Falling is a sad reality whenever you longboard or skateboard. It happens most when you’re just starting out, and hopefully slows down over time. No matter what your skill level is, owning a good set of protective gear can help keep you from getting too scraped up when you eat it. Below we’ll go into our top picks for the best knee and elbow pads for longboarders and skateboarders.
Whether you’re looking for a good pair of knee pads or a combo of knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards, we’ve got you covered.
Best Pads for Longboarding or Skateboarding
Brand | Image | Shop | Rating |
---|---|---|---|
[1] 187 Killer Pads | Check Price | 4.7/5 | |
[2] Triple Eight KP 22 Knee Pad | Check Price | 4.4/5 | |
[3] JBM 3 Pack | Check Price | 4.6/5 | |
[4] Pro-Tec Street Knee and Elbow Pad | Check Price | 4.7/5 | |
[5] G-Form Pro X2 Knee Pad | Check Price | 4.5/5 |
Now let’s take a deeper dive into our top picks below.
[1] 187 Killer Pads Skateboarding Knee Pads, Elbow Pads, and Wrist Guards, Six Pack Pad Set
The 187 Killer Pads Set comes with a pair of highly-durable knee pads, a pair of sturdy elbow pads, and finally a set of strong and supportive wrist guards. It comes in several sizes ranging from children to adults and features a wide range of colors and designs.
The knee and elbow pads specifically feature a contoured form-fitting design that cradles the knees and elbows, limiting the feeling of stiffness in your movements and providing a sense of comfort and protection. Its superior foam system absorbs hard impacts and protects the users from harm, along with its extra thick splints on the back of the knee pads. The splints provide extra support to the rider and promote stability.
They’re a great set of pads and guards for any rider wanting to properly protect themselves from harmful falls and slips.
[2] Triple Eight KP 22 Knee Pad
The Triple Eight KP 22 Knee Pad is a sleeveless knee pad praised for its comfort and ease of use. It has an adjustable webbed elastic top and bottom strap with a neoprene butterfly closure. This allows for both the easy on-and-off of the knee pad, as well as the amazing security it has while walking and riding. It’s an amazingly comfortable knee pad with several well-placed rivets on either side of the knee pad that increase its durability and longevity.
Triple Eight is an awesome brand. You’ll find them featured in several posts on safety gear including our best helmets guide.
The pads come in 5 different sizes from JR. which fits 11–12.5 in (28–32 cm), to XL which fits 17–19.5 in (44–50 cm). They’re a great set of knee pads for any longboard who wants to get their protective equipment on in a hurry with no worries about setup.
[3] JBM 3 Pack (Knee Pads, Elbow Pads, Wrist Guards)
Comfort and safety.
That’s what you’re looking for when you purchase a knee or elbow pad.
What’s the best way to protect myself while riding and be comfortable at the same time? The JBM 3 Pack, featuring knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards, are the ultimate trio allowing for both prime protection and supreme comfort.
They are designed with extremely durable EVA padded material, feature adjustable straps with Velcro pads, and they come in multiple sizes fitting people of most shapes and sizes. The caps of the knee and elbow pads are made of a sturdy supportive plastic designed to work with the EVA foam material to provide extra support to the knee and absorb the shock of hard falls. The wrist guards are breathable yet solid, providing comfortable care to the wrist of all riders.
The JBM 3 Pack is the perfect buy for anyone looking to get a great 3-for-1 deal on longboard protective gear.
[4] Pro-Tec Street Knee and Elbow Pad
Pro-Tec has been in business for over 45 years making some of the best knee and elbow pads on the market. The Pro-Tec Street Knee and Elbow Pad Set is of course one of their top products. The set is renowned for its breathability, sturdiness, and security with movement.
These pads feature Full wrap hook and loop fasteners, a stretch lycra interior with both upper and lower supportive straps, and a neoprene backing for comfortable riding. The caps feature a sturdy ABS shell that shields the wearer from the harm of hard impacts.
Buy these knee and elbow pads if you want to own a set of some of the most trusted and reliable protective skating gear available.
[5] G-Form Pro X2 Knee Pad
Check out there matching elbow pads here.
The G-Form Pro X2 Knee Pad has a bit of a different design than the other pads on this list. The sleeve-like knee pad covers and protects the knee, as well as parts of the thigh and shin.
It’s made of Moisture-wicking, UPF 50+ compression fabric which provides the wearer with breathable, dry, and comfortable wear. The G-Form designers also paid careful attention in creating this knee pad with proper ventilation by installing several holes in the front cap that allow for air to flow. The protective cap is made of SmartFlex, a material that assists in maintaining the user’s motion and momentum while still being firm upon impact with a hard surface like concrete or asphalt.
These can be a bit pricy since it is just knee pads, but they are pretty futuristic in how they look and how they absorb impact. Not to mention they look like superhero accessories.
If you’d like a knee pad that goes above and beyond standard protection, the G-Form Pro X2 is the perfect knee pad for you. G-Form also sells elbow sleeves which are just as great for users of all ages and sizes.
FAQ
Do you need elbow pads for skateboarding/longboarding?
No, you don’t need elbow pads for skating but we highly recommend it especially for beginners. Even if you know the proper way to fall, elbows are a contact point with the ground and protecting your elbow joints is important.
Do you need knee pads for skateboarding/longboarding?
Again- No, you don’t need knee pads for skating but we highly recommend it especially for a beginner. Elbow pads are important and so are knee pads- wearing both will really make falling a tad bit better and keep you protected so you can keep shredding.
How do elbow & knee pads protect skateboarders?
Elbow and knee pads protect these critical joints by absorbing the impact in the event of a fall. Elbow and knee pads are made of comfortable fabric and a plastic shell to protect the joint. Riders tend to do a lot of falling especially beginners just learning how to longboard, and these pads can help keep you safe from knee and elbow accidents.
Conclusion
Ultimately, when buying knee and elbow pads, you’re going to want to take into consideration the joint size of the person you are buying it for. Smaller children, of course, would benefit from Jr. and small sizes, while teenagers and adults will generally fit the larger sizes.
The amount of money you would like to spend is also a factor, so take some time and explore the options on this list to get ideas at various prices.
Each item on this list is a high-quality durable item, so you can’t go wrong with purchasing one from here. Still, it’s important you do your research prior to your purchase so you make the best decision possible.
Once you’ve bought one of these best knee and/or elbow pads, you can rest assured that your future longboarding activities will be all the more comfortable and safe for yourself or someone you care about.