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Shoulder pads are your
central piece of armor on the field. They take the big hits, and keep
you off the DL. But to do their job right they're going to need to fit
correctly, on your body and to your game. So it's important to know what
you're doing when looking for new football shoulder pads. Read on to
learn how to properly select, size, and optimize your next pair of
shoulder pads, so they give you exactly what you need to sharpen your
game and stay safe out there.
First things
first, let's understand the typical shoulder pad and its anatomy, so we
are better prepared to find the right pad, position, and size for you!
Which type
of shoulder pad is right for me?
Most adult and
youth shoulder pads are specially designed to compliment the skills used
at various positions on the field, to give players the perfect balance
of protection and mobility needed in their roles. Typically, players in
defensive roles such as linemen, and full backs, have heavier, more protective shoulder
pads, while those in more offensive roles such as quarterbacks and
running backs, have lighter, more mobile pads. To find the right pad for
you, it's important to understand your role on the field, and find the
category of football shoulder pads that compliments your game:
Once you've
determined which type of football shoulder pads are right for you and
your position, it's time to measure yourself for the perfectly sized
shoulder pads. After all, you're going to need these pads to fit
correctly to play your best and get the most out of them. To get the
most accurate measurements:
Find a friend or a parent to take
the measurements - Measuring yourself may lead to inaccurate
readings and ill-fitting helmets
Use a flexible measuring tape for the most accurate measurements
Stand up straight and breathe normally
It might be beneficial to wear a tight fitting shirt, to get a next-to-skin, accurate read out
To determine your measurements:
Have someone measure the width between your AC joints, which are the joints at the top of your
shoulders
Measure the width of your chest, from armpit to armpit
Determine your accurate weight, to be sure your shoulder pads fit your weight class
What size
shoulder pad am I?
This answer depends on the type of shoulder
pad you are looking for, and the brand you're interested in. Each brand
and football shoulder pad type is built differently, and sized
differently. For the most accurate information, consult the sizing chart
found on the product page of the pads you like. But, for a general idea
of which size shoulder pad is right for you, consult the following
sizing charts:
Schutt Youth Football Shoulder Pad Sizes
Schutt Adult Football Shoulder Pad Sizes
Size
Shoulder Width
Chest
Weight
Size
Shoulder Width
Chest
XXS
10 -11"
24 - 26"
60 - 75 lbs
S
16 - 17"
34 - 36"
XS
11 - 12"
26 - 28"
79 - 90 lbs
M
17 - 18"
38 - 40"
S
12 - 13"
28 - 30"
90 - 105 lbs
L
18 - 19"
42 - 44"
M
13 - 14"
30 - 32"
105 - 120 lbs
XL
19 - 20"
46 - 48"
L
14 - 15"
32 - 34"
120 - 135 lbs
2XL
20 -21"
48 - 50"
XL
15 - 16"
34 - 36"
135 - 150 lbs
3XL
21 - 22"
50 - 52"
2XL
16 - 17"
36 - 38"
150 lbs >
4XL
22 - 23"
54 - 56"
Riddell Youth Football Shoulder Pad Sizes
Riddell Adult Football Shoulder Pad Sizes
Size
Shoulder Width
Chest
Weight
Size
Shoulder Width
Chest
XS
11 - 12"
28" - 30"
40 lbs
S
17 - 19"
38 - 40"
S
12 - 13"
30" - 32"
60 lbs
M
18 - 19"
42 - 44"
M
13 - 14"
32" - 34"
80 lbs
L
19 - 20"
46 - 48"
L
14 - 15"
34" - 36"
100 lbs
XL
20 - 21"
48 - 50"
XL
15 - 16"
36" - 38"
130 lbs
2XL
21 - 22"
50 - 52"
XXL
16 - 17"
38" - 40"
150 lbs +
3XL
22 - 23"
52 - 54"
4XL
23 - 24"
54 - 56"
5XL
24 - 25"
56 - 58"
Bike Youth Football Shoulder Pad Sizes
Bike Adult Football Shoulder Pad Sizes
Size
Shoulder Width
Chest
Weight
Size
Shoulder Width
Chest
XXS
10 - 11"
24 - 26"
40 - 59 lbs
M
17 - 18"
38 - 40"
XS
11 - 12"
26 - 28"
60 - 79 lbs
L
18 - 19"
42 - 44"
S
12 - 13"
28 - 30"
80 - 99 lbs
XL
19 - 20"
46 - 48"
M
13 - 14"
30 - 32"
100 - 119 lbs
2XL
20 - 21"
48 - 50"
L
14 - 15"
32 - 34"
120 - 139 lbs
3XL
21 - 22"
50 - 52"
XL
15 - 16"
34 - 36"
140 - 159 lbs
