Sparring hurts. On one hand, that's part of the training; if you hurt in practice, pain on the street won't matter as much. On the other hand, a nasty bang to the shin hurts disproportionately and can keep you out of class for a week or more. Which shin guard is the best varies according to your style and needs. However, regardless of your situation you should always consider the same four factors.
Protection
The amount of protection your shins need depends on which art you study. Traditional karate and tae kwon do practice few kicks to - or with - the shin, so you can get away with minimal shin protection. Muay thai and judo are shin-intensive, and you will want more protection. If you're not certain how much is too much, ask your instructor. He will have years of knowledge on the subject, and probably knows where to order his preferred type.
Fit
Shin guards come in two different fits: strap and sock. You place strap shin guards on the front of your leg, then wrap velcro straps around to secure them. A sock shin guard fits like a legging, with one side padded. Strap shin guards are easier to take on and off, and often have more padding than the sock models. In general, strap guards are best for striking arts, but will come off in arts that include grappling or grabs to the leg.
Padding
The amount and kind of padding is a main concern in shin guard selection. There are three major kinds of shin protection: fabric, foam dip and rigid. Fabric shin guards consist of a fabric pad in a stretch fabric sleeve, and usually offer the least protection. Foam dip shin guards are made from a foam pad that is then dipped in a vinyl coating for durability and ease of cleaning. Rigid protection has a hardened cover, often kevlar. Your instructor will have informed opinions about which is best for the needs of your art. Note that rigid protection is illegal in sanctioned competition for many arts.
Price
Price is always an important shopping factor. When it comes to shin guards, you should buy the type that's recommended for your style, but buy the least expensive model within that tier. For example, a cheap set of foam dip shin guards is not significantly worse than an expensive set. The difference between two sets of shin guards of the same type boils down to styling and brand name -- neither of which have any effect on how well they protect your shins.
References
- Dave Coffman; Martial Arts Instructor; Hillsboro, OR
- Ben Cohn; Tae Kwon Do Instructor; Beaverton, Oregon
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