Moonwalkr vs Traditional Cricket Batting Pads: Are Lightweight Pads Worth It in 2026?
If you bat long innings and can spend around $90, yes — the MoonWalkr 2.0 Adult Batting Pads ($79.99–$89.99) are worth it. Moonwalkr drops the cane rods of a traditional pad for a ballistic composite shell that the maker rates for impacts up to 160 km/h, at less than half the weight and thickness of a standard leg guard. If you bat in the lower order or want to spend less, a traditional pad like the SG RP Ecolite ($54.99) protects well for $25–35 less. Below is the full comparison, built from live prices and stock on our shelves in Edison, NJ.
Quick picks
- MoonWalkr 2.0 Adult Batting Pads — $79.99–$89.99. The lightweight pick: slim composite shell, ambidextrous, sized by height up to 6'6". White is $79.99; navy and black are $89.99.
- MoonWalkr 2.0 Junior/Youth Batting Pads — $89.99 in currently stocked sizes. Our deepest-stocked junior pad. Kids feel the weight saving more than adults do.
- Morrant Super Ultralite — $89.99–$94.99. The other foam route: molded high-density polyethylene foam, ambidextrous twin-wing design.
- Raydn Players Adult Batting Pads — $79.99. Traditional build, ambidextrous, our deepest adult stock (navy and black).
- SG Players Xtreme — $69.99. Classic traditional pad with handed right/left wings. Most remaining stock is left-handed.
- SG RP Ecolite — $54.99. The value pick: the cheapest adult batting pad we currently have in stock.
What Moonwalkr actually changed
Traditional batting pads are built around vertical cane rods, cotton filling, and a PU facing. That formula works — it has protected batters for decades — but it is bulky and heavy. Moonwalkr's 2.0 leg guards replace the cane with a ballistic composite shell. Everything below comes from Moonwalkr's own product listing, not our guesswork:
- Less than half the weight and thickness of traditional leg guards, by Moonwalkr's measurement.
- Impact rating: the composite shell is tested to withstand impacts up to 160 km/h — roughly 100 mph, faster than anything you will face in US league cricket.
- Ultra-slim profile: the pads hug the leg so they don't knock together when you run between the wickets.
- Ambidextrous: every size we stock is a twin-wing design. There is no right-hand or left-hand version to get wrong.
- Height-based sizing: Small 4'9"–5'3", Medium 5'4"–5'8", Large 5'9"–6'2", Extra Large 6'3"–6'6".
- Upgraded straps: the 2.0 revision uses softer strap material for a more secure fit.
The case for traditional pads
Traditional pads are not obsolete, and for some players they are still the better buy:
- Price. In-stock traditional pads start at $54.99 with the SG RP Ecolite — $25 under the cheapest MoonWalkr colorway. If you bat at 8 and face ten balls a match, that difference buys you a better pair of gloves.
- Handed fit. Pads like the SG Players Xtreme come in dedicated right-hand and left-hand versions with a thicker outside wing facing the bowler. Some batters prefer that over a symmetrical ambidextrous shape.
- Feel and look. Cane gives a solid, familiar response on impact, and the glossy PU facing is the classic league-cricket look. If that feedback is part of your rhythm, stay with it.
- Track record. Cane-and-cotton construction has decades of proof behind it. Molded-shell pads are newer — well rated, but without the same long history.
Adult batting pads in stock right now
Every pad in this table is active and in stock on our site as of November 3, 2026. Construction notes come from each maker's listing.
| Pad | Build | Price | Stock note |
|---|---|---|---|
| SG RP Ecolite | Traditional, ambidextrous | $54.99 | White |
| SG HP Proflex | 3D-molded, ambidextrous | $59.99 | White |
| SG Players Xtreme | Traditional, right/left handed | $69.99 | Mostly left-hand; 1 white right-hand pair left |
| SS Superlite (Color) | Traditional lightweight | $69.99 | Blue, right-hand only |
| EM Maxxum 4.0 | Traditional, ambidextrous | $69.99 | White, blue, black |
| Raydn ProLite | Traditional lightweight, ambidextrous | $69.99 | White, yellow |
| SS Aerolite | Traditional lightweight, ambidextrous | $74.99 | White — last 2 pairs |
| Raydn Players | Traditional, ambidextrous | $79.99 | Navy, black — deep stock |
| MoonWalkr 2.0 | Ballistic composite, ambidextrous | $79.99–$89.99 | L and XL; white $79.99, navy/black $89.99 |
| Morrant Super Ultralite | Molded PE foam, ambidextrous | $89.99–$94.99 | Navy deepest; white low |
| Morrant International Super Ultralite | Molded PE foam, ambidextrous | $299.99 | Black, standard size — 3 pairs |
Browse the full cricket batting pads collection for everything, including junior sizes.
