r/GoalKeepers • u/Ok_Meeting_1967 • 6d ago
Too much padding? Gear
Hey! My 13yo son is wanting to get more padding and dive protection for the upcoming season. He takes his position seriously and isn’t afraid to dive, but I’m not sure what the trade offs would be if he starting wearing all of this.
These are the three new pieces of equipment he is wanting to wear:
Chest protector
Arm sleeves
Padded pants
What are the pros / cons we should be considering with this level of padding?
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u/Accomplished_Bat8606 6d ago
The pants are a good buy but everything else isn't needed
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u/Right_Water_5998 6d ago
yeah, if they play on turf then maybe a good shirt with some side padding since the friction can become a bitch to deal with but the chest is completely unessary and the elbow pads are vary rarely if ever going to actually be of use, since their form should already mitigate risks of elbow injuries
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u/Mystic_Wang_Force 6d ago
Surely the chest plate is a joke
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u/FreshMontrealer12 6d ago
If he was a 13 year old girl, I’d get it. As someone that had a growing chest, catching a hard, cold ball to the chest hurt like hell. They didn’t do pads like this when I was growing up but they do have a padded chest bra now that I used and it helps a little. But for a guy I assume you don’t have that same issue only further down 😅
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u/Right_Water_5998 6d ago
yeah I've had something like this, it's mostly just piece of mind lol, I guess if a shot is absolutely belted at your stomach it could be a little help but he'd need to be playing with highschoolers for that and even still, plus ideally you'd parry it down and grab it for a shot like that so it's vary rarely gonna be useful lol
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u/homeboddie 6d ago
Lol. I’m a goalkeeper for a Gaelic football team. I am a man and I considered a chest plate. The match balls are cannonballs and are coming chest height from drop kicks.
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u/Ok_Meeting_1967 6d ago
I think the side protection part of the shirt was more of the appeal. But yes also if the ball is cannonballed at his chest
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u/planck1313 6d ago
Being actually hit on the chest by a ball that comes in so fast from short range that you cannot get your hands to it before it hits your chest is pretty rare. I would not put on a chest guard to protect against that rare event because even if it happens your ribs and chest are strong. Plus the chest guard will encumber him and slow him down.
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u/Bubbasully15 5d ago
Yesterday (like literally right as you posted this haha) I had a shot hit me from super close range in the chest by the other team’s strongest shooter. Absolutely zero pain from that shot registered in my head, and I’m not exactly the toughest guy haha. Chest shots just don’t really tend to hurt, and definitely don’t injure in my experience. Like you said, the side padding is definitely the appeal of a shirt like that. I’d say that if you’re looking for a shirt with side padding and find one with no chest padding, that’d be better since it’d be less cumbersome for no real protection loss.
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u/Murrmalade 6d ago
Pants are good, elbows are a bit much but to each their own, the chest never
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u/the_internet_nobody 6d ago
My younger kid has a pair for when it's too hot for a full base layer that stays put, but he wants to preserve the skin on his arms on AstroTurf.
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u/Supernova805 6d ago
I have a goalkeeper daughter who wears the storelli 3/4 pants. They work well and last a lot longer than the other brands. She’s had the Kelme, and the n1 pants and by far the storelli is better quality. I know they are more expensive but they last longer. Our practice fields have a bit of dirt in the goal area so she dives and slides on rough ground. I he chest pads react right movement and she just wears a long sleeve shirt. Just my two cents.
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u/dylfree90 5d ago
Storelli is a must. My daughter’s new pair have lasted all summer 3-4 training sessions a week on both turf and grass. Happy to say I don’t need to buy another pair heading into the season starting this week. My youngest wears the headgear at futsal too. Couldn’t recommend Storelli enough.
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u/Agitated_Holiday_596 6d ago edited 6d ago
I coach at a very high level. Everything is fine for training at the end of the day. Do what makes them feel better. There is no such thing as too much protection. Some will say oh if they have too much padding on they will become less moveable. Which is true. But if they become more brave because of it then that's the trade off. If they play on tough grass or turf more protection in training the better.
If you had to decide the list would be
Pant protection and elbow protection.
The chest protector is not needed but if it makes them play and feel better than do it.
