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
- DURABLE: The pads’ cantilever design disperses impact and shock, maintaining their 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.
- Get Your Size- Find the perfect size with Flyte 2TD Football Shoulder Pads Youth. 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 youth shoulder pads football for ages 8-14 ensures safety. Featuring high performance impact foam and low-profile sternum plate to increase chest protection, instilling confidence in young athletes.
- Choose Your Fit - Flyte SF (Stretch Fit) Flyte 2TD (Traditional Fit) youth shoulder pads 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 kids 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 boys for a snug fit, improving flexibility and mobility. Remember, with the Flyte 2 TD, safety comes first.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- MATTE FINISH: The Gauntlet III's premium matte finish marks it as a high-quality product ideal for high school athletes.
- LOW-PROFILE DESIGN: Low-profile cantilever design creates a superior fit, with sleek arch plates that reduce weight and increase mobility.
- AIR MANAGEMENT SYSTEM: Air management removable liner system evenly distributes impact force, resulting in optimal protection.
- EXTENSIVE PADDING: Built-in rib pads and padded epaulets are designed to maximize cushioning, while the impact-control dual deltoid pads can be adjusted for comfort or removed.
- FLEXIBLE: Swivel front and back connectors allow the shoulder pads to move with the player for a more natural feel.
- 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
- Get Your Size- Find the perfect size with Pro All Purpose Football Varsity Shoulder Pads. Measure from your shoulder's top, and choose from Medium(17-19 inches), Large (18-19 inches), X-Large (19-20 inches), or 2X-Large (21-22 inches) for a secure and comfortable fit during your football games.
- Ideal for Pro & Adult Players- Our low profile football shoulder pads are the ideal choice for adult players, including Linebackers, Tight Ends, Full Backs, Safeties, Running Backs, Quarterbacks, Long Snappers, and Defensive Ends. Experience top-tier performance and protection while maintaining mobility, making them a top choice for versatile athletes in pro and adult leagues.
- Versatile Design for Adults- Perfect balance between mobility and coverage, catering to a wide range of positions played by adults. These versatile varsity football shoulder pads offer full-length, full chest width coverage in a low-profile, high range of motion design.
- Ultimate Performance and Comfort- Xenith Pro All-Purpose football shoulder pads provide maximum protection without compromising mobility, thanks to their low-profile, high range of motion design. Enjoy top-tier comfort and impact absorption with advanced air management foam padding, so you can excel on the field without distractions.
- Customizable and Easy to Maintain- Tailor these football gear for men to your specific needs with removable front deltoid pads and easily removable body padding. Cleaning and maintenance are hassle-free, providing flexibility for your playing requirements.
- A lightweight, all-purpose design with varsity-level protection for youth athletes
- Sleeker arch design to enhance range of motion
- Wider neck opening/relief allowing for better pre-snap head positioning and making line calls
- Equipped with a T-hook strap for a secure, snug fit
- Designed for youth athletes and all positions on the field
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.