{"id":10249,"date":"2023-07-18T05:00:33","date_gmt":"2023-07-18T05:00:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.baseballsavings.com\/baseball-guide\/?p=10249"},"modified":"2025-05-08T18:00:55","modified_gmt":"2025-05-08T18:00:55","slug":"catchers-gear-buying-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.playbaseball.com\/baseball-guide\/catchers-gear-buying-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Catcher’s Gear Buying Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Author: Brian Davis | Updat<\/em>ed: May 8th, 2025<\/em><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]Compared to other positions in baseball, a catcher needs to worry about having more gear. While looking around you may wonder which catcher\u2019s gear is best.\u00a0 Choosing the right catcher\u2019s gear set ensures two things: safety and comfort. The crouching position of a catcher can be uncomfortable with improper fitting gear and may even hurt your game.<\/p>\n

What Equipment Does a Catcher Need?<\/span><\/h3>\n

Catchers need a good amount of gear to keep them protected. The three main pieces a catcher needs to stay protected are a catcher\u2019s helmet, chest protector, and shin guards. You may be wondering how to buy catcher\u2019s gear when there\u2019s so many pieces. Fortunately, you can find sets of all three pieces for both baseball<\/a><\/span> and softball<\/a><\/span>. A mid-range catcher\u2019s set should run you anywhere from $200 to $400.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/tgwblog.kinsta.cloud\/blog-assets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/05\/rawlings-exclusive-adult-velo-2.0-splatter-catchers-set.jpg” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” alt=”Rawlings Adult Velo 2.0 Splatter Catcher’s Set” title_text=”rawlings-exclusive-adult-velo-2.0-splatter-catchers-set” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

How to Properly Measure for Catcher\u2019s Gear<\/span><\/h3>\n

One of the most important parts about purchasing catcher\u2019s gear is getting the right sizing. A correct catcher\u2019s gear fit ensures you\u2019re fully protected from a blazing fast pitch. Loose catcher\u2019s gear can result in inadequate protection while gear that\u2019s too tight makes it uncomfortable to play. Getting the right gear means you\u2019ll play at the top of your game and be fully protected doing so.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

How Do You Size Catcher\u2019s Gear?<\/span><\/h3>\n

With so many pieces, you may be wondering how do you size catching gear. There\u2019s a lot of different pieces, but you can get all the measurements with a simple tailor\u2019s measure.<\/p>\n

The first item to start with is the helmet. Catcher\u2019s helmets are sized just like batting helmets. To get the right size, measure the circumference of your head above the ear. After, you can look at a helmet sizing chart to find your size. A head circumference of 22 inches translates to a size 7 catcher\u2019s helmet.
\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”http:\/\/tgwblog.kinsta.cloud\/blog-assets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/02\/Helmet-Sizing-Guide.png” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.16″ width=”90%” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Next, you\u2019ll need to find chest protector sizing. To measure what size chest guard you need, measure the distance from the base of your neck to the top of your belt. You\u2019ll be able to match this length with the product information on a chest guard\u2019s product information page such as this one<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n

Finally, you\u2019ll need to calculate shin guard sizing. Take your tape measure and measure the length from the middle of your knee to the top of your ankle. This way, your leg guards will protect the whole leg while offering good mobility.<\/p>\n

Now that you know the basics of catcher\u2019s gear sizing, you\u2019re ready to look at other aspects of catcher\u2019s gear.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”http:\/\/tgwblog.kinsta.cloud\/blog-assets\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/02\/Catchers-Sizing-Guide.png” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

How Should Your Shin Guards, Helmet, and Chest Protector Fit?<\/span><\/h3>\n

How to Ensure the Right Fit for Your Catcher\u2019s Gear<\/span><\/h4>\n

If you measure yourself before purchasing a catcher\u2019s gear set, chances are it\u2019ll fit perfectly. Properly fitting gear is essential for your safety or your child\u2019s safety. If you get a set of catcher\u2019s gear, and it just doesn\u2019t feel right, you can always find a better fitting set. Children need a special catcher\u2019s gear set because their bodies are different than adults\u2019 bodies. Check out these catcher’s sets<\/a><\/span> designed specifically for youth baseball.<\/p>\n

Besides fitting properly, there are some other guidelines you should look for in your catcher\u2019s gear. Below, we\u2019ve listed each piece of catcher\u2019s gear and some guidelines you should look for when purchasing it.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]Catcher\u2019s Helmet:<\/strong><\/p>\n