Football Gear
Football Gear Buying Guides
From flag football basics to full tackle equipment — matched to your age, level, and budget.
Tackle Football
Football Helmet & Shoulder Pad Guide
NOCSAE certification explained, helmet fit, shoulder pad sizing by position, and when to replace.
Read guideFootball Cleats Guide
Molded vs. detachable studs, turf vs. grass, and cleat height by position.
Read guideFlag Football
Do You Need Tackle Gear or Flag Gear?
The equipment list for football depends entirely on whether it's tackle or flag — there's very little overlap.
| Tackle Football | Flag Football | |
|---|---|---|
| Helmet | Required — NOCSAE certified | Not used (some non-contact leagues offer optional soft headgear) |
| Shoulder pads | Required | Not used |
| Cleats | Required, molded or detachable studs | Required, no metal cleats |
| Mouthguard | Required | Required |
| Girdle / padded pants | Common at higher levels | Not used |
| Flag belt | Not applicable | Required |
| Approximate full kit cost (youth) | $200–$500 | $20–$50 |
Find the right gear for your player →
Answer 5 questions — age, position, tackle or flag, budget. ShoppingCue filters across Riddell, Schutt, Under Armour, and more.
Get matched in 90 secondsThe Golden Rule of Football Gear
Never buy a used helmet without confirming its certification and recondition history. Unlike most other sports equipment, football helmets have a documented safety-testing standard (NOCSAE) and a recommended reconditioning cycle — a helmet with unknown history is a real risk, not just a fit issue. See the full breakdown in our Helmet & Shoulder Pad Guide.
Almost everything else in football — pads, cleats, cost — scales with age and level rather than needing brand-new gear every season. Most youth programs also have loaner helmets and pads for a reason: it's the single most expensive part of the kit, and rentals/loaners are a smart way to try the sport before buying.