Your shoulders take a beating when you’re playing soccer. Between constantly shielding the ball from defenders and diving head-first for headers, your shoulders are under a lot of pressure. To prevent bruises and pain from forming, you need a good pair of football shoulder pads.
Your best bet when shopping for football shoulder pads is to find a pair that covers your collarbone to protect against bruises and hits to the chin. It’s also important to find a pair that fits snugly to prevent the pads from slipping around and causing more pain than protection.
To help you find the best football shoulder pads, we’ve turned to reviews from real customers on Amazon who have purchased and used these products for themselves. These best-selling items not only have near-perfect ratings, but they also have countless glowing reviews describing why they’re so great.
Our Editor’s Best Football Shoulder Pads Reviews
- Sizing Chart: Small: 16-17 inches, Medium: 17-18 inches, Large: 18-20 inches, Extra Large: 21-22 inches.
- Improved Design: Increased shoulder coverage and anodized aluminum strips for added durability and less bulk.
- Undefeated Comfort: Neoprene neckroll and belt pads for all-game comfort and Flex Hinge design for flexibility and range of motion.
- Next-Level Performance: Lightweight (3.5 lbs) with injection-molded design for a superior fit that never loses its shape, minimizing fatigue and maximizing performance.
- All-Purpose Athletes: Designed for football players of all positions and skill levels.
- Large + Standard Combination: Configured with - Standard Arch, Standard Epaulets, Skill Cups, and a Standard 1/2" Shoulder Foam. Each shoulder pad and size combination is uniquely configured by our experts to ensure maximum safety and performance for your exact needs on the field.
- Pad of the Pros: More than 80% of pro football players and the majority of D1 programs wear XTECH performance enhancing pads on game day
- Performance Enhancing Technology: The X2 leverages 11 patents, advanced plastics, XRD foam production technology, and over a decade of working with the game’s most elite athletes to deliver unmatched safety and performance in a lightweight, breathable, flexible, water-resistant, and comfortable pad that just happens to look amazing.
- Safety & Performance: Advanced lightweight materials and patented design allow for maximum safety on impact without sacrificing mobility whether its for the most elite or high school players
- Made in the USA: Designed, manufactured, and assembled by our expert craftsmen with more than a decade of experience right here in the USA
- DURABLE: Cantilever design disperses impact and shock, maintaining the pad’s shape and structural integrity. High impact polyethylene construction increases the arches’ strength and durability.
- SECURE FIT: Sliding 1-inch wide elastic straps offer easy adjustment of the pad’s tightness for a comfortable fit. Players will feel secure with pads that conform to their chest and also allow freedom of breath and movement.
- EASY UNHOOKING: The easy release system helps players unhook the straps, so they can get the pads on and off without assistance.
- CUSTOMIZABLE: Pre-drilled holes allow players to customize the pads with attachments, such as backplates and neck collars (available separately).
- SIZE OPTIONS: Available in 7 sizes, the Scorpion shoulder pads are built to fit young players up to 180 pounds.
- Designed to stabilize the shoulder joint and promote healing after injury or surgery, the Cannon Sports shoulder support is a comfortable, easy-to-use option for athletes of all levels looking to stay in the game.
- Providing compression and support to the rotator cuff muscles and surrounding tendons, the shoulder brace helps reduce pain and inflammation while increasing mobility and flexibility.
- The lightweight, breathable material wicks away moisture to keep you cool and comfortable during even the most intense workouts or games.
- With an adjustable, one-size-fits-most design, the Cannon Sports shoulder support is ideal for a wide range of sports and activities, including football, hockey, lacrosse, rugby and more. Suggested use is for Larger Youth and Adult Athletes.
- Whether you're dealing with an existing injury or simply want to take preventative measures to avoid one, the Cannon Sports shoulder support is an essential piece of gear for any athlete looking to stay in the game and perform at their best.
- Perfect for Costumes: These lightweight youth shoulder pads make the perfect accessory for costumes and best fit ages 5 to 7, One Size - Youth
- Comfort Fit: With comfort first and foremost, see for yourself how our football shoulder pads provide the most realistic sports shoulder pads for dressing up in costume. Non-performance foam and plastic shoulder pads
- Authentic Look and Feel: While these football shoulder pads should not be used as protective equipment for football or other sports, they are designed to provide a realistic look for a football uniform Halloween costume
- Game Day Ready: Support your favorite team with a lifelike youth shoulder pad set. Kids will love looking and feeling like their favorite athletes as they cheer them on from the couch
- Perfect for Kids: Kids will love how authentic these look, and how they can wear shoulder pads just like their favorite players and team, they will love dressing up as the athletes they look up to for a costume or just for fun
- Get Your Size- Find the perfect size with our junior varsity shoulder pads designed for larger youth players. Measure from the top of your shoulders and choose from Small (15-17"), Medium (17-18"), Large (18-20"), or XL (20-21") for a secure and comfortable fit during your football games.
- Advanced Safety - Prioritizing safety for youth football players, our junior varsity shoulder pads feature high-performance impact foam and a low-profile sternum plate, offering enhanced chest protection and boosting young athletes' confidence.
