Top Protective Gear for Contact Sports

Table of Contents

• Football Protective Gear
• Baseball Protective Gear
• Field Hockey Protective Gear
• Other Contact Sports Gear
• Sports Unlimited: Your Source for Quality Protective Gear

At a Glance: Athletes in contact sports need specialized protective equipment to minimize the risk of injury. From helmets and shoulder pads to mouthguards, the right gear protects players during high-impact sports while allowing them to perform at their best.

Contact sports like football, hockey, and lacrosse put athletes at increased risk for sports-related injury. Physical contact during these athletic activities demands proper protective gear that shields players from severe injuries while maintaining mobility. Baseball players face fastballs, hockey players endure body checks, and football players absorb tackles that can lead to brain injury without adequate protection. Choosing the right protective gear makes a significant difference in athlete safety. Quality sports equipment designed for high-contact sports provides extra protection where needed most.

Football Protective Gear

American football involves constant physical contact that puts players at risk during every play. Football players need protective equipment that can withstand repeated high-impact collisions while allowing the speed and agility the sport demands.

• Helmets: A properly fitted helmet is the top priority for preventing brain injury and head trauma. Modern football helmets like the Riddell SpeedFlex use advanced padding systems that absorb impact forces. Custom-fit options provide better protection by eliminating gaps that can compromise safety during tackles.
• Shoulder Pads: These absorb the force of tackles and protect the upper body from injury. Different pad styles suit different positions, with linemen wearing larger pads for maximum coverage while skill position players choose lighter designs like the XTECH Skill and XTECH Super Skill that maintain mobility without sacrificing protection. See all shoulder pads.
• Pants & Backplates: Football pants include built-in padding that protects the thighs, hips, and knees from impacts during tackles. Adding a backplate provides additional padding for the lower back and spine, particularly important for running backs and linebackers.
• Mouthguards: A mouth guard protects teeth and reduces the risk of jaw injuries during physical contact. Options from Nike and Battle offer customizable designs that mold to individual teeth patterns, providing a better fit and protection while allowing players to breathe and communicate clearly.

Quality protective gear lets football players focus on performance. The combination of properly fitted equipment creates a complete protection system that addresses the demands of this high-contact sport.

Baseball Protective Gear

Baseball players need protective equipment tailored to their specific positions. While baseball involves less continuous physical contact than other sports, high-speed impacts from balls create unique safety requirements.

• Catchers' Gear: Catchers need extensive protection on the field. Complete sets like the All-Star MVP Pro and All-Star System7 Axis provide integrated protection, including masks that shield the face from foul tips, chest protectors that guard the torso against impacts from 90+ mph fastballs, and shin guards that protect the legs from balls in the dirt. Browse all catchers’ gear.
• Batting Helmets: Batting helmets like the Easton Pro Max protect batters from errant pitches that could cause serious injuries or brain injury. Modern batting helmets include extended ear flaps and reinforced shells that absorb impact energy.
• Leg Guards & Elbow Guards: Elbow guards and leg guards like the Nike Diamond protect a batter's arms and legs from errant pitches, preventing serious injuries when batters are hit.
• Sliding Mitts: Specialized mitts like the Marucci Sliding Mitt protect hands and fingers during slides into bases. The padded construction prevents abrasions, cuts, and bruises while providing a secure grip on bases during close plays.

Baseball demonstrates how even non-contact sports benefit from specialized protective equipment. Participation in sports at any level requires appropriate safety measures that match the specific risks players face.

Field Hockey Protective Gear

Field hockey combines speed, skill, and physical contact, which requires comprehensive protective equipment. Players need safety gear that guards against stick impacts, airborne balls, and player collisions while maintaining the mobility this fast-paced sport demands.

