Are you ready to start skateboarding but worried about getting hurt? You’re not alone. Falling is part of learning, but that doesn’t mean you have to get injured. Wearing the best skateboard protective gear makes a big difference. It keeps your head, knees, elbows, and wrists safe. It helps you ride with more confidence and less fear.
But with so many options, choosing safety gear may feel boring. What gear do you really need? Don’t worry! You’re in the right place.
In this guide, I’ll break down the best skateboard protective gear for beginners. I’ll show you what each piece does, how it protects your body, and how to find the right fit.
So, are you ready to dive into the next level of skateboarding? Let’s explore the skateboard safety gear review!
Highly Recommended Protective Gear For Skateboarding
Why You Should Always Wear Protective Gear When Riding a Skateboard?
Skateboarding is fun, but it comes with risks. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, most skateboard injuries happen during a fall. These falls often cause head injuries, broken wrists, or bruised knees.
Therefore, wearing safety gear is key. It keeps you confident while helping you avoid serious injuries.
Some think only beginners need pads. That’s not true. Even pro skaters wear helmets and pads, especially when trying new tricks. So, gear up! It’s not just smart, it’s necessary.
What Gear Do You Need for Skateboarding?
When you ride a skateboard, falling is part of the game. But the right gear can keep you safe and confident. Every piece of safety gear protects a different part of your body.
Let’s see below what essential safety gear to wear when skateboarding:
- Helmet: The helmet is the most important gear. It protects your head from serious injury. A good skate helmet should be dual-certified for safety (CPSC and ASTM). It should sit low on your forehead and fit snugly.
- Knee Pads: Knee pads are a must-have gear, especially if you’re learning tricks or skating bowls. They shield your knees from scrapes, bruises, and even broken bones. A good fit should stay in place and feel natural as you ride. Choose pads that offer solid protection without being bulky.
- Elbow Pads: Elbow pads come in handy when you fall backward, which is more common than you’d think. Your elbows are sharp points that hit the ground hard. These pads help stop cuts, bruises, and joint injuries. They should fit snug but not tight, and stay in place as you move.
- Wrist Guards: Wrist guards are often overlooked, but they’re super important. Your hands are the first thing you throw out when you fall. That’s where wrist guards come in, they help absorb the shock and stop your wrists from bending too far.
- Skate Shoes: Skate shoes are made for more than just style. They give you grip, board feel, and shock protection. Unlike regular sneakers, they’re built to take a beating. Look for shoes with flat soles, strong stitching, and good padding.
- Impact Shorts: Impact shorts are padded shorts worn under your clothes. They protect your hips, thighs, and tailbone during rough falls. They’re great for skating vert, park, or when you’re learning new tricks. The padding is soft, flexible, and designed to absorb impact.
- Slide Gloves (For Longboarding): Longboard gloves are built for downhill and freeride skating. They come with hard pucks on the palms that let you touch the ground while sliding or slowing down. They also protect your hands from scrapes at high speeds.
Each piece of gear plays a key role. So before you ride, think about where and how you’ll be skating. Then suit up and ride safe!
How to Measure Your Skateboarding Gear Sizes?
Getting the right size gear keeps you safe and comfortable while skating. If your helmet or pads are too loose or too tight, they won’t protect you properly. Here’s how to measure for helmets, pads, and longboard gloves.
01. How to Measure Helmet Size?
Let’s explore how to measure your skateboarding helmet size the right way.
- Use a soft tape measure or a string and ruler.
- Wrap it around your head, just above your eyebrows and ears.
- Make sure it’s level and snug, not too tight.
- Note the measurement in centimeters or inches.
Now let’s see a quick Size Chart of the Skateboard Helmet:
| Size | Head Circumference (in) |
| Youth Small | 18.5 – 20.0 |
| Youth Medium | 20.5 – 22.0 |
| X-Small | 20.5 – 21.3 |
| Small | 21.3 – 22.0 |
| Medium | 22.0 – 22.8 |
| Large | 22.8 – 23.6 |
| X-Large | 23.6 – 24.4 |
| XX-Large | 24.4 – 25.2 |
Tip: Always choose a certified helmet made for skateboarding.
