Shin Guard Size Chart for Kids: Sizing by Height
Shin guards are sized by your child’s height, not their age, and the letter on the package means something different at every brand. Nike’s kids’ chart puts S at 48 to 51 inches tall, M at 51 to 55 and L at 55 to 59. Vizari’s Malaga runs on maximum heights instead: XXS up to 3’7”, XS up to 3’11”, S up to 4’7”. Storelli calls everything under 4’7” an XS. So measure your kid standing against a wall, then read that height off the chart of the brand you’re buying, not off a different brand’s.
The shin guard size chart, three brands side by side
These are the brands’ own published charts, loaded on 2026-10-03: Nike’s shin guard size chart, the size chart on Vizari’s Malaga product page, and Storelli’s shin guard measuring guide. I’ve lined them up by height, because that’s the one number you can actually measure.
| Your kid’s height | Nike | Vizari Malaga | Storelli |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 3’7” (under 43 in) | Below the kids’ chart | XXS | XS |
| 3’7” to 3’11” (43–47 in) | Below the kids’ chart | XS | XS |
| 4’0” to 4’3” (48–51 in) | Kids’ S | S | XS |
| 4’3” to 4’7” (51–55 in) | Kids’ M | S | XS |
| 4’7” to 4’11” (55–59 in) | Kids’ L or adults’ XS | M | S |
| 4’11” to 5’3” (59–63 in) | Adults’ S | M | S |
A few notes from the scouting report:
- Nike’s kids’ chart starts at 48 inches. It prints ages beside the heights (S for 4 to 6, M for 7 to 9, L for 10 to 12), but a small five-year-old under four feet has no Nike row at all. Its adult XS covers the same 55 to 59 inches as the kids’ L.
- Vizari prints the guard itself. Its Malaga chart lists the shin guard length for every size (XXS 5.5”, XS 6”, S 7.5”, M 8.5”, L 9.25”) and a separate anklet length, from 2.75” on the XXS to 5.25” on the L.
- Storelli’s chart is a general guide. Its XS covers everything under 4’7”, which it labels “U6–U8 players,” and its S runs from 4’7” to 5’3”. The page itself says to “always double-check brand-specific size guides, as sizing can vary significantly between manufacturers.”
A 4’5” nine-year-old is a Nike M, a Vizari S and a Storelli XS. Same kid, same legs, three different letters. That’s why “she wore a small last year” tells you nothing once you switch brands.
How to measure, in two minutes
- Height, without shoes. Storelli’s guide says to “record your full height without shoes,” standing straight against a wall, with a second person marking the top of the head. Kids tilt their heads up when they measure themselves, so do it for them.
- Shin length, sitting down. Storelli measures sitting “with your knees bent at 90 degrees.” Run the tape from the bony bump just below the kneecap to the ankle bone on the inside of the leg. You don’t need this for most charts, but it lets you check a Vizari size against the guard length it prints.
Slip-in, ankle guard, or sleeve: does the style change the size?
There are three styles you’ll see on the youth wall.
- Ankle-guard style. The guard has an attached piece that sits over the ankle bones and a stirrup or strap under the foot. Most first-season kids end up in these, because they stay put without any help from the socks. Storelli notes that because of the ankle padding “you may need to move up a half-size from slip-in guard measurement guides,” which is one more reason to use the chart for the exact model.
- Slip-in. A bare guard and nothing else. Storelli says these need “compression sleeves, goalkeeper leggings, or two layers of socks to hold them in place.” Older players like them. On a six-year-old they tend to slide down by halftime.
- Slip-in with sleeve, and shin socks. Some slip-ins come with a sleeve with a pocket to hold the guard (Vizari sells several), and some guards are built into the sock. Vizari sizes both S/M/L or close to it.
The sock-over rule, and why it isn’t optional
Shin guards are required equipment, and that’s the only reason I give my kids for wearing them. The rule comes from the top of the game. Law 4 of the IFAB’s Laws of the Game lists shinguards among the compulsory equipment and says they must “be covered by the socks.”
So the socks are part of the fit. Buy soccer socks long enough to go fully over the guard, with room left at the top of the calf. A guard that looks right in the store and then sticks out above the sock doesn’t meet that rule. I buy two pairs of socks, because one will be wet.
The fit check before you leave the store
Guards on, socks over them, then a jog down the aisle.
- Top edge: about two fingers below the kneecap. Storelli describes coverage that runs from “around two inches below the kneecap to just above the ankle.”
- Bottom edge: just above the ankle bone on a slip-in. On an ankle-guard style, the ankle piece should sit over the ankle bones, not above or below them.
- After the jog: the guard should still face front. If it spins around the leg, it’s too big. If it sits on the shin like a postage stamp, it’s too small.
When they fall between two sizes: Storelli’s advice is to “size down if they fall between two different sizes and recheck often,” and it says growing players “typically need new guards every six to 12 months.” I’d add one check of my own: put the smaller size through the jog test, and if it stays put, buy it.
Buying one: the worked example
For a first ankle-guard pair, the one I point families to is the Vizari Malaga. It’s a youth ankle-guard style sized from XXS to L, and Vizari publishes the guard and anklet length for every size (chart checked on Vizari’s site on 2026-10-03). Choose the size by the max-height column above, not by the age on the box.
What to skip:
- The adult size “to grow into.” Storelli warns that oversized guards “can twist or slide during play,” and a long one runs into the knee when your kid crouches. Buy the size that fits this season.
- Buying by the age printed on the package. Nike prints ages too, but its own chart lists them next to heights. When the two disagree, the height wins.
- The pro slip-in for a U6 player. It needs a sleeve and a kid who keeps pulling it up. An ankle-guard style is the easier first season.
Shin guards are one line on the full youth soccer gear list, which covers socks and the bag too. The ball has its own size-by-age chart, and cleats get their own fit guide.
FAQ: shin guard sizes for kids
What size shin guards for an 8 year old?
It depends on height, not age, so measure first. An 8-year-old between 4’0” and 4’3” is a Nike kids’ S and a Vizari S. Between 4’3” and 4’7”, it’s a Nike M and still a Vizari S. On Storelli’s chart, both heights are an XS.
What size shin guards for a 5 year old?
Measure first. Nike lists its kids’ S for ages 4 to 6, but that size starts at 48 inches, so a five-year-old under four feet tall is below Nike’s chart. At that height it’s a Vizari XXS (up to 3’7”) or XS (up to 3’11”), and a Storelli XS.
What size shin guards for a 10 year old?
At 4’7” to 4’11”, a 10-year-old is a Nike kids’ L or adults’ XS, a Vizari M and a Storelli S. A 10-year-old under 4’7” drops to a Vizari S and a Storelli XS, and a Nike M from 51 inches.
Do shin guards go under or over socks?
Under. Law 4 of the Laws of the Game says shinguards must “be covered by the socks,” and youth leagues follow it.
Are ankle shin guards better for kids?
For younger players they’re usually easier. Storelli says the built-in stirrups and ankle padding make them “more secure, especially for children,” and they go on in one step. Older players often switch to slip-ins with a sleeve. Check the size on that model’s own chart either way.
