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The Best Youth Shin Guards Soccer: 2024 List

Brandon Forder
  Apr 25, 2024 1:48 PM

These are the top shin guards for kids, ranging from slip-in protectors to portable guards.

Your child will be more enthused about a new jersey or a cool pair of boots than they will be about a new set of shin protection when it comes time to get them ready for the upcoming football season.

Protecting young athletes' shins is a top priority, making shin guards a vital piece of equipment. Children can be rough on the field, therefore shin guards are a must to protect their legs.

We've compiled a list of the top shin guards currently on the market and addressed some frequently asked questions to assist you select the right pair for your specific requirements


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Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API


Buying Guide

Type 

Shin guards come in a wide variety of designs and materials. Slip-on styles and those that also provide ankle support are among the most popular. The former can be worn over a compression sleeve or sock, while the latter features an elastic foot loop and an adjustable hook-and-loop closure for a secure fit around the ankle.

A further choice is to wear soccer socks designed with built-in shin shields for added protection. It's up to you to decide which is ideal, although most people like slip-ons while opting for ankle protectors for their young children and teenagers.

Outer materials

It's important that the shin guard's outside be made of a sturdy material. This will shield the shin bone from any incoming strikes. In most cases, a strong plastic or carbon-fiber material will be used to make this front plate. While most outside plates only consist of a single piece, more adaptable designs could use two or even three separate parts that are joined together.

Inner materials

When another player hits the front of the shin guard, the softer material on the rear will act as a shock absorber. It cushions the shin from blows and keeps it safe from injury. Most shin guards have foam on the inside. A thin sock is worn under the shin guard by certain players for added protection from abrasions.

Accessories

Shin guards for kids typically have accessory slots so you can add more padding. Wearing a compression sleeve designed for a guard inside of a slip-in shin guard will help it fit more snugly. One frequent method of securing a shin guard is with tape designed specifically for that purpose. Over the top of the sock, it goes.

Ankle protection

Shin guards with enhanced ankle protection are essential for young soccer players. This is due to the fact that youngsters under the age of 13 are more likely to break their ankle bones from playing soccer. Therefore, it is highly recommended that shin guards have an ankle sleeve.

Sizes

Fitting shin guards properly is essential, as wearing the wrong size could limit your movement and agility on the field. We recognize that locating properly sized shin guards may prove challenging. In most cases, shin guard size is determined by the wearer's height. Make sure the shin guards fit you comfortably and securely by adjusting the straps to the perfect length.

Shield protection

The shin guards' padding and shields provide the real protection against outside forces. The core needs to be sturdy enough to withstand impacts without breaking. If it didn't, then having a shin guard for soccer would be pointless.

Impact Absorption and Comfort

The back of most shin guards is made of EVA foam, which is soft and absorbs impact. Pick a model with high-quality foam that won't break down rapidly, too. Today's top-tier 2022 soccer shin guards typically have perforated foam, which not only allows air to flow through the product but also provides additional padding.

How much of the lower leg should the shin guard protect?

Choosing the right shin guard size is crucial for a young athlete. A shin guard that doesn't fit properly won't offer the same level of protection as one that does, and it will be uncomfortable and limiting to play in. The shin guard should cover the entire leg, from the highest point of the ankle to a point a few inches below the point of maximum knee flexion. Common sizing guides from manufacturers focus on the child's total height.

What’s the proper way to wear shin guards?

Many athletes choose to wear long, thin socks under their shin protectors. The shin guards will be worn on top of additional socks or stockings. The shin guards won't rub against your flesh because you're wearing two pairs of socks.


FAQS

Why do you need shin pads?

A player's risk of injury is increased without shin guards. Intentional or not, injuries to the opposition are a common result of sliding challenges and wild lunges for the ball.

A child may not want to wear the extra bulk of protectors, but doing so can go a long way toward ensuring they are shielded for future performances and prevent a terrible injury from discouraging them from playing the game in the future.

What size shin pads do I need?

Kids' shin guard sizes are typically determined by their height rather than their age, though this might vary greatly depending on the retailer.

For instance, Adidas offers tiny guards for children 3 to 10 inches tall and giant guards for those 4 78 to 5 12 inches tall.


Conclusion

It's important to invest in high-quality protective soccer gear, and there are many different shin guards on the market from which to choose. We hope that our evaluation of some of the top soccer shin guards has helped you gain a better understanding of their function. With the greatest soccer shin guards, may you have many successful games.


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