Many schools that teach a martial art with kicks, such as Muay Thai, kickboxing, MMA or karate, ask for shin guards once a child starts partner drills or sparring. Here are the styles to know, how to measure for size and how to check the fit.
When do young martial artists wear shin guards?
A martial arts shin guard is a padded cover for the front of the lower leg, and many styles also cover the instep (the top of the foot). Shin guards are worn for partner drills and sparring, where kicks make contact, and many youth competitions require them. Schools differ: some ask for shin guards in regular classes too, and some leave them optional, so get the class gear list from the instructor before you buy.
Soccer shin guards are usually a different kind of product: many have a hard plastic shell and are worn under the sock. Some martial arts rule books require soft guards or rule out hard plastic parts, so check with the school before using a soccer pair in class.
What should you look for in youth shin guards?
Style. Some shin guards cover both the shin and the instep. Others stop at the ankle and are worn with separate foot pads, which point-sparring programs often use.
Fastening. Some guards fasten around the calf with straps, usually hook-and-loop, so the fit can be adjusted. Others are slip-ons: an elastic sleeve that pulls on like a sock. Ask which style and which fastening the class uses.
Front
Back
Size. Size charts differ from brand to brand, so use the chart for the exact guards you are buying. Where the chart goes by a measurement, as ours does, measure your child instead of guessing from age. Two children of the same age can have shins of quite different lengths.
How do you measure a child for shin guards?
For our Kids Champion Shin Guards, measure your child's shin from the ankle to just below the knee and compare it with the size chart. They come in five youth sizes:
| Size | Child's shin height (ankle to just below the knee) |
|---|---|
| X-Small (XS) | 11 inches |
| Small (S) | 11.5 inches |
| Medium (M) | 12 inches |
| Large (L) | 12.5 inches |
| X-Large (XL) | 13 inches |
Between two sizes, order the next size up. If your child's shin measures less than 11 inches, the smallest size on the chart, contact us before you order: send us your child's shin measurement, height and weight through our contact page and we'll help you choose. For a shin longer than 13 inches, see the adult sizes in our Shin Guards collection. If this chart and the one on the product page ever differ, go by the product page.
How should youth shin guards fit?
Have your child try the guards on at home before wearing them to class. Put each guard on so it is snug but not tight, then have your child walk, bend their knees and throw a few slow kicks. A guard that fits:
- sits just below the knee and stays clear of it when the knee bends
- has the instep pad, if there is one, lying flat on top of the foot
- keeps facing forward, without twisting around the leg or sliding down
Children grow quickly, so measure again each time you buy.
What if your child competes?
Check the event's equipment rules before you buy, because they differ between organizations. Some specify cloth or slip-on guards, some don't allow straps, some require a shin guard with separate foot pads, and some only allow approved gear or supply the guards at the event.
Our youth shin guards: Kids Champion
Our Kids Champion Shin Guards cover both the shin and the instep. They are made of soft vinyl with contoured high-density foam padding and fasten with adjustable hook-and-loop straps, with an elastic strap under the arch of the foot and a fast-drying anti-slip lining. They come in black or white, in the five youth sizes above. If your child competes, check the event's equipment rules first: these guards fasten with straps.
Outfitting a child for sparring? Our kids sparring and training gear includes gloves, headgear and body protection in youth sizes, and Kids Sparring Gear: A Parent's Buying Guide walks through each piece.
