Skateboarding continues to be a popular pastime for both adults and kids across the UK. The trial and error required to master the sport is unavoidable. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced boarder into street, park or even longboarding, bailing is all part of the process. Yet many of the minor scrapes, bruises and cuts can be avoided with the right safety gear.
It doesn't matter if you're looking to buy your first set of knee, wrist and elbow pads or if you just need to upgrade your helmet. With a variety of budgets in mind, we have compiled the best offerings from top brands like JBM, 187 Killer Pads and Pro-Tec, available in the UK from Amazon, Decathlon and Argos.
Quick List - Top Protective Gear for Skateboarding
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The most important area to protect is, of course, your head, as a harsh knock can cause long-lasting damage. While bones, bruises and cuts can heal, a head injury may not be as forgiving. A good helmet will soften any blow to the head but you need to ensure you check your helmet's condition before each use, as a damaged lid won't give you total protection.
Knee pads will protect you when falling to the ground and are the second most important in the chain of protective gear. Although these are beneficial to all types of skating, if you're looking to hit half-pipes and bowls, then these pads will give you the option to drop to your knees and slide when bailing out from air tricks.
Similarly, a typical wipeout will see arms slamming backward into the ground, and that first point of contact will be your elbows. With a sturdy pair of elbow pads, this impact can be greatly reduced, so do pad up to the max!
A familiar sight when seeing unsuccessful tricks and bailing out is the skater falling forwards. Our brain's natural reaction is to tell us to put our hands out to soften the fall, but this can cause lasting damage to wrists and arms. With the addition of wrist supports you are given padding and support when taking a dive, wearing them will mean you are more likely to be back up and shredding in no time.
When choosing your helmet, ensure you follow measurement guidelines to get the correct fit for your head. It needs to sit comfortably and close-fitting to your head without putting too much pressure on your skull. A helmet that hangs loose will inevitably slip off when it is most needed and also risks garrotting you with the chinstrap if it slips off the back of your head.
If you can't try on a helmet in person, then the best way to measure is with a tailor's measuring tape. Wrapping the tape around your head, start at the centre of your forehead and carefully follow your head around. This will give you a measurement that you can check against the product size charts.
Skateboarding is a very active sport, so wearing a set of pads that are too tight will cause some serious irritation across your body. On the opposite end of the spectrum, loose pads will twist and fall when you're skating, which will result in injury when wiping out and will also be an annoyance when on your board.
Again, using a tape measure, check the space around 4 inches above and below your knees and elbows to get your size. With wrists, you need to measure the area around your knuckles and hand. Following these steps, you should be able to identify the perfect size, according to your chosen product's guidelines.
It's also important to note that your pads will loosen after extended use, so they won't fit as well as when they were new. Other than regularly checking the fit, you can always play it safe and get a slightly smaller size to give them a longer life. It's vital to regularly replace your safety gear to ensure a good level of protection.
The material of your gear will play a huge part in comfort, mobility and how much protection you have when out on your board. Helmets will typically come in a standard material which includes a hard-shell exterior for tough protection of its inside layer.
The helmet's interior should be made of EPS foam, which is the industry standard to soften hits and falls. The foam itself crushes during impact, so it's vital to check your helmet over after a heavy fall.
Pads shouldn't restrict your movement too much, so you'll find that nylon and mesh are the best choices to help you pop tricks while keeping your limbs safe. You will see full-sleeve pads which pull up over your joints, or standard pads with Velcro straps to wrap around your arms.
Wanting more quality kit? Check out our recommendations for the best roller skates, the best skateboards for adults and the best skateboards for kids.
A helmet should come equipped with a standard three-prong side release buckle that clips into place, as well as straps that allow you to adjust the length to tighten or loosen it as needed. Occasionally, you may find helmets with a quick-release buckle which makes removing the helmet a lot easier. However, be aware that they risk coming free right when they are most needed.
Most pads come with Velcro grips to ensure that you can get an accurate fit as easily as possible. Some specialist pads actually pull on and don't offer an option to tighten, so it's important to check the correct sizing of styles like this to ensure you can get an exact and safe fit.
