Sports Protective Gear Market Report 2026

The sports protective gear market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $4.51 billion in 2025 to $4.89 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.4%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to rising awareness of sports injury prevention, increased participation in contact sports, growth of professional sports leagues, expansion of school and collegiate sports programs, availability of certified protective equipment.

The sports protective gear market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $6.66 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing demand for high-performance protective gear, rising focus on athlete safety regulations, expansion of youth sports participation, growing adoption of technologically enhanced protectors, increasing customization of sports safety equipment. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing use of advanced impact-absorbing materials, rising demand for lightweight and breathable protective gear, growing focus on sport-specific injury prevention designs, expansion of custom-fit and adjustable protection solutions, enhanced compliance with safety standards.

The growing awareness of sports injuries is expected to drive the expansion of the Sports Protective Gear market in the coming years. Sports injuries refer to physical harm or damage to the body - including muscles, bones, joints, ligaments, and tendons - that occurs during sports or exercise activities. The rise in awareness is fueled by organizations, researchers, and athletic associations publishing detailed injury statistics and promoting safety initiatives to protect participants’ health. Sports protective gear supports this trend by offering athletes equipment designed to minimize the risk or severity of injuries during training and competition, enhancing both safety and performance. For example, in March 2023, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), a US-based orthopaedic association, an estimated 5,228,791 sports injuries occurred among high school athletes nationwide in 2023, with head, neck, and severe injuries showing an upward trend compared with previous years. Therefore, increased awareness of sports injuries is contributing to the growth of the Sports Protective Gear market.

Key players and leading companies in the sports protective gear market are focusing on technological innovations, such as RE ZRO technology, to enhance sustainability, impact protection, and athlete comfort. RE ZRO technology is an eco-engineered protective material designed to absorb and dissipate impact energy while being fully recyclable and biodegradable, offering high-impact shock absorption, lightweight performance, and a reduced environmental footprint. For instance, in October 2023, G-Form, a US-based protective gear company, launched its Terra Knee and Elbow Guards featuring RE ZRO technology, marking a significant advancement in sustainable mountain bike protection. This eco-friendly gear is 100% recyclable and biodegradable, designed to decompose within 3-5 years in landfills. Combining lightweight, breathable materials with SmartFlex impact absorption technology, the guards provide both comfort and safety while meeting CE certification standards. G-Form’s focus on sustainability and performance positions it as a market leader, with plans to expand its RE ZRO line in 2024 to include additional sports applications.

In November 2023, Norwest Equity Partners (NEP), a US-based management firm, acquired United Sports Brands for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition aims to strengthen USB's market position and broaden its international presence. United Sports Brands is a US-based sporting goods company that specializes in sports protective gear.

Major companies operating in the sports protective gear market are Adidas AG, Amer Sports Oyj, Bauer Hockey LLC, BRG Sports Inc., Dunlop Sports Group Americas Inc., Mizuno Corporation, Nike Inc., Puma SE, Under Armour Inc., Vista Outdoor Inc., Yonex Co. Ltd., Rawlings Sporting Goods Compnay Inc., Riddell Sports Group Inc., Schutt Sports Group, Bell Sports Inc., Giro Sport Design Inc., K2 Sports LLC, Tecnica Group S.p.A., Zoggs International Ltd., DeMarini Sports Inc., Black Diamond Equipment Ltd., Head Sport GmbH, Helly Hansen AS, O'Neills Irish International Sports Company ltd.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the sports protective gear market in 2025. North America is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the sports protective gear market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the sports protective gear market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The sports protective gear market consists of sales of shoulder guards, elbow guards, shin guards, knee pads, wrist guards, and a spinal vest. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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