Goalkeeper padded pants, compression shorts, and more for training

The Best Goalkeeper Equipment for Protection and Performance 
The Goalkeeper Show Episode 4

Goalkeeper Training is hard on the body due to the repetitive impact with the training ground.  Many of train and play on turf which has become better but is still terrible on the skin and your equipment.  Turf is riddled with bacteria from players sweating, spitting, bleeding on the surface; it is abrasive, and can be hot.  Have you ever watched a professional keeper train?  Their legs and arms are covered.   To reduce or eliminate bruising and abrasions here are our top goalkeeper gear suggestions.  

The Must Have Soccer Goalie Equipment from Elite Sport USA, Joma Goalkeeper Kits, Reusch Padded Pants, and Storelli Bodyshield. What and Why:

Goalkeeper Compression Shorts:

A goalkeeper’s hips take a beating during training and game play.  We all play on different surfaces that can be abrasive on the skin and rough on the muscles and bones. A padded compression short from Storelli or Elite Sport can reduce the amount of injury sustained during high impact dives or abrasive breakaway save situations. These compression shorts are designed to fit under your regular keeper shorts and will provide the keeper with more confidence and security in the goal.  Choose a flexible low profile padded goalkeeper compression short like the Storelli Bodyshield FP Compression Short.Goalie protection is also available in female cuts and sizes for youth and women goalkeepers such as Storelli Women's Bodyshield Slider. It’s easy to bruise a hipbone when diving over and over in training.   If you area goalkeeper that is slender, abuses the hips and thighs with advanced goalkeeper training than it would be advantageous to go with a flexible but thicker padding option such as the Elite BaDS – 7mm Compression GK Shorts or the Storelli BodyShield Goalkeeper Slider.

Goalkeeper Leggings:

Goalkeeper Leggings are necessity since they protect the full leg against abrasions and scraps such as with the Storelli Men's BodyShield  or Elite BaDS - Padded Compression Leggings. Padded goalkeeper leggings.  These will save your legs!  You may even burn a hole in them coming out low and hard on a breakaway. Better than your skin.   

Goalkeeper Padded Pants or 3/4 Pants:

Goalkeeper Pants or ¾ Pants are an exceptional option if goalkeeper leggings are not your thing…  Wear them indoors, on turf, during training.  Padded goalkeeper pants are typically less expensive an offer more durability against the abrasiveness of the turf or hard ground. On a training day that I know I am going to be hitting the ground a ton and the weather is warm I may just use a ¾ pant such as Reusch Alex 3/4 Breezer Goalkeeper Pantavailable in youth to adult sizes. Harder training days, on turf, indoors, or colder weather  I may use the Storelli ExoShield 3/4 Goalkeeper Pantwith its best in class high end padded protection.  The Adidas Tierro 13 Goalkeeper Pantis a popular choice for many goalkeepers

Goalkeeper Jersey:

Long or Short Sleeve goalkeeper jerseys add an exctra layer of protection between you and the ground. The majority of keeper jerseys are made with moisture management polyester, which is a more durable fabric. This can hold up to the rigors of repetitive diving and high impact slides. The moisture management fabric keeps the goalkeeper more cool and dry than regular old polyester blend. Jerseys such as the Gladiator from Storelli Sports also feature impact absorbent military grade foam on the elbows and forearms to reduce the risk of injury too.  The Joma Zamora IV Goalkeeper Kitincludes a light weight matching shirt, short, and socks for games or training. 

Other suggestions for more padded protection during training or to keep warm.

Goalkeeper ¾ Undershirt is an exceptional piece to have in your goalkeeper wardrobe.  As a goalkeeper that personally uses the Storelli BodyShield 3/4 Goalkeeper Undershirt 95% the time I play except on exceptional hot days I love the functionality. It offers compression to keep the blood flowing properly in the body during use.  Padded protection with padding on the forearms, ribs, and chest for diving and the abrasive nature of turf when sliding out.

Long Socks or Leg Guards:

Lower leg padded protection is a relatively new concept but has been well received by the goalkeeping core. We are used to just shin pads and socks to keep our lower leg safe, but what about the back of the calf and sides of the shin? They need protecting too, especially in breakaway saves and now with the more possession focused game, the keeper is under high pressure than ever from the forwards. This likely means more and more lower leg injuries. The Storelli BodyShield Goalkeeper Leg Guardhas padding on the front back and sides to protect the entire lower leg. The leg guard also has an integrated slip on the front to slide your shin pads into. These leg guards are minimal enough to fit under your soccer socks too, so there really is no reason not to wear them. If you prefer not to have added padding on the lower leg, you could opt for the Reusch Long Sock, which covers the entire lower leg and finishes above the knee. If you are going to camp or have training multiple days a week the long goalkeeper socks will save your skin in more ways than one.  It will add an extra layer between the turf and your skin, so it lessens the severity of turf burns and abrasions. The socks are breathable and protect the skin on the front back and side of the knee as well as the lower leg.

IF you want to be number 1 you must train like it. Our suggestions are to keep you on the field, practicing your diving and breakaway techniques.  These are things that we have or do wear throughout the year to play and train.  If you have any questions on what goalkeeper equipment is right for you or your purchasing goalie gear for your developing youth goalkeeper call or email.  

At Keeperstop.com we are all goalkeepers so know what you need to play your best and stay protected during training. Happy to help on sizing goalkeeper pants and shorts.  If you have any questions on goalkeeper equipment for your youth or advanced GK please contact us.