Even casual pick-up game soccer players need shin guards. Some shin guards include attached ankle protection within a slip-on stirrup and fasten around the calf with Velcro strips. There are slip-on or slip-in styles without the ankle protection that either come within their own sleeve and pull on, or they just slip inside the athletic sock or a separate fabric sleeve. Learn the proper way to wear soccer shin guards with socks to protect your lower leg and comply with league rules and traditions.

The Right Shin Guard

Shin guards must be the right length, extending from about two inches below the knee to just above the bend in the ankle. Think also about the position you play. Defenders need the most protection, so ankle protection is a good idea. Midfielders must balance protection with flexibility to provide freedom of motion. Forwards need lightweight guards that enable speed.

How to Wear Shin Guards with Socks

There are different kinds and sizes of shin guard. Younger players typically wear shin guards with included ankle protection. These go on first, and then you pull the sock on over them, and the cleats go on last.

Slip-in guards go inside socks—put the socks and cleats on first, and then put the guard on and pull the sock up over it. Some players like to add tape on top of the sock to keep the guard in place. Others cut the feet off another pair of snug soccer socks and put that over their calf first to minimize chafing from the shin guard. Then another pair of socks goes over that.

Knee-length Soccer Socks

League rules require that socks cover the entire shin guard for the entire game, so players must choose knee-high athletic socks that accommodate the shin guard and also pull up high enough to cover it entirely.

Check with your team and your league to find out what king of customization and color they permit, and choose socks with good wicking ability that will stay up and hold the guards in place. Shin guards that move around or are the wrong size feel uncomfortable, and they could even possibly pose a danger. Make sure you pay attention to the proper way to wear shin guards with soccer socks, and choose soccer socks that keep shin guards in place, while providing comfort and cushioning. We at MK socks are happy to answer your questions about socks that work well and feel good for soccer or other sports.