Questions about Snowboard Protection - Snowboarding Forum

Littlebigdreams · 08-01-2011, 03:22 PM

Last season I snapped my humerus in half on a rail, and now I am a little paranoid about my safety. Even though I am definitely going to hit up the slopes more aggressively this season, I don't want to break anything else this time.

I've never bought any protective gear other than helmets, so I'd love it if someone could help me answer a few questions:

1. Will wrist guards fit with snowboard gloves? The gloves I bought are an extremely snug fit, so I am not sure how I can add wrist guards to them.
2. Is body armor necessary if I am mainly going to play on small - medium kickers, rails, and boxes? I like how body armor has protection for my humerus (it's now healed), but I am worried that it will restrict too much movement or become too heavy.
3. What's the usefulness of knee pads, hip pads, or spine pads? (Once again, I would probably mainly hang onto small - medium kickers and park, probably only straight air L or XL jumps on occasion).

Thanks in advance for any helpful advice!

BurtonAvenger · 08-01-2011, 04:03 PM

Wrist guards in snowboarding do more damage than good you're better to learn how to tuck and roll. If you're worried about impacting check out Poc body armor I'd say get the compression vest because you don't need all the other crap for what you're looking to do. This will protect your spine. As for ass pads/hip pads they do work and you can get the compression shorts as well. But take it from a guy that was air lifted out of a resort and almost died from an impact most of this shit is just you being paranoid and not needing it. Get over the mental fear and you'll realize a lot of this seems silly unless you're over 30.

**Donutz** · 08-01-2011, 05:08 PM

On the other hand... Late last season I saw I guy doing a boardslide on a rail (centered) and his board slid out and he sat hard on the rail, presumably right on his tailbone. He tried to tough it out, but a little while later I saw him being loaded into an ambulance.

I wore knee and shin pads (Pro-tec) last year and this year I'll be getting some good crash pants and a vest with spine protection. 'Course I'm slightly over 30

ShredLife · 08-01-2011, 06:12 PM

donutz once you get that ridiculous ruroc helmet you'll be almost as set as this dude:

**Donutz** · 08-01-2011, 06:39 PM

hm... goggle wipers for drizzly days, headlamps for night riding, and a watch that's always accessible

You sure that isn't a ruroc?

BurtonAvenger · 08-01-2011, 06:57 PM

I took a c rail to the tail bone about 6 years ago in Steamboat and my legs went completely numb. So had ass pads and they work well then someone ganked them, then a company promised to hook me up with some and that never happened, then I just sucked it up and dealt with it. But if you do get compression shorts make sure they have the tailbone piece that's the one you really want. Most don't actually have it and concentrate on the hips/quads.

Oh and Slyder at your level of riding with 2 kids and age you need to have some sort of protection. You didn't start riding when you were young and grew up around knowing the body/spatial relations.

Littlebigdreams · 08-01-2011, 10:56 PM

Thanks for the reply guys. On the note about body armor, they range in price from around 70 bucks to 300 bucks. I am absolutely confused on the brands and the specs to get. I now know that I should probably get compression vests but what does that mean even? Is it like an air bubble that protects me to some degree?

slyder · 08-02-2011, 06:29 AM

BA knew I'd chime in on this one...
3 kids and daughter wants to start riding this year.

I love my Azzpadz and they have saved me several times. I'm not sure about what I'd look for when I try more rails this year. I like donutz idea of shin gaurds. I was practicing last night on my balance beam/rail in the basement and took a fall. I don't relish the idea of a slide out an a rail this year.

But like everyone says start small

snowboardboi · 09-12-2011, 07:26 PM

There are many ways to stay safe without using protective gear. Besides a helmet, rest of the injuries can be avoided. When you fall forward, land on your knees and get the habit of tucking your arms in and landing on your fore arms with your arms pointing up. When you fall backwards, bend your knees. When you do rails, remember to stay balanced. Detune edges. Avoid going on rails backwards if you're afraid of your board sliding out. Or you can shove your butt with butt pads and yes, your wrist guard will fit, but wrist guards are not an excuse to try to stop a fall with your hands. Always tuck your hands in so you don't snap your wrists.

SLshredUT · 10-02-2011, 12:08 PM

Last season I shattered my radial head into 7 pieces. I will probably always need to wear elbow protection now. I researched a bunch, found POC (http://www.pocsports.com)to be the best reviewed on several different forums/product reviews/shop talk. Plus Jeremy Jones (big mtn) reps them, I think that says something pretty good about them. I subsequently ordered the Joint VPD Elbow. The only other piece of snow protection I have is a helmet. That said, as I get a little older, I am considering some shin guards (maybe some thrift store special soccer style) and tailbone protection.

I agree with snowboardboi, teach yourself to fall right!

