Best Snowboard Protective Gear

Best Snowboard Protective Gear

Posted by Matt Gahman on Monday, September 11, 2023

Are you getting excited about your next snowboarding trip? Before you hit the slopes, you'll need to make sure you have snowboarding protective gear. Safety gear is essential — regardless of your skill level and even if you think you don't need it.

Does Snowboarding Require Protective Gear?

Even the most experienced snowboarders need protective gear. Wearing high-quality snowboard safety gear helps keep you safe and prepared for accidents. Some resorts may even require certain protective gear.

Additionally, states like California, Utah and Colorado enforce safety regulations for children, like mandating the use of a helmet. Some states focus on all children, while others focus on children under a certain age or those in snowboarding school.

Even if helmets and other safety gear are not required, you should still wear them. In fact, if you take a look around the resort, you'll notice employees wearing the appropriate protective gear. If the people who work on the slopes every day find it important to wear protective gear, so should all of us!

Let's explore the essential safety equipment for snowboarding.

Helmets

Head injuries account for 20% of snowboarding injuries in the United States, and snowboarders have a 50% higher chance of sustaining a head injury than skiers. These stats show how essential it is to protect your head while on the slopes — even seemingly minor falls can result in a concussion or other head injury.

Helmets can reduce the risk of a skull fracture or serious brain injury. Some of the best protective helmets are those with a multidirectional impact protection system (MIPS). MIPS helmets are designed to absorb impact and better protect you against a potential brain injury. Helmet-wearing is essential for your safety as a snowboarder.

If you still need more reasons to wear a helmet, check out these benefits of snowboarding helmets:

• They allow you to attach cameras: Whether you want to record new tricks or be able to relive your run, helmets allow you to attach a camera.
• They can be stylish: Helmets come in a variety of colors and designs, so you can make a fashion statement. Find one that matches the rest of your snowboarding gear, or pick a colorful helmet for a bold, eye-catching look.
• They can have unique add-ons: If you want to jam out during your snowboarding session, invest in a helmet with audio compatibility. Some helmets may even be equipped with audio equipment, meaning sound components are built directly into your helmet.

Some slopes require helmets, so you should shop for a snowboarding helmet even if you still think you don't need one. Trust us — you won't regret wearing a high-quality helmet on the slopes.

Goggles

When you're hitting the slopes, we'd say it's critical to be able to see where you're going. Goggles make a huge difference in your comfort and visibility. On snowy days, goggles will protect your eyes from the elements so you can continue your runs with better visibility. Your goggles will also keep the wind out of your eyes, which can be very beneficial for snowboarders who wear contacts or are prone to dry eyes.

Even on clear, sunny days, your eyes will need protection. The UV rays from the sun will reflect off of the powder and make the slope extra bright. Just like you protect your eyes on a sunny beach with sunglasses, protect your eyes from the sun on the slopes with goggles.

Wrist Guards

Wrist injuries are among the most common snowboarding injuries. Luckily, wrist guards can help prevent a major wrist injury. Wrist guards can be especially useful for beginners. As a beginner, you can expect to take a decent amount of falls as you learn the sport. The wrist guards will provide extra support for your wrist and reduce the risk of a break, sprain or other wrist injury.

Typically, your gloves will still be able to fit over the wrist guards so you can stay warm and protected. However, you may want to try your wrist guards on with your gloves beforehand to see if you need to find a different style of gloves or to look for a bigger pair. The best snowboard wrist guards are the ones that can comfortably fit under your gloves.

Gloves

Gloves are essential for any cold-weather sport. Temperatures are cold, and the wind will expose your hands to extra low temperatures. When your hands become too cold, they can suffer from limited mobility, and prolonged unprotected exposure may even lead to frostbite.

While gloves are effective at keeping you warm, they can also provide protection against snow and ice. Ice burns and cuts can occur during a fall if your hands are not properly protected. Your gloves can also be used off the slopes, so investing in a high-quality pair of gloves is always a good idea.

Knee and Elbow Pads

It's always an excellent idea to give your joints some extra protection while snowboarding. The knees are a common landing spot for falls, so a little extra padding and support doesn't hurt. With this extra joint protection, you can get up from a fall feeling much better than you would have if you were unprotected. As an added bonus, knee and elbow pads can add a bit of extra warmth which encourages blood flow.

Impact Shorts

Impact shorts provide your tailbone area with some extra protection and cushioning. The best snowboard impact shorts will be comfortable and indiscreet under your snowboarding pants. For beginners, this can be a comforting addition to your snowboarding gear since you know you'll be protected during those inevitable falls.

Impact shorts can also be great for experienced snowboarders looking to try out new tricks. Just like a beginner will take a fall here and there, you'll likely take a tumble or two while learning to perfect a new trick. Regardless of your skill level, snowboard impact gear can give you the confidence you need to tackle the slopes.

Common Injuries That Protective Gear Helps You Avoid

Protective gear allows you to engage in the sport you love while minimizing the risk of injury. Common snowboarding injuries include:

• Head and neck injuries: Head and neck injuries are very serious. An unprotected fall can lead to a concussion or even a skull fracture. It's highly recommended to wear a helmet at all times.
• Knee or ACL injuries: Knee braces can help keep your knees aligned and supported. In the event of a fall or quick knee movement, your knee is less likely to be injured if you're wearing a protective brace.
• Spinal injuries: Spinal injuries tend to occur due to jumping or big falls. While you may not be able to protect your entire spine, impact gear like impact shorts can help support your lower spine.
• Wrist, hand or thumb injuries: Wrist injuries are common among snowboarders. When snowboarders fall, they tend to land on their hands, which can cause a fracture or sprain. Wrist guards add extra protection and lower your risk of injury.

Shop Protective Gear for Snowboarding Online at Buckman's Ski and Snowboard Shops

Hit the slopes in confidence when you wear protective snowboarding gear from Buckman's Ski and Snowboard Shops. While we love helping people find their passion for snowboarding, we also want to keep you safe. Shop from our wide range of high-quality snowboarding safety gear to stay protected during your snowboarding session.

Categories: Ski equipment  |  Snowboard Equipment