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EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW TO BUY THE BEST SHIN GUARDS FOR KICKBOXING.
The ultimate guide for the best shin guards for kickboxing
Shin guards, sometimes referred to as shin pads or leg guards, are essential for kickboxing training. Sparring is done almost exclusively with shin guards in the majority of fight gyms and dojos.
For the right approach to get your best shin protection, we have made a checklist for you that you should pay attention to when purchasing. This way, you will not regret your purchase, and you are fully prepared for your upcoming kickboxing training.
You can tell how high shin guards should go by bending your knees slightly. You should still me able to see the toppart of your knees.
HOW DO SHIN GUARDS FIT
You should still be able to see the tips of your toes.
The top Velcro closure should be just above the thickest part of your calf, but not in the back of your knee.
PICKING THE RIGHT SIZE KICKBOXING SHIN GUARDS
If you are wondering what size shin guards should I get? You will find your answer here! The size of kickboxing shin guards depends on your height. The larger the shin guard size, the longer and wider they are to fit a larger and wider leg. Below you will find our standard size chart with the most average sizes. Are you outside these sizes and not sure which size to take? If you are lighter than the average of your height, take a size smaller. If you are heavier than the average of your height, take a size larger.
How should kickboxing shin guards fit?
The proper fit of kickboxing shin guards is essential for both your comfort and safety during kickboxing training and competition. Shin guards should snugly cover the entire shin bone, from just below the knee to the top of the ankle. The guards should feel secure and provide ample protection without restricting your movement. At YESFIT, we prioritize the perfect fit in our shin guard designs. Our kickboxing shin guards are engineered to contour to your legs, ensuring a snug and secure fit that allows you to move freely. The closure system, whether straps or Velcro, should hold the shin guards in place without causing discomfort. The top Velcro closure should be just above the thickest part of your calf, but not in the back of your knee.
How high should shin guards go?
Shin guards for kickboxing should ideally cover your shin from just below your knee to the top of your ankle. This ensures that your shinbone is adequately shielded from impacts while allowing flexibility for movement. The proper fit of shin guards is crucial for both comfort and protection during kickboxing. The lower edge of the shin guard should sit just above your ankle joint to prevent it from interfering with your footwork. It's essential to choose shin guards with adjustable straps to ensure a secure and snug fit that doesn't slip during training. Remember that different brands and models may have slight variations in sizing, so always refer to the manufacturer's or brands guidelines for the best fit. Finding the right size and fit will not only enhance your safety but also contribute to a more comfortable and effective kickboxing experience.
When it comes to shin guards that align with these fitting guidelines, our shin guard collections has you covered. Our kickboxing shin guards are meticulously engineered to offer the perfect blend of protection, comfort, and mobility. Crafted from high-quality materials, they provide optimal shock absorption to minimize the impact of strikes and kicks. The anatomical design ensures a contoured fit that wraps around your shin, offering enhanced coverage without hindering your movement.
How are shin guards supposed to fit during kickboxing training?
It's essential to ensure that the guards stay securely in place during dynamic movements, such as running or kicking. Additionally, the guards should not impede blood circulation or cause irritation. Testing the fit by moving around and mimicking the motions of your sport can help you determine if the shin guards provide the right balance of protection and flexibility.
Checklist - How to tell shin guards fit.
If you don't know if you ordered the right size. This is how you check them!
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Bend your knees slightly to make sure the top of the shin guards don't rise above them.
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You should still be able to see the tips of your toes.
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The top Velcro closure should be just above the thickest part of your calf, but not in the back of your knee.
Which shin guard goes on which leg?
Wondering which shin guards goes left or right? This depends on the brand that you are buying from. Some shin guards are identical, and it does not matter with goes on with size. The feet piece of the YESFIT classic shin guards have a slight bend in line with the anatomy of your body. This way they fall just a little better over the foot, and you can distinguish left from right.
Shin guards for girls/women.
There is no difference between women's and men's models in shin protection. Purely the design and use of color makes a shin guard something more for women or men. So just choose which one you like and meet the checklist of this blog.
What is the difference between shin pads and shin guards?
The terms "shin pads" and "shin guards" are often used interchangeably, but they can have slightly different implications depending on the context. Generally, both refer to protective gear worn on the shins during sports like soccer, hockey, or martial arts. "Shin pads" commonly allude to the equipment used in soccer, emphasizing lightweight protection. On the other hand, "shin guards" is a broader term encompassing various sports, including martial arts like kickboxing or MMA, where more robust protection may be necessary. While the core purpose is the same — safeguarding the shins — the choice of terminology often reflects the specific requirements of the sport in question. So, whether you call them shin pads or shin guards, the essential function remains consistent: to shield your shins from impact during athletic activities.
