Skateboard Pads - Keep your skin where it belongs!"you look like a kook in those!" That's what my mate Flea said about my skateboard pads. Okay, maybe it was my karate shin pads that did it, but a whack on the shin by a flying skateboard is no joke. Anyway, ten minutes later Flea was picking gravel out of his skinned knees. Believe it or not, the easiest thing to do when you first start skating is fall off. Knee and elbow pads will save you a lot of pain. And when you start skating ramps you'll want hip pads too. They might feel cumbersome at first but after one or two falls you'll appreciate them. So, what do you look for? Pads need to fit well so try them on before you buy. A good skate shop will allow you to do this and will also give you advice about the right ones for you. If you want to buy on line, find out if you can return them if they don't fit well. Badly fitting pads can rub your skin raw and they're not going to do you much good if you wear them once then throw them in the back of the cupboard never to see the light of day again. For street skating and freestyle thinner pads will do but if you eventually go for vert skating you'll need the more heavily cushioned pads. Elbow pads: Taking a knock to the elbow really hurts and can do some serious damage. The soft spongy part of the pad will cushion the joint from the impact and the hard plastic outer shell will allow you to slide along the ground without leaving a layer of skin behind. Knee Pads: Your knees take some major impact if you land on them. Knee pads are also designed to cushion the fall as well as slide along the surface you fall on. Some skaters wear knee gaskets or under pads. These are made of very absorbent material and help to keep the knee pad in place even if the skater sweats a lot. They also offer additional support and give extra cushioning. Hip pads: These are usually built into a pair of shorts that you wear under your trousers. Skateboard pads make a huge difference in preventing
injuries. Wear them. |
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