The best shin guards for bandy and how to tape them

Summary: The best bandy shin guards are the ones that are the right size, low-profile, and stay in place. The knee should be centered in the knee cup, and the guard should end just above the skate. Bandy guards are often more flexible and shorter than hockey guards, as bandy requires long skating strides and greater mobility. Regardless of the model, the guards need to be taped to stay in place in cold and wet conditions: 2–3 turns just below the knee and 2–3 turns just above the skate, around the sock and guard, never against the skin. Here we go through how to choose guards and how to tape them correctly.

Introduction

In bandy you skate far, fast, and often. A match involves hundreds of cuts on a large area, and the shin guards come along for every step. A guard that is fitted incorrectly is immediately noticeable: it slides down, twists, or rubs against the skate, and suddenly you are thinking about the equipment instead of the ball.

Bandy also has demands that indoor sports avoid. Cold, snow, and wet conditions cause Velcro straps and regular tape to lose their grip faster. Therefore, the right shin guard in bandy is about two things: a guard that fits your body and your game, and taping that keeps it in place throughout the match. We start with the guards and then go through the taping step by step.

What makes bandy shin guards different?

Bandy and ice hockey look similar on paper, but the shin guards are used differently.

Larger area and longer skating strides. The bandy field is roughly the same size as a football field. This means more cuts, longer distances, and more repetitive movements.
Mobility over thickness. Therefore, bandy players often choose more flexible and shorter guards with a lower profile. They should protect against sticks, balls, and falls, but not restrict the stride.
Cold and wet conditions. Outdoors, guards, socks, and tape become cold and damp. This places demands on both the fit of the guards and the adhesive of the tape.

This means that bandy shin guards must:

stay stable without sliding down at high speed
not rotate around the leg during cuts and turns
not rub against the skate during long skating strides
work even when everything is cold and wet

According to the Swedish Bandy Association's rulebook, there are no special requirements for shin guards for outdoor players. The choice is therefore yours, but playing without guards is never a good choice.

How to choose the right shin guards for bandy

Size is most important. A guard that is too large will slide and rotate, and one that is too small leaves parts of the shin unprotected. The right size means that the knee ends up centered in the knee cup and that the guard ends just above the skate's blade. Measure from the center of the kneecap down to the top of the skate, and compare it with the manufacturer's size guide. Try the guards on with the skates.

Low profile and good mobility. A flexible guard with a low profile provides free movement in the knee and ankle. This is especially important in bandy, where you skate far and need power in every cut.

Stable fit around the calf. A guard that shapes itself to the calf and has good calf protection sits more securely and needs less tape to stay still. Guards that are too wide or straight in shape require more tape and twist more easily.

Adjustable Velcro straps. Good adjustable straps allow you to get the guard to sit correctly before you tape it. Remember that the straps only hold for a short time in cold and wet conditions. It is the tape that determines whether the guard stays in place throughout the match.

For children: Do not buy a size too large just so the guard will last several seasons. A shin guard that is too large slides and twists, and it protects less effectively. Check the size before each season, as children grow quickly.

How to tape bandy shin guards – step by step

The tape is what makes even a good guard stay in place. It locks the sock and the guard together so that they move as a unit.

Position the guard correctly. The knee should be centered in the knee cup and the guard straight over the shin. Tighten the Velcro straps just enough.
Pull up the sock. The sock should lie flat over the guard, without wrinkles.
Apply the top turn. Bend the knee slightly and wrap 2–3 turns just below the knee, around the sock and guard. When the knee is bent, the tape will not tighten when you skate.
Secure the lower part of the guard. Wrap 2–3 turns just above the skate. This is where the guard most often wants to twist. Since bandy guards are often shorter, one turn below the knee and one above the skate is enough for many.
Test. Bend the knee, squat down, and take a few cuts. The guard should stay still and nothing should pinch.

Which tape? Use a thin, stretchy shin guard tape that withstands cold. Shin Guard Tape PRO is made of 0.18 mm PVC film with rubber-based adhesive and withstands everything from −10 °C to 80 °C. It stays in place even on a cold match day. For training, the classic Shin Guard Tape works well. Do not use cloth tape on the legs. It belongs on the blade of the stick, does not stretch, and cracks or pinches when the leg moves.

