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Tips For Choosing The Best Shoulder Pads

By Jayne Rutledge


Shoulder pads are very useful to players or athletes. For them to function well, they should fit well and perform effectively. The market is full of these products of different styles and fit. While many people consider protection as the priority, comfort level is also necessary. Explored in this piece are the guidelines for buying the best shoulder pads.

When you go out for shopping, it is good to check how these protectors have been constructed. These items contain a tough shell made of plastic. This shell is lined with foam used to absorb impacts. They are designed to offer protection to collarbone, breastbone, and muscles of the chest. There is also an extension to the shoulders. You need to choose pads that are constructed well to offer maximum protection and comfort.

Compare between a flat and cantilever constructions. If you are a skill or quarterback football player, you may go for a standard flat shoulder pad system. These ones are built for mobility and provide less protection compared to the cantilever style. Cantilevered ones have a support that extends between the pads and the plates. The extension supports the outer arch and shell which is above the shoulder muscles. This reduces the amount of impact you feel on the shoulders. This is a good style for very active players in the field.

You should also look at the internal foam used. Different foams are used in different types of shoulder protectors. Some use dual-density foams that offer maximum protection. The dual-density type uses open and close cells. These ones are meant to increase protection. The outer layer of the foam is actually thicker than the inner one. The inner cell is usually very soft since it is in direct contact with the body.

The foams used in these items do not matter a lot. There are other extras that are meant to increase the comfort level of the wearer. You can go for pads that contain ventilation slats. These ones are used to regulate the temperatures while the person is playing. There are also moisture-absorbing pad linings that absorb excess sweat and make the player stay cool.

Always go for shoulder protectors that are fitted with good fasteners. The common fasteners are the elastic straps and vinyl buckles. As the names suggests, elastic fasteners are stretchable. They can be adjusted appropriately in order to fit well. They can contract or expand due to their nature of elasticity. Vinyl buckles, on the other hand, are durable and long lasting. These ones are not stretchable but do not wear out easily.

Make sure that you go for the appropriate size and fitting. These products come in different sizes. Since people are not the same in terms of size, taking time to shop around for your right size is important. It is good to take the measurement the diameter around your shoulders in order to determine the right fit for you.

You should also look at add-on materials when scouting around for the best shoulder pads. For example, if you had an injury before, consider looking for a pad with a restricting layer. A good add-on is a neck roll. There are also others in the market. Make sure that your chosen add-on will not restrict your movement freedom.




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