- Enhanced Comfort and Fit - Customized for Junior Varsity youth football players, our shoulder pads seamlessly integrate varsity-level protection technology with a junior varsity-friendly fit, guaranteeing optimal comfort and security for young athletes in every game.
- Lightweight and Easy On/Off - Xenith Velocity 2 junior varsity shoulder pads football are lightweight, featuring a laceless design and buckle straps that ensure easy on/off, durability, and simple maintenance.
- Tailored for All Positions - Versatile and position-specific, our large kids football gear come with injection-molded arches for enhanced support. From quarterback to receiver, these football pads elevate your child's game.
- LOW-PROFILE DESIGN: Low-profile cantilever design with 3D steel arch spring creates and maintains a secure, superior fit during gameplay.
- EXTRA PADDING: Integrated deltoid pads provide extra padding.
- SHOCK RAIL DESIGN: The Shock Rail system disperses energy impact through its unique shoulder corrugation ridges.
- SECURE FIT: Adjustable 1” wide elastic straps with T-hooks offer easy adjustment, so athletes can customize their fit for maximum comfort.
- ADJUSTABLE PADS: Hook-and-loop attachment system allows for adjustment of pads and easy removal for cleaning.
- Get Your Size- Find the perfect size with Flyte Youth Football Shoulder Pads. Measure from your shoulder's top, and choose from X-Small (11-12 inches), Small (12-13 inches), Medium (13-14 inches), or Large (14-15 inches) for a secure and comfortable fit during your football games.
- Comprehensive Safety - Our shoulder pads for ages 8-14 ensures safety. Featuring high performance impact foam and low-profile sternum plate that increase chest protection, instilling confidence in young athletes.
- Choose Your Fit - Flyte SF (Stretch Fit) Flyte 2TD (Traditional Fit) youth shoulder pads football sleek design and high quality materials ensure child' time on the field is unhindered by discomfort.
- Tailored for All Positions - Made for every position on the field, our medium youth football pads showcase injection molded arches for enhanced support. Whether it's quarterback or receiver, these versatile football pads elevate your child's game.
- Enhanced Performance - Easily adjust the straps of these youth football pads for a snug fit, improving flexibility and mobility. Remember, with the Flyte, safety comes first.
- LIGHTWEIGHT: Made with lightweight, impact-reducing EVA foam to allow for quick, natural movement.
- SHOULDER CAPS: Perforated shoulder caps provide a level of upper arm protection while allowing a wide range of motion.
- BREATHABLE: The mesh inner lining allows air to flow and helps keep athletes cooler.
- COMFORTABLE: Premium neck collar comforts with a smooth fabric.
- SECURE FIT: Side and arm straps keep the pads locked for a secure but comfortable fit.
- All-Purpose is the shoulder pad cut, designed for a wide range of positions
- Tapered V-Shape to enhance the fit, create the look and integrate well with jersey
- Rear neck relief for better pre-snap head positioning
- Flux is the shoulder pad cushioning
- 4-Piece removable air management channels for customized fit
Best Football Shoulder Pads Buying Guide
Before choosing the best football shoulder pads you should consider following options:
1. Materials: Football shoulder pads are made from either polyester or nylon. Polyester-made pads are cheaper and lighter, but nylon-made pads are more durable. Either type will be fine as long as you get the right size.
2. Size: Football shoulder pads come in different sizes, so make sure you get the right one. The most commonly used size is medium. Football shoulder pads are usually available in three sizes – medium, large and extra large.
3. Position: Football shoulder pads are designed according to the position you play. For example, quarterbacks should get rib pads that are contoured so they don’t get in the way while throwing the ball.
4. Garter Belt: If you have a big chest and broad shoulders, then you may need a garter belt along with your shoulder pads to keep them in place. The belt attaches to the back of the shoulder pads and fits around the waist.
5. Features: Football shoulder pads generally come with additional features such as removable rib pads, plastic caps for extra protection, etc.
6. Price: Football shoulder pads can cost anywhere between $20 and $300. The price depends on the quality, features and the brand. The more features the pads have, the higher the price will be.
7. Warranty: Football shoulder pads come with varying warranties. Football shoulder pads with a long warranty are generally expensive.
You can get football shoulder pads with a warranty of up to five years. The warranty period depends on the quality of the shoulder pads. The higher the quality, the longer the warranty period.
What else you should know about football shoulder pads
1) What types of football shoulder pads are there?
The two main types of football shoulder pads are flat-front shoulder pads and contoured shoulder pads.
2) What are the differences between football shoulder pads?
The differences between football shoulder pads are the size, weight, and padding. The pads also have different colors and designs.
3) How do football shoulder pads protect players?
The shoulder pads protect the players by absorbing the impact of the hits.
4) Do all football players wear shoulder pads?
No, not all football players wear shoulder pads. Some players, such as quarterbacks and wide receivers, often wear lighter shoulder pads that offer less protection in order to increase their mobility.
5) How do shoulder pads affect the way a football player plays?
Shoulder pads affect the way a football player plays by providing extra protection for the player’s shoulders, chest, and back. This extra protection can help the player to avoid injuries, and it can also help the player to stay comfortable during the game.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best football shoulder pads. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best football shoulder pads will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.