Best Baseball Elbow Guard For Youth & Adults (Reviews)
Best High End
EvoShield PRO-SRZ
Best Mid Range
G-Form Elite
Best Inexpensive
EvoShield EvoCharge
Last Updated: 10th Mar, 2023
In this post, we take a look at some of the best baseball elbow guards to buy in 2020. For this review, we interviewed several major/little league players and a couple of coaches, taking their inputs and what were their top picks. Surprisingly, with so many options out there, most of them sided with either Evoshield or G-form brand elbow guards.
To save you the hassle, we've rounded up five of the best baseball elbow guards on offer. So, whether you're looking for a youth or adult, durable or light elbow guard, don't worry, we've got you covered.
You know the feeling, you're in the batter's box staring down the pitcher.
You lock eyes, the windup, the pitch.
It's inside, you pull your arms back and try to get out of the way, but not fast enough.
Whack!!!
The ball hits your elbow. The pain instantly shoots up your arm.
Maybe you're in the stands now, watching your kids or grandkids stand in at the plate, hoping they don't have to experience that pain. Don't worry, there's good news, neither you, your kids, or grandkids ever need to experience that pain again. All you need is an elbow guard.
Of course, you don't want it to mess with that home run swing, and more importantly, you need it to work. That's where we come in. Our team of experts has already done the leg work, reviewing the products to give you the best of the best, allowing you to trust that you or your family member will be safe, and keep hitting those fastballs out of the park.
Our Top Picks for The Best Baseball Elbow Guard
- EvoShield PRO-SRZ Batter's Elbow Guard Series- Pro Pick
- G-Form Elite Batter's Elbow Guard - Best Overall
- EvoShield EvoCharge Batter's Elbow Guard - Best Value
- G-Form Baseball Pro Extended Elbow Guard - Best for youth/beginners (protects elbow and triceps)
- EvoShield Srz-1 Batters Elbow Guard - Best for Extra Protection
1. EvoShield PRO-SRZ Batter's Elbow Guard Series
The EvoShield PRO-SRZ Batter's Elbow Guard Series is what professional ball players like Andrew Benintendi of the Boston Red Sox and Kelsey Stewart of Team USA wear when they step up to the plate. The reason is simple. They are custom fit for each user, which ensures they won't have any impact on that homerun swing but still provide high-quality protection. If you need maximum performance and can't be slowed down by your elbow guard or an injury, the EvoShield PRO-SRZ is for you.
The EvoShield PRO-SRZ utilizes its patented Gel-To-Shell technology to ensure that each elbow guard is a custom fit. It comes sealed, soft, and flexible in the packaging, as soon as you open it you simply put it on and wear it for 30 minutes. While wearing it, it hardens into the protective shell that will be safeguarding you during the game. This ensures a custom fit that feels completely natural and won't have any impact on your swing. And since it's custom-sized just for you, you know that it will provide maximum protection.
Furthermore, it comes equipped with dispersion technology, which spreads the force of any impact over the entire guard, limiting any potential pain and ensuring that you are protected. Of course, all of this cutting-edge technology comes with a price, the EvoShield PRO-SRZ comes in at just over $50, although most purchasers felt it was well worth the price.
The EvoShield PRO-SRZ comes in two different sizes, is hand washable, and made of high-quality materials that ensure it will last the length of even the longest seasons.
Top Features:
- Size based on arm circumference: Large (10''+)/ Small (below 10''), 5 color options
- Gel-to-shell custom molding technology for the perfect fit
- Hand washable
- Size: 9.25" W x 6.5" H
Final Note: If you're looking for the very best elbow guard, which is also used by many of the pro league players, this is your best bet.
2. G-Form Elite Batter's Elbow Guard
Unlike the EvoShield PRO-SRZ, the G-Form Elite Batter's Elbow Guard offers forearm and triceps protection, which makes the product itself a little bulkier. However, the G-Form Elite utilizes SmartFlexTM technology to ensure the ultimate flexibility. This enables a full range of motion and eliminates any discomfort the user may otherwise experience.
The SmartFlexTM technology also allows the material to remain soft and malleable while in use but hardens on the moment of impact to provide maximum protection. The G-Form Elite is breathable and lightweight, ensuring that even on the hottest of gamedays, it remains comfortable. Moreover, it is completely waterproof, keeping out sweat and rain.
The G-Form Elite utilizes silicone grippers to ensure that the pads stay in place no matter the situation, so you don't have to worry about it sliding out of place before the pitch. Additionally, the G-Form Elite comes in 5 different sizes, including a youth size and is machine washable.
If you're looking for a little bit of personalization, the G-Form Elite offers a name and number zone so you can bring a little bit of your own style to the field. Pricing for the G-Form Elite varies between 40 to 75 dollars, depending on sizing and customization options.
The best possible combination of safety and performance makes the G-Form Elite Batter's Elbow Guard a phenomenal fit for most applications.