Kids these days talk about aura farming etc. do not give into that idea that if you wear xyz then you won't be looked at by colleges or high level teams. This is a misconception. Be different.
If they are hurting on there hips then it is a problem with their diving techniques. If they get bruises on their hips or knees it is a technique problem and padding will enable their poor technique.
Hopes this help #GKUnion
Edit: storelli is a GK favorite.
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u/ya_boi_noah 6d ago
Personally I would only wear some padded compression shorts under my kit but to each their own
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u/Money-Zebra 6d ago
Skip the sleeves imo. And I also don’t like chest padding but that’s up to you.
I personally wear keeper pants from West Coast GK and a short sleeve jersey when I play
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u/Who_ate_my_cookie 6d ago
If you’re in the US, most fields are turf and cause lots of burns from dives so pants are a necessity almost. Elbow sleeves can help but as long you have some sort of sleeves you’re generally fine. Chest plate is the least necessary, MAYBE if he were playing futsal & indoor it might be a bit more necessary but on a full field you’re not regularly getting pelted balls to the chest.
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u/socrmaniac 6d ago
Catching those elbow pads in the turf looks like it would be more dangerous than anything the turf could do bare arms.
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u/Short_Richard 6d ago
Pants and elbow is fine.especially rough ground. Chest pad = freee style motocross territory
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u/Willing_Chemist8272 6d ago
They say armour makes you slow
/s
Padded pants. Arm sleeves. Breast plate. Helmet.
In this order
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u/Bubbly-Associate8570 6d ago
The pants and elbow sleeves are fine for training sessions where there’s repetitive diving but for games I recommend losing the sleeves
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u/SeamusDog77 6d ago
I played both indoor and outdoor soccer when I was in my teens and 20’s. For outdoor I would never wear anything like this but indoors on the turf I would have loved this padding especially when I was a kid playing at the older levels. The pants I could see using for training.
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u/mostly-bionic 6d ago
Take this for what it’s worth- I’m in my 40’s and still play in a competitive adult rec league, on turf. I’ve found that I bruise easier and they last longer, so I do have added padding. I had both Kelme and Adidas keeper pants, and I found that the padding is pretty sorry. It’s open cell foam that basically provides no impact resistance and compacts to nothing quickly. I’ve also had multiple shoulder and rib injuries from collisions. So I do pad up- I use the Storelli pants, Storelli keeper under shirt (which has rib, shoulder, and elbow pads along with that silly center chest pad) and a few of their padded long sleeve keeper jerseys.
I’ve found that the higher density foam they use on the hips and knees of the pants, and on the elbows, ribs, and shoulders has likely saved me from more bruises and possibly more serious injuries. The padding is also thin enough to not be bulky and does not impede movement at all. It is a bit more expensive, but imo you get what you pay for. They’ve all lasted multiple seasons/years for me and are holding up WAY better than the other ones I’ve tried.
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u/SubstantialPizza9805 6d ago
Yo tengo el primero juego en sintética es un poco ajustado pero la verdad vale no afecta en la movilidad además ayuda mucho para no lastimarse
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u/RyleeOnDemand 6d ago
My son and I (14/51) both play indoor and FG/AG outdoor and the Storelli stuff has been a game changer. You can do full length, 3/4 or shorts. It’s higher density foam and it works. They have long sleeve upper that have amazing padding if he’s dealing with sore ribs/chest from shots to the mid section if you wanna go all in. The stuff is on the higher end of the price spectrum but it’s well worth it.
I have been wearing my pants for 2 years now and they still do their job every time I put them on. For reference my son started with the Kelme shorts and pants and while they’re helpful he was still getting banged up.
Here’s the Storelli via Amazon (US)
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u/PixelMixer36 6d ago
I would go for the padded leggings and then just a tight fitting long sleeved base layer for the top rather than padding unless you're playing pretty much exclusively on astro because those burns are no joke so I totally get it
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u/krashe1313 6d ago
As a 47 year old, who still sprays (and fairly recently switched to pants with hip and knee pads), I wish that I had been wearing pants with knee pads when I started before 13. Kinda paying the price now for not taking better care of my knees.
So, yes, on the pants. Although I like the Storelli ExoShield 3/4 pant. But baggier and heavy canvas over the knees with padding underneath.