The most common mistakes:

Tape against the skin. Always tape around the sock and guard. Against the skin, the tape adheres less and hurts to remove.
Too tight. A finger should fit under the tape. Taping too tightly restricts blood flow and makes the legs heavy.
A single turn. This is rarely enough. 2–3 turns per area is just right.
Tape on a damp surface. Tape indoors on dry equipment and let the adhesive set for a while before going out into the cold.
Electrical tape or household tape. They lose their grip in the cold.

More tips on taping can be found in the guides on taping shin guards and taping in bandy. The latter also covers the blade and grip on the stick.

How to keep the guards and tape for the whole season

Dry the guards after every session. Take everything out of the bag immediately and let it dry at room temperature. Do not place the guards on a heater, as strong heat can damage the plastic and padding. Wet guards in a closed bag smell and wear out faster.
Wash the socks regularly. Clean socks provide better grip for the tape.
Cut the tape instead of tearing it. Use scissors along the outside of the leg. This makes the socks last longer.
Store the tape at room temperature. Cold tape is stiff and adheres less. Do not leave it in a cold car between sessions.
Check the guards before each season. Look for cracks, flat padding, and Velcro straps that have stopped adhering.
Always have tape in your bag. You tape before every session, so the tape runs out quickly. With Shin Guard Tape PRO (3-pack), you get three rolls delivered every other week, every month, or every three months. If you want all the tape together, Månadskit contains Shin Guard Tape PRO, Howies cloth tape, and grip tape.

Frequently asked questions about shin guards and tape in bandy

1. Which shin guards are best for bandy?

The best shin guards for bandy are the ones that fit your body and your game, not necessarily the most expensive. Look for four things. The first is the right size: the knee should be centered in the knee cup and the guard should end just above the skate. The second is a low profile and good mobility, as bandy requires long skating strides and power in every cut. Many bandy players therefore choose more flexible and shorter guards than hockey players. The third is a stable fit around the calf, as a guard that shapes itself to the leg sits more securely and twists less. The fourth is good, adjustable Velcro straps, so that the guard sits correctly before you tape it. Try the guards with the skates on, and test by squatting down and bending your knees. Nothing should pinch, and the guard should not slide. Regardless of the model, the guards need to be taped to stay in place throughout the match in cold and wet conditions. Shin Guard Tape PRO withstands everything from −10 °C to 80 °C and keeps the guards in place even on a cold match day. The Swedish Bandy Association's rulebook places no special requirements on shin guards for outdoor players, so the choice is yours.

2. What size shin guards should you have in bandy?

Measure from the center of the kneecap down to the top of the skate, with the skates on, and compare it with the manufacturer's size guide. The guard should cover the entire shin. The knee should be centered in the knee cup and the lower part of the guard should end just above the skate's blade, without pressing against it. A guard that is too large slides down, twists, and can rub against the skate. A guard that is too small leaves parts of the shin or knee unprotected. For children, it is tempting to buy a size larger so that the guard will last several seasons, but it rarely works well. A guard that is too large protects less effectively and requires a lot of tape to stay in place. Better buy the right size and check before each season if it still fits. If you are between two sizes, try both with the skates on and choose the one that sits most securely when you bend your knee. When the size is right, you do not need as much tape either. Two to three turns below the knee and above the skate with Shin Guard Tape PRO is enough for the guard to stay still throughout the match.

3. Can you use hockey shin guards in bandy?

Yes, you can, and many younger players who play both sports use the same guards. The difference is that hockey shin guards are often sturdier and have more padding, as ice hockey involves more tackles and hard shots with the puck. Bandy guards are often more flexible, shorter, and have a lower profile, so that they do not restrict mobility during long skating strides. Which one fits best depends on how you play and what you are used to. If you are new to bandy and already have hockey guards, you can start with them and see how they feel. If you find that they are heavy or restrict your stride, a bandy guard may be worth trying. Regardless of which type you choose, the same rules apply for fit: the knee centered in the knee cup and the guard ending just above the skate. The taping is also the same. Apply 2–3 turns just below the knee and 2–3 turns above the skate, around the sock and guard. Shin Guard Tape PRO works just as well in bandy as in hockey. The entire technique is in the guide on taping shin guards.

