I need pads and a helmet.

[Beeks]

I can't find any of this #### at a good quality and a good price ANYWHERE. I've gone to all of the local skate and sport shops and have found NOTHING. I've checked online for a good couple of hours and have found NOTHING. (Yes, I've already checked the sticky and the threads it linked to, most of those links are dead, the rest weren't spectacular.) I need recommendations and links.

My only criteria:
It would be nice if the helmet wasn't ugly, and preferably not shiny either. More ventilation is better.
For the knee/elbow pads I need ones that aren't velcro-attached. Meaning the slide-on ones. The velcro irritates my skin. I also need to know that the sizes will fit and I have no clue how to figure that out online.
I also need wrist protection, nothing too specific on that one.
I'm looking for $30 and under for the helmet, $30 and under for the knee pads and $20 and under for both the elbow pads and wrist guards. Cheaper will probably be better, but I don't want plastic #### either.

[tr33sp33d]

I really like blackdiamondsports.com they have helmets for 40 dollars, a little more expensive than what you were looking for, but I have not really seen any helmets for less than that. They also sell pads, I am pretty sure that they are slide on, and they are pretty well made, both of the products I checked out there were made by protec, they sell sets or just kneepads, I think if you have kneepads, slide gloves and a helmet you'll be good to go on protection. There are many other sites you could go to, but the guys at this shop are legit, I have never had any problems with them and they will hook you up.

[Beeks]

I think if you have kneepads, slide gloves and a helmet you'll be good to go on protection.

I checked out the site. It's a bit pricy, but it seems alright. I think I'm going to order wrist guards and knee pads. I would say that I should get slide gloves and a helmet too, but I think if I were ever to fall I'd be able to get my hands out first anyway, protecting my head with the wrist guards. And my wheels are too soft of a duro to justify purchasing slide gloves, so I'll just use the wrist guards for protection there too. Does this make sense or should I still be getting a helmet?

Edit: Does anyone know a coupon code for that site?

[KanoaSurf]

Wrist guards kinda #### up your skating IMO

Padded gloves are better IMO

A helmet is your most essential piece of protection as a head injury can kill you or worse. IMO

Oh yea... compared to real equipment, the cheap stuff is really shitty

And disposable helmets seem cheap, until you tap your head and have to get a new one.

[kjc6]

My only criteria:
It would be nice if the helmet wasn't ugly, and preferably not shiny either. More ventilation is better.
For the knee/elbow pads I need ones that aren't velcro-attached. Meaning the slide-on ones. The velcro irritates my skin. I also need to know that the sizes will fit and I have no clue how to figure that out online.
I also need wrist protection, nothing too specific on that one.
I'm looking for $30 and under for the helmet, $30 and under for the knee pads and $20 and under for both the elbow pads and wrist guards. Cheaper will probably be better, but I don't want plastic #### either.

Triple Eight helmets
Protec, matte charcoal

As far as pads go, most will have velcro. Think of it this way: if it's loose enough that you can just slide it on, it's not going to stay put in a high speed fall. Here is something slip-on you might consider to shield your skin from the outer pad itself:

Double Down elbow pads

The 187 elbow pads have a comfortable sleeve that you slip your arm through before tightening the velcro/elastic straps over it. I have these and they are pretty comfy.

Alternatively, you could wear long sleeves under your pads.

I've gone through many pairs of knee pads, and the 187 Pro knee pads are the best I've tried (and probably the last one's I'll ever buy). They have an inner butterfly-style velcro system that positions the pads on your knee. Then you tighten it up using the upper velcro strap and the lower cinch strap.

If that's too much money for you to spend, the Pro Tecs are a decent model and have the same kind of inner "sleeve" I mentioned on the 187 elbows that helps keep the strap from touching your skin directly. But as somebody who's gone through lots of protective gear, let me tell you this: You get what you pay for.

I would say that I should get slide gloves and a helmet too, but I think if I were ever to fall I'd be able to get my hands out first anyway, protecting my head with the wrist guards. And my wheels are too soft of a duro to justify purchasing slide gloves, so I'll just use the wrist guards for protection there too. Does this make sense or should I still be getting a helmet?

First off -- any wheel is slideable. It just takes practice. If you opt for wrist guards over slide gloves, you're just limiting yourself from learning a very valuable skill. Wrist guards can help protect you in a crash, but slide gloves can help you avoid the fall all together. Plus, if you practice falling effectively and get used to your slide gloves, they can indeed protect your wrists quite well by dissipating the impact in a slide, rather than concentrating it all in one hard blow.

A helmet is always a good idea. If you're even thinking about going fast and don't know how to slide, I'd say it's even more important. I'll reiterate -- sliding is a very, very useful skill to have.