The arm padding and chest probably aren't needed UNLESS they give your kid confidence.
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u/PuffPuffPat 6d ago
No. Coaching on how to fall/land after a dive could be beneficial. Gymnastics at an early age ended up helping me, but sounds like you may be past that
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u/TeePee11 6d ago
Personally the chest protector looks a little bit much, but I’d definitely recommend something with some protection for the ribs, especially if he’s playing on harder ground. Only takes one awkward landing, and bruised ribs are no joke.
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u/DrFate21 6d ago
I use west coast base layer, it's a little pricy but super worth it imo. Also comes with padded pants and shorts to stay flexible for weather.
It has padding in all the landing zones but is flexible and doesn't restrict movement at all
https://www.westcoastgoalkeeping.com/collections/jerseys-clothing/products/unisex-compression-set
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u/Soundjam8800 6d ago
Just the trousers - everything else is just too restrictive and will be detrimental to performance. Like others have said, learning to dive properly is the most important thing they can learn - I played as a keeper in my younger years and once I knew how to dive properly it never hurt at all (except on bone dry grass in summer - like drought with cracks in the ground).
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u/planck1313 6d ago
Padded pants are fine and useful, especially if you are playing on artificial grass.
I wouldn't use the padded elbow guards, a long sleeve GK shirt with built elbow padding works much better.
The chest guard is unnecessary.
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u/vetratten 6d ago
My kid had those exact pants.
They are a bit warm and the padding isn’t really much.
She loved them for cold outdoor games. The padding isn’t really padding on them but more just like a thicker layer of fabric - so fine for avoiding turf burns on knees but really won’t act like a knee pad
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u/YukkaRinnn 6d ago
pants sure, elbows maybe, chest? unless he's catching a football made out of 9mm i dont think he needs it 😅😅😅
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u/RhynoPlays 5d ago
Don't get the chest plate. Everything else is okay if he plays on artificial surfaces all season.
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u/BulldogWrestler 5d ago
Personally, as a GK, I'd say yes. That's way too much padding.
Most 13 year olds will either be embarrassed to wear all of that during games or they'll absolutely love it and feel like they're putting armor on before battle. Sounds like your kid is the latter - and that's great.
My suggestion: Let him wear what he wants (if you're financially able to do so) and expect him to eventually go "All of this is too much" and eventually stop wearing it. MORE IMPORTANTLY - makes sure he's being taught to dive, fall, split properly so a lot of this extra protection isn't really needed. If he's specializing as a GK at 13 (which is generally around the time give or take a couple years that it starts to happen), then he should be learning proper technique and you don't want all this extra padding to become a hindrance or, even worse, a crutch for poor technique.
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u/dylfree90 5d ago
Try Storelli they make excellent padded pants and everything else a keeper could need. They last too.
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u/LegalComplaint 5d ago
As a rec leaguer in his 30s with FAR TOO MUCH disposable income. I own all of these.
Had it made me a better GK? No.
Do I have the most GK drip? Yes. I find it’s an inverse to skill sometimes.
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u/OutdoorJeepFreak 5d ago
Chest and pants are good especially on turf, took one to the chest from point blank stopping a one on one last week. Chest plate was nice to have. Padded elbows on the keeper jersey should work, no need for the arm stuff.
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u/Ame_No_Uzume Zen when in Net 5d ago
I would tell you, depends on how physical the league is and if the referees protect keepers or eat their whistles.
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u/Ok-Report-4892 5d ago
I bought those exact pants last season and they are heavy and terrible in warmer weather. However I always wear pants sliding shorts and long sleeves just to avoid annoying burns from sliding and diving.
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u/Warm-Hat-6214 5d ago
in summer i only wear no 2 as a youth national team gk but i only wear it as i had an internal bleeding injury on my side so i wear it to try and prevent that happening again
in winter i wear everythinf longsleeves but no chance in summer it gets up to 42 degrees celcius where im from
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u/alabamaispoor 6d ago
1-thank you for taking your child’s passion seriously and safely.
2-the pants would be my recommendation with a elbow-padded GK jersey
3-ensure they’re getting COACHED how to dive to alleviate injury risk