Wednesday , March 27 2024

G-Form Pro-S Shin Guard Review

G-Form Shin Guard Review

One part of your gear that most players give little thought to is their shin guards. We wear them in play, and usually throw them in our bag until the next game or training session. They become the one piece of your equipment that you don’t really pay to much attention to. If you have found the right pair, then not noticing you are wearing them becomes a positive. But as with all equipment, brands keep evolving and they continue creating more advanced protection for players.

A pair that has gained plenty of positive attention in recent times is the G-Form Pro-S shin guards. They are the world’s first soft, flexible soccer guard with sleeve that hardens on impact. We’ve had a pair in testing, and as you’ll find out below, we like them a whole lot! There is a lot of technology behind them, so here is a summary breakdown of what you can expect from a pair.

How It Works

The protection from these guards is provided by the yellow padding that covers the front.

G-Form RPT is a rate-dependent technology that stiffens on impact to dissipate energy.

Molecules in the foam slightly repel each other, making the material soft and flexible to the touch initially. Upon impact or when you get slammed by another players studs, the molecules instantly bind together to absorb the redistribution of energy. Finally, once the energy from the impact dissipates, the molecules return to their original relaxed state! 

Protection – Does It Work?

Without a doubt it does! You just need to quickly push down on the guards with your finger to see how it goes from a soft foam to extremely tough guard. If you have seen the YouTube video where a wine bottle was covered with one of these guards and a bowling ball was dropped on top – the guard stopped the ball from smashing the bottle. That to me tells you they have some serious protection on offer!

Over the past week, I’ve worn this pair several times and I haven’t had any problems with heavy challenges through the pads. They feel comfortable, fit snug and give you confidence as you go for 50-50 challenges. One concern that some players might have is with the sleeve and the actual fit. I found that the material used offers enough stretch to be able to easily get your leg in and out, without being too restrictive. And during wear, they stayed in place very well without any slipping.

G-Form Soccer Guards Up Close

Flexible

One of the things that makes these so comfortable is the fact the pads are flexible. You can see how there are separate sections dividing the key areas. Where a hard shell guard doesn’t adjust, these easily mold and shape around your leg. For players that enjoy something that has a little more give and can really adjust to the shape of your leg, it proves to be a huge plus.

Lightweight

From looking at them, you might expect that they are heavy. But that is absolutely not the case. Instead, they weigh in at a mere 2.5oz! Considering they feature a sleeve and a large protective padding, that is incredible. The foam in the padding is super lightweight, and that is what makes the difference. Since they come as part of the sleeve, you might notice a tight feel around your calf through wear, but the actual weight of the guard is unnoticeable.

G-Form Pro-S Shin Guard Up Close

G-Form Pro-S Shin Guard In Action

G-Form Pro-S Shin Guard Flexibility

Washable

I’ve seen enough players get staph infections to know that cleaning your guards regularly is very important, yet many players fail to do so. One of the most impressive aspects of these for me is the fact they can be washed. With plenty of protection on offer, having the option to be able to easily throw them into the wash with my gear post training/game is HUGE. In terms of durability, washing will not have any impact on the guards design or durability.

But, NEVER PUT THEM IN THE DRYER! After washing, take the out and let them air dry where the foam is not damaged by heat.

How To Wear Them

They are as simple as they look! First, you need to make sure you get the correct size guards. Simply slip them on like you would with a regular sleeve, making sure to keep the foam padding facing away from the front of the shin. The sleeve will keep them securely in place, with your sock pulled up over them ensuring they don’t slip down. As reference, I chose the M version and they fit real well.

Price and Overall Value

In general, you are going to pay $30 for a hard shell pair that will last a few seasons. These will set you back $79.99.

Are they worth the money? It depends on what you are looking for, but in general I would say they are definitely worth investing in. Everything about them has been positive to date, from the protection to the fact you can wash and have a fresh pair every week. A word I’d use to describe them is “convenient” as they serve their intended purpose in a non-invasive manner.

There are many $30 pairs I could recommend to players, but when you factor everything these have on offer it is like comparing a quality Honda Accord to a high performing BMW 650i. Both offer safety, drive smooth and look good…..but one performs far better than the other!

If you are looking for a pair, find them directly on G-form.com or from soccer.com.

About Bryan Byrne

The mastermind behind the revolution that is SoccerCleats101. Bryan started this website back in 2008 and has been testing boots on a daily basis ever since. Check out our About Page for more details on Bryan and the website.

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6 comments

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  4. I purchased these shin guards a few months ago , to replace my old umbro shin guards that kept moving around and didnt want to keep putting tape on them to keep in place . These are ok but i have some mixed reviews and thoughts on this product . first time i wore them my calfs were fatigued with in 5 or 10 mins running , i had to keep rolling them down to let allow some breathing room . i figured you have to get used to them and it may take a few times to work in . Not the case , these are way to tight , it actually puts a strain on your calfs . The Gastocnemius and soleus are being choked which is leading to fatigue . The calfs are not able to flex in full extent , when you are working out or playing a sport the muscles expand cus blood and oxygen is being transported to that muscle in this case it cant . Although i really like the design and material used to protect the shins , i feel the material that is used around it , not sure if its spandex or what is not the right material . I would suggest something that allows it to expand and not constrict the muscle or blood flow . A messy type of material of some sort . This fatigue can lead to serious injuries ie .. rolling a ankle , shin splints, pulled calfs muscle or Achilles issues . I can only give this 2 star out of 5 . Was very disappointing , and it was not a cheap buy .

  5. Descer no Parque. Por aqui, a África também é forte.

  6. Excellent post. I’m dealing with some of these issues as well..

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