Skateboarding is all fun and playing tricks until you bruise your hands and wrists. Therefore, safety comes first. You can be a pro skateboarder but you can still get injured. This is why skateboarding wrist guards are a necessity rather than an accessory.
When buying protection gear like helmets, elbow pads, or knee pads, many of us do not consider buying wrist guards when in reality this is one of the most important things. A wrist guard is highly instrumental in preventing a wrist fracture. You would not be able to perform skateboarding tricks confidently until you are wearing complete protective gear.
Wrist guards are available in all colors and sizes. Therefore, we have summarized the important aspects of the best skateboard wrist guards. Along with that, we have also listed the tried and tested ones.
Our Recommendations
Triple Eight Wristsaver
Our review guide includes all types of wrist guards from high to low price, good to bad fabric, and impact resistance properties. However, our top pick is the Triple Eight Wristsaver. Besides being durable and easy to wear, they are breathable and provide good impact support.
CTHOPER Impact Wrist Guard
When it comes to good shock absorbance, breathability, and perfect fit, CTHOPER Impact Wrist Guard fulfills all these criteria. Therefore, you should buy these if you skate regularly.
Best Skateboard Wrist Guards Review
When buying wrist guards, you will come across several brands that present theirs as the perfect pair. Therefore, we tried various wrist guards and brought you an unbiased and brief review of the best skating wrist guards. This will help you choose your flawless pair and not get scammed.
01 Triple Eight Wristsaver – Slide On Sleeve
Our top pick in the list of best wrist guards for skateboarding is the Triple Eight Wrist saver. It has many good features that make it a perfect choice. Let us dive into it and see what it has to offer.
No one wants a wrist guard that does not protect against shocks. The padding plays a huge role in this. This one is EVA foam-padded. EVA foam is the best material for padding. This is because, besides being a good shock absorber, it is also breathable and prevents sweat buildup.
To further reduce injury or joint dislocation from impact, it comes with an ABS splint. This will reduce the shock along with directing it to the forearm. The presence of ABS splints on both the back and front keeps the wrist in place. In case of an injury, it not only relieves pain but also speeds up the healing process.
The best thing I found about these wrist guards was their easy fit. I did not have to open or loosen any straps, instead, they slipped right on and provided a very snug fit. This is because it has a 4-way stretch nylon mesh which is durable, lightweight, and gives you an excellent fit.
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02 187 Killer Pads Wrist Guard – Articulated Wrist Guards
The 187 Killer Wrist guards are a perfect option if you are looking for fingerless gloves. This makes them breathable and easy to wear.
The manufacturing material of wrist guards should be both long-lasting and durable. The highly recommended material for protective gear is ballistic nylon. These wrist guards are made of ballistic nylon. This material is of pretty high quality and can take any type of abrasion. Moreover, these gloves have industrial weight stitching. This stitchwork makes them more durable and less prone to ripping apart.
Wrist guards and gloves should be padded to absorb the shock and prevent your hand from bruising and fractures. The 187 killer pads are internally padded by foam. Besides being a good shock absorber, it also provides a cushion for your hand. Moreover, foam is breathable and does not cause sweat buildup keeping your hand free of any discomfort and itching.
The splint is the most important part of a wrist guard. It should be thick enough to absorb any shock and disseminate it into the forearm to prevent any injury to the hand. When falling down, we try to keep our balance by putting our hands on the ground. This way the hand can get fractured. These gloves have an extra thick splint that covers the base of the hand and prevents it from any fracture in case of hard impact.
The thing I found best about these gloves was their articulated thumb and hole and angled hand design. This made it perfect to fit on the hand and the reinforced thumb hole helps keep the thumb apart from the finger preventing any sweat buildup in the ridge between fingers and thumb.
To make sure they fit perfectly well, the manufacturers have also included three heavy-duty straps. These straps are quite durable and help you get a snug fit.
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03 CTHOPER Impact Wrist Guard – Breathable Wrist Guards
What is better than wrist guards and gloves that are both breathable and good shock-absorbent? These CTHOPER impact wrist guards fulfill this criterion. Let us see what they have to offer.
The wrist guards should protect your hand’s palm and wrist from any injury and allow freedom of movement. Fortunately, this is ensured by padding and splints. These wrist guards have an impact-resistant ABS plastic bone shell to absorb the shock. The material is highly durable and lightweight. Besides protecting your hand and wrist bone from snapping, it also allows easy and flexible movement of the wrist.
