What is the difference between 181Keepers GRIP and ORIGINAL? Which one should I choose? Comparing knee and elbow pads.
When you consider buying 181Keepers knee or elbow pads,
“What is the difference between GRIP and ORIGINAL?”
“In the end, which one suits me better?”
Many people find themselves wondering about this.
They look quite similar in photos,
and both versions are available for both knees and elbows.
If you are choosing 181 for the first time,
it is only natural that the differences are hard to tell.
To put it simply,
Choose ORIGINAL if you value ease of movement and elasticity.
Choose GRIP if you value resistance to slipping and a tight fit.
Starting with,
this method of choosing is perfectly fine.
Both feature the lightness and softness characteristic of 181Keepers.
However,
when you actually wear them,
the fit is surprisingly different.
In this article, from our perspective at Futsal.shop where we handle the products directly,
we will introduce the differences between GRIP and ORIGINAL.
*This article is written by Futsal.shop, the official distributor of 181Keepers in Japan,
based on the actual products.
First, what kind of brand is 181Keepers?
181Keepers is a goalkeeper gear brand from Portugal.
It was founded by
a former goalkeeper for the Portuguese national futsal team.
They mainly produce products for goalkeepers,
such as knee pads and elbow pads.
In Japan, it might not yet be a brand
that everyone who plays futsal knows.
However,
it’s a different story when you look at the top level internationally.
A significant number of goalkeepers use 181.
In fact,
at the UEFA EURO 2026, 34 goalkeepers, accounting for over 85% of participants, wore 181.
At the 2025 Women’s World Cup,
13 out of 16 teams, totaling 22 goalkeepers, used 181.
Furthermore,
at the Futsal World Cup held in Uzbekistan in 2024,
approximately 85% of all participating goalkeepers wore 181.
If we narrow it down to the teams that reached the top 8,
17 out of 19 goalkeepers wore 181.
Even just looking at the numbers,
the usage rate is very high.
In Japan, too,
it has started to be used widely, not just by top-tier goalkeepers
but also by amateurs.
Regarding these 181 pads,
a common comment from people who touch them for the first time is
“It’s lighter than I thought.”
When you hear “goalkeeper knee pads,”
many people likely imagine something thick
and somewhat bulky.
181 is a bit different from that type.
Soft.
Light.
And very mobile.
Because they conform strongly to the body,
you can move easily even while wearing them.
GRIP and ORIGINAL have very similar basic designs
181Keepers ORIGINAL and 181Keepers GRIP,
while having different names,
are very similar in their base construction.
Both are light.
And they are soft.
Even when you bend your knees or elbows,
the fabric moves right along with you.
Goalkeepers are not in the same position all the time.
Getting set.
Crouching.
Dropping to the knees.
Standing up.
Running.
Sliding.
They repeat these movements throughout the match.
Therefore,
while protecting your knees and elbows is of course important,
it’s also problematic if the pads themselves hinder your movement.
The 181 cushioning part has a two-layer structure.
Instead of simply using hard, rigid cushions on the front,
it feels like they absorb impacts while maintaining softness.
I want protection, but I want to keep movement as easy as possible.
I believe the appeal of 181
lies in this balance.
So,
what is the difference between GRIP and ORIGINAL?
From here on, we will look at the differences that become clear through actual use.
ORIGINAL’s charm is its ease of movement and elasticity
If I had to name one great thing about ORIGINAL,
it would definitely be itselasticity.
When you actually stretch it with your hands,
it stretches quite a lot.
Compared to GRIP, the compression is gentler,
making for a looser overall fit.
For those who prioritize ease of movement in particular,
I think this difference is quite significant.
For knee pads,
when bending or straightening the knee from a set position.
For elbow pads,
when swinging your arm or making a throw.
If the pad’s compression is too strong,
it can be bothersome for some people.
Since ORIGINAL is relatively loose,
it is easy to use for those who “want to minimize the feeling of wearing pads.”
For elbow pads, the ease of throwing is also a charm of ORIGINAL
Personally, I think the benefits of ORIGINAL are most evident
in the elbow pads.
Goalkeepers don’t just make saves;
they throw the ball quite a bit during a match.
Especially in futsal,
a single throw from a goalkeeper
can instantly lead to a scoring opportunity.
At such times,
it can be a bit bothersome if the area around the elbow is too tight.
Since ORIGINAL stretches well,
it is less likely to get in the way even when you swing your arm widely.
Of course,
some people prefer a tighter fit.
However, if you feel that:
You want to move your arms as freely as possible.
You prefer less compression.
You don’t want to worry about your pads when throwing.
Then, for such people,
choosing ORIGINAL for your elbows is a very valid option.
GRIP features a silicone grip on the upper inner side
On the other hand,
a major feature of GRIP is thesilicone grip on the upper inner side.
As the name suggests,
this is the part that makes it a “GRIP” model.
