Generally, the term “break a leg” won’t work in the hockey world as long as shin guards are there. Namely, these leg protectors are specifically designed to preserve your walking (and skating) capabilities, so today I’m sharing with you the best field hockey shin guards.
Ice hockey players are forever taking whacks on their legs from opponents’ sticks as well as the puck. Nobody wants to block a booming slapshot without adequate protection and that’s why a strong set of shin guards is crucial to players of all skill levels.
You need to be sure your kneecaps, thighs, shins, and calves are properly covered at all times but without restricting your mobility. A good pair of shin guards should offer as much protection as possible but still be light enough and comfortable. The best pads wick away moisture to keep your legs dry and cool and should remain in place even during the heaviest going.
Let’s see what the top models of senior hockey shin guards are:
SHORT ON TIME? Here are our picks.
CCM TACKS ASV PRO
In our opinion, the CCM Tacks ASV Pro Shin Guards are the best OVERALL on our list. You get all the bells and whistles! They combine amazing comfort, features and protection. Many NHL'ers wear these.
BAUER SUPREME 3S PRO
We found that the Bauer Supreme 3S Pro Shin Guards were the best in the mid-range shin category. A great mix between features and value.
BAUER X
The Shin Guards that won't break the bank but still provide some great protection and comfort are the Bauer X. They're our pick for best BUDGET FRIENDLY Shin Guards.
Table of Contents
- 1) CCM Jetspeed Ft4 Shin Guards
- 2) Bauer Vapor 3X Pro Shin Guards
- 3) Warrior Alpha LX Pro Shin Guards
- 4) Bauer Vapor 3X Shin Guards
- 5) Bauer Supreme 3S Pro Shin Guards
- 6) CCM Jetspeed FT4 Pro Shin Guards
- 7) Bauer Hyperlite Shin Guards
- 8) Bauer X Shin Guards
- Overview
- 9) CCM Tacks AS-V Pro Shin Guards
- 10) CCM Tacks AS-580 Shin Guards
- Frequently Asked Questions
1) CCM Jetspeed Ft4 Shin Guards
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Overview
The new two-piece, vented CCM Jetspeed FT4 shin pads feature a narrow, anatomical fit design for unprecedented speed, protection and mobility. The lightweight, low-profile pads come with CCM’s newly-designed JDP Technology in the knee caps to deflect impact energy as well as molded closed-cell EVA Foam in other key areas such as the thighs, calves and knee wings. The pads are equipped with adjustable calf straps which are attached to the shell liners with Velcro for a quick and comfortable customized fit.
In addition, the soft, removable moisture-wicking liners have added PE foam for more comfort and protection and are also made to eliminate odours and bacteria. This model also contains molded plastic shin shells and knee caps with a molded Eva Foam thigh guard and anti-abrasion skate pads. The calf guards and knee wings come with plastic inserts and the shell liners consist of perforated foam.
The CCM Jetspeed FT4 shin guards are high performance-level pads which can be found in several different sizes with the 14-inch pad weighing 620 grams. They can typically be found in the mid price range.
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2) Bauer Vapor 3X Pro Shin Guards
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Overview
The new two-piece, lightweight Bauer Vapor 3X Pro Shin Guards are ideal for players of all ages and skill levels who want maximum protection and mobility at the same time. These pads feature closed-cell Molded Hyperlite HD Foam in the calf guards to make sure they don’t absorb moisture while the ErgoDynamic knee caps and X-Lite Shield design contour to the natural shape of your legs for a perfect fit. The pads are kept securely in place at all times with elastic nylon calf and anchor straps and kept fresh, dry and odour/bacteria free due to the soft, removable sublimated Thermo Max+ liners.
The lightweight shin pads provide excellent impact protection from pucks and sticks without sacrificing mobility and range of motion. The knee caps, thigh guards, calf guards and shin shells are all outfitted with strong and durable molded plastic for reinforced protection while the knee wings come with comfortable durable foam padding. These Bauer shin guards also have with anti-abrasion skate pads.
The new low-profile Bauer Vapor 3X Pro Shin Guards come in several sizes with the 14-inch model weighing just 500 grams and can usually be found in the mid-price range.