Piking the right size kickboxing sin guards?
How shin guards should fit
How high should shin guards go?
How to tell shin guads fit
Which shin guards goes on which leg?
Shin guards for girls/women
Kickboxing shin guards size chart
WHAT TYPE OF PROTECTION DO SHIN GUARDS PROVIDE?
Foot protection.
While most brands emphasize the shin, most injuries actually occur on the top of the foot. The foot contains fragile bones that are easily injured if there is not enough protection on the top of the foot or the shin guards do not fit properly. Make sure that your shin guards have a multilayer protection on the foot part.
The foot piece on our shin guard has an extra technical foam layer to protect the most fragile bones in your foot. It also has an anatomical fit and is tapered, so it doesn't get in the way of your mobility during your training.
Enough protection on top of the ankle
Many injuries also occur between the foot and the shin guard. So there must be a good connection here. Our shin guards have extra padding at the connection. Which is one of the unique in features of our shin guards! These unique elements make ours the best shin guards for kickboxing on the market.
Shin protection.
And then, of course, the shins. Again, make sure you have several layers of technical foam on the front of the shin. They protect you and your partner when doing drills and sparring. They protect the soft tissues and bones in the shins and provide shock absorption to facilitate energy dissipation, thereby decreasing the risk of serious injuries.
YESFIT SHIN GUARDS
Sweat-resistant fabric that is easy to clean and does not irritate the skin.
High quality microfibre leather that does not tear.
Multi-layer technical foam with high shock absorption.
We replaced the fragile elastic with a sturdy Velcro closure.
Double-stitched elastic
Added padding on the instep of the ankle.
Extra technical foam layers on the foot to protect the most fragile bones in your foot.
What type of protection do shin guards provide
HOW TO CHECK THE DURABILITY OF SHIN GUARDS.
During intensive training, you are constantly moving and your shin guards must certainly be able to take a beating .
Material.
In kickboxing gloves, a lot of attention is paid to the material of the glove. Plastic (PU) gloves are not allowed at many gyms. In contrast to the PU gloves, many brands that sell shin guards are made of PU and are still sold at a fairly high price. If you want value for your money, this is a good point to look out for. Choose leather or microfiber synthetic leather shin guards. These will last longer and are of a higher quality. Leather and synthetic leather are often considered the best materials for durability and comfort.
Why is synthetic leather beter then real leather shin guards for kickboxing?
Synthetic leather is typically more durable than real leather, which means it can withstand more wear and tear over time. This is important in kickboxing, as shin guards can take a lot of abuse during training and sparring. They are also easier to clean and maintain than real leather. This is especially important in a sport like kickboxing, where sweat and bacteria can accumulate on gear and lead to unpleasant odors and potential infections.
Synthetic leather is often more consistent in quality and appearance than real leather, which can vary in texture, thickness, and color. This means that synthetic leather shin guards can offer a more uniform level of protection and appearance.
High density foam.
The foam used in shin guards for kickboxing is typically high-density foam. This type of foam is designed to provide excellent shock absorption while still maintaining its shape and durability over time.
High-density foam is often made from a combination of materials, such as polyurethane and rubber, to create a foam that is both strong and flexible. This type of foam is also known for its ability to quickly recover its shape after being compressed, which is important for maintaining the protective properties of the shin guard during training and sparring.
When choosing shin guards for kickboxing, it's important to look for those that use high-quality high-density foam. This will ensure that your shin guards provide the necessary protection from impacts and reduce the risk of injury during training and sparring. Additionally, high-density foam should be paired with a durable outer shell material, such as leather or synthetic leather, to further enhance the protective properties of the shin guard.
Elastic.
The first thing that breaks with shin guards is the elastic behind the heel. Due to the many movements, it wears out quickly and breaks loose.
The next unique feature about our shin guards is that we have 3 Velcro closures on the back instead of 2 Velcro closures and 1 elastic band. You are much more sure of shin protection and will last much longer.
How to check the durability of shin guards
HOW TO CLEAN SHIN GUARDS FOR KICKBOXING
1. Take a bowl of lukewarm water with a small amount of dish soap and a microfiber cloth. Do not use harsh or abrasive cleaning agents.
