With a company named “Armadillo,” one would expect a product line that specializes in protection. And that’s precisely what the UK-based brand is delivering with its new Calf and Achilles Protector.

It’s the first product in a line that’s designed to protect players from serious injury. The inspiration behind the protector came when designer Tony White witnessed a friend suffer a severe cutback to the leg - not an uncommon occurrence in soccer.

That’s where the Calf and Achilles Protector comes in, an item that uses overlapping plates that collide with each other during impact to reduce force
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“We’ve taken the whole idea of an armadillo, which has multi-layers that work together to protect itself,” said Managing Director Mark Sims. “Most footballers, if they truly didn’t have to, wouldn’t wear any protective gear. But we know that obviously it’s needed, so we took that into account in designing something that’s effective and comfortable.”

Armadillo has called the Protector as “a breathable second skin,” to describe its comfortability and usability. 

Unlike your basic shinguard that’s designed as a single sheet, Armadillo’s design, which resembles the animal in likeness and effectiveness, protects the calf and Achilles tendon and other parts of the back of the leg from cuts, scratches, bruises, abrasion or muscle and tendon damage.

Based in Cheshire, England, Armadillo is creating a presence in the US after making waves in the UK where a few professional players are using the product.

“The response we’ve had to the product has been overwhelmingly positive,” Sims said. “We’ve put this product through the rigors of testing to evaluate it’s performance, and we’ve put it into action and we know it works.”

Click here for a video interview with Managing Director Mark Sims