08-01-2011, 03:22 PM	#1 (permalink)
Littlebigdreams Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 47	Questions about Snowboard Protection Last season I snapped my humerus in half on a rail, and now I am a little paranoid about my safety. Even though I am definitely going to hit up the slopes more aggressively this season, I don't want to break anything else this time. I've never bought any protective gear other than helmets, so I'd love it if someone could help me answer a few questions: 1. Will wrist guards fit with snowboard gloves? The gloves I bought are an extremely snug fit, so I am not sure how I can add wrist guards to them. 2. Is body armor necessary if I am mainly going to play on small - medium kickers, rails, and boxes? I like how body armor has protection for my humerus (it's now healed), but I am worried that it will restrict too much movement or become too heavy. 3. What's the usefulness of knee pads, hip pads, or spine pads? (Once again, I would probably mainly hang onto small - medium kickers and park, probably only straight air L or XL jumps on occasion). Thanks in advance for any helpful advice!

08-01-2011, 04:03 PM	#2 (permalink)
BurtonAvenger Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Mountains Posts: 8,058	Wrist guards in snowboarding do more damage than good you're better to learn how to tuck and roll. If you're worried about impacting check out Poc body armor I'd say get the compression vest because you don't need all the other crap for what you're looking to do. This will protect your spine. As for ass pads/hip pads they do work and you can get the compression shorts as well. But take it from a guy that was air lifted out of a resort and almost died from an impact most of this shit is just you being paranoid and not needing it. Get over the mental fear and you'll realize a lot of this seems silly unless you're over 30. __________________ Angry Snowboarder Because someone has to call it how they see it!

08-01-2011, 05:08 PM	#3 (permalink)
Donutz Drunk with power...er beer. Join Date: May 2010 Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada Posts: 3,675 Blog Entries: 176	On the other hand... Late last season I saw I guy doing a boardslide on a rail (centered) and his board slid out and he sat hard on the rail, presumably right on his tailbone. He tried to tough it out, but a little while later I saw him being loaded into an ambulance. I wore knee and shin pads (Pro-tec) last year and this year I'll be getting some good crash pants and a vest with spine protection. 'Course I'm slightly over 30 __________________ Illegitimi non carborundum Mountain Days: 30

08-01-2011, 06:12 PM	#4 (permalink)
ShredLife The Rooster King Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,349	donutz once you get that ridiculous ruroc helmet you'll be almost as set as this dude: __________________ get the hell off my lawn.

08-01-2011, 06:39 PM	#5 (permalink)
Donutz Drunk with power...er beer. Join Date: May 2010 Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada Posts: 3,675 Blog Entries: 176	hm... goggle wipers for drizzly days, headlamps for night riding, and a watch that's always accessible You sure that isn't a ruroc? __________________ Illegitimi non carborundum Mountain Days: 30

08-01-2011, 06:57 PM	#6 (permalink)
BurtonAvenger Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Mountains Posts: 8,058	I took a c rail to the tail bone about 6 years ago in Steamboat and my legs went completely numb. So had ass pads and they work well then someone ganked them, then a company promised to hook me up with some and that never happened, then I just sucked it up and dealt with it. But if you do get compression shorts make sure they have the tailbone piece that's the one you really want. Most don't actually have it and concentrate on the hips/quads. Oh and Slyder at your level of riding with 2 kids and age you need to have some sort of protection. You didn't start riding when you were young and grew up around knowing the body/spatial relations. __________________ Angry Snowboarder Because someone has to call it how they see it!

08-01-2011, 10:56 PM	#7 (permalink)
Littlebigdreams Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 47	Thanks for the reply guys. On the note about body armor, they range in price from around 70 bucks to 300 bucks. I am absolutely confused on the brands and the specs to get. I now know that I should probably get compression vests but what does that mean even? Is it like an air bubble that protects me to some degree?

08-02-2011, 06:29 AM	#8 (permalink)
slyder Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Milwaukee Suburbs Posts: 1,927	BA knew I'd chime in on this one... 3 kids and daughter wants to start riding this year. I love my Azzpadz and they have saved me several times. I'm not sure about what I'd look for when I try more rails this year. I like donutz idea of shin gaurds. I was practicing last night on my balance beam/rail in the basement and took a fall. I don't relish the idea of a slide out an a rail this year. But like everyone says start small __________________ Thanks -Slyder Last edited by slyder; 08-02-2011 at 07:59 PM.

09-12-2011, 07:26 PM	#9 (permalink)
snowboardboi Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 15	There are many ways to stay safe without using protective gear. Besides a helmet, rest of the injuries can be avoided. When you fall forward, land on your knees and get the habit of tucking your arms in and landing on your fore arms with your arms pointing up. When you fall backwards, bend your knees. When you do rails, remember to stay balanced. Detune edges. Avoid going on rails backwards if you're afraid of your board sliding out. Or you can shove your butt with butt pads and yes, your wrist guard will fit, but wrist guards are not an excuse to try to stop a fall with your hands. Always tuck your hands in so you don't snap your wrists.

10-02-2011, 12:08 PM	#10 (permalink)
SLshredUT Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 16	Last season I shattered my radial head into 7 pieces. I will probably always need to wear elbow protection now. I researched a bunch, found POC (http://www.pocsports.com)to be the best reviewed on several different forums/product reviews/shop talk. Plus Jeremy Jones (big mtn) reps them, I think that says something pretty good about them. I subsequently ordered the Joint VPD Elbow. The only other piece of snow protection I have is a helmet. That said, as I get a little older, I am considering some shin guards (maybe some thrift store special soccer style) and tailbone protection. I agree with snowboardboi, teach yourself to fall right!

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