Shin guard recommendation

[Caihlen 67]

Howdy all, noob here looking for a recommendation for the lightest, best protective shin guards. I have a set now that work, but seem to be floppy and restrictive. Thanks in advance...

[IPv6Freely 2100]

Easton Mako is by far the best shins I've ever seen or used. Could not be happier.

[gogovs 10]

I have CCM RBZ shin guards and I like them.

[Stewie 721]

RBZ shins are super light, and don't take on moisture so they stay light. They've been protective for my B/C league needs. Wasn't a fan of the CL shins, and have tried others where the issue was mostly fit. Had the apx2 for they would've been a contender as well

[Cosmic 178]

Most protective I find to be Reebok 20K. They are not the lightest, but they are pretty light for how protective they are. Compared to other shins, for that area around above the inner ankle (which is a magnet for pucks for me), they have far and away more protection than any other shin.

The Nexus line is the next closest in terms of coverage, and alot lighter. I find the aforementioned shins to be skimpy, but I have big calves.

[enis750 48]

have been really happy w my APX2's so far

[IPv6Freely 2100]

Most protective I find to be Reebok 20K. They are not the lightest, but they are pretty light for how protective they are. Compared to other shins, for that area around above the inner ankle (which is a magnet for pucks for me), they have far and away more protection than any other shin.

The Nexus line is the next closest in terms of coverage, and alot lighter. I find the aforementioned shins to be skimpy, but I have big calves.

The mako has a LOT better coverage than the nexus does.

[shoot_the_goalie 282]

+1 for the CCM RBZs. Very light and very protective, and don't take on any moisture. They were bulkier than I expected them to be, but they are not bulky in general.

[Vet88 674]

+1 for Rbk 20k or Warrior AX1. But, like any other piece of equipment, it all depends on how they fit you. I have tried every top end shin out there and sold a lot of shins to a lot of people and what fits one person perfectly will not fit another or for one reason or another they will not like the fit. You really need to try them on. So saying it is hard to go wrong with the basics when buying any top end shin ie good protection.

[sss1987 55]

Def agree with Vet88. I've tried on quite a few shin pads now (albeit mid end ones), and have found that they all fit differently.. i would defo recommend trying before you buy. Im still trying to find something i will be comfy in (problem with having been in my current shins for so long-everything feels weird!)

[z1ggy 81]

Depends what you like. As a "noob" you might not even know. I've tried on tons of shins but I settled on Bauer Supremes because I like my shins a little on the "beefier" side, but they are still form fitting to the leg.

As others say, try before you buy. Shins fit wildly different between companies, and even models within one brand, ie, Vapor vs Supreme vs Nexus.

[moteef17 7]

I tore a strap on an old set of Bauer One15 shins (very basic pad) last year. In a pinch, got a pair of Warrior Bonafide guards and I really like them. There are many other higher-end pads available, as quoted in this thread, but for the $ I spent, I couldn't be happier.

[hollowicked 39]

I was shopping for shins recently and I tried on just about every product line the store carried, the one that stood out for me in a really good way was the mako line. Great flex on the knee and really good coverage. I recommend given then a shot but again it all comes down to personal preference.

[Caihlen 67]

Thanks everyone for the recommendations. As there isn't a decent hockey store within 300 miles of here, (NW Montana), I'm relegated to internet shopping or the very low end of CCM at the local sporting goods outlet. Great suggestions here. Thanks

[z1ggy 81]

For your info.. Since you can't try anything on...

I have a fairly wide, but shorter lower leg (beefy calves). Vapor shin guards just straight up didn't fit me. I also found the CCM strapping system to be a bit awkward compared to Easton, Bauer, Warrior, etc. I did like the Mako's a lot, but they got a bit narrow for my liking down by the ankle area. I'm approx. 5'10 and took the 15'' Supreme, which is a touch too long, but 14'' would have been too short for my liking as well. I likely could have gotten 14's and been okay.

[Cosmic 178]

Similar to what was just stated, for me it's:

16 inch Bauer Nexus = 17 inch Reebok 20K (identical in length)

I have big calves too, which is why the "anatomical" or "tapered" cuts do not give me the coverage I need.

[Caihlen 67]

Update: so I took the advice about trying some on and even though all I could try was the CCM RBZ110's they felt SO much better than what I had so I bought them. Thanks everyone for the help and advice.

[SweetChinMusic 0]

I was shopping for shins recently and I tried on just about every product line the store carried, the one that stood out for me in a really good way was the mako line. Great flex on the knee and really good coverage. I recommend given then a shot but again it all comes down to personal preference.

Can anyone comment on the real differences between all the Mako models? M3, M5, & M7 I know theyre low medium and high quality each but are these differences you really feel in motion?

Is the "anatomical flex knee" really ground breaking? I dont think I'm understanding correctly...I feel like I've had several shin pads that move like that over the years.

I'm really interested in the idea of a ground breaking shin pad style ... basically my question is are the Mako M3 (lower end model) a better value than other shin pads in that price range (about 35 bucks) because of their new anatomical fit, or at that price range is everything pretty much the same?

(I dont have anywhere local to try these on)

[JoshV 20]

Can anyone comment on the real differences between all the Mako models? M3, M5, & M7 I know theyre low medium and high quality each but are these differences you really feel in motion?

Is the "anatomical flex knee" really ground breaking? I dont think I'm understanding correctly...I feel like I've had several shin pads that move like that over the years.

I'm really interested in the idea of a ground breaking shin pad style ... basically my question is are the Mako M3 (lower end model) a better value than other shin pads in that price range (about 35 bucks) because of their new anatomical fit, or at that price range is everything pretty much the same?

(I dont have anywhere local to try these on)

M5 would be the best "Bang for your buck"

There isn't really a significant increase in terms of quality from the M5 to the top of the line Mako that would justify the price difference

There is definitely enough of an increase from the M3 to the M5 to justify the cost difference

[SweetChinMusic 0]

M5 would be the best "Bang for your buck"

There isn't really a significant increase in terms of quality from the M5 to the top of the line Mako that would justify the price difference

There is definitely enough of an increase from the M3 to the M5 to justify the cost difference

Exactly what I wanted to know, thank you.

[mjpisat 36]

Warrior ax2, warrior axlt, apx2, pure hockey nexus pro 2 (a nexus 6000 but with the 8000 37.5 liner). A matter of what fits you

[IPv6Freely 2100]

M5 would be the best "Bang for your buck"

There isn't really a significant increase in terms of quality from the M5 to the top of the line Mako that would justify the price difference

There is definitely enough of an increase from the M3 to the M5 to justify the cost difference

That's exactly what I found. The M3 I wouldn't even bother with. I'd recommend the M5 to anyone. I personally bought the Mako but that's just me.

[SweetChinMusic 0]

would that be a pretty accurate rule of thumb? dropping a price tier on a given product line youre still getting the prime advantages of the higher end model that youre not really getting in the entry level model?

[IPv6Freely 2100]

would that be a pretty accurate rule of thumb? dropping a price tier on a given product line youre still getting the prime advantages of the higher end model that youre not really getting in the entry level model?

Not always accurate but its generally a decent enough assumption that one step below top of the line will be a sweet spot as far as value/performance ratio. From what I've experienced, at least.

[enis750 48]

Not always accurate but its generally a decent enough assumption that one step below top of the line will be a sweet spot as far as value/performance ratio. From what I've experienced, at least.

would agree w this as well

depending on the line and OEM, sometimes even 2 steps down from the top is more than fine for beer league hockey

but hockey gear is so much about fit .....