stink up a car! We’ve been there. But, there is a science to washing shin guards properly so they don’t become damaged. Learn how in the article ‘How to Wash Shin Guards‘.