02. How to Measure Pad Size?
Pads protect your knees, elbows, and wrists. Here’s how to measure each area:
- Use a soft tape or string.
- Measure around your arms and legs about 4 inches (10 cm) above and below your elbows and knees.
- For wrist guards, measure around your knuckles (don’t include your thumb).
- Choose the size that matches your measurements.
Here is a quick Size Chart of Pads:
| Pad Size | Above Knee (in) | Below Knee (in) | Elbow Pads (in) | Wrist Guards (in) |
| Youth/X-Small | 9 – 11 | 6.5 – 8 | 6.0 – 7.0 | 5.5 – 5.7 |
| Small | 12 – 14 | 9 – 11 | 8.0 – 9.0 | 5.7 – 6.5 |
| Medium | 15 – 17 | 11 – 13 | 10.0 – 11.0 | 6.5 – 7.0 |
| Large | 18 – 20 | 14 – 16 | 11.0 – 12.0 | 7.0 – 8.5 |
| X-Large | 21 – 23 | 17 – 19 | 13.0 – 14.0 | N/A |
Tip: Skateboarding pads loosen a bit over time, so if you’re between sizes, pick the smaller one.
03. How to Measure Longboard Gloves?
Slide gloves protect your hands when downhill longboarding or sliding. Here’s how to measure:
- Wrap the tape around your dominant hand just under your knuckles (excluding your thumb). This is your hand width.
- Measure from the base of your palm to the tip of your middle finger. This is your hand length.
Let’s see below the Longboard Glove Size Chart:
| Glove Size | Hand Width (in) | Hand Length (in) |
| S/M | Up to 8.0 | Up to 8.0 |
| L/XL | 8.0 – 9.5 | Over 7.5 |
Tip: Longboarding Gloves should fit snugly so you don’t lose control during a slide.
Explore The Best Safety Gear for Skateboarding [Top Premium Pick Choices]
In this section, I will show you a simple guide to help you choose the best protective gear trusted by skaters of all levels. Let’s break it down so you can ride safely and skate smart.
01. Helmet: Protect Your Brain, Stay in the Game
Your brain needs the best skateboard safety gear. A helmet is the first thing every skater should wear. Even a small fall can lead to serious injury. Good skateboard helmets, like the OutdoorMaster or Triple Eight Sweatsaver, protect your skull with thick padding and solid shells.
If you ride in parks or cruise the streets, the best helmets are a key part of your skateboard protective gear. Don’t wait for a bad fall to start wearing one. Helmets are cool, light, and built for skaters. Make it the first piece of protective gear for skateboarding that you buy.
Top Premium Skateboarding Helmets:
02. Knee Pads: Save Your Knees from Brutal Falls
Your knees take the hit in many skate falls. That’s why the best knee pads are top-tier protective skateboard gear. If you’re learning tricks or skating bowls, you’ll fall forward often. Knee pads from 187 Killer Pads or Triple Eight absorb the shock and prevent deep scrapes or worse.
With soft liners and strong shells, they fit snugly without slipping. They’re part of the best skateboard protective gear list for a reason. Good pads give you more confidence and let you try harder tricks. Every skater should add knee pads to their skateboarding safety gear.
Highly Recommended Knee Pads:
Triple Eight Street Knee Pads for Skateboarding – Pro-Level Protection for Aggressive Skating
187 Killer Pads Fly Knee Pad for skateboard – Lightweight Impact Protection for Street and Park
Releted Article: Top 05 Best Skateboards for Beginners!
03. Elbow Pads: Protect the Hard Hits Behind You
Falling backward hurts, and elbows take the blow. That’s where elbow pads come in. They guard one of the easiest bones to injure. Brands like Pro-Tec and Triple Eight make strong, light elbow guards that feel good and stay put.
These are must-have skateboarding protective gear, especially when you’re learning new moves or riding ramps. Even for casual riding, they help prevent nasty scrapes and bruises. Elbow pads aren’t just for kids, they’re part of cool skateboard gear for all ages.
