How to Choose Soccer Shin Guards
TYPE OF SHIN GUARDS
Slip-Ins → These do not include any ankle protection but are easy to take in and out of your socks, while keeping your cleats on. Some slip-ins include straps to secure around your calf while some rely only on the sock to hold them up. Ankle
Guard → Many youth and beginner shin guards offer extra ankle protection via an ankle guard. Depending on the brand, this may be removable or not.
SIZING
The moral of the shin-guard-sizing-story is that you want them to cover the bulk of your shins from just above your ankle to just below your knee. Most brands size their shin guards from XS or S to L or CL with many offering kids’ sizes as well. Keep in mind that the larger sizes will be longer in length and width.
ACCESSORIES
Sleeves → If you choose a slip-in style shin guard, you may want to purchase a shin guard sleeve to keep your guards from falling down around your ankles. These are especially useful if your socks aren’t very tight!
Tape → Some players choose to use tape on their socks to keep slip-in shin guards from falling down. There is shin guard-specific tape out there nowadays, but general athletic tape will do the trick as well.
HOW TO WEAR
This may seem obvious to many but if you’re brand new to soccer, shin guards are generally worn under your socks. But hey, you do you!
COST
Shin guards generally run between $12 and $25.