It's a good idea to check out the extent of a helmet's insertable pads, as these add a soft bumper between your head and the shell to maximise comfort and keep you well protected. Some helmets include trademarked liners called "sweatsavers" which have moisture-absorbing technologies to keep the sweat from your face. You might also want to look for pads that incorporate breathable fabric to reduce sweat-irritation on your arms and legs.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 187 Killer Pads Six Pack Pad Set | ![]() | Durable Pads That Will Protect From Hard Bails | |
2 | Triple 8 The Certified Sweatsaver | ![]() | Comfortable, Protective and a Top Pick for Pro Skaters | |
3 | JBM Adult Protective Gear Set | ![]() | Really Clear Size and Measuring Guide Ensures a Perfect Fit | |
4 | Pro-Tec Classic Certified Skate Helmet | ![]() | Extra-Powerful Head Protection That Looks Good Too | |
5 | OXELO Adult Inline Skate Protection Set|FIT500 - BLACK/GREY | ![]() | An All-Inclusive Beginner Set to Protect Your Joints | |
6 | Triple 8 T8 Wrist Saver | ![]() | The Best Fitting Wrist Guards With Robust Protection | |
7 | Retrospec CM-2 Helmet | ![]() | A Lightweight Lid With a Minimalistic Design | |
8 | Pro-Tec Street Knee and Elbow Pads | ![]() | A Great Upgrade Option to Make Harder Bails Softer On Your Joints | |
9 | G-Form Pro X Knee Pads | ![]() | Delicate but Strong Knee Support With an Unusual Design | |
10 | Airwalk Protection Pads | ![]() | An Affordable Starter Pack Perfect for Children |
Some of the toughest pads out there, from highly respected brand 187 Killer Pads these pack a punch in keeping your knees, elbows and wrists safe, all while sporting a dope old-school skating look.
These sturdy supports shape around the key areas, keeping mobility high yet offering a top level of protection. The splints found within the wrist supports are some of the strongest available, and it's because of all this that professionals and fans alike love their 187 Killer Pads.
Worn by Tony Hawk and a list of other pro skaters, this helmet is one of the most comfortable protective items you can get your hands on. This is helped by Triple 8's very own Sweatsaver Lining, a thick padding that effectively keeps sweat away from your face and sweaty odours out of the helmet.
The easily removed padding can be substituted when it has worn down, increasing the longevity of this helmet. Replacement padding comes in a range of colours, meaning you can add a layer of customisation to your skate helmet.
Available in a variety of sizes, adult, youth and child, in four colourways - black, blue, pink and red. The padded velcro straps adjust for a tight yet comfortable fit and ensure they are easy to put on or take off.
Pro-Tec has created one of the most powerful head protectors in the game with the Classic Certified. Plus it manages to keep your head cool as well as protected, thanks to the 11 vents.
The inner helmet has a breathable, moisture-wicking lining to keep sweat away from your face. Although the slick matte finish may make marks and scratches more visible, it has smart look to set the tone of your skatepark style.
From Decathlon's own brand Oxelo, this set of pads is affordable, sturdy and meets European standards for safety. The exterior of each pad includes a guarding ABS shell with a foam reinforcing layer beneath, to offer full protection.
The pads themselves pull up into position which may cause an annoyance to your skin, but with included Velcro elastic straps you can pull them tighter to prevent the product from slipping or falling out of position.
These high-quality guards feel like great insurance for your hands and wrists safe during a heavy bail. Lined with an ABS outer shell, these supports have an additional shock-absorbing EVA foam layer, which helps soften the impact from slamming.
The gloves have the best fit out there with their 4-way nylon construction, which means that not only are they comfortable and safe, but they can be used time and time again without losing shape.
The CM-2 helmet offers powerful protection that is certified across the board by European and international safety regulators. It is not too heavy on the head and has snug cutouts to fit comfortably around the ears.
The helmet is kitted with Retrospec's very own 'DEWCOLLECTOR' interior padding which wicks away smells and moisture to keep the helmet fresh and comfortable. The matte design is simple enough to fit in with whatever style you adopt when boarding.
This combo pack of pads gives great protection to both your knees and elbows when out hitting ramps or skating street. The soft cupped foam and tough shells preserve your joints in the case of a nasty fall but also have a neat old-school vibe to them.
This is a great set to get you going when you're moving onto more intermediate tricks, which will lead to more severe bails. One possible downside to bear in mind is that the elbow pads in particular can sometimes feel like they are slipping during wear.
G-Form's Elite Knees are kitted out with their very own SmartFlex, which is a Reactive Protection Technology which hardens upon impact to soften blows and protect your knees. Despite this, they offer very lightweight and comfortable protection, with a gentle feel. They come in a wide range of sizes, too.
The support has a full sleeve that offers protection to parts of the thigh and calf, so this isn't the gear for you if you're looking to be inconspicuous! With a high price tag and a very unique style too, it may be more suited to other sports than skateboarding.
If your child is ready to take the plunge on a deck, then this is a perfect starting set of pads to get them protected. Airwalk's pack comes with knee, wrist and elbow support under an affordable price tag, making it an easy choice to go for.
The straps allow your child to get the pads nice and tight to the body to make sure nothing falls loose during a session. These aren't the toughest of pads available, but they're ideal for young and small children who won't be falling too hard to the ground.
No. 1: 187 Killer Pads|Six Pack Pad Set
No. 2: Triple 8|The Certified Sweatsaver
No. 3: JBM|Adult Protective Gear Set
No. 4: Pro-Tec|Classic Certified Skate Helmet
No. 5: OXELO|Adult Inline Skate Protection Set|FIT500 - BLACK/GREY
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