How to Choose the Right Size: Wicket Keeping Pads Size Guide

May 08 , 2026

Annas Nasir

Getting your wicket keeping pad size wrong is one of those mistakes you only make once. Too small and your knee is exposed on a rising delivery. Too big and the pad shifts every time you dive, which is the last thing you need when a nick flies through to your right at shin height.

This guide covers everything: how to measure correctly, what the numbers mean, a full sizing chart for juniors through adults, and how to spot the common fitting errors before you buy.

Table of Contents

1. Wicket Keeping Pads vs Batting Pads: Why Size Works Differently

2. How to Measure for Wicket Keeping Pads

3. Wicket Keeping Pads Sizing Chart

4. Junior Wicket Keeping Pad Sizes

5. Brand-Specific Sizing Notes

6. How to Check the Fit When You Try Them On

7. 5 Sizing Mistakes to Avoid

8. FAQs

1. Wicket Keeping Pads vs Batting Pads: Why Size Works Differently

Before measuring, understand one thing: keeping pads are shorter and lighter than batting pads. Batting pads extend further up the thigh because a batter needs to block and absorb impact from the front. A keeper needs to crouch, dive, and move laterally, so the pad is cut lower to allow that range of motion.

The measurement method is also different. For batting pads, you measure from the centre of the kneecap to the top of your foot (instep). For wicket keeping pads, the standard measurement is from the top of the instep (the tongue of your shoe) up to the centre of the kneecap. Same two points, same direction of measurement, but the fit criteria are different because the pad sits and moves differently on the leg.

One more thing: a pad labelled "Medium" in batting gear is not automatically a Medium in keeping gear. Do not assume.

2. How to Measure for Wicket Keeping Pads

You need a flexible tape measure and ideally a second person to hold it steady.

Step 1: Sit on a chair or bench with your foot flat on the floor. Your knee should be at roughly a 90-degree angle.

Step 2: Find the top of your instep. This is the highest point on the top of your foot, roughly where the tongue of your boot sits when you lace it up.

Step 3: Find the centre of your kneecap. Run your finger along the front of your leg until you feel the round, firm disc of bone. The centre of that is your top point.

Step 4: Measure the straight-line distance between these two points in centimetres. Do not measure along the curve of your leg.

Step 5: Write the number down and compare it to the chart below.

If you land between two sizes, go with the larger one. A pad slightly on the long side still protects your knee. A pad that is slightly short leaves the lower knee exposed.

Once you have your measurement, head to our wicket keeping pads collection and match it against the chart below.

3. Wicket Keeping Pads Sizing Chart

This chart is a general guide based on measurements common across major cricket equipment brands. Individual brands may vary by up to 5mm, so always check the brand's own size chart if available.

Women's sizing: Women's pads typically correspond to the Small Adult or Adult range depending on height. Several brands now label women's sizes explicitly. Gunn & Moore (from 2022 onwards) label their women's range as "Womens," which sits between the old Small Adult and Adult. If buying GM pads, check their current conversion chart.

Age is a rough guide only. Use the measurement, not the age column. A tall 10-year-old may need Youth pads. A short adult may find Small Adult the better fit.

Ready to shop? Browse our full range of wicket keeping pads at ForeSports - sizes from Small Junior through Large Adult, with fast UK delivery.

4. Junior Wicket Keeping Pad Sizes

Junior sizing deserves its own section because fit matters more for younger players, not less. Growing cricketers outgrow pads faster, and the consequences of wearing undersized pads are worse for developing players who are still learning to move behind the stumps.

What to measure: Use the same instep-to-kneecap measurement described above. Children's proportions vary more than adults, so the measurement is more reliable than age or school year.

Buying ahead: It is tempting to buy a size up to get more use out of a pair. For junior keepers, going one size too large is riskier than it sounds. A pad that slips or rotates during a dive can leave the shin or ankle exposed mid-play. If a child is near the top of a size range, buy the correct size now and revisit in 12–18 months rather than buying large and hoping.

Check the straps: Junior pads sometimes come with adult-proportioned strap spacing. When you try them on, check that both straps sit in the right place: the top strap just below the back of the knee and the lower strap around the lower calf. If both straps bunch near the same point, the pad is too short.

While you are fitting your junior keeper, it is worth pairing the pads with the right wicket keeping gloves. Gloves and pads from the same size bracket tend to work well together in terms of movement and comfort.

5. Brand-Specific Sizing Notes

Most brands follow the general chart above, but there are a few worth flagging.

Gunn & Moore (GM): Since 2022, GM has renamed some sizes. What used to be called Small, Medium, and Large in the GM range is now labelled Womens, Large, and Extra Large on some packaging. If you owned GM pads before 2022 and are buying a replacement pair, check their current conversion chart rather than assuming the same label means the same size.

Gray-Nicolls: Follows the standard industry sizing closely. Their Junior and Youth lines are well proportioned for the size ranges listed.

