Best shin guard for fall impact protection

[Davetronz 109]

Hey forum,

I don't usually bail on my knees a lot, but lately, when I do, I end up with lots of pain and a good bruise that lasts a couple weeks. It literally feels like my knee is getting friction burn AND the impact when I fall.

I'm not falling particularly hard, but it definitely doesn't feel comfortable when I end up on a knee or two.

I'm using 16" Bauer One90 shin guards that are a few years old. They've held up really nice to shots/slashes, but they really suck with impact from falls.

I used to really cut or burn my knees on the "honeycomb" stuff in the knee area of the One90's, so I replaced the liners to pad this area a bit better.

This has made them a bit better in that respect, but I still have the impact issue.

The knee area doesn't have very good knee cap lock. My knee floats in the cup a bit more than I'd like, and I think the whole upper part of the shin guard is twisting when I fall, which I assume is causing the less than pleasant impact.

It's time to send these shin guards to the dumpster.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a shin pad that is durable, locks the knee in well, and protects really well against impact from falling?

I play goal too, and I'm usually unable to play in net for a couple weeks after a fall to my knees due to the pain from the bruise.

Background:

Height: 5ft. 11in.

Weight: 210 lbs

Competitive beer league 3-4 times a week

Location: Calgary, Canada

Thanks in advance.

Dave

[wrangler 157]

I'm 6', 260, and use Reebok 8K. One of the main reasons I picked them was to protect my 57-year-old knees when I drop on them. It's doing the job; I don't feel any pain on impact.

[Davetronz 109]

Thanks wrangler,

I've heard that the plastic "buckles" on the sides of the RBK shin guards that the straps connect to aren't very durable over time. Have you experienced any problems with them?

[Leb_CRX 0]

I use one75's and I was getting beat up everytime I fell too, they would either rotate, slide down or just not stay in place

I ended up using something similar to this:

http://hockeygalore.com/Images/Products/detail/S420.jpg

just picked it up at the local hockey store

they are like socks for your shin pads, tight and hold it in place with 2 rubber bands (top and bottom) and compression...haven't had an issue since...

[wrangler 157]

Thanks wrangler,

I've heard that the plastic "buckles" on the sides of the RBK shin guards that the straps connect to aren't very durable over time. Have you experienced any problems with them?

I've heard that, too, but I haven't had any problems. I haven't used them too much yet, maybe 30 hours or so, over a year.

[AIREAYE 248]

The abrasive honeycomb pattern was a problem with the One90s, something they improved upon in the 95s. IMO your best bet would be to try on a few pairs and get some motion in them at the store. Also pay a bit more attention to the strapping system as well.

[bubaloo 6]

I have eq50s and I find them very protective for the knee. I have a really bad knee injury that comes back if i fell on my old shins ( old bauer of some kind ) I bought the eq 50 after trying them on and noticing how padded they were and how my knee fit inside. so far after a couple falls my knee injury hasnt returned.

[Axxion89 32]

Best shins I ever used were Reebok/Jofa 8k Pros. I used them when I was learning and fell a lot in them, could not feel a thing it was amazing! It was a shame they were too big and I had to sell them, they were great. If you ever see them in your size I would highly recommend them.

[snuzzo24 0]

I have a pair of Reebok 6k and don't feel anything when I fall. Also don't really notice anything when I block shots with them. I don't block slap shots but don't notice anything when blocking wrist shots.

[Davetronz 109]

Thanks for all the answers and suggestions.

I'm going to check out the upper-end Reebok and Easton shins today. I think I'll also get a pair of those shin pad compression socks for good measure.

[MilleniumFalcon 5]

Best shins I ever used were Reebok/Jofa 8k Pros. I used them when I was learning and fell a lot in them, could not feel a thing it was amazing! It was a shame they were too big and I had to sell them, they were great. If you ever see them in your size I would highly recommend them.

yes you are right, Jofa or RBK (2004 model year) are the best.

[flyers10 57]

Reebok 10k are tanks. I never felt a thing when I was using mine.

