How To Choose Field Hockey Shinpads

Choosing hockey shin pads comes down to two things: fit and comfort. This guide covers sizing, the different types, how to wear them and the shin pads our customers buy most.

Updated October 2026 for the 2026/27 season.

Our Quick Picks

Do You Have To Wear Shin Pads For Hockey?

Shin pads are strongly recommended rather than compulsory in the rules, but we'd always say wear them. The ball can travel at over 80mph and sticks are made of hard composite materials, so the risk of injury without them is real.

The main reason players skip them is comfort. With the right size and style, a good shin pad should barely be noticeable.

Shin Pad Size And Fit

Thicker doesn't always mean more protection. A lot of what you pay for is the material, so the best things to judge are size and comfort.

• Bigger calves or wider legs: look at the Y1 S2, the adidas Adipower Pro or the Grays G800.
• Narrow calves or slim legs: the Grays G600 is a narrow fit and our best seller.
• Juniors moving on from football-style pads: the Grays Shield has a built-in stirrup, so it feels familiar.

A shin pad should wrap snugly around your leg and protect part of your calf at the back. It should cover the bony bit on either side of your ankle and reach up to just below your kneecap.

Too small and it won't cover enough of your ankle or shin. Too big and it won't sit flush against your shin, or it will ride up over your knee.

Types Of Shin Pad

• Hard shell shin pads: a hard outer casing, either fully covered in fabric or with a removable, washable liner. The Grays G800 and adidas Hockey Shin Guards are good examples.
• Stirrup shin pads: similar to football shin pads, with a strap under the foot, like the Grays Shield.

Straps or no straps?

Modern hockey socks such as Wacky Sox are snug enough to hold a strapless shin pad in place. If you want extra peace of mind, choose a pad with straps like the Grays G700 Pro or Grays G800.

How To Wear Your Shin Pads

This is personal preference, but there are three common options:

1. A hockey sock against your leg, your shin pad on top, then another hockey sock over it.
2. Your shin pad against your leg with a hockey sock over the top.
3. A shin liner against your leg, your shin pad over it, then a hockey sock.

Shin Liners

Shin liners (inner socks) help prevent sweat rash, keep your shin pads fresher for longer and are a great way to add some colour. Popular options include Gryphon inner socks and HocSocx in full-foot and sleeve styles.

Looking After Your Shin Pads

No one likes smelly kit. Air your shin pads out after every game and training session so they dry properly.

If your shin pads have a removable liner, wash it at least once a month, but don't tumble dry it. Deodorising inserts like Smellwell and the Grangers care kit help keep moisture and smells away.

Our Best-Selling Shin Pads

These are the shin pads our customers have bought most over the last 12 months:

1. Grays G600 – our most popular shin pad by a distance. A narrow fit, very affordable, and available in white, aqua, pink, black/yellow and red.
2. Y1 S2 – a close second, and a great choice if the G600 feels too narrow.
3. adidas Hockey Shin Guards – a slightly wider fit with high-level protection and durability. For 2026/27, also look at the adidas Adipower Pro.
4. Grays Shield – the go-to junior and beginner shin pad, in royal blue/red, black/yellow and pink.

Shin Pad FAQs

What size shin pad do I need?

The pad should run from just above your ankle bone to just below your knee. Most brands size by height, so check the size guide on the product page.

Can I wear football shin pads for hockey?

They're better than nothing, but hockey shin pads give more coverage around the ankle and the side of the leg, where hockey balls and sticks often hit.

Which shin pads are best for juniors?

The Grays Shield is the most popular first pair. The stirrup keeps it in place, and it feels familiar to children who've played football.

Shop our full range of hockey shin pads, or contact us for help choosing.