Best shin guard for fall impact protection

[weaver2469 0]

Thanks for posting this question. I have the exact same problem with my CCM V-06 shins. When I fall straight down onto my knees, the pad seems to slip a little to the outside, leaving the inside of my kneecap to fall basically straight down on the ice. I have gotten some pretty nasty bruises that way. It is almost like the pad is staying in line with my skate, but my leg is rotating towards the inside as I fall. I think I might try some higher end reeboks. Maybe the 9k? It seems like the knee sits in a little deeper. Thanks for everyone's input.

[Hermans 9]

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.

Is that when wearing skates or without that you suggest the length be about an inch or two above the ankle bone?

[Hermans 9]

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.

I've experience "bulk" since moving to my 10K shins and it's actually focused me on being a better skater... i.e. not to skate "knock kneed". The adjustment cost me a few months but was a strong adjustment to my play. Don’t let claims about bulk worry you.

That being said, I do find that for knee protection the top end (11K, 10k) and near upper end Reebok (9k, 8k) guards are excellent from my experience. My knee guards previously used include Winwell, Bauer Ignite, Itech 955 and Shock Doctor. My impression is that that while each of the other shin guards have advantages over the Reebok 10K's there is one area that the 10K excels and that is knee protection.

Reebok shins seem to have a larger and deeper knee pad. The knee pad seems to have better padding (compared at various price points). Also the knee portion of a Reebok pad seems to be more rigid. Take a Reebok shin guard and grab the upper (knee) portion of the pad and squeeze it as hard as you can and then do that with other shin guards. Next, push against the interior of the knee portion of the pad and see if you can feel the plastic portion of the guard.

Try the same with other manufacturers shin guards and judge the difference.

Three more things to consider are the strapping system, the reputation of the JOFA branded pads and finally design.

With regards to the strapping system the Reebok design of the 10K is not the most durable; as commented by me and one other person in this thread you can pass the strap through another part of the strapping system and that part is strong and robust. However the straps are shorter than normal on the 10k and if you use the stronger part of the strapping system it shortens the strap even more.

You may want to consider many people rave about the JOFA made Reebok shin guards. If you’re only playing beer league, rec or competitive rec hockey do you really need JOFA?. This board has a lot of praise for JOFA or Reebok “Pro” pads. My impression is that JOFA and Reebok “Pro” is preferred over other manufacturers “pro” pads and that at retail once again Reebok is top of the line. To me you could summarize it as a question of being okay with retail or needing pro gear.

Lastly consider design. With respect to design I can’t land stable on my Reebok pads. That’s right… I can’t land stable and that is a good thing. There is no flat place where I can land on my knee and when I land the shin guard seems to guide my knee a bit right or left. I never worry about absorbing the full impact of falling. Initially I worried about my knee twisting more than it should. I have learned to work design of the Reebok pads and to understand how the knee will roll on impact and work with it.

[wrangler 157]

I tried shin guards in the store by doing knee drops on the carpet, and that's what decided me on Reebok.

[AIREAYE 248]

Is that when wearing skates or without that you suggest the length be about an inch or two above the ankle bone?

Without skates, and finger widths, not inches.

[Lee-Bro 1]

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

I think you're wearing the wrong size.

I'm 6ft even, 215lbs, and I wear 15's. I wear my shin over my tongue (VaporX:30s). I'm using older Mission Fuel 110's. -they're well padded and don't slide on me and my fat arse hits knee first on the ice from time to time w/o any pain.

As a comparison, I have to wear knee gaskets under my knee pads for roller derby. I do NOT need to wear them for hockey.

There are plenty of recommendations on here already. I think the biggest issue you have is using ill-fitted gear. If you have a friend who can lend you 15's, give them a try. If not, check out a PIAS and pick some up for $15-20.

[Chadd 916]

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.

The measurement from my ankle bone to the center of my knee is 18" and I wear a 15" pad tucked behind the tongue of my skate. I would go with a 16" pad if I went over the tongue. To prevent movement you may need to use clear tape to hold the pads in place. I usually just use shins that have a strap above and below my calf and that prevents most movement.

To find the right size, take your skates into the shop and try on the shins with your skate(s) on.

[gnarlygk 0]

Is anyone into the Bauer Pro series equipment? I have a version of the pro series shinguards they're a few yrs old, the design hasn't changed much. Simple but well constructed, padded, comfortable and proven shin guard design. Compared to a few other shins ive tried have found them to be heavier duty in constuction and padding, really well built and tho without the fancy materials an excellent and durable design. I fall on shins a LOT- crap skater -see profile pic - and also get a few shots in the shins and hoestly have never felt and thing or had any bruises or issues with comfort, movement etc. If you get the chance have a look at em / try em on, cant recommend them highly enough...anyone else use these?

[Davetronz 109]

The measurement from my ankle bone to the center of my knee is 18" and I wear a 15" pad tucked behind the tongue of my skate. I would go with a 16" pad if I went over the tongue. To prevent movement you may need to use clear tape to hold the pads in place. I usually just use shins that have a strap above and below my calf and that prevents most movement.

To find the right size, take your skates into the shop and try on the shins with your skate(s) on.

I ended up choosing the RBK 11k in 16". They seem to work perfectly after about 10 ice times. I still have a lot of tenderness in my knee from the fall 5 weeks ago, but these new shins are awesome. I'm not a fan of the higher strap (it's either too restrictive or too loose) and I might remove it and compensate with a bit of clear tape. I'm wearing the 16's in front of the tongue.

I brought my skates to the store, as suggested by Chadd. The 15" were too short and leaving a considerable gap between the bottom of the shin pad and the skate. If I tried to wear the 15's lower to the skate, my knee was way too high into the knee cap and when kneeling, I was almost kneeling at the top of the knee cap. In discussing the fit problems with a few teammates, I found that my leg from foot to top of knee is a good couple inches longer than anyone else on the team, even the guys who are a bit taller than me. I guess I have a much shorter upper body or waist to knee measurement. Anyways, thanks for everyone's help. I recommend these 11k's to anyone looking for a good pair of shins.

Oops, to clarify, the 15" would have worked fine if I wore the shin pad behind the tongue. Since I prefer it in front of the tongue, I had to go with the 16". I found the 11k too bulky to wear behind the tongue (at least with a stiffer tongue.

[BoDangles 0]

From middle of ankle bone to the center of my knee is 20" (5'11" foot tall), have stupid long legs. I put my shin over my skate and 15" shins are perfect for me.

Not saying you're wearing the wrong size because it also comes down to preference, but during forward lean, does your skate push your skin pads up?

[wrangler 157]

My 8Ks are 15", and it's about 17.5" from the middle of my ankle to the middle of my kneecap. They seem to suit me, as far as I can tell. I wear them outside the tongues.

Does size vary among manufacturers and models?

[BoDangles 0]

My 8Ks are 15", and it's about 17.5" from the middle of my ankle to the middle of my kneecap. They seem to suit me, as far as I can tell. I wear them outside the tongues.

Does size vary among manufacturers and models?

In length it would be 1/4"s at most from what I can take a guess at, sort of like sizing in skates. Now, width could have something to do with the variants.

[Davetronz 109]

From middle of ankle bone to the center of my knee is 20" (5'11" foot tall), have stupid long legs. I put my shin over my skate and 15" shins are perfect for me.

Not saying you're wearing the wrong size because it also comes down to preference, but during forward lean, does your skate push your skin pads up?

Nope, they seem to stay in place during forward lean.