These wrist protectants provide a cushion to your palm. This is ensured by EVA foam padding present on both the palm side and upper side of the hand. Apart from cushioning your hand and reducing any impact, the presence of foam padding makes them easy to wear for long periods without any discomfort.
At first look, they might seem uncomfortable due to their being fingerless and nude back. However, this is not the case. I found them quite breathable owing to this feature. The absence of finger sheaths made it easy for me to easily move and stretch my fingers. The nude back made them ventilated and there was no sweat buildup even after wearing them for several hours.
To make them a perfect fit, they come with two nylon straps. One is on the palm and the other is on the wrist. The use of these straps helps in getting a comfortable fit.
The availability in various sizes makes them suitable for anyone and everyone. These are available in small, medium, and large sizes.
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04 Pro-Tec Street Wrist Guards – All Skateboarding Wrist Guards
When it comes to being an all-rounder skateboarding wrist guard, Pro-Tec Street wrist guards are the answer. Let’s see what they have to offer.
The material of the wrist guards should be durable, lightweight, and a good shock absorbent. One of the fabrics that fulfill all these criteria is ballistic nylon which is highly recommended for wrist guards. These wrist protectants are made of ballistic nylon which provides them the strength to be good at abrasion resistance.
I wanted wrist guards that did not restrict my hand movement in any way but also provided good protection. Therefore, I went with these Pro-Tec gloves, and they did the trick. Besides providing added protection against friction, it did not restrict my hand movement in any way. I was able to perform my skateboarding tricks quite easily too.
For enhanced protection, it is lined with a splint at the wrist point. This protects the rider against any serious wrist injury. In case of a fall, the splint absorbs the shock and disseminates it towards the forearm. This way, the wrist bone is protected against any possible fracture or strain.
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To increase the comfort level, it has full wrap straps. These straps perform the dual task of protecting the palms and safeguarding the wrist. They can be tied on the wrist for a perfect fit.
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05 BOSONER Wrist Guards – Impact Support Wrist Savers
Whether you are into roller skating or hoverboarding, you will still need wrist and hand protectants. The Bosoner wrist guards have got you covered.
The best wrist guard material is a durable one, good shock absorbent, and breathable. To make sure the wrist guards have all these properties, Bosoner Wrist guards are manufactured using cotton as the fabric. Besides being lightweight and long-lasting, cotton is a good insulation material. It has the properties of being hypoallergenic which means that it will not cause any allergies even if worn for long periods. Since cotton is a good sweat-absorbent, it does not let any sweat buildup even if the wrist guard is worn in summer for a very long time.
For further enhancement of the breathable property of gloves, these are padded with EVA foam. The EVA foam allows good perspiration along with being an excellent shock absorbent. This means that your wist pad is well padded but it will not cause any itching or sweat buildup.
Due to its design, I was skeptical regarding its shock-absorbent property. However, this wrist guard did not fail me. In my opinion, its high shock absorbent property is due to the use of ABS bone shell splint which does not cave under any type of pressure or abrasion. This makes them perfect for any type of skateboarding.
Many of us struggle with finding the right size for the wrist guards. The Bosoner wrist guards ensure this by offering adjustable velcro straps.
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06 Bodyprox Wrist Guards – Rugged And Durable Wrist Guards
It is always advisable to buy wrist guards which are suitable for every type of skateboard. The Bodyprox Wrist guards turn out to be a good fit.
These are designed such that to protect both hands and wrists fully especially protecting the areas that suffer the most impact. Despite being fingerless, these cover the wrist and hand perfectly well and protect them against any greater injury on a hard fall.
To make them good shock absorbers, these have hard plastic splints along the palm and wrist. In this way, even if the rider falls heavily, the wrist and palm are protected against any fracture. The plastic splint absorbs the shock and transfers it towards the forearm, as a result, the palm remains protected.
For a perfect fit, it comes with a velcro strap. This is made of neoprene and polyester. Both these materials are lightweight yet durable. Moreover, they act as perfect sweat absorbents. Being breathable, they allow good ventilation of air and keep perspiration to a minimum. As a result, these can be worn for long periods without the fear of allergy or itching.
Lastly, they are easy to wear. It comes with a cinch wrist strap along with a loop and hooks for a good fit. I found this feature to be quite effective in providing an excellent fit around the hand and the wrist. Despite covering the hand and wrist fully, it is not movement restrictive in any way. Instead, it is quite ergonomic and comfortable to wear.