Junior and youth pads: where lightweight matters most
A junior carrying heavy pads on each leg is giving up more, proportionally, than any adult. This is where we point most parents at the MoonWalkr 2.0 Junior/Youth pads — same composite shell as the adult pad, sized Small (4'9"–5'3") and Medium (5'4"–5'8"), $89.99 in the sizes currently in stock, and our deepest-stocked junior pad. If the budget is tighter, these traditional junior pads are in stock too:
| Pad | Price | Stock note |
|---|---|---|
| SG Optipro Junior | $37.99 | XS and S junior, white |
| SG Ecolite Youth | $44.99 | Youth, white |
| Raydn ProLite Junior/Youth | from $54.99 | Junior white — deep stock |
| EM Maxxum 4.0 Junior | $64.99 | Low stock across sizes |
| SS Aerolite Youth | $69.99 | Youth white |
| SG Test White Youth | $74.99 | Right-hand, last 2 |
| Raydn Players Youth | $79.99 | Black ambidextrous deepest |
| MoonWalkr 2.0 Junior/Youth | $89.99 | S and M — deepest junior stock |
Who should buy Moonwalkr
- Batters who bat long. If you regularly face 40+ overs, carrying less than half the pad weight is noticeable late in an innings, and the slim profile keeps your running between the wickets clean.
- Junior and youth players. The biggest beneficiaries of the weight cut — lighter legs make it easier to hold technique together.
- Players who hate pad bulk. If traditional pads knocking together annoys you every time you turn for two, the slim shell fixes exactly that.
- Left-handers. Every MoonWalkr pad is ambidextrous, so you are never stuck waiting on left-hand stock.
Who should stick with traditional pads
- Budget-first buyers. The SG RP Ecolite ($54.99) and SG HP Proflex ($59.99) protect well for real-world club cricket at $25–35 less.
- Batters who want handed wings. The SG Players Xtreme puts a dedicated thicker wing on the outside leg — a fit some players will not give up.
- Traditionalists. If the look and feel of cane and PU is part of your game, the Raydn Players ($79.99) is the best-stocked classic option on our wall.
The full Moonwalkr range we stock
Moonwalkr applies the same slim-composite thinking to the rest of its protective gear. In stock now:
- Moonwalkr 2.0 Adult Thigh Guards ($59.99) — right- and left-handed options; also in junior/youth ($54.99).
- Moonwalkr Adult Chest Guard 2.0 ($29.99) — the junior/youth chest guard is currently sold out.
- Moonwalkr Adult Arm Guard 2.0 ($17.99) — junior size also $17.99, last few pieces.
- Moonwalkr Wicket Keeping Pads 2.0 ($79.99 adult, $74.99 junior/youth) — shorter cut for mobility behind the stumps.
- Moonwalkr Mind 2.0 Helmet ($94.99) — 30-vent ventilation and a built-in lower head protector per Moonwalkr's listing. One left (XL, navy).
FAQ
Are Moonwalkr pads safe against fast bowling?
Yes. Moonwalkr tests the 2.0 composite shell to withstand impacts up to 160 km/h — about 100 mph, above the pace of any club or league bowling in the US. The MoonWalkr 2.0 Adult pads are built for hard-ball cricket, not just softball formats.
How much lighter are Moonwalkr pads than traditional pads?
Moonwalkr states the 2.0 leg guards are less than half the weight and thickness of traditional cane leg guards. The maker does not publish per-size gram figures, so we won't invent them — but side by side in our Edison store, the difference is obvious the moment you pick both up.
What size Moonwalkr pads should I buy?
Size by height: Small 4'9"–5'3", Medium 5'4"–5'8", Large 5'9"–6'2", Extra Large 6'3"–6'6". Adults between sizes usually take the larger one so the knee roll sits over the kneecap. Juniors should use the Junior/Youth pad in Small or Medium.
Do Moonwalkr pads come in right-hand and left-hand versions?
No — every MoonWalkr 2.0 pad is ambidextrous with a twin-wing design, so one pair works for right- and left-handed batters. If you specifically want a handed pad with a thicker outside wing, look at the SG Players Xtreme instead.
Are lightweight pads worth the extra money over a $55 traditional pad?
If you bat top-four, face 30+ overs regularly, or are buying for a junior, yes — the $25–35 premium buys a real reduction in fatigue. If you are a bowler who bats at 9, buy the SG RP Ecolite ($54.99) and put the savings toward better gloves.
Which batting pads are best for a junior player?
The MoonWalkr 2.0 Junior/Youth ($89.99) if the budget allows — juniors gain the most from lighter pads. On a budget, the SG Optipro ($37.99) and Raydn ProLite Junior (from $54.99) are solid traditional options in stock.
Can I try batting pads on before buying?
Yes. Our store at 37 Meridian Rd, Edison, NJ carries both pad types on the wall — put a MoonWalkr on one leg and a cane pad on the other and the comparison makes itself. Open Mon–Sat 11AM–9PM, Sun 11AM–8PM.
Related guides
- Cricket Batting Pads: Complete US Buyer's Guide 2026
- Complete Cricket Kit by Budget: Starter, Junior & Club Player Bundles
- English Willow Cricket Bats: The Complete Guide
Ready to pick? Shop the batting pads collection, or pair pads with gloves, a thigh guard set, or a new English willow bat — orders over $100 ship free in the US. Questions, or want a fit check? Visit us in Edison, NJ or call/WhatsApp 1-732-250-3598.