[Hermans 9]

RBK 10K are tanks. The quick strap system is not very durable but you can pass the strap through a second part of the clasp but without the "quick" feature so there are no worries there. Be sure to try them for the length of the strap which can be a little short for big calves.

[danno25nh 3]

I've been wearing Warrior Projekt shins for more competitive league play. I find the knees to be very padded and comfortable.

[althoma1 575]

I'm also using the Projekts and don't feel a thing when I'm tripped or fall and land on my knees.

[Jarick 5]

I'm also wearing Reebok 6k KFS with the plastic buckles and have had no problems at all and never felt a thing wearing them. I'm fairly cautious when putting them on that I don't pull laterally on the buckles to stress them (put the strap through the buckle and pull it tight, then wrap it back around and velcro it).

[McDugan 89]

To the OP, based on your height, and your description of the pads "floating" on you, it sounds like these shins at 16" might be too big. I'd suggest trying some 15" pads when you choose your new ones.

[Davetronz 109]

To the OP, based on your height, and your description of the pads "floating" on you, it sounds like these shins at 16" might be too big. I'd suggest trying some 15" pads when you choose your new ones.

I was thinking a bit about the length too. To me, the 16" seemed a bit short. If I measure up from the top eyelet on my skates to half way up my knee it's just a bit over 16". I've worn a 16" shin pad for over 10+ years. Is there a better way to measure the proper length?

If it makes any difference, I wear the shin pad in front of my tongues, so maybe it's sliding a bit further down the skate.

[HockeySavants 5]

Warrior Projekts are amazing, well worth the money.

[jsykes 35]

I know they're not favorites on this board due to them being a little more bulky, but I really like the CCM shins. I've had the mid line Fit 07s and the Pros and both are great in the knew area.

I tried some Warrior Hitmans briefly looking for something lower profile, played two games, came away with two bruises from falls on the ice and ditched them and went back to the CCMs.

Currently wearing the Fit 07s and feel they have more than enough for beer league and never had any issue from a fall to the ice (or anything else for that matter come to think of it).

[AIREAYE 248]

I was thinking a bit about the length too. To me, the 16" seemed a bit short. If I measure up from the top eyelet on my skates to half way up my knee it's just a bit over 16". I've worn a 16" shin pad for over 10+ years. Is there a better way to measure the proper length?

If it makes any difference, I wear the shin pad in front of my tongues, so maybe it's sliding a bit further down the skate.

If you wear the pad over your tongues, the very bottom of the shin pad should be about 1 to 1.5 finger widths above the ankle bone.

[Davetronz 109]

If you wear the pad over your tongues, the very bottom of the shin pad should be about 1 to 1.5 finger widths above the ankle bone.

Based on that measurement, I'm between 16-17" to the middle of my knee cap.

[Vet88 674]

My knees are shot and will have to go under the knife soon. To protect them I've tried just about every pad out there in the top end - 8k, 9k,10k's, 11k's, V10's, U+, XXXX, X60's, SE16's, S19's, one90's, one95's, various Jofa and Warriors. The 10k's and 11k's are absolute tanks, someone could drill you with a baseball bat and you still wouldn't feel it but downside is they are really bulky. My personal preference is one95's BUT

if your one90's aren't working then it's unlikely anything in the Bauer line will suit you. If you can handle the bulk then I'd suggest you look at 10k's or 11k's.

[rachael7 1]

I had a very similar knee injury to what is described by the OP, also while wearing Bauer Supreme shins. By pure chance, switched to RBK 10K KFS (it's what the rink shop had) and even while the knee was still freshly injured, I never once felt anything through them. I've since changed to very similar JOFA pads, but the 10Ks are still on my shelf - the bulk is well worth it, imho.

[Andoy 5]

Thanks wrangler,

I've heard that the plastic "buckles" on the sides of the RBK shin guards that the straps connect to aren't very durable over time. Have you experienced any problems with them?

My the buckles on my reeboks snapped but you could always loop them through still for imo, a better fit.

I use jofa 6070s now that seem to use the same liner as the 10k (minus the calf protection) and it feels like cushions to your knee.