A shield system for protecting a curved object is described. The system comprises at least one flexible pad. The at least one flexible pad comprises a spacing ridge (7) projecting at an angle from a first major surface (3) of the pad for providing a spacing between the first major surface and a support ridge (9) projecting from the first major surface and extending transverse to the spacing ridge. The support ridge comprises a flexure region (11) adapted to unbend in the event that the pad is curved about an axis aligned with the spacing ridge to inhibit strain in the support ridge from causing deflection of the spacing ridge.