The 10 Best Soccer Shin Guards
This wiki has been updated 23 times since it was first published in May of 2018. The game of soccer has been praised for its beauty and its elegance, but it can also be very dangerous. Taking a cleat in the leg can result in a painful injury that can leave you sidelined, which is why a pair of sturdy shin guards is a must for amateurs and professional players alike. The choices featured here provide reliable protection and are ranked for comfort, durability, and price. When users buy our independently chosen editorial recommendations, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Adidas Pro Lite
2. Nike Mercurial Lite
3. Adidas Performance Messi 10
Editor's Notes
November 07, 2019:
When it comes to soccer, all it takes is a boot to an unprotected shin and you’re down for the count. As such, it’s unsurprising that shin guards are a requirement whether you play recreational, club, or school soccer. Common complaints among those who prefer not to wear them are they’re uncomfortable and they slide around too much. Well, our selection gives you some highly padded -- yet lightweight – options as well as those designed to stay firmly in place, even when you’re in the middle of a nail-biting breakaway or a midair bicycle kick.
Coming onboard in this update are the Vizari Malaga, which are a highly practical choice for players on recreational leagues who don’t want to invest too much money in soccer gear. And, although, they’re light on the wallet, they’re both highly protective and comfortable. Plenty of wearers attest to their strong shin and ankle protection, as well as their ability to stay in place well – because, who wants to keep stopping to adjust their gear? In all, it’s hard to go wrong with this set when you’re on a budget and play mainly for fun.
The newly added Adidas Performance Messi 10 are geared toward youth players, and they replace an earlier version of these guards on our list that are not available at this time. Their design was inspired by legendary Argentine professional soccer player Lionel Messi. They feature a compression sleeve and a sturdy, lightweight shield that slips in easily.
The Nike J Guard also come on board as an option for those who don’t want to bother with straps, as they’re designed to just slip into your socks – and since they’re shaped to match the contours of your legs, they’ll stay reliably in place. Of all the options here, they just might provide the most airflow, with 15 sizable holes on each one.
The Wilson Adult Ultra and the Diadora Gamma Carbinio make their way off the list today, due to issues with availability.
If you’re in the market for more gear that will help up your game, check out our lists of best soccer cleats and best soccer balls.
4. Vizari Malaga
5. G-Form Pro-S Elite
6. Adidas Performance Ghost Pro
7. Nike J Guard
8. Nike Adult Charge 2.0
9. DashSport Best Youth
10. Adidas Performance Ghost Club
Karen Bennett lives in Chicago with her family, and when she’s not writing, she can usually be found practicing yoga or cheering on her kids at soccer games. She holds a master’s degree in journalism and a bachelor’s in English, and her writing has been published in various local newspapers, as well as “The Cheat Sheet,” “Illinois Legal Times,” and “USA Today.” She has also written search engine news page headlines and worked as a product manager for a digital marketing company. Her expertise is in literature, nonfiction, textbooks, home products, kids' games and toys, hardware, teaching accessories, and art materials.