Author: Brian Davis | Updated: May 8th, 2025
What Equipment Does a Catcher Need?
Catchers need a good amount of gear to keep them protected. The three main pieces a catcher needs to stay protected are a catcher’s helmet, chest protector, and shin guards. You may be wondering how to buy catcher’s gear when there’s so many pieces. Fortunately, you can find sets of all three pieces for both baseball and softball. A mid-range catcher’s set should run you anywhere from $200 to $400.
How to Properly Measure for Catcher’s Gear
One of the most important parts about purchasing catcher’s gear is getting the right sizing. A correct catcher’s gear fit ensures you’re fully protected from a blazing fast pitch. Loose catcher’s gear can result in inadequate protection while gear that’s too tight makes it uncomfortable to play. Getting the right gear means you’ll play at the top of your game and be fully protected doing so.
How Do You Size Catcher’s Gear?
With so many pieces, you may be wondering how do you size catching gear. There’s a lot of different pieces, but you can get all the measurements with a simple tailor’s measure.
The first item to start with is the helmet. Catcher’s 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’s helmet.
Next, you’ll 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’ll be able to match this length with the product information on a chest guard’s product information page such as this one.
Finally, you’ll 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.
Now that you know the basics of catcher’s gear sizing, you’re ready to look at other aspects of catcher’s gear.
How Should Your Shin Guards, Helmet, and Chest Protector Fit?
How to Ensure the Right Fit for Your Catcher’s Gear
If you measure yourself before purchasing a catcher’s gear set, chances are it’ll fit perfectly. Properly fitting gear is essential for your safety or your child’s safety. If you get a set of catcher’s gear, and it just doesn’t feel right, you can always find a better fitting set. Children need a special catcher’s gear set because their bodies are different than adults’ bodies. Check out these catcher’s sets designed specifically for youth baseball.
Besides fitting properly, there are some other guidelines you should look for in your catcher’s gear. Below, we’ve listed each piece of catcher’s gear and some guidelines you should look for when purchasing it.
- Meets NOCSAE® standards for safety
- Caged mask for ultimate protection
- Foam padding for comfort and secure fit
- Meets NOCAE® Commotio Cordis standard
- Strapping system for secure fit
- Materials for optimal impact absorption
- Designed for safety AND mobility
- Lining material for impact absorption and comfort
Now That You Know…
Catcher’s gear can provide good protection while also being comfortable. To achieve the perfect catcher’s gear set, all you need is a tape measure and a little time. If you’re interested in purchasing a quality catcher’s gear set, you can find the perfect one here so you can reach peak performance.
