Top 10 Rated Wicket Keeping Pads for Comfort and Durability

Keeping wicket is physically brutal. You are down in a squat for hours, shifting left and right, taking sharp deliveries from fast bowlers and low bounces from spinners, all while the rest of the team rotates through their two hours of fielding. The pads you wear make or break that experience. Good keeping pads are light, flexible around the knee, well-padded where you actually take impact, and built so the straps do not dig into your calf after the first drinks break.

The problem is that most pads on the market are batting pads. Keeping pads are a different shape, a different weight, and usually cost a bit less because they use lighter materials. Choosing the right pair matters more than most keepers realise, especially if you play full matches or keep in two-day formats.

The ten pads below cover every budget and playing level, starting with our own Fore Sports pads followed by nine established cricket brands sold across the UK. Prices are rough retail ranges, so check individual product pages for the exact figure.

What makes a good pair of wicket keeping pads

A few things separate decent keeping pads from the ones you regret buying.

Weight is the first factor. A batting pad for an opener might weigh 1.1 kg a pair. A good keeping pad should sit closer to 700 to 900 grams total, because you are moving constantly and need the flex. Heavy pads make your thighs burn by the second session.

The knee roll matters almost as much. Keepers spend most of their time bent, so a soft, well-shaped knee bolster stops the pad from pressing on the kneecap every time you stand up. Cheap pads often have a flat, hard knee area that bruises over time.

Straps and fit are the quiet dealbreakers. Elastic straps with soft calf pads stay put without cutting off circulation. Badly designed pads slip down after every dive and you end up hoicking them up between balls.

Construction splits into two camps. Traditional cane and foam pads are lighter and flex naturally. PE (polyethylene) foam pads are cheaper and often more durable, but can feel stiffer. Most modern pads use a mix.

Shop all cricket equipment

Quick comparison: 10 wicket keeping pads at a glance

1. Fore Sports wicket keeping pads

Price: around £40 to £60.

Our own keeping pads are built around the idea that most club keepers want something light, functional, and under sixty pounds. The shell uses PE foam with cane bolsters at the knee and instep, which keeps the weight down without losing impact protection. The straps are elastic with padded calf wraps, so you can cinch them tight enough to stay in place through a full innings without the pads pinching. Sizing runs from youth through adult large, and the cut is designed for mobility rather than bulk.

Good for: club keepers, second-team players, juniors moving up to senior sizes, anyone who wants a reliable pair without overspending.

2. Kookaburra

Price: around £60 to £130.

Kookaburra's keeping pads are widely regarded as the reliable default across the UK and Australia. The cane and foam blend gives a good balance of flex and protection, and the knee bolster is one of the better designs on the market. Higher-end models in the range use a lighter cane for premium keepers who spend all day behind the stumps. The finish tends to hold up well, and replacement straps are easy to find if one breaks.

Good for: keepers who want a proven brand that performs across a range of price points.

3. Gray-Nicolls

Price: around £55 to £120.

Gray-Nicolls keeping pads lean into traditional cane construction with PE inserts for durability. The cut is slightly longer in the thigh area than some competitors, which helps protect against unexpected bounces from a wet pitch. Their Velocity and Legend lines are popular with county-level keepers, and the entry-level pads give good value for club use. Fit is true to size, though players with broader calves may want to size up.

Good for: English conditions, keepers who prefer a classic English cricket brand.

4. Gunn & Moore (GM)

Price: around £50 to £110.

GM's keeping pads are built for longer matches. The padding distribution favours the instep and knee, where keepers actually get hit most often, and the straps use a three-point system that keeps the pad steady through dives and quick lateral movement. The entry-level pads offer decent quality at a fair price, and the top-end options compete directly with the premium Kookaburra range.

Good for: two-day and multi-day formats, keepers who dive frequently, players who want solid construction without premium pricing.

5. SG (Sanspareils Greenlands)

Price: around £35 to £90.

SG keeping pads have been a staple in sub-continent cricket for years and have built a solid following in the UK club game too. The cane and foam construction is lighter than most English pads, which suits keepers who prefer speed of movement over heavy protection. Stitching quality has improved noticeably across recent ranges. Sizing tends to run slightly smaller, so size up if you are between sizes.

Good for: warm-weather cricket, keepers who prioritise a lighter feel, players on a tighter budget.

6. SS (Sareen Sports)

Price: around £30 to £70.

