Riding a skateboard can be a very risky sport if you're not wearing appropriate protective body gear. With the spills that come from learning new tricks, you need to protect as much of your body as possible so that you can keep riding and learning. With the wide range of skateboard protective gear that exists on the market, you should have no problem finding exactly the right helmet and garments to keep yourself adequately padded and protected.
What to Look for
There is no question that the most important protective gear to use when skateboarding is a helmet. Skateboarding helmets are made with soft foam liners that conform to the head, helping to absorb the shock from impact during a fall. Knee and elbow pads are also essential, as these areas are exceptionally vulnerable, especially if you are skating hard. Knee braces are a good idea if you are involved in aggressive skateboarding tricks. Wrist guards will help prevent breaking or spraining this area, which can be one of the most challenged areas on the body. You can find gloves with integrated wrist guards or wrist splint guards or plain wrist guards (but do not protect the palms or fingers). There are also forearm protectors as well as ankle and shin guards to protect these areas from scrapes and abrasions. When shopping for skateboard protective gear, you can also find excellent upper body armor as well as padded skate shorts that come with pads that are 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. These pads are made of soft foam or foam in combination with hard plastic, and create an excellent protective shield for the hips, tailbone, sit bones and upper thigh area. For those skateboarders who take extreme risks, it is highly recommended that you buy mouth guards in order to protect the inside of your mouth from impact when you fall.
Common Pitfalls
When shopping for a helmet, it is important to buy one that is specifically made for skateboarding. Bike/skateboard combination helmets are not designed with the amount of protection you will need for falling, as they have harder liners and usually eliminate the soft foam that helps to soften blows to the head. Remember to acknowledge your skateboarding level--don't take unnecessary risks if you are not an advanced skateboarder. Just because you are wearing protective skateboard gear doesn't mean you are immune to serious injury.
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