Best Budget Cricket Pads

 We don’t think you’ll find as much protection for the same price anywhere else.

These pads have been meticulously designed for quality and lightweight design, but they are also incredibly affordable.

    

Because of the fact that we don’t endorse professionals and use up marketing budgets chasing players, we’re able to pass on savings to our customers. The pads are incredibly high quality.

They offer mesh padding for breathability, as well as added foam inner protection. The traditional 7-bar construction gives a classic look, and a design that we know works based on years of research.

The pads are comfy (yes, even when you get hit) and have a 1” knee strap plus 2” calf and ankle straps to keep them secure.

Our pads have been met with some glowing reviews from village cricketers all over the country, who are able to use the money they save on other equipment or anything else they choose. Cricket is an expensive sport sometimes, but we believe there are savings that we can pass on to the hobbyist with quality yet affordable kit.

Woodstock Cricket Platinum Batting Pads – Cane Construction Cricket Pads

These batting pads provide a great level of protection and a pretty luxurious design and are made by small independent cricket band, Woodstock Cricket.

They’re well fitted, and have a traditional look with some modern technology to ensure plenty of quality. The Merriskin PU material provides them with a lightweight level of protection, and the suede instep provides plenty of durability.

The pads come in different sizes including Boys, Youths-Small Senior and Oversize in both right and left hand. The cane construction comes from some older traditions regarding cricket bats, and the fibre cup and high-density foam padding are more modern additions.

As well as the slick white design, this comes in black and navy, for a more “one day” look to the pads. This is all superficial, the design of these pads is exactly the same.

Another smaller cricket brand that is making some good equipment at a fair price. These pads have a wide wing, which some players will find gets in the way, but others will find is incredibly useful for protecting the whole leg. Some wicket keepers even use these types of pads in village cricket.

They have a PU face, with high-density foam in the leg guard, and good shock absorption for the faster balls. Like some of the other cricket pads, the cane rods give a traditional look and feel, and the mesh instep protects your ankle and lower shin (not having ankle protection is dangerous as it is extremely painful to get hit there).

The brand has a County Protection Rating that it gives its gear, and this gets a 3. In their own words, it means they are “suitable for beginners up to an intermediate level, with these county batting pads provide a high level of protection to cricketers.”

You might not see Kane Williamson come out to bat wearing them, but they’re still a good pad for the beginner or mid-level player.

Gunn & Moore is a huge brand in the world of cricket, manufacturing bats as well as all kinds of other cricket equipment, and these batting pads are impressive if a little on the pricey side.

One of the reasons for including them on a list of the best cricket pads is that they suit the taller player, too. If you’re over 6’3” then you might find that you need something a little bit larger than average, and the Large Adult size of these pads can help in that regard. On top of that, they’re just very well constructed.

At just over 2kg, they’re pretty lightweight, but the PU+ face and cane and cotton design give you a lot of protection. On top of that, there are vertical bolsters in place in varying materials including foam in various densities, and plastic fibre.

There are comfort straps to keep them firmly in place, and a comfort instep to offer that extra protection and flexibility. The knee roll is comfortable and flexible for running and for playing all of your shots.

In general, there’s a lot to like about the pads, but it is advisable to only spend this kind of money if you are really serious about cricket, or have the cash to spare.

These New Balance cricket pads are another option that is on the expensive end of the market, but they do offer some serious protection.

The 7-bar design is similar to that of the Village Cricket Co. pads, and they also have a high grade PU fronting.

With loads of high-density foam padding and soft foam on the inside, they’re comfy to wear and do a good job of protecting you even if you are out plum LBW to a 75mph bowler.

The self-positioning moulded knee cup is a great addition, providing strength and protection at the knee but still allowing you to move freely. Three easy-release straps make it easy to put these on and take them off as required.

Looking After Cricket Pads

A quick note on looking after your pads, as all too often we see people not do a proper job of this, and their pads don’t last as long as they should.

It’s easy to just chuck your pads in the bag and forget about them after you’ve played (especially if you got out cheaply). We recommend airing the pads at the first opportunity rather than letting that moisture fester in a sweaty bag.

Cricket pads can be left on an airer after use, and they can even be thoroughly cleaned as required. Some pads have removable inners that can be washed, but if this isn’t the case, you can still use fabric treatments and fresheners to keep them from smelling too unpleasant and preventing the growth and build-up of mould and dirt.

A solution of water, mild soap and baking powder can be used to remove bacteria from your pads and keep them looking nice and white. In between seasons, it is a good idea to give them a proper deep 

clean, and regularly during the season too, if you don’t want them to smell embarrassingly nasty. It can get pretty sweaty, even through your whites.

Summary

Everyone needs pads to play. This is the kind of equipment that beginners may tend to share with their friends, and let’s face it, buying new pads is not the most exciting aspect of playing cricket. That’s why many people choose to buy the most affordable pads they can that still do a great job.

Scrimp and buy poor-quality pads and you’ll end up with pain or even injury on the shins (and potentially broken pads), but you can buy some great, protective pads.