• Protective Eyewear: Field hockey goggles are mandatory for players in many leagues and serve as essential eye protection against sticks and balls that can cause eye injury. Modern designs provide clear visibility while meeting safety standards for impact resistance.
• Shin Guards: These protect players' legs from stick impacts, sliding tackles, and ball strikes. Field hockey shin guards are designed specifically for the sport, offering lightweight protection that allows quick footwork and doesn't interfere with dribbling.
• Mouthguards: A mouth guard protects teeth and reduces jaw injury risk during collisions and accidental stick contact. Custom-fit options from brands like Shock Doctor provide superior protection and comfort.
• Gloves: Field hockey gloves protect the back of the hand from stick impacts while providing grip and control. Left-hand gloves (worn on the top hand) typically feature more padding than right-hand gloves.
• Goalie Protective Gear: Field hockey goalkeepers require specialized protective equipment, including padded pants that protect hips and thighs, chest protectors designed to deflect hard shots, helmets with full face cages for head and facial protection, throat protectors, and large leg guards/kickers that cover from ankle to thigh. Goalie hand protectors enable shot blocking while maintaining stick control.

The layered approach to field hockey protective gear creates a comprehensive system where each piece works together. This combination allows players to compete confidently in this demanding contact sport while focusing on skill development and team strategy.

Other Contact Sports Gear

Across fields, ice, and combat arenas, protective gear is essential to keeping athletes safe without sacrificing movement or performance. From lacrosse and hockey to boxing, MMA, and wrestling, the right equipment absorbs impact, guards against injuries, and supports confident, high-intensity play.

Lacrosse Protective Gear

Lacrosse combines elements of contact sport play with fast-paced action that requires specialized protective equipment. Players need gear that protects against stick checks and body contact while maintaining mobility.

• Helmets: Provide head protection with added ventilation and face masks that protect against stick and ball impacts
• Shoulder Pads, Rib Pads & Elbow Guards: Lightweight options offer protection without limiting range of motion, guard against impacts during checks and collisions, and prevent injuries during aggressive checks
• Gloves: Protect hands from stick checks while maintaining ball control
• Cleats: Provide traction and stability on grass and turf fields while reducing the risk of ankle injuries

Athletic activities like lacrosse require gear that balances protection with performance. The right protective gear lets players focus on developing skills rather than worrying about injury.

Hockey Protective Gear

Hockey players face unique risks from high-speed collisions, flying pucks, and contact with boards and ice. The right gear protects against these hazards while allowing the quick movements the sport requires.

• Helmets & Face Shields: Protect against pucks traveling over 90 mph and collisions with other players
• Shoulder Pads, Elbow Pads & Knee Pads: Shield players from body checks and falls onto the ice, protect joints during falls and block shots, and provide cushioning that absorbs impacts while remaining flexible for skating
• Hockey Pants: Guard hips, thighs, kidneys, and tailbone from impacts during checks and falls
• Gloves: Protect hands from pucks, sticks, and slashes while providing grip for stick handling
• Groin Protection: Athletic cups and pelvic protector systems are essential across contact sports to guard against impacts to sensitive areas. Compression shorts worn under protective gear help keep groin protectors and other equipment securely in place during intense athletic activities.

The layered approach to hockey protective equipment creates a system where each piece works together. This combination allows hockey players to compete confidently in one of the most physically demanding combat sports.

Sports Unlimited: Your Source for Quality Protective Gear

Protective gear serves as the foundation of safety in contact sports, helping athletes avoid severe injuries while performing at their highest level. The right protective equipment addresses the specific demands of each sport while providing the proper fit that makes gear effective. From helmets that prevent brain injury to pads that cushion high-impact collisions, quality sports equipment lets athletes compete with confidence.

Sports Unlimited provides athletes with access to top-tier protective gear across football, baseball, field hockey, and more. With same-day shipping on orders placed before 3 PM and free 2-day shipping on select products, athletes get the safety equipment they need without delay. The extensive selection includes options for customization that help players find the perfect fit for their sport and position.

Shop Sports Unlimited today to find the protective gear that keeps you safe and performing at your best.