How to Measure Catcher’s Leg Guards? | Sizing Them Right

Measure catcher’s leg guards from the center of the kneecap to the ankle bone, cleat, or bottom of the shin, depending on the brand’s chart.

Getting the right fit for catcher’s leg guards comes down to one accurate measurement, not age. The measurement point varies by brand, so knowing the correct endpoint before you start saves you from buying guards that shift around or leave your shins exposed. Here’s how to measure properly and match the numbers to the right size.

What You Need Before Measuring

Grab a flexible tape measure and have the player sit down. Multiple official sizing guides, including Scheels’ instruct measuring while seated, because that position mimics the catcher’s stance. If you measure standing, the tape can land differently and give you a size that’s off.

You should also measure over the player’s pants or sliding shorts, not bare skin. The guards sit on top of the uniform, so measuring with a layer on gives you the most realistic length.

Follow these steps once the player is seated:

• Find the center of the kneecap and place the end of the tape there.
• Run the tape straight down the front of the shin.
• Note where the tape falls at the endpoint your brand uses (see below).
• Write the number down and compare it to that brand’s size chart.

Different Brands Use Different Endpoints

This is the catch. Brand sizing charts don’t all measure to the same spot, so you can’t assume one number works across manufacturers. Scheels’ generic guidance says to measure from the middle of the kneecap to the ankle bone. All-Star’s chart tells you to measure down to the knot at the top of the catcher’s cleats. Easton’s chart says to stop at the bottom of the shin.

Because these endpoints differ by an inch or more, always use the chart from the brand you’re buying. A 15-inch measurement for one brand might correspond to a different size in another, and mixing charts is the fastest way to end up with guards that don’t fit.

Sizing Up or Down When You’re Between Sizes

If your measurement falls between two listed sizes, size up. Both Scheels’ and All-Star’s guidance explicitly recommend choosing the longer size or sizing up for more coverage. Longer guards give you better protection when you’re in a crouch, and slightly oversized guards feel less restrictive than ones that are too short.

Also note that age alone won’t get you the right size. Several brand charts pair age with exact length or height, and some lines skip direct leg measurements entirely. Easton’s Mach series, for instance, references player height instead of shin length, so a taller player might need the adult model even if their age suggests otherwise.

Size Charts by Brand

Here’s what the current charts from the major brands list for their baseball and fastpitch lines:

Measure your player’s shin, find the closest match on the chart for the specific brand and model you want, and you’ll get a pair that stays put through a full game. If you’re comparing options before buying, our roundup of the best catcher’s leg guards covers top-rated models across these size ranges.