Top Picks Skateboarding Elbow Pads:
Triple Eight EP 55 Elbow Pads For Skateboarding – Durable and Comfortable Elbow Protection
Pro-Tec Street Elbow Pads For Skateboarding – Classic Design with Reliable Protection
04. Wrist Guards: Stop Sprains Before They Start
The first thing you do when falling is reach out with your hands. Wrist guards are a simple gear for skateboarding that can stop a long injury break. Top picks like 187 Killer Pads and Triple Eight Wristsavers wrap your wrists with a strong shield.
They protect your palms, too. This is some of the best safety gear for skateboarding beginners. It’s small, cheap, and can save you from major pain. If you’re serious about safety, wrist guards belong in your skateboard gear bag.
Highly Recommended Best Wrist Guards:
05. Skate Shoes: Grip, Feel, and Foot Protection
Skate shoes are more than just style. They’re core parts of your skateboarding gear. These shoes are made to grip your board, protect your feet, and last longer than normal sneakers. Brands like Etnies and Lakai build shoes with strong soles, padded collars, and good board feel.
They help you land tricks and avoid foot pain. Without real skate shoes, you’ll wear out your soles fast. Good shoes are cool skateboard gear that improves every ride. Add them to your gear skateboards checklist now.
Top Premium Skateboarding Shoes:
06. Impact Shorts: Guard Your Hips and Tailbone
Some falls hurt more than others, like landing on your hips or tailbone. Impact shorts are padded skateboarding protective gear you wear under your clothes. They protect the hard bones that take the worst hits. Brands like Bodyprox and Cienfy make light, comfy shorts with padding in key areas.
These are great for new skaters, vert riders, and anyone learning tricks. They may look bulky, but you’ll forget that once they save you from a nasty fall. These are part of the best skateboard safety gear that helps you skate longer with less pain.
Top Picks Skateboarding Impact Shorts:
Bodyprox Protective Impact Shorts for Skateboarding – Advanced Protection for Hips and Tailbone
Cienfy 3D Hip Protection Impact Shorts – Affordable and Comfortable Impact Shorts for Skateboarding
Recently Published Article: Top 10 Best Skateboard Brands!
07. Longboard Gloves: Slide with Control and Safety
Downhill longboarding is fun but fast. Longboard gloves give you control when sliding or braking. They come with palm pucks that help you touch the road without hurting your hands. Gloves like Triple Eight and WENGINS are comfy, strong, and built for skate.
This gear for skateboarding lets you ride safely even at high speeds. They’re not just for pro riders, they’re for everyone who goes downhill.
For electric skateboard protective gear, these gloves are also a smart choice. Ride hard, ride safe.
Top Premium Skateboarding Longboard Gloves:
Frequently Asked Questions For Skateboarding Safety Gear
What is the best skateboard protective gear for kids?
Kids need a helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards. Choose gear that fits snug, feels light, and protects from cuts, bruises, and falls during skating.
Do I need all this gear just to cruise around?
At minimum, always wear a helmet. Pads are useful if you’re new, ride fast, or fall often. Better safe than sorry, even during short rides or light cruising.
How do I find the right size?
Use the brand’s size chart. Measure your head, elbows, knees, and wrists. Make sure the gear fits snugly without being too tight or too loose for comfort.
Can I use bike pads for skateboarding?
Bike gear isn’t made for skating falls. Skate-specific helmets and pads offer different protection levels. It’s best to use gear designed for skateboarding for proper safety.
How often should I replace my gear?
Replace your helmet after any big fall. Pads, gloves, and other gear should be replaced when they wear out, break, or stop fitting snugly and securely.
What’s best to wear when skating in hot weather?
Choose gear made from breathable materials. Lightweight pads and moisture-wicking fabric help you stay cooler while keeping you protected in warm or sunny weather conditions.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, falling is part of skateboarding. But getting hurt doesn’t have to be. The best skateboarding protective gear helps you bounce back.
Your helmet, pads, gloves, and shoes all play a big part. They protect your body so you can ride longer and feel better. Skating is about fun, not pain. When you wear the right gear, you worry less and smile more.
So play it smart. Gear up. Stay safe. And most of all, never stop skating.
Still have questions about skateboarding protective gear?
Drop the comments below!