Kookaburra: Tend to run slightly longer than the generic chart. If you are between sizes with Kookaburra, the smaller option often fits better.

Chase Cricket: Their pads are categorised as Junior (450mm pad length), Small Adult (470mm), and Adult (480mm). These measurements refer to the overall pad length, not the instep-to-knee measurement. Chase recommends checking that the top of the pad sits just above the kneecap when worn.

DSC: Pads run true to the standard chart. Their ambidextrous range is worth noting for younger players who are still developing hand preference.

All of these brands are stocked in our wicket keeping pads collection. If you are unsure which brand suits your game, drop us a message and we can advise based on your budget and level of play.

6. How to Check the Fit When You Try Them On

Numbers on a chart are a starting point. The real test is wearing the pads and moving in them.

Knee roll position: Put the pads on and stand naturally. The knee roll (the padded section that wraps around the knee) should sit directly over your kneecap. If it sits below the kneecap, the pad is too short. If it covers the lower thigh, the pad is too long.

Strap placement: Fasten both straps. The top strap sits just below the crease at the back of your knee, not cutting into it. The lower strap goes around the calf. If a strap falls at the wrong point even when adjusted fully, the pad length is wrong for your leg.

The crouch test: Get into your keeping crouch. The pad should fold with your leg, not ride up or gap. If the instep section lifts off your foot when you bend, the pad is too long. If the knee roll drops below the knee in the crouch position, size up.

The dive test: If you can, simulate a sideways dive. The pad should stay in position. Any rotation or slipping suggests a fit issue, usually a strap problem, but sometimes a size issue if adjustment does not fix it.

7. Five Sizing Mistakes to Avoid

Measuring from the bottom of the kneecap. The standard is the centre of the kneecap. Measuring from the bottom gives a shorter number and can push you into an undersized pad.

Using batting pad sizing as a reference. Keeping pads run smaller. A Medium batting pad does not mean you take a Medium keeping pad.

Ordering by age for junior players. Age is printed on packaging as a guide for parents browsing quickly. Use the measurement.

Ignoring brand size changes. Gunn & Moore changed their labelling in 2022. Other brands periodically update sizing. If you have not bought that brand recently, double-check before reordering the same size.

Buying large to save money. Oversized pads shift during play and can leave gaps at the shin and ankle. For a role that involves constant low movement and diving, fit matters more than making a pair last an extra season.

Complete Your Wicket Keeping Kit

Once you have the right pads, the rest of your keeping setup should fit just as well. Here are the other items worth sorting at the same time:

• Wicket Keeping Gloves - sized by hand span, not height. Measure separately.
• Batting Pads - if you bat in the lineup, you will need a separate pair sized for batting rather than keeping.
• Thigh Pads - worn by keepers as well as batters, particularly on quick surfaces.
• Chest Guard - worth having if you are keeping on lively pitches or against pace bowling.
• Cricket Kit Bag - a full keeping setup takes up more space than most players expect. Make sure the bag fits everything before you buy one.

FAQs

1. What size wicket keeping pads do I need? 
A. Measure from the top of your instep to the centre of your kneecap in centimetres. Compare that number to the sizing chart above. Most adults fall in the Adult (43–46 cm) or Small Adult (40–43 cm) range. Browse our wicket keeping pads and cross-reference with the specific brand's chart before buying.

2. Are wicket keeping pads the same as batting pads? 
A. No. Keeping pads are shorter, lighter, and designed for lateral and crouching movement. Batting pads extend further up the thigh to block straight-on impact. The two are not interchangeable.

3. What size keeping pads for a junior? 
A. Junior pads (32–36 cm instep-to-knee) suit most 8–11 year olds, but measure the child rather than going by age. A tall 9-year-old may need Youth-size pads. See our full range of junior and youth wicket keeping pads at ForeSports.

4. How do I know if my pads are the right size? 
A. With the pads on, the knee roll should sit directly over the kneecap in a standing position. Both straps should fasten comfortably at the back of the leg. In a crouch, the pad should flex without riding up or gapping at the shin.

5. Can I use wicket keeping pads for batting? 
A. Technically, you can, but it is not recommended. Keeping pads offer less thigh protection and are not designed for the type of impacts a batter faces. If you bat at any position beyond tail-end, use proper batting pads.

6. How often should junior pads be replaced? 
A. Check fit at the start of every season. If the knee roll no longer sits over the kneecap when standing, the child has outgrown them. Most junior players need a new size every one to two seasons.

Shop Wicket Keeping Pads at ForeSports

We stock a full range of wicket keeping pads for adults and juniors, from entry-level through to professional grade, across all major brands including Gray-Nicolls, Kookaburra, GM, and more. Fast UK delivery, secure checkout, and a 14-day return policy.

Not sure which pair is right for you? Drop us a message and we will help you match the right size and spec to your game.

Browse All Wicket Keeping Pads at ForeSports →