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07 Burton Adult Wrist Guards – Easy Wash Wrist Guards
Featuring a unique design with a good fit for everyone, Burton wrist guards are worth a purchase. Therefore, we have reviewed this to give you an insight into its features. Let’s see what it has got.
These wrist guards are manufactured using 100% polyester which makes them a perfect choice on so many levels. The polyester fabric is both sturdy and lightweight. Moreover, it acts as a good shock absorbent. Another feature is that it does not wrinkle over time keeping your gloves as good as new.
To protect your hand and wrist against bruises and fractures, it comes with tapered splints. The splints long with absorbing the shock of hard impact and also prevent the straining of the wrist. This not only aids in easy movement of the hand and wrist but also keeps swelling at bay.
The palm side of the guards is padded for additional protection. This ensures that even if you use your hand for protection against falls, it will not fracture. The padding also allows good ventilation and prevents the buildup of sweat.
Adjusting the wrist guards for a perfect fit can be hectic. Thankfully, these wrist guards come with velcro straps which make the adjustment easy and provide a snug fit to the wearer.
The wrist guards tend to get dirty over time. Therefore, they should be easily washable. That being said, these wrist guards support machine washing. Mine got untidy after a few days and I did not have to take any special considerations for washing them. I just threw them in the laundry with other clothes and they came out as new. Moreover, even after several washes, these have not been ripped apart and I think these will go a long way.
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08 Smith Safety Gear – Patterned Wrist Guards
When it comes to taking skating protection and style side by side, Smith’s safety gear is the answer. It comes with a patterned design which makes it chic to wear.
It has a contoured design which provides a good fit along with perfect protection against any injury. Its flexible material further allows easy hand and wrist movement making it an ergonomic choice. I found the material plush but very good at shock absorbance.
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Splints are essential for ensuring protection against wrist or palm fracture in case of hard impact. Thus, splints should be hard enough to act as good protectants. This Smith safety gear comes with a hard splint that provides the ultimate protection against any type of fall making it suitable for every type of skateboarding.
Moreover, the snug fit is ensured by 3 velcro straps. These straps ensure a good fit making the gloves usable for every age group.
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09 Dakine Wrist Guards – Unique Design
Available in a unique design and durable material, these Dakine wrist protectants are perfect when it comes to protecting against low-profile falls.
These wrist guards are made of neoprene. This fabric is both flexible and long-lasting. It is highly resistant to severe environmental conditions such as ultraviolet radiation, ozone, and oxidation. Its highly flexible property makes it suitable for use over a range of temperatures from -40°C to 120°C. I have worn them in almost all climatic conditions and that too for long hours, but these have not deteriorated.
It is designed in such a way that makes it breathable and a good protectant at the same time. The absence of finger sheaths makes them good for ventilation. On the other hand, the sleeve covers the wrist as well providing good protection.
To give the wearer a snug fit, it comes with a hook and loop cinch wrist fit. This ensures that it does not fall off your hand or get very tight. Unlike magic sticking, the hook and loop do not deteriorate over time.
Moreover, it is easily washable by hand. However, it can rip apart if washed in a washing machine.
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10 Demon Flexmeter Wrist Guards – Double Sided Wrist Guards
The last on our list of best wrist pads skating is the Demon Flexmeter wrist guards. Being double-sided, these wrist guards provide dual protection.
It is made of durable fabrics. The 90% neoprene makes it weather and oxidation-resistant along with providing good flexibility. The polyethylene lining makes these gloves good impact resistors. This means that despite a hard fall, your hand and wrist will be protected from any fracture or major bruise. The use of polyamide in its lining protects it from scraps. Finally, the use of thermoplastic hytrel makes it waterproof and resistant to damage by chemicals.
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To fit perfectly, the manufacturers have added hook and loop straps. These ensure that your hand and wrist are completely protected and the guard does not fall off during skateboarding. I found this better than the velcro straps which deteriorate over time.
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Best Skateboard Wrist Guards Buying Guide
Wearing skateboarding wrist guards is crucial to providing you with a safe skateboarding experience. However, there are a few things that you need to check, to land the perfect wrist guards. This buying guide will help you choose the wrist guards that fit you perfectly.
Material / Fabric
The material or fabric of the wrist guards is the first thing you should look for. Along with being long-lasting, it should also not cause any allergy to hands. Moreover, you should also look for double-stitched gloves. The double stitching makes them more resistant to tear as compared to the single stitch which rips off in a short time. Below are mentioned the best fabrics for wrist guards.
Leather
Being a stretchable and durable material, leather wrist guards are quite a good choice. Besides fitting perfectly, they are comfortable even if worn for long periods.
