All soccer players have to wear shin guards when playing soccer. They help protect your shins and are a very important part of the safety equipment used in soccer, especially when 1 in 10 serious soccer injuries involve the shins. Some of the most popular shin guards are from Nike and Adidas.

There are a few things you need to consider before buying soccer shin guards. Some of these include material, closure, and size.

Shin guards are made out of several different materials including rubber, plastic, fiberglass and even Kevlar. Fiberglass soccer shin guards are stiff, light, and provide good protection.

One of the next things you need to consider when buying soccer shin guards is how they close. Most use a Velcro straps that you wrap around your leg. These straps will also let you adjust the shin guard. Some soccer shin guards are not designed to be closed at all. Instead, you simply have to wear them inside your socks.

You will also need to consider size when buying soccer shin guards. Shin guards should be sized to fit closely around the bones of the ankle, and end underneath the knee. They should protect the shin by creating a semi-rigid armor in, cloth or foam, while allowing free movement of the leg.

When buying shin guards online, get the right fit by measuring an inch below the kneecap and an inch above the ankle. Shin guards are described in length, and this will help you choose the best fit. In addition to the proper length, the size of the ankle cup should be such that it fits closely, protecting the bones of the ankle.

When trying on shin guards, make sure to wear soccer socks, which are made to hold shin guards where they belong. Try them on with cleats or soccer shoes to make sure all the elements work well together. To make sure the fit is correct, wear new shin guards to practice several times before wearing them to an actual game. Never wear shin guards without soccer socks.

Some shin guards are machine-washable, but you may prefer to wash them by hand to help them stay new longer. Straps should be fastened before laundering. You may want to powder them before use to help absorb perspiration from sweating.

Make sure the shin guards you buy are appropriate for the age of the wearer, and have good protection. Remember if a shin guard cracks, replace it right away. Look for Nike and Adidas shin guards in our soccer gear store.

Proper care of your soccer cleats will not only extend their life span, but provide you with better support and increased comfort.  It is most important to care for leather cleats, but synthetic also benefit from proper care.  If properly maintained and cared for, your cleats will serve you well and last a long time.

With brand new cleats begin with a pretreatment of good wax-free leather conditioner. Before the first use of your soccer ceats, it is important to "feed" the leather. By "feeding" the leather, you are replacing some of the essential natural oils lost during the tanning process and making of the cleats.

Clean and condition your shoes immediately after each match. Dirt and mud work to break down the upper materials of your soccer cleats and should be removed as soon as possible.  If there is mud stuck to the bottoms, tap them together or against hard surfaces.

Once you have removed excess dirt from your shoes, apply a leather cleaner or conditioner to your cleats. For grime and excessive dirt, use an aggressive leather cleaner specifically formulated for kangaroo and similar high-quality leathers.  Do not use saddle soap or caustic chemicals for cleaning, as they can pull the colors as well as the natural oils from the leather.  Make sure you use the product according to the directions provided.

If your soccer cleats are extremely dirty, wash them by hand in warm soapy water. Do not wash your cleats in the washing machine. This will shorten the life span of your soccer cleats.  Allow them to dry naturally or with the aid of a dehumidifier, or even near a warm air register. Do not throw your cleats into a clothes dryer. Too much heat, too fast will begin to damage the leather, leading to cracking and tearing. Stuff the cleats with crumpled newspaper so the cleats retain their shape while drying.  

Once cleaned and dried, soccer cleats should be reconditioned, feeding the leather and keeping the fibers flexible.