2. Dip the cloth in the water and squeeze it well. Rub in small circles on the inside and outside. Don’t press too hard, you don’t want to damage the fabric.​
3. Let the shin guards air dry when you are done.
How to clean shin guards for kicboxing
HOW TO MAINTIAN AND CLEAN SHIN GUARDS FOR KICKBOXING.
You can’t avoid the inevitable – during kickboxing training your shin guards will absorb sweat, and you’ll have to deal with maintaining your shin guards to delay the build up of bacteria and odor. Despite every piece of equipment needing to be replaced at some point, the proper care lengthens its life. You can buy very expensive and the best protective gear. However, this will be a waste of money if you do not take care of the hygiene.
We will explain every action you can take to prevent the build up. Now, doing everything might be a bit too much for the low maintenance fighters. So we will highlight the most basic and essential ones. And for the fighters that asked google 'How to clean shin guards', it might already be too late for preventive measures. Especially for the shin guards that already smell like a bacteria colonization, we added some more risky ways to clean your shin guards, so they can go a few more rounds before you declare them KO.
Basic cleaning shin guards tip 1 : Wipe your shin guards right after training.
You already have a towel with you, so right after drying yourself, wipe your shin guards dry when you're done. This will take you 30 seconds extra and is a verily easy and effective step. At this point, not all the sweat is dried up, and your towel can absorb a big portion of the step. If you have a cotton towel, do not push too hard on the fabric on the inside, this will wear out the fabric over time. A (gym)towel made from microfiber will be much more gentle for your kickboxing shin guards.
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Now you can take this step a bit further if you are up to it.
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You can wet the microfiber towel right after training and wipe the in- and outside the shin guards.
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You can also use wet wipes to sanitize your shin guards.
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Basic cleaning shin guards tip 2 : Never leave your shin guards in your gym bag.
Now this is the most essential one. If you do not air dry, your shins guards. It will not take long before bacteria or even mold will try to overtake your kickboxing gear. Buying a gym bag with good ventilation a smart idea, however for kickboxing shin guards it is not enough. They need to completely dry in fresh air, not next to other wet gym clothing. Also, important to note is that you should not let them dry on a heat source or directly in the sun.
Maintenance tip 1 : Cleaning your shin guards.
If you clean your kickboxing shin guards at least one a month, together with the basic tips, we can guarantee that your shin guards will have a long lifespan.
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Take a bowl of lukewarm water with a small amount of dish soap and a microfiber cloth. Do not use harsh or abrasive cleaning agents.
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Dip the cloth in the water and squeeze it well. Rub in small circles on the inside and outside. Don’t press too hard, you don’t want to damage the fabric.​
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Let the shin guards air dry when you are done.
You can stuff different kinds of items in your shin guards right after training. They will absorb the sweat of your shin guards. You can use newspaper, a cotton or microfiber cloth (for instance a towel or t-shirt). You can also use cedar or charcoal sachets to absorb the moisture, beware that the sachets do not contain bleaching elements because this can harm your shin guards.
Maintenance tip 2 : Moister absorption.
Please be aware that this method is only for shin guards that smell bad, because this method can alter the internal structure of the padding. Understand that you can use this method only a few times.
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Take your shin guards into the sink or shower, and only rinse the back of your shin guards with luck warm water. Try to avoid making the leather wet. Push the water into the padding with your hand. Do not take too long about this process.
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When the padding is wet, take them out of the sink or shower and push the excess water out with your hand. Put the shin guard on a towel.
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Take a gentle soap and start pushing the soap into the back of the padding of the shin guard. This is the part where you are going to try to get the bacteria that are in the deeper layers of the padding to the surface.
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When you are done, rinse them under luck warm water and start pushing the into the padding until all the foam is gone.
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If your shin guards have a very bad odor, you can repeat step 3 and 4 again. Or use detergent instead of soap, however be careful because the detergent can damage the leather.
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Take a towel (microfiber towel would be best) and push is gently into the padding until most of the water is absorbed.
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Let the shin guard air dry completely on a towel, let the shin guard lay on the backside, so the water will not drip over the leather.
Alternative methods of cleaning shin guards tip 1 : Full rinse.
Now, we have been asked this question many times. It's low maintenance and there is a change that nothing will go wrong. However, we advise against it, even in cold temperatures, if the leather and padding gets socking wet, there is a potential that the original shape of the shin guards will alter and lose their protective properties.
FAQ: Can you put your kickboxing shin guards in the washing machine?
How to maintain shin guards for kickboxing?
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