If you’re a goalkeeper, this article is for you. But we’re not going to be talking about goalkeeper gloves or specialist goalkeeper boots; instead, we’ll be discussing an item that has gradually fallen out of favour, yet is vital for enjoying a long career free from injuries and niggles that might hold us back or cause us to lose time. That’s why, today, we want to talk to you about the importance of having good padding and protective gear for goalkeepers to help us avoid grazes and all sorts of injuries.
You see them less and less on the new generation of goalkeepers, but they remain essential, especially now that almost all pitches are made of artificial turf. These are synthetic surfaces – softer and state-of-the-art – but we mustn’t forget that they are built on a concrete base. Although many people don’t realise it, the impact is felt when you land after a dive. That’s why it’s important to have good padding and, above all, for it to be of high quality: a product that really helps prevent grazes and injuries. Of course, there are many brands that manufacture this type of product, such as adidas, Nike and, of course, SP, but McDavid is one of the most recognised brands in this field. It always has been, as it was one of the first to develop these technologies and protection systems for goalkeepers. Over time, these products have reached a very high technological standard, combining protection, comfort and lightness. A goalkeeper needs kit that is thick enough to provide protection, but it also needs to feel lightweight, as if they were wearing nothing at all. And that is precisely where McDavid delivers excellent results. It is no coincidence that one of its leading ambassadors is one of the world’s most outstanding goalkeepers and FC Barcelona’s number one, the German Marc-André ter Stegen.
Let’s take a closer look at the products offered by this brand. Firstly, it boasts a huge range of products, all designed for goalkeepers, whether for 11-a-side football, futsal or other forms of football. All these products are made from the same material: a synthetic fabric called HDC, which incorporates another, much softer material designed to cushion impacts against the pitch. This material, which is very flexible and soft, is stitched together to form small interconnected cells. Furthermore, the products fit the body very well and, in adverse weather conditions, help to protect us from the cold and rain.
