Switching from 187s to Smith Scabs

[Petary791]

I've been using large 187s and they've been super comfy but I think they may be too big and I don't like the profile, like the way that they're super bulky up top above the knee because then when I superman they'll get pulled down. This has resulted in some scrapes and even a scrape down to the muscle on my knee. So, anyone have any experience with Smith Scabs? If not I'll stick with the 187s or maybe get a medium instead of large, but the Scabs are steezy mcgeezy.

[SLAB City Jake]

I've got the psycho pattern knee pads and the regular black elbow pads.

The pads are bombproof. I'm pretty sure you could take a baseball bat to the knee with no problems at all lol.
They are REALLY stiff when you first get them, they take several sessions to get broken in. Once broken in, however, they are great pads.

I have no experience with 187's so I can't compare them.
I have really big quads and the L/XL's work great. I had to add a little bit of velcro to the two big main straps cuz the stock velcro is a little weak. the secondary straps are awesome though and more than make up for it.

CAUTION!!!
When you put them on the 'correct' way according to the tags the plastic buckles that tension the secondary velcro straps will be on the outside of your knees. One or two bails and you WILL tear right through the straps. Replacements cannot be purchased and it's difficult to glue them back together.
The Solution is to wear the pads opposite from the what the tags say so that the plastic buckles are on the inside of your knees. I've wiped out at 35 mph and slid on the side on the pads before I could get onto the plastic caps and the pads are still great 5 months later. Wearing them like this doesn't affect the feel of the pads at all. (My tags could just be printed wrong too).

Other than the initial stiffness/flipping of pads I have only great and wonderful things to say about the pads. I will definitely be purchasing another set when I finally tear these up too bad.

peace

[Petary791]

Good to know, I'll keep that stuff in mind! I'd love to hear from some people who have tried both.

[Bookworm]

The first nice kneepads I tried were smith scabs (they were someone at skat house's, dubes pulled em out for me) and I ended up buying a set.

I let my friend andrew try mine, he has a set.

The third longboarder in our group also has scabs now.

[ckpcw]

Well-fitting 187's shouldn't slip. I bought 187's after my triple8's slipped on me in a 30mph crash. Been down a few times in the 187's, and they've been solid - even in a superman crash.