How to Choose and What is The Best Soccer Shin Guards

This premier guard from Nike is one of the most unique and best soccer shin guards on the market. Its unique construction makes it as light as a feather and this lightweight gives you freedom of movement and enhanced mobility to dribble and deke your way through the opposition.

The typical shin guard is contracted with a hard plastic shell on top for protection with a molded foam underneath for shock absorption and comfort. Nike did away with this traditional form of construction to eliminate weight and increase absorption and they have done a fabulous job. Also, this Shin Guards is NOCSAE approved.

This best shin guard is designed with a rather stretchy and flexible plastic on the front. The plastic bends under a medium amount of pressure and looks almost dangerous. Fear not, as the inner plastic webbing or cage has rubber ends that connect to the plastic shell and absorb and disperse pressure, protecting you from even the most dangerous of tackles.

Even without the traditional foam back, the lightweight Flylites are comfortable. They perform wonderfully during long training sessions and help you keep your legs as you grow tired due to their lightweight. The smaller than average coverage area in a shape that conforms to your right and left leg ensure that no excess weight is present.

This is an amazing guard from Nike, though the price is a little steep. The slip in guards come with sleeves that lock them in during play, but that does not justify the price.

Puma has crafted a winner with their top of the line evoPOWER shin guard. The slip in guard is one of the best football shin guards on the market due to its incredible fit, protection, durability, and lightweight.

This guard goes against the grain in the modern shin guard market by not being anatomically fitted. You may think of this as a negative but in reality these guards are constructed with a special plastic that molds to any surface that puts pressure on it. In this case, it molds beautifully to your leg to provide an amazing one to one, perfect fit. Also, This is NOCSAE approved. 

Besides this incredible fit, the guard is awesomely lightweight. It feels like nothing is on your leg when you train and play. Even with this lightweight, Puma did not skimp on protection or comfort. The flexible guard is still massively resilient and the foam backing is soft and absorbing. The soccer shin pad, because of its amazing fit and weight, is perfect for extended wear and does not cause any discomfort throughout.

This high quality guard from the German company also comes with nice, stretchy compression sleeves that lock the slip in guard in place. Most sleeves that come with guards are lower quality but these are soft and comfortable and lock the guard in all day long. These are some of the best guard sleeves included with a purchase of shin guards.

Puma scored with this one and this is the complete, ideal shin guard. Lightweight, extremely comfortable, perfect fit and more than enough protection. The only thing that could be improved upon is the coverage area.

Nike produced a fantastic guard in the Mercurial Lite Shin Guard. It checks so many boxes of an elite guard but comes at an amazingly low price.

The slip in guards are anatomically shaped and come with two guard sleeves in the package. The shape is very important as one is designed for the left and the other for the right. This ensures better protection as no material is spared in wrapping your leg.

These best shin guards are also wonderful because of how they are designed for everyone. The guard will fit most shin types and are therefore ultra convenient. Also, This Shin Guards is NOCSAE approved. 

The guards are constructed from a thin but extremely rigid plastic that does not bend under even the most immense pressure. This plastic provides excellent protection from slide tackles and the studs of other players’s boots. Molded to the plastic is semi-soft but thick foam with cutouts. This foam is soft enough to maintain ultimate comfort but remains protective and lightweight. The cutouts provide drainage for sweat so that no rashes or other sores pop up from an overabundance of moisture inside your sock.

The only negative of this guard comes after extended wear periods. If you train all day in preseason with your guards on, they can leave impression marks on your leg. It is no harm but rather annoying after playing for so long. Another thing after extended wear is the tightness. The guards feel especially tight as training goes on and can get uncomfortable after more than four hours inside your sock.

All in all, this a complete package from Nike that does not disappoint in price.

These low priced guards from Adidas are a wonderful option for any young player. The Ghost Replique Shin Guards, one of best soccer shin guards with ankle protection, are traditional shin guards with a hard plastic shell with a foam backing that enhances comfort. Additionally, the shin guard comes complete with ankle protection.

The ankle protection makes it a stand out option for young or beginning soccer players. It protects the ankle from hard kicks or spikes from the opposition and will instill confidence in youngsters that may be fearful of getting hurt.

The ankle protection padding extends from below the hard plastic guard and wraps around the ankle. This is secured with a strap that goes under the front and keeps it strapped on your foot and leg in addition to the velcro strap at the top of the guard.

The guard fits well and does its job of providing maximum protection and durability. It covers nearly the entire leg and can protect against rough challenges.

This large coverage area makes it suitable for younger players as it decreases mobility.

The bargain priced Vizari Malaga Shin Guard is an exceptional option for young players. The low-cost and high-quality build make it an ultra protective, durable guard that will last for many seasons.

This guard comes with ankle protection. The foam padding extends from the hard plastic shell to cover the ankle and then is locked in place with a strap that goes under the foot. This ankle protection keeps young players safe from their own inexperience.

The top of the guard is locked in with a velcro strap. The guard is comfortable and durable and offers plenty of protection. If you want a guard with maximum coverage and ankle protection, this is the one for you. Its low price and high-quality build allow it to do its job well.

The ankle protection can be a bit cumbersome for more advanced players and this should be taken into consideration when buying.