Do you really need shin guards for soccer?

Yes, shin guards are required for games. More importantly, they protect your shins from direct contact with another player or the ball.

Are shin guards with ankle protection better?

Shin guards with ankle protection can provide additional support and protection for soccer players, particularly for defenders who are more likely to experience contact and collisions during play. The ankle protection can help to reduce the risk of ankle injuries and provide additional padding to absorb impact. Many players prefer shin guards without the ankle support for extra mobility.

What goes first shin guards or socks?

For soccer players, the socks go on first and the shin guards slip in.

Best Soccer Shin Guards (2023)

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Last updated on April 24, 2023 by Beau Bridges

Adult & Youth Shin Guards

Soccer is a high-contact sport that requires players to wear protective gear to prevent injuries.

Among the most important pieces of equipment are shin guards, which protect the lower leg from kicks, collisions, and other impacts.

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 our personal review.

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

– Comfort
– Style
– Cost & Quality

5 Best Adult & Youth Shin Guards

1. Our Favorite Soccer Shin Guards: Nike Mercurial Lite
2. Best Budget-friendly: Malker Soccer
3. Best Shin Guard w/ ankle protection: Vizari Malaga
4. Best Shin Guard w/ sleeves: G-Form Pro-S Vento
5. Most Trending: Adidas Tiro Club

Soccer Shin Guards Size Chart

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

RECOMMENDED SIZE	HEIGHT RANGE	AGE
Extra Small	Under 3’6″	Under 6
Small	3’6″ – 4’7″	7-9
Medium	4’7″ – 5’3″	10-13
Large	5’3″ – 5’11”	14-18
Extra Large	5’11” and taller	18+

OUR TOP CHOICE

Nike Mercurial Lite Shin Guards

These are great for youth and adult soccer players. They are lightweight, sleek, and made from quality materials. And, they are very comfortable to wear!

What we like:

Light-weight but without skimping on protection
Feels smooth against the shins
Breathable design

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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 for multiple years.

Budget-Friendly

Malker Soccer Shin Guards for Kids Youth Adults Shin Guards

These are quality shin guards for half the price of normal ones. These are lightweight and compact and comes with a protective sleeve.

What we like:

The great price compared to the quality
Comes with sleeves
Comes in 5 different designs

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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 that prefers the slide-in style.

Ankle Protection

Vizari Malaga Soccer Shin Guard for Kids

Vizari Malaga Shin Guard is made of quality PP shell, EVA padding and flexible straps. It provides the maximum possible comfort and increased protection.

What we like:

Great support for the ankles without plastic digging in
Extra padding for comfort
Unisex and comes in many colors and design patterns

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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 definitely worth considering.

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

Best with Sleeves

G-Form Pro-S Vento Shin Guards with Built-in Sleeve

Inspired by the Italian word for “wind”, the Pro-S Vento provides players with streamlined protection while maintaining a full range of motion.

What we like:

Design provides full mobility
Won’t slip out while you play
Sleeve provides calf compression

G-Form Pro-S Vento Shin Guards with Built-in Sleeve

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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 definitely worth considering if you prefer your shin guards with sleeves. Can’t beat the quality, modern design and protection.

Trending

Adidas Tiro Club Shin Guards

Lightweight, breathable soccer shin guards

What we like:

Lightweight and comfortable
Breathable foam
Full mobility

Check Soccer.com Price

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.

What’s the point of shin guards?

Shin guards are designed to protect the lower leg from injuries that can occur 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 own 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 comes 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 they 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‘.

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