Tips For Choosing The Best Shoulder Pads

By Jayne Rutledge


Shoulder pads are very useful to players or athletes. For them to function well, they should fit well and perform effectively. The market is full of these products of different styles and fit. While many people consider protection as the priority, comfort level is also necessary. Explored in this piece are the guidelines for buying the best shoulder pads.

Checking different constructions of these items is very important. Most of these products have a very tough shell that is made of plastic. The shell is actually lined with soft foam that is used to absorb any impact. The parts that are protected include breastbone, chest muscles, and the collarbone. Your shoulders are protected by the extensions of these pads. If you are a player or an athlete, you should to go for a construction that will offer maximum protection against external impacts.

Check between flat and cantilever pad constructions. For footballers who play a quarter of the field, flat-constructed pads can be suitable for them. This is because they are not always active in the field. Cantilever ones are suitable for players who act as blockers since they encounter a lot of impact with other players, and they must have fully protected themselves.

Another important thing to look at is the internal foam. Different brands have their own foam designs. You may come across dual-density foam protectors. Such pads use both open and closed cell foam. This is actually to increase protection. The outer layer is actually denser foam while the inner one is softer and is for cushioning against the body.

The kind of foams used in these items matters less. You can find other additional things that increase the comfort level. The protectors that have ventilation slats can help regulate temperatures, especially when playing warm games. You can also find other extras like moisture-absorbing pad linings. These ones absorb excess sweat and make the player remain cool.

Always go for shoulder protectors that are fitted with good fasteners. The common fasteners are the elastic straps and vinyl buckles. As the names suggests, elastic fasteners are stretchable. They can be adjusted appropriately in order to fit well. They can contract or expand due to their nature of elasticity. Vinyl buckles, on the other hand, are durable and long lasting. These ones are not stretchable but do not wear out easily.

Make sure that you go for the appropriate size and fitting. These products come in different sizes. Since people are not the same in terms of size, taking time to shop around for your right size is important. It is good to take the measurement the diameter around your shoulders in order to determine the right fit for you.

It is also good to check on the extras that are likely to increase the comfort level when shopping around for the best shoulder pads. For individuals who were initially injured, a pad with a restriction layer can be of great help. You can also find other add-on in the market if you shop around well. You must ensure that the add-on you choose is not in any way going to affect your freedom to move.




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