How to Choose a pair of Cricket Pads?

Looking for new cricket pads but aren't sure which are the right ones for you? Are you a beginner trying to find the right equipment to add to your cricket kit? We are trying to answer questions like these and others in this article.

The game of Cricket and injuries goes hand in hand from the time of its introduction, and batsmen might be in the most danger of sustaining injuries. We have already seen the case of Phillip Hughes, who died after a ball from Sean Abbot hit the back of his head even with a cricket helmet on his head. Now, imagine if there were no batting leg guards; what would have happened to batsmen's legs when hit by a leather ball travelling at a speed 140kmph? It would have caused a hairline fracture in the best case and it would have crushed the bone in the worst. Hence, it won't be wrong to say that protective gear is just as crucial as other equipment used in the game of Cricket like cricket bat, cricket shoes.

Now, you know why it is indispensable to wear pads, but wearing the right pair is just as important. In other words, you don't want to end up wearing leg guards that are not your size or that don't suit your playing, as they will hinder your performance instead of boosting it. Therefore we have brought you a guide to help you find an ideal set of cricket pads.

Also Read: How to select the right cricket shoes for your game?

Your cricket pads guide

Before starting our guide, it is essential to note that different types of pads used in Cricket Pads are divided into two categories based on their usage.

Batting Pads

As the name suggests, batting pads are the ones used by a batsman while batting. They are also called batting leg guards. They vary depending on the build material, size, and more.
The batting leg guard usually comes in the following size ranges:

1. Men
2. Youth
3. Boys
4. Small Boys

Besides that, there are some other categories including, mini size and small men size.

Wicket Keeping Pads

These types of pads are used by the wicketkeepers while keeping the wickets. Similar to batting pads, wicket-keeping leg guards also comes in various size including:

• Men 
• Youth
• Small 
• Boys 

Apart from the categories mentioned above, the pads also vary on users' preferred hand. For instance, the pads used by a left-hand batsman will be different from the pads used by a right-hand batsman. That said, there are ambidextrous pads also available in the market.

Now, let's talk about some factors you need to consider before and while buying your cricket pads.

Also Read: Selecting right cricket gloves and how to take care?

How to choose an ideal pair of pads

The guide can be essentially divided into three steps which start with the budget and end with finding the right size.

Set a budget

There is no denying that cricket equipment can be costly and can cost you some serious money. Therefore, planning your budget in advance and then sticking with it is necessary. It will prevent you from overspending. Plus, it will also reduce the number of options saving you from the headache that comes with plenty of choices.

It is worth noting that the market is filled with cricket pads in all pricing segments. Moreover, cheaper batting pads will offer you the same kind of protection as expensive pads. However, the latter has some additional features. The upscale pads are made with superior materials. These types of pads feature comfortable foam, along with other paddings.

Anyways, you can find cricket pads that will protect you against bruises in every price range.

Choose a brand

The next step is selecting a brand. There are plenty of brands available out there when it comes to cricket pads. Every famous brand offers the best quality pads with sufficient options in every price range that can confuse you. Therefore, it is better to choose a brand you like and see the options available within your budget.

Some of the popular brands in leg guards are SS, Moonwalkr, GM, Morrant, Adidas, Gray Nicolls, and more.

Here are some options from these brands available with us that might interest you.

1. SS Test Players Cricket Batting Leg Guard
2. Gray Nicolls GN8 Test Batting Pads
3. GM Diamond Original LE Batting Pads
4. SS Superlite Cricket Leg Guard
5. Morrant International UltraLite Cricket Batting Pads

Pick the right size

Cricket pads come in a wide variety of ranges, and finding the right size is critical. If the pads are too small, then they will hinder your walking, let alone running. On the other hand, if they are too big, you won't be able to move freely.

When buying a new pair of pads, you should definitely try them on; that way, you can immediately tell if they fit correctly or not. If the pad is resting on top of your foot and the knee roll comes over your knee, then it is all good. However, if that's not the case, you need to try other sizes.

Anyways, here are some of the sizes that are available in the market. 

• 30cm-32cm – Boy’s Small
• 32cm-35cm – Boy’s
• 36cm-38cm – Youth’s
• 39cm-41cm – Men’s Small
• 41cm-43cm – Men’s
• 44cm-48cm – Men’s Large

If you are buying pads online, you should measure the distance between your ankle and knee. Based on that reading, you can choose a new pair online. In case you already own a pair, then you know your size, and you can buy new ones accordingly. Sportsuncle always mentions a size guide if pads are made by the company for small men and large men differently.

 Also Read Maintenance of a cricket bat.

Properties of modern cricket pads

Material

Material is another factor that you need to consider while buying leg guards as their durability depends on the build material.

Initially, we used to have pads made out of leather, but they were not that durable, plus they were also costly. Nowadays, we used alternatives to leather pads, and the most common of them is a polyurethane (PU) and PVC. Cricket pads made out of these materials are lightweight, durable, and offer top-notch protection against leather balls. Additionally, they can be cleaned easily.

If we talk about the inner side of the batting leg guards, it is generally made from cotton and cane. Additionally, the pads usually have plenty of foam padding in them that acts as an extra layer of protection while offering enough comfort. Some professional cricketers even use pads with carbon or Kevlar inserts. 

Design 

The design of pads changes with the brand, but you may still find several similarities among different brands. Plus, the introduction of modern materials has made some designs obsolete. For instance, now, it is not necessary for pads to have knee rolls because of the contemporary materials used inside them. However, pads without knee rolls made it difficult for umpires to give to judge LBW decisions. Earlier, they used the knee roll to consider the height of the ball when it hit the bad. As a result, the companies have added faux knee rolls into the design. 

Why do cricketers wear pads?

As previously discussed, cricket pads are essential protective gear to avoid some severe injuries in the game of Cricket. You will never find a professional player playing without them. 

How are different colour cricket pads made?

You might have noticed the pads are available in different kinds of colours. These coloured pads are typically produced by dying the outer material of the pads with colors or spraying them with different colors. Moreover, there are colourful covers that you can put on your regular white pads.
 

What are the lightest or heaviest cricket pads?

Usually, the moulded pads are lighter as they don't use canes in the vertical face. In fact, they are the lightest of all among cricket batting pads. One of the most renowned moulded pads is Morrant batting pads.

What's the difference between Batting pads and Wicket Keeping Pads?

The difference in the name. The batting pads are used by the batsman during their course of batting, whereas the wicket-keeping pads are worn by the wicket-keeper while keeping. They differ in size, weight, and other aspects. 

Which brand of cricket pads is best?

There is no definite answer to which brand produces the best cricket pads. Most of the brands out there make high-quality pads, with the goal of protecting players during the match and at the same time offering the best comfort. 

Also Read: 6 tips to find a cricket bat that is right for you.

Conclusion

Pads are one of the most important protective gear in Cricket and choosing a pair that is right for you is somewhat challenging. With that many options available in the market, you are likely to get confused and overspend. Hence, it becomes necessary to decide some things including the budget in advance. Pre-deciding on a brand of your choice makes things even easier. Besides that, if you follow the things mentioned above, choosing a pair of cricket pads will become straightforward; you will not be perplexed and you will save yourself some money.