Joma Protec, the padded trousers for goalkeepers

What the Joma Protec reinforcements protect

The Joma Protec reinforcements cover the knees and thighs, which are the areas that touch the ground first when you relax on your side or get up after a save. Joma made them from foam, a material that absorbs impact without stiffening the leg or hindering running.

The rest of the trousers is made from polyester, a flexible fabric that responds to quick changes in support and dries quickly after a session in the rain. Its fitted cut prevents the fabric from floating and shifting the reinforcements out of place, a common flaw in too baggy goalkeeper trousers.

Compare the Protec with other goalkeeper trousers

In comparison, Uhlsport goalkeeper trousers focus on underfoot reinforcements and abrasion-resistant surfaces, while padded models from Reusch come from the German specialist in the position. The full range of goalkeeper trousers, regardless of brand, also features three-quarter cuts and models with padded areas.

Joma, a family brand founded near Toledo in 1965

Joma was founded in 1965 in Portillo de Toledo, a village in Castile-La Mancha where Fructuoso López opened a small sports shoe workshop with a handful of employees. The family business has become a brand distributed in over one hundred and twenty countries within a few decades, without leaving its village of origin.

This workshop culture is reflected in the Protec: no technological excess, but reinforcements placed where the goalkeeper falls, a waistband that holds and an easy-care fabric. It's a work trouser that's as useful for the goalkeeper training three evenings a week on synthetic as it is for the one playing on grass on Sundays.

Sizes of the Joma Protec, from six years to 2XL

The Protec is available in children's sizes from six to twelve years, and in adult sizes from XS to 2XL. The children's version incorporates the principle of knee reinforcements, allowing a young goalkeeper to get used to diving protected early on. To choose, measure your waist and compare it to the Joma guide: the elastic waistband with internal cord accommodates a few centimeters, not a whole size.

For maintenance, Joma recommends a maximum wash of 30 degrees, without bleach or tumble drying. The heat from drying would deform the foam in the knees and reduce cushioning over multiple washes.

When to renew your Joma Protec at the right time

Since the Protec is primarily a winter trouser, Black Friday and the end-of-year festivities are the first occasions to watch for on the goalkeeper promo page, followed by winter sales. The spring French Days for goalkeepers, summer sales, and the resumption of training offer other opportunities, and orphaned sizes sometimes end up in clearance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the bottom of the Joma Protec zipped?

The zippers at the bottom of the legs open up the ankle to put on or take off the trousers without removing your boots. It's handy at half-time, or when the temperature drops during a session and you want to switch from shorts to trousers.

Does the Joma Protec fit small or large?

Its fit is intentionally snug so that the reinforcements stay in place over the joints. If you're between sizes or wearing compression shorts underneath, take the larger size; otherwise, stick with your usual size.

Does the Joma Protec hold up against rain and mud?

Yes, polyester doesn't soak up water like cotton and dries quickly between sessions. After a match in the mud, rinse the knees with cold water first to remove the dirt, then run a gentle cycle at thirty degrees.

How long do the reinforcements of a Joma Protec last?

It all depends on the surface: on synthetic grass, the friction wears the fabric at the knees faster than on grass. A gentle wash and air drying will preserve the foam cushioning over several seasons of training.

Is the Joma Protec for kids suitable for a young beginner?

Yes, it's a good first goalkeeper trouser: it protects the knees and thighs from the very first dives and is easy to care for. For a growing child, just check the leg length at each new school year.