Size Guide

To some, pad sizes seem to be merely trivial detail. To those at the sharp end of a bowler who is pinging it down (in relative terms at least) at the speed of a Brett Lee or a Shoaib Akhtar, it is not surprisingly, rather important! Having good quality, reliably protective pads is certainly a large part of the battle, but it is not the only consideration. Having to cower behind something that is too big, too small or just intrinsically uncomfortable isn't a great boost to the confidence either.

Youngsters have an inconvenient tendency to grow, usually quite unpredictably and often in spurts. The areas that are most vulnerable in poorly fitting pads - the ankles and knees - are ironically precisely the areas that hurt most when struck by a cricket ball. Not surprisingly, being struck in these areas can be seriously off-putting and can severely dent confidence. Those Boys-sized pads may have fitted beautifully last summer, but if little Timmy has grown six inches over the Winter they are probably as much use as sending him out to bat in a set of football shinpads!

At the other end of the scale, legion are the poor souls who have limped out to bat in a bow-legged gait with something that to an adult would be the equivalent of having a couple of ironing boards strapped to their legs. Two of the more critical skills of batsmanship are footwork and running between the wickets - overly large pads are the death knell of both of these skills and it is difficult for even the best coach to make progress with a youngster so impeded.

In sizing pads, the crucial measurement is from the middle of the knee cap down to the top of the foot where it joins the ankle - roughly where the tongue of the shoe would sit, as illustrated above right. Again, it is important to note that this measurement is a rough guide only, but with that small caution, it should equate to pads sizes as follows:

Pad Size	Measurement (Ankle to Knee)
Small Boys	12" to 13" 30cm to 32cm
Boys	13" to 14" 33cm to 35cm
Youths	14" to 15" 36cm to 38cm
Adult	15.5" and Over 39cm and Over

As a slight aside, it is important to note that not all instances of ineffective pad wearing are down to incorrect sizing. Some youngsters, especially those new to hardball cricket have an almost magnetic attraction to the otherwise unfathomable concent of inserting the leg between pad and knee bolster - the horizontal padding that runs across the back of the pad at knee level. Needless to say this is wrong and as well as reducing the effectiveness of the protection it risks damaging the pads themselves.

In a similar vein, many young cricketers fail to tighten the straps on the pads properly, although to be fair, badly made pads can be all but impossible to fasten properly due to the length of the straps and the positioning of the velcro. Overly long straps can be shortened by tying a knot in them, but be sure that the knot is positioned close to the pad end of the strap so that it doesn't get in the way of fastening the pads or dig into flesh. The end goal is to have pads that are well sized, comfortably tight against the legs and do not flap around when the batter moves or runs.

Buyer's Guide

Anyone who has ever taken a blow from a cricket ball to the shins, ankles or knees will know exactly why batters wear pads when batting. Good forward play depends on thrusting the front leg out towards the line of the ball. With only small margin for error in judgement, especially against a moving ball on a sporty wicket, having an effective set of pads that will dissipate the impact is absolutely essential.

The main job of a pair of pads is protection, pure and simple. But that protection needs also to be provided in a light, comfortable, flexible manner that does not restrict the batter's movements or running style...and style has a role in this too - if the batter feels they look good they will probably play well too.

Key features to look for in a good pair of pads are as follows:

Protection - the bowling may look slow and friendly to a parent's eye, but to a youngster, it may look like Brett Lee on steroids. More importantly, if the ball hits them, it will hurt and that affects confidence and technique. Modern materials offer exceptional protection, but not all pads are created equal; there are still all too many that look good and boast a big name (at big prices), but offer second rate protection at best. PRO-Kit pads are made from the very best materials and offer excellent protection, allowing youngsters to focus on the important elements of batsmanship rather than worrying about pain and bruising

Coverage - the shape and design of the pad is also very important. Looking good isn't the be all and end all of pads - a good pair of pads will major on protection. Our pads have been carefully designed to maximise protective coverage without being so large that they impede strokeplay or running. Providing they are ordered in the correct size for the batter, our pads will enhance the batting experience and thereby enhance the batter's development

Weight - we have taken great pains to ensure that our pads are made from a range of materials that offer superb protection whilst remaining astonishingly light. Youngsters hit relatively few boundaries and have to do proportionally more running. Lighter pads can help to increase running speed while reducing fatigue

Fit - the lightest pads in the world are not going to help the batter if they do not fit well. Footwork can be impacted by overly large pads and running between the wickets can be a nightmare; pads that are too small will clearly leave lots of chinks through which the ball will find a way through to unprotected flesh. Pads normally have three velcro straps which should be used to hold the pad comfortably tightly against the leg - adjust them if not - and make sure the straps are fastened to the outside of each pad to avoid them catching as the batter runs

But the biggest single difference between PRO-Kit pads and the rest lies in the fact that our Small Boys pads are made to the same levels of quality and protection as our Adult pads - the only differences are size and price. We therefore believe that our pads are the best in the market in children's sizes...and our Adult pads aren't too shabby either!

Care Guide

If you have been through the weighty tome that is our bat care guide, you will be relieved to know that looking after pads is somewhat simpler. Pads are ready simply to unwrap and use straight out of the packaging and their ongoing care doesn't require sandpaper, oil or anything else more complicated than a damp cloth!

The biggest factor in the deterioration of pads, other than lack of reasonable care by the user - and most of us will have at some point hurled their pads in frustration at getting out - is damage caused by dampness from the user's sweat. Ironically, the more successful the user is in their pads, the worse the problem will be.

Human sweat contains a range of salts and other chemicals that can weaken fabrics and stitching as well as encouraging the growth of various fungi and mildews whose activities will further weaken key areas of the pad. The use of modern, man-made materials has improved matters, but it is still important to allow pads to dry out naturally before storing them. Throwing back into a kit bag with a range of other damp items such as gloves and helmets is a great recipe for reducing their effective life. Drying the pads out thoroughly is particularly important before storing them for the winter.

Better quality pads will feature detachable padding that is attached to the inside of the pad with velcro. These can be carefully removed for gentle handwashing only. Fabric freshening sprays can also be used to keep the pads smelling sweet.

Cleaning the front of the pads whould be done with a damp cloth, which should remove the vast majority of marks. A VERY dilute soap solution e.g. a few drops of washing up liquid in a bucket of water can be used on the more stubborn stains. On no account use strong detergents or harsh abrasives on your pads.

The velcro straps, if not treated with reasonable care, can deteriorate over time, becoming clogged with dirt and odd bits of fabric from clothing. For best results, always store the pads with the velco of the straps folded back onto itself.

Damage & Warranty

Assuming normal use and reasonable care you should expect to get at least one year's worth of use from your new pads and growth spurts notwithstanding, the reality is that they should last several years.

In the unlikely event of 'abnormal' damage or defective workmanship, the PRO-Kit warranty covers you for twelve months from date of purchase. Please refer to our 'Damage & Warranty' section for details on how best to address the matter.

The Complete Guide to Pads

Size Guide

Buyer's Guide

Care Guide

Damage & Warranty