We continue our preparations for the new season, by looking at the lightest top level performance shinpad in the world! Unbelievably, the Nike Mercurial Lightspeed shin guards only weigh an incredible 35 grams, yet they deliver powerful protection.
Shin guards are an essential piece of equipment that can often be overlooked, which is surprising when you consider all the technology, innovation and time that goes into creating lightweight football boots. These Nike Mercurial Lightspeed shinpads are currently available on the market, offering genuine protection and are so light that you can barely feel them.
Following the release of the Nike Elite series football boots, the
adidas F50 adiZero and the Puma v1.10 SL, the football market is
currently obsessed with lightweight products. The Nike Mercurial shinpads are the perfect way to compliment performance, as they provide powerful protection and don't weigh you down.
The shell is decorated with a striking Nike swoosh, and features a contoured curve design to wrap around the shin. Made from 100% aluminium for strength and protection, the Nike Mercurial Lightspeed shinpad offers further protection from a foam backing for superior shock absorption and impact protection, as well as comfort.
The Lightspeed shinpads can either be worn loose in the sock, held in position by guard stays or sock tape. Alternatively, they come equipped with Dri-FIT fabric sleeves for a secure and strapless fit.
The high-performance, microfibre sleeves are constructed from a lightweight polyester fabric that wicks sweat away from the body. The moisture travels to the fabric's surface where it evaporates, and as a result Dri-FIT fabric helps you to stay dry and comfortable.
Now we're not claiming that the Lightspeed is the latest product on the market, but we are acknowledging that to create a shin guard that delivers such a high level of protection, and weighs as little as 35 grams is an impressive achievement from Nike.
The price is around £35 GBP / $50 USD, which is a relatively small price to pay for a quality product, especially when you consider top level shinpads have been known to cost upwards of £70 GBP. And we can imagine the Nike Mercurial Lightspeed shinpads being an essential for all Vapor and Superfly fans.