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3) Warrior Alpha LX Pro Shin Guards
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Overview
These two-piece, contoured shin pads from Warrior are new to the game this season and provide serious players with top-level impact protection and comfort. The calf guards feature extended protection as they’re made with compression-molded EVA Foam and Impax Foam while the Cloud Cuff offers more protective foam in the ankle areas. The pads are kept snugly in place during the action with the Fantom Stretch sling wrap at the knee and elastic/nylon calf strap.
The knee doughnuts feature a cut-out design with a sub-cell foam placed between the shell and liner to help fight off heavy impacts. To keep your legs, fresh and dry at all times is the Warrior WarTech FNC liner system which takes care of sweat, bacteria and odour. This model also comes outfitted with vented molded plastic knee caps and shin shells as well as HD-foam thigh guards and knee wings with foam and plastic calf guards and foam shell liners.
The Alpha LX Pro shin guards by Warrior offer top performance and can be found in several different sizes with the 14-inch pad weighing just 562 grams. They can usually be bought in the mid to high price region.
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4) Bauer Vapor 3X Shin Guards
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Overview
The Vapor 3X Shin Guards by Bauer provide top-level protection and comfort at an affordable mid-level price. The X-Lite Shield design and ErgoDynamic knee caps contour to the natural shape of your legs for a wonderful customized while the closed-cell Molded Hyperlite HD Foam in the calf guards make sure they don’t absorb any sweat or moisture. The pads are kept securely in place at all times with elastic nylon calf and anchor straps and ate outfitted with anti-abrasion skate pads.
The removable, sublimated Thermo Max liners are designed to help eliminate moisture, odours and bacteria to keep you fresh, dry and comfortable while playing. The Vapor 3X shin pads offer top-rate impact protection from sticks and pucks without affecting your and range of motion and mobility. The knee caps, thigh guards, calf guards and shin shells are reinforced thanks to the strong molded plastic inserts while the knee wings consist of durable foam padding.
The low-profile Bauer Vapor 3X Shin Guards come in several sizes with the 14-inch model weighing just 480 grams and can usually be found in the low to mid-price range.
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5) Bauer Supreme 3S Pro Shin Guards
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Overview
One of Bauer’s newest sets of shin pads is the Bauer Supreme 3S Pro model and it’s certain to become a favourite with competitive players of all ages as they provide top-level protection with maximum mobility and coverage. They’re made with split shin caps known as AMP Construction and feature two hinge points to increase your range of motion and energy output. The knee and shin caps come with an anatomically-molded design which also provides a perfect fit.
You’re always protected against pucks, sticks and other impacts thanks to the molded, breathable Vent Armor Foam and the anatomical calf protectors are made with high-performance foams and
reinforced plastics for added security. The contoured three-piece pads are kept securely in place via elastic/nylon calf and knee straps. The pads also come with molded plastic knee caps and shin shells as well as thick foam thigh guards, calf guards and knee wings with foam liners.
The Bauer Supreme 3S Pro shin guards are an elite-level set of pads which can be found in several different sizes with the 14-inch pad weighing 741 grams. They can typically be found in the mid price bracket.
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6) CCM Jetspeed FT4 Pro Shin Guards
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Overview
The lightweight CCM Jetspeed FT4 Pro shin pads are aimed at competitive players who are looking to add speed and agility to their game. They’re made with the company’s top-rated JDP Technology which disperses impact energy away from your knee joints and into the surrounding molded protective foam. This high-density foam is so effective it doesn’t require plastic reinforcements to protect you from errant pucks and sticks and the pads are kept in place with a convenient two-piece strapping system.
The ZoteFoam liners are removable and add more protection and comfort as they contain DryFoam Technology to wick away moisture, odour and bacteria. Also, the pads’ adjustable calf straps are perfect for providing a customized fit and boast a simple Velcro system to lengthen or shorten the strap. This contoured, low-profile model also contains molded plastic knee caps and shin shells, anti-abrasion pads, HD-foam thigh and calf guards and knee wings and foam shell liners.
The new two-piece vented CCM Jetspeed FT4 Pro shin pads come in several different sizes with the 14-inch pad weighing the scales at 610 grams. They can typically be found in the higher price level.
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7) Bauer Hyperlite Shin Guards
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Overview
Speed, agility and maximum protection were all considered when Bauer designed the newly-released Hyperlite Shin Guards. These lightweight pads feature Bauer’s compressed molded foam EXO-Lite Skin system in the calf guards for superb impact protection as well as closed-cell Hyperlite high-density foam and strong molded plastic in other key areas. As an added bonus, none of these materials absorb moisture, so the pads are kept light and dry all game long.