Nylon
Nylon is a highly waterproof material which makes it a good choice for wrist guards. It is a semi-absorbent material which means that if it gets wet by sweat or water, it will dry quickly and you will not feel any discomfort.
Neoprene
If you have a swollen wrist or have to skate in extreme cold, neoprene wrist guards are the best. Being good insulators, they trap heat very well. This way, they not only keep your hand and wrist warm but also help in healing a swollen joint. Moreover, this heat retention property aids in reducing joint pain.
Cordura
This material is lightweight, durable, and breathable which makes them perfect for use as a wrist guard fabric. Its breathable property will prevent any sweat buildup keeping itching and rashes at bay. Additionally, it is also resistant to water, stains, scuffs, tears, and abrasion.
Size
Finding the perfect size for your wrist guard is crucial to good protection. A skateboarding wrist guard is of no use if it is too tight or keeps slipping off. If you buy it from a sports shop, you can wear it and confirm the size.
On the other hand, when buying online, you need to be sure of the measurements. Therefore, it is better to buy one with adjustable straps. In this way, you can tighten or loosen the strap to give you a snug fit.
Style
The best skating wrist guards come in various styles and textures. The style here refers to the presence or absence of finger covering. The fingerless ones are good for summer as they provide good ventilation. However, the ones with sheath covering for fingers are more suitable for colder climates and do the dual function of protection and providing warmth.
Whichever one you buy, make sure they provide complete protection and you are comfortable wearing them.
Padding
When it comes to padding, it is essential for protection but it has a catch to it. If the padding of your wrist guard is very thick, it might pose difficulty in bending. On the contrary, a very thinly padded wrist protectant would tear apart easily. Therefore, go for the moderate padding which allows flexible wrist movement along with protection.
Flexibility
The wrist protection for skateboarding should not be movement restrictive in any way. Instead, it should not only cover your hand fully but also allow your wrist to move freely. Hence, you should look for easily adjustable ones. This way, you will be able to adjust them as per your need and likening and be guarded at the same time.
Safety
Why else would you wear wrist guards for skating if they do not provide enough protection? An easy way to ensure that they are perfectly safe is to look at the padding and splint.
Padding will provide a cushion and make movement easy. It also makes them comfortable to wear.
Splints, on the other hand, are hard plastic that provides protection if you trip over them. Besides being a shock absorber it is also a shock director. The splint protects your wrists by transferring part of the shock to the forearm which in turn keeps your wrist safe from any fracture.
Ease Of Cleaning
Many of us skip this factor when buying wrist protectants. However, none of us likes to wear an untidy pair. Therefore, when buying the best wrist guards for roller skating, make sure the material is easily washable. Ideally, you should buy one that does not require any special washing conditions and can be washed in the washing machine with other clothes. Also, ensure that they are durable enough to bear the spinning and would not tear up on aggressive wash.
Conclusion
When it comes to safety while skateboarding, the use of wrist guards is inevitable. However, before you buy one, make sure you go through their size chart to get the best fit. Another important factor to consider is the breathability of the fabric used. The guards are to be worn for long periods, and if the fabric is not breathable, it will lead to sweat buildup and itching.
Moreover, choose wrist protectants that have strong splints and are easily washable. When you consider all these factors, you will end up buying the best wrist guards for skating.
FAQ’s
1. Why is breathable fabric important?
The wrist guards are to be worn in every weather and for quite a long time. If the material does not allow ventilation, it will lead to sweat buildup. Eventually, this will cause itching and skin infections in the wearer.
2. Why should I buy wrist guards with a hard splint?
The function of the splint is to absorb the impact of a fall. Moreover, it disseminates the impact towards the forearm and in turn protects the palm and wrist from fracture. Therefore, the splint needs to be hard enough to take the impact and not break itself.
3. Should wrist guards be washed?
Of course, they should be washed. Wrist guards tend to get untidy easily. It is advisable to buy ones that do not require any special washing conditions and can be washed in the washing machine. The best ones in this regard are Burton Adult Wrist Guards.
4. Should comfort be compromised over breathable fabric?
Not. When buying wrist protectants, make sure you are comfortable wearing them otherwise they are of no use. Almost all the top wrist guard manufacturing brands use breathable fabric. Therefore, you can look for wrist guards that are both comfortable and come with breathable fabric.
5. Are hook and loop straps better than the magic stick ones?
It is always better to buy hook and loop strap wrist guards. This is because the magic strip tends to wither over time while the hook and loop will last longer.