9 Best Hockey Shin Guards (Review) In 2020

Look on the internet and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a mention of these pads. Mylec Street Dek Shin Pads don’t crop up in many articles, they’re not reviewed on hockey pages, and they’re only sold on a couple of websites. But talk to anyone who plays street hockey and they’ll tell you that these are the best cheap and lightweight shin pads you can find. They’re not professional level hockey shin pads, which is why we’ve put them first on our list. If you’re looking for some protective gear to go and play on the street with your friends, these are the pads for you.

They wrap around your shins to provide complete protection, rather than just sitting on the front. The outside is made from a synthetic material that allows it to be lightweight whilst maintaining strength. One of the best features of this shin guard is the extra protection on the knee. It has a rounded ball on the knee that is full of foam padding, which allows you to fall to your knees, without damaging yourself. The version we’ve featured here is the older model. They have brought out an updated product recently, but that means you can pick these up for a great price. If you’re playing street hockey, this will do just fine. Be sure to also check out our guide to the best hockey sticks for more great equipment like this.

Harrow is a well-known brand in the hockey world. They make some of the best hockey gear in the world and even sponsor Olympic athletes, so we knew they’d be a good place to look for the best hockey shin guards. The Harrow Probot is one of the simplest designs in the world of shin guards – it doesn’t have much in the way of fancy technology, but it doesn’t need it.

Instead, the outer protective shell is just one solid sheet of plastic. This prevents there being any weak points in the armor and spreads the impact of a puck across the whole shin. The shell is surprisingly thick when you consider how light it is. That means it can handle a puck hit at serious speed. You’ll also small vent holes in the plastic shell that allow air to move freely around the leg and stop you from getting super sweaty when you play. This is an important feature if you’re playing all season. The comfort comes from a cushioned liner that can be removed for easy washing. The only real downside is that they don’t come with straps to keep them on your leg, so you need a stretchy sock. You may combine this product with some of the best ice hockey skates from our list.

Bauer is one of the big names in ice hockey. That’s why we’ve gone to them for our Premium Product this week. This is the closest thing you can get to professional level protection, without paying hundreds of dollars. Bauer NSX Hockey Shin Guards are aimed at recreational players and new-to-hockey players, but at this price point, you get a lot of protection for your money.

The shell is made out of hard plastic and is finished with some small ridges to add strength. It’s separated into a knee pad and shin pad, which is essential for movement in ice-hockey. The knee-pad also has a couple of vent holes to let air into the pad during the game. You might not think this would be as important in ice-hockey, but believe us, it gets sweaty out there.

Next up are another pair of shin guards from Mylec. These are designed specifically for use in roller hockey. The difference is that when you’re traveling around on roller skates at high speeds, and you take a fall, you are likely to keep on moving for a while. Mylec Dek/Roller Hockey Shin Guards are designed to let you slide along the ground, as well as take a hit from a hockey puck. The raised knee allows you to slide along without grazing the top of your foot or other body parts. It also has a slightly thicker shell to take the extra impact.

This pair of Mylec shin guards are one of the cheapest on this list, but that doesn’t mean they’re no good. They are one of the most protective shin guards on this list. They are a little bulky, which means they’re not as lightweight as some of the other pads, but they are still easy enough to move in. The other thing we like about them is that they have Mylec’s Air-Flo design technology. There are multiple vent holes in the plastic shell and breathable waffle foam behind it, which allows air into the pad. For more protective sports gear, check out our guide to the best mouthguards.

If you’re looking for field hockey shin guards, we’ve found the perfect set here. The STX Hinder Field Hockey Shin Guard is another super simple design. When it comes to field hockey, you don’t need as much protection. The puck still moves at incredible speeds, but the ground is softer, so falling doesn’t hurt anywhere near as much. Because of that, you can get away with a pair of shin guards that just cover your shin and fit beneath a sock.

The shell is just one piece of hard plastic. It reaches from the top of the ankle to just below the knee, protecting the whole of your shin. This allows you to move much easier than you would in an ice-hockey or roller-hockey pad. It’s made from hard plastic and has small ventilation holes dotted around to keep the air flowing around the shin on a hot day. These are some of the easiest pads to get on and off because they don’t have any straps. However, that does mean you need a large and stretchy sock to keep them in place. If you’re looking for a solid pair of field hockey shin guards, these are perfect. If you also like playing football, be sure to check out our guide to the best football shoulder pads.

You can tell from the bulky design that the Hagan H-5 Pro Shin Guards are designed for street and ball hockey. They have separate pads that cover the shins and knees to the point where you can’t see any of your legs. That means you’re protected from anything the other team can throw at you.

These might not be the most lightweight or slimline shin guards on the market, but they are one of the most adjustable. If you’re the kind of person that struggles to find pads that fit, you have to buy these. All of the straps are replaceable and interchangeable, so you can work them around your leg to make them hug tightly. Plus, all of the straps can be shortened to accommodate players of different sizes. And, as if that’s not enough, the knee pad can be moved up and down, or removed entirely. You can mess around with these pads until it feels like they were molded onto your legs. Also, like all the other modern shin guards, they are ventilated and have comfortable foam inserts to cushion the impact of a blow. These are one of the best pair of shin guards around, especially when you consider the price. For elbow protection, check out our reviews of the best elbow pads and pick the right pair.

Next up, we’ve got some of the best junior ice hockey shin pads on the market. In some cases, juniors can wear a small version of an adult’s pads, but it’s often better to buy dedicated junior pads because they are designed with smaller legs in mind. The CCM Jetspeed FT350 pads are part of a larger range including gloves and skates, which is quickly becoming one of the most popular on the market. We particularly like these because of their low-profile and comfortable design.

Like all modern shin pads, it has a ribbed shell. That means, instead of a solid surface, the shell has little ridges. This helps dissipate the impact energy and shield your shin from taking the brunt of the force. It’s also got plenty of little ventilation holes to let air into the pad. Another interesting protection feature is the space between the shell and the lining. When the puck (or anything else) hits the pad, the shell moves back into the lining as a whole, which distributes the force over your whole leg, lessening the impact. The lining has moisture-wicking technology to keep the legs dry when it starts to get sweaty. All in all, this is one of the best youth shin guards available and you can buy gloves and skates that match.

The GRAYS G600 Shin Guards are another pair of field-hockey shin pads. They are very similar in design to the STX Hinder and the Harrow Probot shin guards, except these, are a little bit closer to what the professionals wear. They wrap completely around your leg and come without elastic straps. They are fairly tight but you’ll still need to put them underneath your socks to hold them in place.

They have probably the most advanced system of ventilation holes we’ve seen on field hockey pads. The holes are larger than normal and create air pockets behind the shell that keeps the front and sides of your leg cool when you’re playing. Plus, they have padding all around the lining and even on the ankle, which makes them more comfortable than the field hockey shin pads of old. These are ideal if you’re looking for a low-profile shin guard.

Shin guard technology has come a long way in the last few decades. They used to consist of a piece of plastic strapped to the shin. This worked for years but it’s nothing compared to the modern shin guards on this list. One of the most impressive products in this new era is the G-Form Pro-S Elite Shin Guard. Instead of strapping to your shin, you actually wear this shin pad. It has a soft, flexible sleeve-style that meets NOCSAE standards and provides a comfortable fit around your legs. 

The protection is provided by the SmartFlex™ pads, which harden on impact and protect against big impacts. The benefit of this design is that it doesn’t inhibit your movement on the field. It feels like you’re not wearing shin guards until you get hit. These shin guards are actually perfect for hockey, even though they’re not designed specifically for the sport. They’re worn by mountain bikers, soccer players, and members of other sports.