The Hyperlite pads provide a top-notch anatomical fit from the knees down to the ankles thanks to the ErgoDynamic knee caps and X-Lite Shield shin caps which contour to the shape of your legs. They are kept snugly and comfortably in place during the action with TuneFit calf straps and Dynaflex anchor straps. The insides of the ventilated pads feature molded Thermo Core Zero liners to eliminate odours, bacteria and moisture while keeping you cool, dry and refreshed and the outside two-piece shells also have durable internal/external skate abrasion patches to handle wear and tear.
The low-profile Bauer Hyperlite Shin Guards come in several sizes with the 14-inch model weighing just 500 grams and can usually be found in the higher-price range.
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8) Bauer X Shin Guards
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The new two-piece shell Bauer X shin guards are lightweight but as tough as can be as they’re made with thick molded foam and molded plastic to provide plenty of protection for recreational players. They come with EgroDynamic shin and knee caps for a comfortable, locked-in fit along with superb calf coverage.
Your legs will be kept cool, dry and odour-free thanks to the sublimated liners with hydrophobic mesh and the pads are kept firmly in place with a two-inch elastic calf strap and one-inch elastic knee strap.
The tapered X Shin Guards from Bauer offer optimal mobility and showcase molded plastic knee caps and shin shells with foam thigh and calf guards as well as comfortable foam shell liners.
The Bauer X Shin Guards are available in several sizes with the 14-inch pads weighing in at 602 grams each. They can usually be found in the mid/low price range.
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9) CCM Tacks AS-V Pro Shin Guards
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The brand new CCM Tacks AS-V Pro Shin Guards are great for blocking shots as they provide supreme protection from pucks and sticks as well as first-class comfort and fit without sacrificing mobility. The knee caps come with CCM’s JDP system to disperse the force from impacts away from your joints and into the soft and pliable D3O Foam. This durable foam is also outfitted in the calf guards and lower shins in combination with high-quality molded plastic.
The thigh guards and knee wings feature compression molded HD foam while AdaptFit technology offers adjustable calf straps and liners for a perfect custom fit. This allows you to wear the pads over or under the tongues of your skates. The thighs, shins, calves, and knees are all expertly protected while the two-piece shells come with ribbed molded plastic and D3O Foam. In addition, these CCM pads have sublimated AdaptFit+ liners to help eliminate moisture, bacteria and odours and come with anti-abrasion skate pads.
The low-profile CCM Tacks AS-V Pro Shin Guards are available in assorted sizes with the 14-inch model weighing 668 grams and can typically be found in the higher-price range.
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10) CCM Tacks AS-580 Shin Guards
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Overview:
The Tacks AS-580 Shin Guards by CCM are also new for 2022/23 and offer quality fit, range of motion and protection at a value price. They are made with the company’s popular Anatomical Shield Design which provides maximum coverage without hindering your mobility. The JDP knee caps disperse impact force away from your joints and into the removable sublimated, dense foam liners, which are also designed to wick away moisture while fighting off odours and bacteria. Your legs are protected from slashes and shots thanks to injected molded plastic in key areas while the adjustable AdaptFit elastic nylon calf straps keep the pads from slipping and sliding even during the most intense action.
The Anatomical Shield Design contours to the natural shape of your legs and the pads come with anti-abrasion skate pads. The knee wings, shell liners and thigh guards feature comfortable foam padding and the two-piece shin shells contain ribbed molded plastic for extra protection.
The new low-profile Tacks AS-580 Shin Guards are available in assorted sizes with the 14-inch model weighing 614 grams and can typically be found in the mid-price range.
Click here to see the lowest available price in USA
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find the right hockey shin guards for me?
Hockey shin guards can be worn in two ways (over the skate tongue or under the skate tongue) and they require different measuring. The best way to ensure you have the right fit is by checking the sizing charts of the brand you are choosing, which involves information about how the right fit should feel on you.
How to know if the chosen hockey shin guards are of right fit for me?
First of all, you should strap the shin guard to your leg, and make sure that all gaps are closed between the skate and shin guard. If you can move freely and if the knee is placed on the “knee doughnut” then you got the right size.
What are hockey shin guards made of?
Hockey equipment retailers have implemented different technology in making their shin guards, but most of them use synthetic materials such as fiberglass, foam rubber, polyurethane, plastics and metal which are mostly combined together.
