The best football shin pads to buy in 2023

Encapsulating all that is great about the modern shin guard, the X League matches style with success for a well-crafted package that brings you the protection needed without any unnecessary weight to carry.

Backed by soft EVA for shock absorption and extra comfort, these shin pads curve to match the contour of your legs for flexible support. Held in place by stretchy compression sleeves, you'll never have to worry about them sliding down.

There's no need to overspend in pursuit of great shin pads, as these cut-price options from Mitre prove with their compact and efficient design qualities.

Made with a nifty small hardshell design locked to dual straps to ensure you can tighten the fit accordingly, they'll protect your shins from crunching challenges and weather those misplaced balls with no problem at all.

It's not just the shins that need protection, ankles need that reinforcement too, and this malleable G-Form effort will provide both with a clever, cushioned design that fits snugly onto your leg.

Sleek with a SmartFlex component that hardens during play to offer additional bulk against the elements, its super low-profile design makes it wonderfully unobstructed, perfect for those fast attacking plays.

A low-profile classic that keeps on delivering the goods. The Nike Charge offers simple slip-in effectiveness with old-school reinforcement, keeping you poised and ready to play instantly.

A pull-on design ensures that there will be no slippage in the heat of play, while the hardshell casing offers solid absorption. A foam back to fit the contours of your leg will provide that little bit of added assistance for those who slide in dangerously.

There are few things quite as unpleasant as peeling your kit off following a sweaty free-for-all, but these Mitre pads will at the very least ensure that you get a steady airflow down to your shins, whatever the weather.

Their honeycombed construction allows the body beneath you to breathe as you move through the back-and-forth paces of a match, yet still provide ample coverage to ensure you won't be picking at the stud scrapes on your shins.

The Predator League shin guards offer some of the highest protection in a compact design. Boasting a tough outer shell and a soft padded liner, it delivers the perfect combination of safety and comfort.

Kept locked in place with compression sleeves, the Predators ensure you have no distractions or fiddly gear when in the game's height. If you know you're up against some rough players, these are the shin guards for you.

The ultimate shin guards are designed with feedback from real players. G-Form's Pro-S Elite boast reactive protection technology and top-rate shock absorption.

The Pro-S shin guards stay in place courtesy of a breathable circular knit sleeve. Featuring waterproof SmartFlex technology, this ultra-light pair of shin pads provide top-class protection from even the toughest defenders.

Adapt your game with these X Pro shin pads that offer increased flexibility, with a compression sleeve and removable shield inlay over moulded EVA backing to give you a sturdy defence against contact.

The control and command offered here mean there will be few shortchanges. Their sleek design allows you to build upon natural agility without fear of being weighed back down by their bulk.

If you're on the hunt for innovative and tech-savvy shin guards, look no further than Nike's Mercurial FlyLite SuperLock. Kept securely in place with Nike's SuperLock technology that locks into sock fibres, there's no chance of these shin guards sliding and moving out of place at any time.

Replacing the traditional foam backing found on most shin guards, the Nike FlyLite combines geometric channels and webbing to cushion against impact, all while staying breathable.