French Days : the goalkeeper's outfit

Goalkeeper trousers or shorts: which one to choose depending on the pitch

The goalkeeper trousers protect the entire leg from friction, which is a plus on synthetic pitches where every dive can burn the skin, and on frozen ground in winter. The Anatomic Kevlar from Uhlsport features padding at the hips and knees with a Kevlar surface that resists abrasion; the Profi from Jako and the Classic from Hummel complete the selection.

The padded shorts take their place when it's warm and the grass is soft. The Goalkeeper Tights from Uhlsport offer a third option: a snug fitting short designed for the keeper, to be worn on its own or under the shorts, that moves with every motion without riding up.

Complete the goalkeeper's outfit during the French Days

All that's missing are the hands and feet. Match and training gloves can be found in Goalkeeper Gloves, and football boots in Football Shoes. For shin guards, bags, and water bottles, head to Equipment, and for a young keeper, check out Kids. Club and team jerseys are on Teams, and the full range of offers can be found on French Days.

Club goalkeeper shirt or technical match shirt

The club goalkeeper shirt reflects the kit worn by the team's last line of defense, featuring the badge and a colour that contrasts with the players' field colours: the OM or Liverpool shirt is a joy for the young keeper who follows their team every weekend. In supporter version, it is most often worn without padding.

For weekly play, a technical shirt like the Pro from Erima is more suitable, with its long sleeves, elbow pads, and breathable fabric. Keepers who value their club shirt wear it over a padded undershirt, like the one from Precision, that protects the shoulders and elbows.

Compression and underlayers under the goalkeeper's outfit

The goalkeeper goes through dives, jumps, and throws: their adductors and hamstrings are heavily used. The compression shorts from McDavid, including the Cross Compression model designed for adductors, hug the thigh to support the groin area with every step.

Under the shirt, a base layer close to the body keeps the muscles warm during long periods of inactivity, which are common in winter when the team is dominant. The rules of the game require that the sleeves of an undershirt match the main colour of the shirt sleeves: check this point before choosing yours.

Renewing your goalkeeper kit over time

A goalkeeper's kit wears out at the knees and elbows more quickly than you think, especially on synthetic pitches. Black Friday and the end of year festivities come just before winter, making it a good time for a long pair of trousers or a warm underlayer. The winter sales allow for replacing a worn shirt, the French Days in spring and the summer sales to switch to padded shorts for the nicer days. When training resumes, take stock of what needs to be changed, and check the Clearance for goalkeeper models from past collections.

Frequently asked questions

Do you need a long-sleeve shirt to be a goalkeeper?

No, the rules do not impose sleeve length. Long sleeves are preferred for protecting the forearms on hard surfaces; in summer, some keepers switch to short sleeves with separate elbow pads.

How do you wash padded goalkeeper trousers?

Turn them inside out and run a delicate cycle at a low temperature to preserve the padding at the hips and knees. Avoid the tumble dryer and radiator: let them dry flat or hung up, in the open air, so the padding retains its shape.

What size goalkeeper trousers should I take?

Choose your usual size for tracksuit bottoms, making sure when wearing them that the padding falls correctly on the hip and knee. If they're too big, the trousers slip and hinder movement; if they're too tight, they restrict the range of dives.

Is a pair of compression shorts worn under the match shorts?

Yes, that is actually its main use: it fits under the match shorts or trousers. Make sure it's fitted well, without digging into the waist or obstructing circulation, and wash it after each session so it retains its elasticity.

When does a young goalkeeper need padded kit?

As soon as they start diving regularly in training, a padded pair of trousers or shorts prevents bruises on the hips and makes the young keeper less hesitant on the ground. The Standard trousers from Uhlsport come in children's sizes for this first gear.