By having the silicone make contact with your skin or base layer,
it prevents the pads from slipping down during play.
This is
the biggest difference from ORIGINAL.
When you are playing goalkeeper,
knee pads gradually slip down.
Elbow pads shift out of place.
You have to adjust their position whenever there is a break in play.
Many people have had this experience.
It’s fine if it happens just once,
but it is genuinely annoying if you have to fix them multiple times during a match.
Once it starts bothering you,
it can sometimes distract your focus from the play.
For such people,
the benefits of GRIP are very easy to understand.
GRIP has a slightly tighter fit
There is one more difference
that you notice immediately after putting them on.
GRIP is tighter than ORIGINAL.
If ORIGINAL feels like it stretches to conform to your body,
GRIP feels more like it is firmly secured in place.
Even if you have slimmer arms or legs,
this version is easier to get a good fit with.
Conversely,
for people who “don’t really like the feeling of being compressed,”
ORIGINAL can sometimes feel more comfortable.
This isn’t a question of which one is “better.”
For a looser fit, choose ORIGINAL.
For a snug, secure fit, choose GRIP.
Feel free to choose based on your preference.
GRIP is also recommended if you use the double-knee technique often
Regarding knee pads, I find myself wanting to recommend GRIP
to those who use the double-knee technique often.
With the double-knee technique,
you drop to your knees.
You stand up.
Then you drop to your knees again.
You repeat this multiple times.
Naturally,
each time, stress is also placed on the knee pads.
Depending on the pads you are using,
they can sometimes gradually slip out of position after just a few movements.
That is where the silicone on the inside of the GRIP comes into play.
If you are the type who thinks,
“I’m always having to pull my knee pads back up after dropping to my knees,”
then there is a significant advantage in choosing GRIP.
A comparison of ORIGINAL and GRIP
Here is a brief summary of my impressions after comparing them.
| ORIGINAL | GRIP | |
|---|---|---|
| Lightness | ○ | ○ |
| Softness | ○ | ○ |
| Elasticity | ◎ | ○ |
| Ease of movement | ◎ | ○ |
| Resistance to slipping | ○ | ◎ |
There are various minor differences,
but you don’t need to overthink it when choosing.
ORIGINAL = ease of movement and flexibility
GRIP = slip-resistance and a tight fit
To start with,
choosing based on this difference is the easiest way to decide.
Who is ORIGINAL recommended for?
ORIGINAL is a good fit for:
Those who prioritize ease of movement.
Those who like pads with good flexibility.
Those who dislike tight compression.
Those who prefer a slightly looser fit.
For elbow pads,
it is also recommended for those who want to prioritize freedom of movement when swinging their arms.
In particular,
if you want to feel like you are wearing nothing at all
even while wearing pads,
ORIGINAL is likely the better choice.
Who is GRIP recommended for?
GRIP is a good fit for:
Anyone who is concerned about their pads slipping.
If your pads slide down during play.
If you find yourself constantly adjusting their position during a match.
For those people, it is clearly the easier and more convenient choice.
It is also suitable for those who prefer
a slightly tighter fit that stays close to the body.
GRIP is also recommended
for those who frequently use the double-knee technique.
If you feel that with your current pads,
"Everything else is fine, but I hate that they keep sliding down,"
then
the reason to choose GRIP is quite clear.
Conversely, GRIP is not recommended for everyone
Just by looking at the name "GRIP"
or the fact that it has a silicone grip,
you might think this is the higher-end model.
However,
that does not mean GRIP is "superior."
For example,
if you are not worried about slipping with your current pads,
the silicone grip is not strictly necessary.
Instead, if you want to prioritize comfort and ease of movement,
ORIGINAL may be a better fit.
Conversely,
if you feel ORIGINAL is a bit too loose,
and you want a tighter, more secure fit,
then GRIP will be easier for you to use.
GRIP and ORIGINAL are not about one being better than the other, but about what you prioritize.
This is something I want you to know
before making your choice.
Ultimately, which one should I choose?
I have listed many differences, but
the bottom line is quite simple.
If you prioritize ease of movement and flexibility, choose ORIGINAL.
If you prioritize slip-resistance and a tight fit, choose GRIP.
You will be fine if you use this as your standard.
Rather than thinking,
"Which one actually has better performance?"
it is easier to choose by thinking about what bothers you about the pads you are currently using.
If your current pads feel restrictive,
and you want to move more freely,
then go with
ORIGINAL.
If your current pads slip down,
and you are tired of constantly adjusting them,
then go with
GRIP.
I think that is a perfectly fine way to decide.
Also,
you don't have to use the same series for both your knees and elbows.
For example,
GRIP for the knees to prevent slipping.
ORIGINAL for the elbows for ease of movement.
This combination is completely fine.
Some people need different levels of fit
for their knees and elbows.
Being able to play comfortably is more important
than keeping your gear in the same series.
Please choose between GRIP and ORIGINAL
according to what matters to you.