SS sits at the budget end of the market and their keeping pads are honest value. PE foam construction keeps the cost low, and while they will not last as long as a premium cane pad, a single pair will usually see out a junior season or a casual senior season. The straps and buckles feel a little plainer than mid-range brands, but they do the job. Worth a look if you need a spare pair for the kit bag.

Good for: juniors, back-up pairs, casual players, first-season keepers testing the position.

7. Shrey

Price: around £60 to £160.

Shrey is the keeper-specialist brand and the pads show it. Their traditional cane construction is among the lightest on the market at senior sizes, and the knee rolls are shaped specifically for the squat-and-stand motion that dominates a keeper's day. Higher-end Shrey pads are what many county and international keepers actually use. Entry-level options are still worth considering if you are serious about keeping but not ready to spend three figures.

Good for: dedicated keepers, keepers stepping up to a higher standard, anyone who wants kit built specifically for the role.

8. New Balance

Price: around £70 to £140.

New Balance brought modern hybrid construction to cricket, and their keeping pads reflect that. Synthetic composite materials sit alongside traditional cane, which cuts weight without sacrificing impact protection. The fit is slightly slimmer than classic English pads, which some keepers love and some find too tight across a broader calf. Finish quality is excellent and the pads tend to hold their shape over seasons of use.

Good for: keepers who want a modern aesthetic and feel, players moving across from other sports.

9. DSC

Price: around £40 to £90.

DSC has grown fast in the UK and their keeping pads give you a solid mid-range option. PE foam with cane reinforcement keeps the pads light and reasonably priced, and the finish feels a cut above the price point. The junior range is particularly popular because of accurate sizing and bright colour options. The strap system is simple but effective.

Good for: mid-range buyers, junior keepers, parents buying kit that needs to last a growing season.

10. CA Sports

Price: around £35 to £80.

CA's keeping pads are widely used across Pakistan and the wider South Asian circuit, and plenty of UK-based keepers rate them too. The cane and foam construction is light and flexible, and the pads tend to mould to the leg well after a few sessions. Batch consistency can vary a little, so buying from a reputable UK stockist matters more with CA than with some other brands.

Good for: keepers who favour a flexible, sub-continent-style pad feel.

How to choose the right keeping pads for you

Think about match length first. If you play twenty-over cricket on Sunday mornings, a lighter PE foam pad will serve you well. If you keep in two-day matches, invest in a cane-built pad because the weight difference over a full day is noticeable.

Measure your leg properly. Pad sizing in cricket is notorious for varying between brands. Measure from the middle of your kneecap down to the top of your boot, and compare against the brand's size chart rather than guessing by men's, youth, and boys' labels.

Check the knee bolster shape in person if you can. Some bolsters are too high and press into the kneecap when you stand. Others are too low and leave the lower thigh unprotected. A good local cricket shop will let you try on pads before buying.

Look after them properly. Keeping pads do not need much care, but rinsing mud off the facing and air-drying them after wet sessions will add a season to their life. Do not leave them wet inside a kit bag.

FAQs

1. What is the difference between batting pads and wicket keeping pads?
Keeping pads are lighter, shorter in the side wings, and shaped around the knee for squatting. Batting pads have more protection on the instep and outside of the leg because batters face the ball directly. Wearing batting pads to keep wicket is a common mistake that leaves you exhausted by tea.

2. How often should I replace my keeping pads?
A mid-range pair from a brand like Fore Sports, Kookaburra, or GM should last two to three seasons of regular club cricket. Budget pads may only last one. Signs it is time to replace them include cracked cane, flattened foam in the knee area, and straps that no longer grip properly.

3. Do expensive keeping pads make a real difference?
Up to about the £80 to £100 mark, yes. Beyond that you are paying for marginal gains in weight and finish that only matter if you keep at a high level. Most club keepers do not need to spend more than £80.

4. Can I wear keeping pads for batting? Technically yes, but not advisable. Keeping pads have less protection on the instep and side, which are the exact places a batter gets hit. Use the right pads for the job.

5. What size pads do I need?
Measure from the centre of your kneecap down to the top of your foot. Compare against the brand's size chart. Common sizes are Youth, Boys, Small Men's, Men's, and Men's Large. When in doubt, size up rather than down, because pads that are slightly too long sit on the top of the boot rather than digging into the ankle.

6. Are cane or PE foam pads better? 
Cane pads are lighter and flex more naturally, which suits longer matches. PE foam pads are more durable and cheaper, which suits juniors and casual players. Many modern pads combine both to get the best of each.