[tart_monkey]

I checked out the site. It's a bit pricy, but it seems alright. I think I'm going to order wrist guards and knee pads. I would say that I should get slide gloves and a helmet too, but I think if I were ever to fall I'd be able to get my hands out first anyway, protecting my head with the wrist guards. And my wheels are too soft of a duro to justify purchasing slide gloves, so I'll just use the wrist guards for protection there too. Does this make sense or should I still be getting a helmet?

Edit: Does anyone know a coupon code for that site?

I personally suggest rocking the helmet. I have bounced my helmet off the pavement a couple of times just goofing around not trying to throw anything wild. You can get away without the slide gloves; the wrist protectors are likely more suitable protection wise (yeah you're hands might get a bit scraped up but you won't snap your wrist).
Even at speeds of 15-20 mph it is really hard to protect your head in a fall. If you fall forward (usually more severe falls) chances are you'll be okay and roll out of it without hitting your head; it is the falls backwards which are much more dicey.

If you are just riding i would argue you probably can get by without kneepads/elbow pads BUT I in no way discourage rocking them.
I know protection gear isn't something anyone wants to spend alot of money on (I haven't bought kneepads or elbow pads because I'm in the same boat as you.. I can't find anything that doesn't look like garbage for under 60 bucks.. I will pay what I feel is a fair price for good stuff that I am sure fits.. how do you figure that out if you have to order it? They do have sizing charts; but they always say.. never order jeans.. or shoes off the internet.. because you just can't be sure. I'd add safety gear ie. helmets and pads to that list)

I personally suggest getting a helmet you like; if you get a cheap one that doesn't fit comfortably/you don't like you aren't going to rock it anyways and then you have thrown away the cash anyways. Spend the extra 20-30 bucks get a good one that you are comfortable wearing. My skating has improved because it makes me more confident to boot.

A Helmet to me is a necessity. i have had 3 sports related concussions. My head has never been the same and never will be the same as before the concussion(s). To some the risk of feeling free is worth it and I can understand that; but the price you pay for a head injury is not realized until you have had one.

It is sad how difficult it is to find good safety gear.. the skate shops here don't even really carry any kneepads/elbow pads

best of luck. Skate hard & skate safe

[tr33sp33d]

besides, I'm pretty sure in most places its illegal to ride without a helmet. I got pulled over earlier this week by two cops because I wasn't wearing a helmet. Usually they give you like a 100 dollar ticket, but I wasn't even moving so I told them to F-off. I would say the essentials are kneepads a helmet and gloves, they are way more comfortable than wrist guards and don't make you look like a loser, not saying you are one, but i always have thought wrist guards are a little fruity looking

[tart_monkey]

Anyone had any experience with Triple 8 second skin elbow pads and kneepads?

I don't want to slide on them so I'm not worried about hard outside shells.. I like the idea of something super flexy.. it says it is resistant to tearing and abrasion.. i'm not sure i should be convinced

[Beeks]

A Helmet to me is a necessity. i have had 3 sports related concussions. My head has never been the same and never will be the same as before the concussion(s). To some the risk of feeling free is worth it and I can understand that; but the price you pay for a head injury is not realized until you have had one

That scared me into getting a helmet lol.

kjc6: Thanks for explaining that, now I have a much better idea of what I want to/can get. I think I'm going to end up getting the gloves instead, too. The only thing is that all of those links are sold out except the helmets

gloves, they are way more comfortable than wrist guards and don't make you look like a loser, not saying you are one, but i always have thought wrist guards are a little fruity looking

Yeah, I've always felt the same way, but hey, if it protects you...
But I've been swayed toward slide gloves anyway so it doesn't matter now lol.


What slide gloves are recommended? The loaded ones seem good, but they only come in that one color, are a bit pricey and seem to have way too many pucks (how are you supposed to carry the board with those things on?)
Any other suggestions on gloves? I'd make some but I trust the velcro from manufacturers way more for some reason. I'd hate to be the reason my gloves messed up and I got road rash (plus I'd need new gloves )

[tart_monkey]

I haven't made gloves myself; but honestly consensus is make your own gloves. The cheapest gloves from a supplier is 30-40 bucks and you can make gloves equal to them. You can buy industrial velcro and it is exactly the same thing you'd get on gloves you buy so don't fret.

On a budget you can't beat it; make your own slide gloves

[SlyTX]

Beeks, im getting the impression your the kinda guy who might assume things before really uderstanding them. The loaded gloves finger pucks can be removd, and you have full finger freedom, its like an option. Ive made 4 sets of gloves with industrial strength velcro glued to my gloves with gorilla glue, they have saved me numerous times. As long as your not an idiot making your own is perfectly fine, and cheap. Dont skimp out on safety gear, its well worth it. And, IMO, dont even think about riding without a helmet anythign other than casual pushing around. You dont know that your gonna fall forward and slide on your hands, what is you suddenly hit a sunken manhole and get bucked off, hitting the back of your head instead. Whats gonna protect you then? Not a thing.