4XL
22 - 23"
52 - 54"
2XL
16 - 17"
36 - 38"
160 - 180 lbs
5XL
23 - 24"
54 - 56"
Gear 2000 Youth Football Shoulder Pad
Sizes
Gear 2000 Adult Football Shoulder Pad
Sizes
Size
Shoulder Width
Chest
Weight
Size
Shoulder Width
Chest
XS
12 - 13"
26 - 28"
40 -65
M
17 - 18"
38 - 40"
S
13 - 14"
28 - 30"
60 - 80
L
18 - 19"
40 - 42"
M
14 - 15"
30 - 32"
75 - 100
XL
19 - 20"
42 - 44"
L
15 - 16"
32 - 34"
95 - 120
2XL
20 -21"
44 -46"
XL
16 - 17"
34 - 36"
115 - 140
3XL
21 - 22"
46 - 48"
2XL
17 - 18"
36 - 38"
135 - 160
4XL
22 - 23"
48 - 50
3XL
18 - 19"
38" - 40"
155 - 180
5XL
23 - 24"
50 - 52
6 XL
24 - 25"
52 - 54
Douglas Youth Football Shoulder Pad Sizes
Douglas Adult Football Shoulder Pad Sizes
Size
Shoulder Width
Chest
Size
Shoulder Width
S
12 - 13"
26 - 28"
S
17 - 18"
M
13 - 14"
28 - 30"
M
18 - 19"
L
14 - 15"
30 - 32"
L
19 - 20"
XL
15 - 16"
32 - 34"
XL
20 - 21"
2XL
16 - 17"
34 - 36"
2XL
21 - 22"
3XL
22 - 23"
4XL
23 - 24"
How do I
know my pads fit correctly?
Once you've
chosen which pads and which size is right for you, and you've received
your brand new shoulder pads, there are a few things you should do to
check, and double check, that they are size correctly. These techniques
will make sure your new pads will deliver the protection and performance
you purchased.
Make sure the pads sit on the shoulder comfortable, and that at least 1" of extra padding extends from the shoulder at each side (there shouldn't be more than about 1 1/2" of padding extending off of the shoulder).
Ensure your sternum will be properly protected by extending your hands above your head. The pads should still cover your sternum, even when lifted.
Double check and feel that the collar bone, shoulder joints, and
deltoids are all properly covered by the pads.
All openings in the neck, arms, and sternum should be
comfortable and provide adequate room for movement and flexibility.
Move around and perform typical on-field actions in the pads, to
double check that everything fits and moves as it should
What are
the differences between shoulder pad brands, and what do they offer?
Sports Unlimited
carries a wide variety of football shoulder pads from the top brands in
the industry. You'll find everything from the most technologically
advanced, moisture wicking, energy dispersing, body cooling pads, to the
most basic lightweight minimalist pads that keep you mobile and
protected. Whatever you're looking for, whatever your budget, we have
something that fits you just right. Read on to learn what each brand
offers and specializes in, to help ease the decision making process a
bit.
Schutt Shoulder Pads:
A leader in on-field protective gear, Schutt has been developing field-tested
and technologically advanced shoulder pads, football helmets, and other
protective gear for years. Everyone from youth players to NFL pros wear
Schutt shoulder pads, and rely on their innovative designs, comfortable
creations, and impact absorbing constructions to keep them moving and
safe on the grid iron. Although on the more expensive side, you
definitely get what you pay for in unequalled quality, comfort, and
protection. Most well known for their Flex line of shoulder pads, Schutt
has created innovative shoulder pads featuring:
Stainless steel hardware that never
rusts or breaks down
3-point belt system designed to
bring the arch closer to your body, providing a snug fit without
restricting movement
AEGIS anti-microbial materials using
negatively charged particles to prevent the growth of odor-causing
bacteria
Raised corrugations built to add
strength to the shoulder pad
Flat pad design protects and
performs while providing maximum mobility
40% bigger vent holes placed in key
areas of the shoulder pad maximize air flow and breathability
Removable, washable pads keep your
pads clean and usable all season long
A
Closer Look - Get to know Schutt Shoulder Pad Technology
Quilted Brock Bead System This beaded quilt padding absorbs and diffuses impact force among thousands of energy absorbing beads. It also works to evaporate sweat faster, pushing cool air closer to the body, improving comfort and air
circulation.
