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Football Gear Buying Guide

Sports Lifestyle

Football Gear Buying Guide

May 20, 2024

Playing football means having the right gear on every snap so you’re always ready to make the play safely. The right equipment helps protect your body while giving you the flexibility and range of motion you need to perform at your best.

So what are these pieces that every football player needs to have, from the NFL to the Pee Wee League? We’ve got the football gear essentials covered here — and we’ll tell you what you need to know to help you find the best ones.

Required Youth Football Gear - Kid in Pads

Required Youth Football Gear

For any program that follows the standard NFHS football rules, every player on the field needs to suit up with at least the following gear:


  1. NOCSAE-compliant helmet with chin strap and face mask
  2. Upper body pads: shoulder and chest padding with backplate
  3. Lower body pads: knee pads, thigh guards, and hip/tailbone protectors
  4. Pants that cover all lower-body padding
  5. Shoes with cleats that meet league rules

    6. This list covers the essential sports gear for football, but equipment for younger players or alternative leagues can be different. Depending on what program you’re playing in, your school or team might provide some or all of this gear. Before you make any purchases, read your league rules and check with your coaches to verify that you’re getting exactly what you need..

Football Helmet

Football helmets are the iconic piece of gridiron gear, and for good reason — they help protect players’ heads when they’re competing hard on the field. When you’re buying a youth football helmet, it’s important to look for:


  • NOCSAE Certification: NOCSAE sets the standard for helmet safety in football. A NOCSAE certified helmet has been through rigorous testing for maximum head protection, so it’s a critically important factor to look for.
  • Fit: A football helmet should fit snugly without squeezing or feeling too tight. You want the helmet to sit above the brow without moving excessively and the chin strap to buckle firmly.
  • Lining: The padded lining inside a football helmet can get seriously sweaty during a game or practice. Look for a helmet with a liner system that’s easy to detach but provides enough padding to keep comfortable.

Body Pads

Body Pads

Football players need both upper-body and lower-body pads. These pads are some of the most important gear that helps protect your season against on-field injuries. Here’s what to expect and look for when shopping for football body pads:


  • Upper Body Pads
  • Typically include padding for a player’s shoulders, upper arms, and chest. Upper body pads are attached to a vest worn under the jersey. Our youth football shoulder pad size guide will help you find the perfect fit.
  • Backplate
  • Attaches to a player’s upper body pads to provide cushioning for the back. Since these plates are often worn outside the jersey, tons of different designs are available that let you flex your style.
  • Lower Body Pads
  • These are crucial for protecting the hips, thighs, knees, and tailbone. Some players wear football pants with pads integrated into them, while others wear pads built into a pair of stretch fabric shorts with pants on top.

When choosing pads, fit and comfort are king. Every set of pads should give you a complete range of motion to ensure that you’ve got room to perform at your best on the field.

Cleats

Traction, speed, and stability are the name of the game on a football field — and a good pair of football cleats will help you maximize what matters most to you. Plus, football cleats are available in tons of styles with lots of different features, so you can express yourself by finding cleats in cool colors that speak to the way you play the game.


  • Height: Cleats come in low, mid, and high-rise versions. Low-rise cleats offer the most speed, which makes them popular with skill-position players like cornerbacks and wide receivers. High-rise cleats maximize stability, so they’re good for offensive and defensive line players. Mid-rise cleats provide a balanced design that’s good for quarterbacks, linebackers, and other players who need to be able to transition between standing firm and taking off.
  • Upper Material: Cleats made from leather or faux leather offer durability and exceptional foot support. That’s exactly what you’ll find in the Nike Air Jordan 1 football cleats, which take the look of the iconic hoops shoe and bring it onto the gridiron. Synthetic textiles, meanwhile, are often lighter and deliver extra breathability. adidas Adizero cleats and Nike Vapor cleats are two stylish and ultra-comfy ways to go synthetic.
  • Sole Material: The two most common types of cleats soles are molded cleats, which are made from a rubber compound, and TPU cleats, which are made from a slightly harder plastic. Molded cleats are usually the most affordable type, while TPU cleats typically offer the most friction and the best control while remaining lightweight.

Mouthguards

Mouthguards

A good football mouthguard means you don’t have to choose between making the play and keeping all your teeth. These are some things to look for:


  • Boil-and-Bite vs. No-Mold: For some mouthguards, you’ll need to boil it in water, then bite down on it to mold it to your mouth. This gives you a closer fit and is more comfortable for some players. If you’d prefer something a little more plug-and-play, no-boil mouthguards are also available.
  • Airflow: A mouthguard with built-in airflow channels helps you breathe more efficiently while you’re wearing it. Most high-quality mouthguards today will have airflow channels.
  • Quick Release: A quick-release strap makes it easy to pop your mouthguard out between plays or on the sidelines.

Other Football Equipment

We’ve talked about the basics that every player needs — but a few nice-to-have pieces of gear can help make sure you’re ready for every game and practice.


  • Gloves: Not every player uses gloves, and they’re not required in most leagues. However, some players find that a good pair of football gloves levels up their game. That’s often especially true for wide receivers, tight ends, and players who play in cold conditions a lot.
  • Arm Sleeves: If you’re playing your hardest, chances are you’re going to hit the turf from time to time. Arm sleeves help prevent turf burn on your arms, saving you from a painful itch that can distract your mind during a hard-fought game.
  • Football Gear Bag: You’re going to be hauling a lot of gear to and from practice, so grab a football bag to carry all of it. A vented waterproof bag will help make sure your gear stays dry and minimize the smell factor from a set of sweaty practice clothes.
  • Moisture Wicking Gear: Speaking of sweat, it’s a fact of life for every football player — which is why moisture-wicking gear can be a game-changer. This special type of fabric draws sweat away from your body and helps it evaporate more quickly, which reduces chafing and keeps you more comfortable overall. Moisture wicking socks, underwear, and headbands can all be potential difference-makers on game day and at practice.

Gear for Spring Practice and Flag Football

Gear for Spring Practice and Flag Football

Choosing the right gear is just as essential for spring practice and for the fast-paced play of flag football. Here’s what you’ll likely need for each:


  • Spring Football: Spring season helps players keep their skills sharp in the off-season, and it requires most of the same full-contact gear as fall football, including padding and helmets. Players often use this period to assess and replace worn-out equipment. Lightweight, moisture-wicking clothing is also recommended for staying comfy in the warmer weather.
  • Flag Football: This less contact-heavy football variant focuses more on speed and agility. Essential flag football gear includes breathable jerseys and shorts without pockets (which can get tangled up during play). While full padding isn't necessary, wearing mouthguards and appropriate cleats helps keep everybody safe on the field.

Your season starts at Hibbett. Our complete lineup of football pads, helmets, gloves, and other youth football gear is waiting for you at Hibbett.com. Shop our full selection of essential youth football gear online, or check out your local Hibbett location for in-person assistance from our sports gear experts.

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