Your skills are there for predicting dangers and preventing them, your helmet is there for all the things you cant predict. Wear it 8)

[maxkeeble88]

spend spend spend the money on quality safety gear when you do get it

what in your entire skateboarding career could be more important?

recently picked up a tsg superlight for 55
its great, looks good, INCREDIBLY light weight, and the pads are nice and not a mess when things get sweaty, i highly reccomend this

make your own gloves, super easy, though i do like padding in my gloves also

as for elbows and knees, i got 187s currently
they're like the most comfortable pads i've had, and super high quality
but you pay for what you get and they're expensive
and to be honest, i rarely wear the elbows, except for super gnar
but rock the knees on any hills or filming usually (more confidence)

end of story- save up a little more for the good sheeeiiit, for your safety and comfort !

[Beeks]

Beeks, im getting the impression your the kinda guy who might assume things before really uderstanding them.

Playing #### out in your head before acting saves a lot of time, money, disappointment, skin, etc. Juuuuust sayin. Plus I don't have the kind of money to be wasting on top of the line stuff or I would have bought it already. I need to scope out the alternative options.



Where could I find a tutorial on how to make your own gloves?

[SlyTX]

[QUOTE=Beeks;1297526700]Playing #### out in your head before acting saves a lot of time, money, disappointment, skin, etc. Juuuuust sayin. [\QUOTE]


I agree with you on that 100%, I was mroe referring to the statements like "i trust manufaactures velcro for some reason", when youve probably never seen homemade gloves or loaded gloves in person before. But I could be wrong about that. Your expectations are kinda high for such low price and I understand you may not have the cash now. But shitty pads that dont fit right will slip off, and the protection is minimal. A lot of lower priced pads have both slip ons, then velcro on the outside. Sometimes the velcro can be irritating, and pads get hot in hot weather when skating around. But they protect you so well. Also consider that if you go with walmart kiddy pads, they probably wont last long either and youll end up replacing them and spending more money. Ive had the same protec park knee and elbow pads for a year now. Got them both for a total of 50 bucks, im plenty happy with them. I would reserve about 115 dollars for a good half shell helmet, pro tec pads, and your own slide gloves.

[Belegnole]

Beeks, Spend the $40 on a decent helmet as your head should be worth the extra $10. Oh, there is no such thing as a cool looking helmet if you think of it the wrong way. Mine is a nice shade of glossy LIME green which cars should be able to see for miles. So now the it serves two purposes it protects my head and helps the numb nuts in cars see me. For the other gear it depends on how you are skating. For example wrist guards are helpful at all speeds, just ask someone who messed up their wrist. While knee and elbow pads are not as necessary at lower speeds. It sounds bass ackwards but I have found it to be true.

[gabriel[abc]]

stokedskateboards.com

cheapest prices ive seen so far when it comes to protective gear

[NickMoran]

Where could I find a tutorial on how to make your own gloves?

Search tool on this site?

[Rich Nelson]

first you need a helmet, pretty much any skate helmet should do the trick, though recently theres been some debate about the 2 stage foam (softer) not being as safe as the eps foam (harder) for harder crashes.

slide gloves are very important if your going to be going faster than you can run, home made ones work well and are cheep do a search.

as for knee and elbow pads, ive heard 187 are the best but they were out of my price range so i picked up these

ProTec Street 3 Pack - Knee Pads, Elbow Pads,...
ProTec Street 3 Pack - Knee Pads, Elbow Pads,...

. some nice knee elbow and wrist(though i don't use them) pads. for under $50

[Beeks]

I was mroe referring to the statements like "i trust manufaactures velcro for some reason", when youve probably never seen homemade gloves or loaded gloves in person before.

It was more that I don't trust my own sewing skills with the velcro, but I guess you're right, I've never seen homemade gloves so I can't really judge.

Belegnole: Good point about the helmet, I hadn't thought of it doubling as sort of headlights for longboarders.

gabriel[abc]: Those are the guys that are all sold out except the helmets lol.

SpeedDemon974: I was looking more toward EPS anyway, thanks for the assurance though. And I'll strongly consider the pro-tec 3 pack while comparing how much those vs elbow/knee pads from 187 would be.

[maxkeeble88]

It was more that I don't trust my own sewing skills with the velcro, but I guess you're right, I've never seen homemade gloves so I can't really judge.

don't sew

gorilla glue ftw