What Are Shin Guards Made Out Of?

Shin guards are used in a variety of sports including soccer, rugby, baseball, ice hockey and lacrosse. Shin guards, which fit over the front of the shins in order to protect the tibia bone, also may protect the knee or ankle depending on the size. Some athletes prefer large shin guards offering a lot of protection, while others prefer small shin guards offering maximized movement for the ankle and knee.

  1. Fiberglass

    • Fiberglass shin guards are extremely light weight and durable. It is a common material used by soccer players. A recent study at Duke University showed that fiberglass shin guards were among the most durable and protective against tibia fractures. One problem with fiberglass shin guards, however, is that the material is not too flexible, and so a person's movement may be more limited than if he were wearing shin guards made from another material.

    Foam Rubber

    • Foam rubber shin guards are the opposite of fiberglass in terms of durability and flexibility. Foam rubber shin guards are very light and flexible, allowing for a broad range of movement and bending. However, the material is not very strong and therefore does not offer as much protection as shin guards made from other materials. Foam rubber shin guards are popular for children's sports, in which high impact injury is less likely.

    Polyurethane

    • Polyurethane is perhaps the best material for shin guards because it offers protection similar to fiberglass and flexibility that mimics that of foam rubber. These shin guards are very durable and can withstand consistent and strong impact. The shin guards bend enough to give the wearer flexibility, but are strong enough to support the joints on the lower leg. Polyurethane shin guards are used by most professional athletes.

    Plastic

    • Plastic used to be a popular material for shin guards, but it is no longer used as much because polyurethane offers a better alternative. Plastic shin guards are very flimsy and do not offer much protection. Most people wear this type of shin guard because the material is cheap. The Duke University study concluded that plastic shin guards ranked the lowest in terms of protection and ability to withstand impact.