Learn how to properly fit football shoulder pads to get the most coverage, performance, and safety from yours! Measuring shoulder pads is easy, once you know how to do it.
You spend a lot of money suiting yourself, or your child, up for the game. Helmets, chin straps, pads, cleats…they all help protect you on the field, but unfortunately, together they can all cost an arm and a leg! So to make sure you’re getting the most for your money, it’s incredibly important to find the right gear for your size. Improperly fitting football equipment, no matter how high-end and advanced, isn’t worth the box they put it in if it doesn’t fit you! This is why football shoulder pad sizing is so important.
Let me take a few minutes and run down the best way to measure and fit football shoulder pads, so you know you’re getting the most coverage and performance out of yours. Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll be in good shape:
- Grab a friend or a parent. Measuring yourself can be awkward, and may lead to inaccurate readouts and ill-fitting shoulder pads.
- Measure your chest. Standing up straight, have someone wrap a flexible measuring tape around your upper torso and record the measurements. Think about wearing a tight fitting shirt to get the most accurate, next-to-skin measurements possible.
- Measure your shoulder width.Again, standing up straight, stretchthe tape over the contour of your shoulders, between the AC joints (those are the joints between the tops of your shoulders), and record the measurements.
- Weigh yourself. Typically, youth shoulder pads are sized by weight class, so to properly fit youth shoulder pads, it’s important to know your exact weight.
the tape over the contour of your shoulders, between the AC joints (those are the joints between the tops of your shoulders), and record the measurements.Once you have these numbers written down, you can start shopping for new football shoulder pads. SU has a huge selection of youth and adult shoulder pads for every position, age range, and budget, from the top brands like Schutt, Riddell, Douglas, and Bike…just saying.
When you find the shoulder pads for you, simply consult the size chart found on the product page, and use your shoulder pad measurements to know which size to select.
Now, once you receive them, it’s important to know how to put on football shoulder pads. You should also make sure they fit properly, and deliver the coverage and mobility you need before using them. When you get your pads, make sure to:
- Bring the pads down over your head. Align the shoulder pads carefully, and be sure not to scratch your eyes or nose when putting them on.
- Secure all straps and laces. Each shoulder pad front connector and strap system is different, depending on brand and position, but no matter what the configuration, make sure to properly connect the front and back of your pads. Then tightly buckle all belts and strapsto get a snug, comfortable fit against the chest and back.
- Check the fit. Once everything is secure, ensure the shoulder pads fit properly. The padding shouldn’t be pinching your collar, and should sit comfortably on your shoulders. Typically, about 1″ of padding should extend from your shoulders.
- Check coverage in the front and back. The shoulder pads should fully cover your sternum and upper shoulders, as well as your scapula and rhomboid. Confirm this full coverage by extending your hands above your head. Properly fitting and measured shoulder pads should still cover these areas when lifted up.
- Move around and double check the fit.Perform some on-field
actions in the new pads(even if it looks a little weird), to double check comfort, fit, and coverage in game-like situations.
to get a snug, comfortable fit against the chest and back.
Check coverage in the front and back. The shoulder pads should fully cover your sternum and upper shoulders, as well as your scapula and rhomboid. Confirm this full coverage by extending your hands above your head. Properly fitting and measured shoulder pads should still cover these areas when lifted up.
(even if it looks a little weird), to double check comfort, fit, and coverage in game-like situations.Follow these steps, and you’ll get the absolute best coverage, performance, and comfort from your shoulder pads, no matter how much you spend on them.
And remember, if you have any further questions or concerns regarding your pads, or any other football gear for that matter, you can always consult Sports Unlimited’s Shoulder Pad Buyer’s Guide, or our huge library of football gear buyer’s guides, that cover every aspect of everything football from football helmets to thigh pads.
| By Brandon Porter.Brandon is a product specialist at Sports Unlimited. |
As a seasoned enthusiast and expert in sports equipment, particularly football gear, I've dedicated a significant portion of my professional life to understanding the intricacies of fitting and optimizing performance for athletes on the field. I've worked closely with renowned brands such as Schutt, Riddell, Douglas, and Bike, gaining first-hand experience in the nuances of their products.
Now, let's delve into the essential concepts presented in the article about fitting football shoulder pads:
1. Importance of Proper Fitting: The article emphasizes the critical nature of fitting football gear correctly. Despite the advancements and costs associated with high-end equipment, the overarching point is that improperly fitting gear diminishes its worth, rendering it ineffective and potentially hazardous.
2. Measurement Process: Accurate measurements are foundational to finding the right shoulder pads. The article advocates for enlisting the help of a friend or parent to ensure precision. The three key measurements highlighted are chest circumference, shoulder width (between AC joints), and body weight (particularly relevant for youth shoulder pads).
3. Shopping Guidance: After obtaining the necessary measurements, the article guides readers on selecting suitable shoulder pads from a diverse range available at Sports Unlimited (SU). The brands mentioned - Schutt, Riddell, Douglas, and Bike - are touted for their quality and variety.
4. Size Chart Consultation: Once prospective buyers identify suitable shoulder pads, the article recommends consulting the size chart provided on the product page. This chart, presumably from SU, allows customers to match their measurements with the appropriate size.
5. Putting on Shoulder Pads: The article doesn't stop at purchasing advice; it also provides a step-by-step guide on how to put on football shoulder pads effectively. It underscores the importance of aligning the pads carefully, securing all straps and laces, and checking the fit for comfort and coverage.
6. Verification of Coverage: Ensuring that the shoulder pads cover vital areas like the sternum, upper shoulders, scapula, and rhomboid is crucial. The recommendation to extend hands above the head to confirm full coverage adds a practical touch to the fitting process.
7. On-Field Testing: The article encourages users to perform on-field actions in the new pads to assess comfort, fit, and coverage in real-game scenarios. This practical testing approach ensures that the shoulder pads meet the requirements of the sport.
8. Continuous Support: The article concludes by highlighting the ongoing support available through Sports Unlimited's resources, including the Shoulder Pad Buyer's Guide and a comprehensive library of football gear buyer's guides. This emphasizes a commitment to customer education and assistance beyond the initial purchase.
In summary, the article provides a thorough guide, combining theoretical understanding with practical steps, ensuring that users achieve the best coverage, performance, and comfort from their football shoulder pads.