Top Features:
- Size: Adult S/M/L/XL, youth
- Elbow, tricep, forearm protection with Cantilever shield design
- Nested hinge for full elbow coverage
- Six color options
Final note:
The G-Form Elite Batter's Elbow Guard offers a fine balance between comfort, protection, and pricing, making it an ideal choice for most players.
3. EvoShield EvoCharge Batter's Elbow Guard
The EvoShield EvoCharge Batter's Elbow Guard comes with the same Gel-To-Shell technology as the Evoshield PRO-SRZ, ensuring that you'll get a custom fit that provides maximum protection while minimizing any potential discomfort or impact to your swing.
Additionally, the EvoShield EvoCharge utilizes dispersion technology, ensuring that any impacts aren't directly absorbed but instead dispersed out over the entire elbow guard. This helps to minimize any discomfort caused by an impact.
The biggest difference between the EvoShield EvoCharge and EvoShield PRO-SRZ is that while both the EvoCharge and the PRO-SRZ have two sizes, both PRO-SRZ sizes are geared towards adults, where the EvoCharge has one size geared for youths and one for adults.
What this means is that for adults, the PRO-SRZ is more likely to have the perfect size elbow guard for you, but if you are shopping for youths, the EvoCharge is going to be a better fit.
Essentially, the EvoCharge provides all the same protective and custom fit technology as the PRO-SRZ, but the sizing might not be as ideal. Most users don't have an issue with the sizing, so unless you are playing against a high level of competition, the EvoCharge is probably the better buy.
The EvoShield EvoCharge typically costs between 25-55 dollars, depending on the size and colors that you choose. Furthermore, it is hand washable.
Top Features:
- Size: Adult/Youth with 12 color options
- Impact dispersion technology
- Custom molding for a perfect fit
- Elbow Coverage: 8" W x 5" H
Final Note:
If you need great protection without compromising your swing, but you don't want to break the bank, the EvoShield EvoCharge is perfect for you.
4. G-Form Baseball Pro Extended Elbow Guard
The G-Form Baseball Pro Extended Elbow Guard provides additional protection for those that might not be as quick to get out of the batter's box, like a beginner or a child. The lightweight and breathable compression sleeve extends past just the elbow providing protection for the triceps as well, allowing you to focus on hitting the ball, knowing that you are protected.
Silicone grippers at the top of the elastic band ensure that the protective pads stay in place throughout the entire at-bat, so you don't have to worry about it sliding out of place between pitches or swings.
Just like the G-Form Elite Batter's Elbow Guard, the G-Form Baseball Pro Extended Elbow Guard comes with SmartFlexTM technology that keeps the guard soft and malleable up until impact, ensuring maximum mobility and minimal impact on your swing. Of course, as soon as the ball hits the pad, it hardens, providing maximum protection. After impact, it softens back up so it can be used again.
The G-Form Baseball Pro Extended Elbow Guard is completely machine washable and waterproof, guaranteeing that it's easy to maintain and can be used for years to come.
Top Features:
- Body-mapped Smartflex pads for maximum impact absorption and coverage
- Built-in Silicone gripper ensures the guard stays put all times
- Machine washable
- Size: Adult (S/M/L/XL), Youth (L/XL) with 6 color options
Final Note:
If you, your kid, or grandkid is new to the game, then the G-Form Baseball Pro Extended Elbow Guard is a phenomenal choice to keep them safe. The extra coverage and padding safeguard you from wild throws, and at the same time, it does not pose a hindrance to swing freely.
5. EvoShield Srz-1 Batters Elbow Guard
We get it, you can't ever have enough protection. Nothing is worse than the fear of the ball smacking your elbow, keeping you from doing your best at the plate. Even worse is not being able to watch the game because you're worried about your kid or grandkid's safety.
If that's how you feel, the EvoShield Srz-1 Batter's Elbow Guard is for you. It comes with the same Gel-To-Shell technology that both the PRO-SRZ and EvoCharge elbow guards come with, ensuring a perfect custom fit. The custom fit ensures that you are afforded maximum protection and that every part of your elbow is covered.
Additionally, the Srz-1 is equipped with dispersion technology, spreading out the force of any impact over the entire elbow guard, minimizing what you feel from any impacts while wearing it. The biggest difference between the Srz-1 and other EvoShield elbow guards is that the Srz-1 comes with an additional level of protection to keep you safe.
The added protection does make it bulkier than the other EvoShield elbow guards, but if safety is your goal, the Srz-1 can't be beaten. For all this extra protection, the Srz-1 is similar in price to the EvoCharge, meaning you don't have to break the bank to stay safe.
The Srz-1 comes in two different sizes, small and adult, comes in a multitude of colors, and is hand washable making it easy to maintain and customize to your team's colors.