4. How do you tape shin guards in bandy?

Start by positioning the guard correctly: the knee centered in the knee cup and the guard straight over the shin. Tighten the Velcro straps just enough and pull up the sock smoothly over the guard. Bend the knee slightly and wrap 2–3 turns just below the knee, around both the sock and guard. Then apply 2–3 turns just above the skate, where the guard most often wants to twist. Bandy guards are often shorter than hockey guards, so for many, one turn below the knee and one above the skate is enough. Test by squatting down and taking a few cuts. The guard should stay still and nothing should pinch. Always tape indoors on dry equipment and let the adhesive set for a few minutes before you go out into the cold. This is the most common reason why the tape lets go on the bandy field. Never tape directly against the skin. Use a shin guard tape that withstands cold, such as Shin Guard Tape PRO, which has rubber-based adhesive and withstands down to −10 °C. For training, the classic Shin Guard Tape works well. The entire technique for the stick, grip, and shin guards is in the guide on taping in bandy.

5. How tight should you tape the shin guards, and is it safe for children?

The tape should hold, not pinch. A simple rule of thumb is that you should be able to stick a finger under the tape when you are finished. Tape drawn too tight restricts blood flow in the calf. The leg becomes heavy and numb and can cramp, which lowers both speed and endurance. Bend the knee before you apply the top turn, so the tape does not tighten when you go down into a skating position. Two to three turns per area is enough. More turns do not provide better grip, just more tape to cut off. Taping is safe for children and teenagers when done correctly, but be extra careful with the tension. Children do not always say when something pinches, so feel for it yourself and ask how it feels after a few cuts. Never tape directly against the skin, always around the sock and guard. The classic Shin Guard Tape works well for younger players and for training. It is good to teach the child to tape themselves as they get older, so it becomes a natural part of the preparations. Cut the tape afterwards instead of tearing it off, so both socks and skin are protected.

6. Is Shin Guard Tape PRO better than regular shin guard tape?

Both keep the shin guards in place in bandy and hockey, but they suit slightly different needs. Shin Guard Tape PRO is made of 0.18 mm PVC film with rubber-based adhesive and is 24 mm wide and 20 m long. It withstands everything from −10 °C to 80 °C. It has extra wear resistance and suits you who play a lot and want the tape to hold throughout the whole match, even in the cold and with many close encounters. In bandy, where you play outdoors, the ability to withstand cold is a big advantage. The classic Shin Guard Tape is a good choice for training and for you who tape often and want to keep costs down. You do not need to combine them. Choose the tape that suits how much and how hard you play, and tape in the right places: below the knee and above the skate. If you want the tape to match the team's socks, there is Advance AT7 Shin Guard Tape in ten colors. Regardless of choice, the technique makes the most difference. Properly applied tape stays in place, and incorrectly applied tape lets go regardless of the brand.

7. How often should you re-tape the shin guards?

Before every training session and match, the tape is cut after the session, and next time you apply new tape. Old tape cannot be reused, as the adhesive has lost its grip and the tape has stretched. This means that a lot of tape is used during a bandy season. With two legs, two places per leg and several wraps per place, a roll only lasts a few sessions. The most common problem is not the cost, but that the tape runs out just before a match. The easiest way to avoid this is a subscription. With Shin guard tape PRO (3-pack) you get three rolls delivered to your home every other week, every month, or every three months, depending on how much you play. If you prefer the classic tape, Shin guard tape (3-pack) is available with the same subscription. If you want all the tape together, the Monthly Kit contains shin guard tape PRO, Howies cloth tape, and grip tape in one kit. For teams that tape many legs every week, Shin guard tape PRO (10-pack) is a better option, so that there is always tape in the equipment room.

8. Can the team earn money through StickyTape?

Yes. The team gets its own team link to StickyTape. When players, parents, and supporters buy any of the selected Team Packages via the link, 20% of the sales go back to the team fund. The team does not need to buy anything, hold stock, or handle payments, because the families order and pay themselves, and the packages are delivered directly to them. This is particularly well suited for bandy teams, as every player uses up shin guard tape, cloth tape, and grip tape throughout the season. Team Package Basic combines the three tapes in one package. Team Package Standard also includes waxed skate laces and club wax. Team Package Pro and Team Package Season combines even more accessories, and Season corresponds approximately to an active player's consumption during a season. Since the families buy what the players need anyway, you don't have to sell to neighbors and relatives. Read more about how you earn money for the team fund and calculate what it could mean for your team.