Goalkeeper protections

What are goalkeeper protections for?

Goalkeeper protections are essential for the most exposed position during a football match. A goalkeeper dives, lands on their elbows, knees or ankles, and regularly brushes against the ground or the posts. Elbow pads, knee pads, ankle guards, shin guards, shoulder pads, and thigh pads are all designed to cushion these repeated contacts and reduce friction during dives.

Depending on which part of your body gets the most strain from your playing style, you might need just one type of protection or a combination of several.

Padded elbow pad Rinat: what you'll find in this category

The padded elbow pad Rinat for goalkeepers is one of the options available in this category. It aims to protect the elbows during dives and when landing on the ground, a part that is particularly vulnerable during every close save. Rinat is a brand specialising in goalkeeper equipment, which explains its presence in this type of technical protection.

Goalkeeper gloves and textiles: related categories

The protections naturally complement the rest of the goalkeeper's equipment. Two adjacent categories allow you to broaden your search:

• Goalkeeper gloves for catching the ball and protecting the hands during saves.
• Goalkeeper textiles, including jerseys and trousers designed for the goalkeeper position.

To return to the full equipment dedicated to the position, the Goalkeepers page centralises these different categories.

When to replace your goalkeeper protections?

Protections wear out with repeated dives, washes, and friction against the ground: the padding loses thickness and the fabric's grip loosens. This is the moment that should alert you, rather than a fixed time frame, as wear and tear mainly depends on the volume of training sessions and matches. A goalkeeper playing on synthetic turf usually wears out their protections faster than one playing on natural grass due to the abrasion from the ground.

The start of the season and the launch of a new collection are also good times to check the condition of your gear before official matches resume.

Good deals: when to keep an eye on prices for goalkeeper protections?

Foot-Store offers several ongoing sections to follow the current promotions across the site, protections included. The Black Friday comes first in the commercial year, followed by the end-of-year holidays, and then the winter sales. Spring then brings the French Days, ahead of the summer sales and the back-to-school period, which coincides with the arrival of new collections.

Apart from these key moments, you can also regularly check the Good Deals, Clearance, and Special Offers pages, which gather discounted items from all the categories on the site. If you want to receive your order quickly, the Shipped in 24h page lists products available for immediate dispatch, and the New Arrivals help you keep track of the latest items.

Frequently asked questions

Is it necessary to wear protections to play as a goalkeeper?

It's not a regulatory requirement, but it's common practice once a goalkeeper dives regularly. Protections reduce the risk of scrapes and bruises from repeated falls on hard or synthetic surfaces.

Where to find cheap goalkeeper protections at Foot-Store?

The Good Deals and Clearance pages collect discounted items available throughout the site. It's best to check them regularly as their content changes with new arrivals and end-of-season sales.

What size should I choose for a goalkeeper's elbow pad?

The size depends on your arm circumference and the length between your wrist and shoulder, information usually specified on each product's page. If you’re unsure between two sizes, a slightly snug elbow pad is more effective than a loose one that slips during dives.

Can goalkeeper protections also be used indoors or for futsal?

Some protections like knee pads or elbow pads can be suitable for indoor play, where falls on a hard ground are common. However, it's useful to check that the chosen model doesn't hinder the mobility you need on this type of surface.

Can you wear multiple protections at the same time?

Yes, there's nothing stopping you from combining elbow pads, knee pads, and shin guards depending on the areas you want to protect. Many goalkeepers adjust their gear based on the pitch, weather, and their own injury history.