Top Features:
- Size: Small (8"W x 5"H); Large (9"W x 6"H) with 12 color options
- Extra padding to prevent against painful impacts
Final Note:
Clearly, the EvoShield Srz-1 is geared towards pro/advanced players who are looking for a smaller guard while offering superior protection.
Baseball Elbow Guard Buyer's Guide
Investing in a piece of safety equipment can seem like a daunting task. You don't want to get it wrong; getting the wrong piece of equipment might end up with you or your loved one getting hurt. And if you or your loved one doesn't like the way the product feels or fits, neither of you are likely to use it, making it a waste of money. If you're buying it for your child or grandchild, then this decision seems even more important.
The good news is if you pick any of the products off our list you're already in good shape. But there's still other things that you need to worry about, such as, which one do I need? How do I make sure I get the right size? And after I get it, how do I make sure I'm wearing it properly?
Don't worry, we have you covered. The first question you need to ask is which elbow guard do I need? There are a couple of things you need to take into consideration when you're making this decision; the first is the level of play it is going to be used at.
Whether or not you're looking for your kid's first elbow guard for his first year of fast pitch or you're suiting up for your first year of college ball will make a big difference. If you're buying for your child or grandchild in their first year of fastpitch, you probably want to stick with our youth and beginners pick or our extra protection pick. If money is a factor our budget pick may be the way to go. But unless little Timmy is throwing 90 miles per hour heaters down the strike zone, you probably don't need our pro pick.
However, if you are facing off against top tier talent, you might need to invest in our pro pick or best overall. You can never go wrong with our extra protection pick either.
EvoShield Sizing, Custom Fitting, and Wear Instructions
If you end up picking one of the EvoShield products, you need to make sure you get the right size. For the EvoShield brand, the easiest way to do this is to measure your arm circumference from just above the elbow. If it's over 10 inches, get the large or adult size (depending on how the site labels it). If it's under 10 inches, get the small or youth size.
If you do get one of the EvoShield products, you will be getting one with Gel-To-Shell technology, which ensures that you get a custom fit. In order to get this custom fit, it is important that you break it in properly. The steps are straight forward, but you only get one shot to do it.
When the guard arrives, it will be in a sealed container, as soon as you open it, the air activates the hardening process. Immediately after opening it, attach the strap and put it on the elbow that will be facing the pitcher while you are batting. If you are a right handed batter, it will be on the left elbow; if you are left handed, it will be on the right elbow.
The pad should extend just past the tip of your elbow. Ensure that you still have a full range of motion for your arm then wrap some gauze around the top to help keep the ends of the pad pulled down and in place.
From there, all you do is wait 30 minutes for it to harden. You want to limit movement as much as possible during the process to ensure that you get an accurate fitting. If it sounds too daunting, don't worry, it's not.
You can watch the full video on how to complete the process here:
Once you get the product custom fit for you, wearing the guard properly is easy. Simply put the guard on exactly how you did when you were getting the product custom fit. Don't apply the gauze; now that it is hardened, it isn't needed. With the quick-release strap, it's easy to take the guard on and off as needed throughout the game.
G-Form Sizing and Wear Instructions
Unlike the EvoShield products, there is no custom fitting with G-Form products. And where the EvoShield products are strapped on, G-Form products slide on as compression sleeves. This results in there being a lot more sizes to choose from.
With the G-Form Elite, there are three different sizes, two for adults and one for youths. For the Pro Extended product, there are six sizes, four for adults and two for youths. And while this might make it seem more daunting, the sizing names make it pretty straightforward.
For the G-Form Elite, adult sizes come in Small-Medium and Large-Extra Large and just the one youth size. For the Pro Extended, there is Small, Medium, Large, and Extra-Large available for adults and Small-Medium youth and Large-Extra Large youth available.
Once you have the right size, it's important to make sure you know how to wear it properly for the game. The G-Form products come as a compression sleeve, simply slide your arm in the sleeve until the lowermost point of the pad extends just below the tip of the elbow.
Finally, make sure the padding is pointing towards the outermost part of the elbow that is exposed to the pitcher. For right-handed batters, it will be the left elbow, and for left-handed batters, it will be the right elbow. It's simple slide-on, slide-off design makes it easy to take the guard on and off as needed throughout the game.
Let's Wrap Things Up
Making sure that you buy high-quality safety equipment is an extremely important step in sports. Not only can getting the wrong equipment lead to some unnecessary pain, but it could also lead to an injury.
In addition to getting the right product, setting it up and wearing it correctly is just as important to stay safe. We're glad that you took the time to make sure you or your kid is buying a high-quality elbow guard and that you took the time to learn how to wear them properly.
Just as it's important for you or your family members to stay safe and stay in the game, we feel it's just as important for us to put out high-quality research baked reviews. We sincerely hope you could find the right baseball elbow guard for your needs. If you've any queries or if you want us to review any particular guard, please comment below.