Energy Block Transfer System Innovative, thick padding uses cushioned blocks to absorb impact energy and improve comfort and protection.
O2 Windows Body cushion inside the shoulder pads feature large openings that maximize air flow, expedite sweat evaporation, and release hot air.
Oversized Vent Holes 7mm vent holes
strategically placed around the outer shell of the shoulder pad improve air flow and keep players cool on the field.
Douglas Shoulder Pads:
Used by 85% of Division 1-A colleges, and countless NFL Pros, Douglas
shoulder pads are incredibly advanced, to give players exactly what they
need; protection and mobility. High quality, with technological designs,
Douglas pads are built tough for any age. These pads feature:
100% urethane open cell foam, for
lightweight protection
Removable channel system designed to
disperse impact energy away from the vulnerable top of the shoulder
Custom pad system protects players
returning from injury, without having to retrofit the shoulder pad
Air management padding lessens
impact energy
A
Closer Look - Get to know Douglas Shoulder Pad Technology
Douglas Air Management
Padding Open cell foam, filled
with tiny air cells, is adhered to the outer fabric of the shoulder pad,
creating a sealed environment that traps air inside the cushion. When
you're hit, the shell pushes against the cushion, forcing the air inside
the cells of the foam to move out in 360 degrees, lessening the blow and
dispersing the impact energy.
Gear 2000 Shoulder Pads:
Most well known for their innovative Z-Cool Shoulder Pads, Gear 2000 has
cornered the market on moisture managing and comfortable shoulder pads,
that also happen to protect like no other! Used and trusted by top high
high school, college, and pro players, including the 2008 Super Bowl
Champion Pittsburgh Steelers' James Harrison, Gear 2000 works hard to
protect and keep you sharp all game long. Their pads feature:
Z-Cool body cooling technology
Moisture managing technology
Anti-bacterial foam
Lightweight cushioning with 3-D
air-flow foam
Impact absorbing bead technology
High impact inner poly arch
sandwiched between two layers of foam, supported by a poly plate
A
Closer Look - Get to know Gear 2000 Shoulder Pad Technology
Z-Cool Body Cooling Waterproof beads in the cushioning of the shoulder pads work to actively circulate air in 3 dimensions. When sweat covers the beads, the airflow expedites evaporation, cooling and drying the body.
Z-Cool Impact Absorption When hit with impact energy, each of the waterproof beads attempts to separate from its adjacent beads, dispersing the energy away from the body, and absorbing it.
Z-Cool Air Management With improved ventilation, players experience less heat and perspiration build up, thus losing less
electrolytes and water through sweat. Cooler players perform better and play harder.
Bike Shoulder Pads:
Built to perform and protect, without all of the bells and whistles,
Bike Shoulder Pads deliver lightweight and strong padding on the grid
iron. Well known for their Xtreme Lite Shoulder Pads, Bike keeps players
sharp with maximum mobility, without skimping on protection. With Bike,
as with plenty of football players out there, less is more. That's how
Bike has become so popular in the industry. Their pads are also
incredibly affordable, and last season after season.
Adams Shoulder Pads:
When you're looking for great pads at incredible prices, Adams Football
is your answer! Designed for youth, middle school, high school, college,
and pro players, Adams Football Shoulder Pads are some of our best
sellers, and come in many styles to give you exactly what you need,
without taking a toll on the wallet.
A
Closer Look - Get to know Adams Shoulder Pads
Adams Adult Shoulder Pads
The Boss - A low-profile flat pad, designed for range of motion and
mobility
Blitz - Best selling shoulder
pad for middle school and high school, it features dual density
energy management
Adams Youth Shoulder Pads
The Monster - A flat pad with an incredibly low profile and huge range
of motion
The Beast - Extended
breast and back plates with predrilled holes for neck rolls and a flack
jacket make it perfect for middle school players
The ASP - Our most affordable pad with an
extended breast and back plate protection
What
accessories are available for my shoulder pads?
For more comprehensive protection, it's
important to add accessories like back plates, rib guards, and neck
rolls to your shoulder pads. Football is a full contact game, and you
need as much protection as you can get, without holding your game back.
So check out our full array of football accessories, and read on to find
the ones that work for you and your pads:
