Skating is a rough-and-tumble activity. And beginners are prone to lots of spills. One way to ensure your child is safe tearing it up on the asphalt is with the proper protective gear. This means pads — especially kneepads. Not only do they protect sensitive bones and joints, but they also inspire the confidence necessary to improve as a skater.
Which kneepads you choose depends on your child's age and ability. There are plenty of cool designs to excite all ages to skate safely.
Shop this article: Bosoner Kids/Youth Pads, Bosoner Kids/Youth Protective Gear Set and DBX Youth Inline Protective Set
Kneepads are pieces of safety equipment designed to slide over or strap around each knee. Used for a number of extreme sports, they protect the vulnerable ligaments and bones in your knees from strain and impact.
Wheeled action sports involve lots of falls, especially if you're learning tricks. Skateboarding is one of the world's most popular action sports, but if your child instead loves roller skating or blading, they should also wear pads. Likewise, any kid who enjoys longboarding or just cruising around should have them, too. Impacts while falling are a given, but longboarding and cruising can lead to wicked road rash that kneepads can prevent.
While kneepads are crucial, a safe skater should also have the following:
A good pair of kneepads fits comfortably without restraining your child's range of motion. To get the sizing right, it should account for their weight and leg size.
Kneepads use alpha sizing, which corresponds to the wearer's weight.
You'll also find pads sized according to the "child, youth and adult" spectrum. Child sizes typically fit ages 5 and under, youth 5 to 10 and adult 10 and up.
This measures the diameter of your child's leg from the center of their kneecap. To get the center circumference accurately, try using a soft tape measure or a piece of string you can mark and measure when laid flat.
Choosing between a hard- and soft-shell kneepad depends on the level of protection you're after. While soft-shell pads are more comfortable, they won't provide enough protection in case of a big fall.
For kid skaters, hard-shell pads are your best bet. These are reinforced with foam padding to provide superior protection against big impacts and abrasion. They can be a little bulky, so make sure you size right. Opt for straps so you can adjust them easily and wear them over clothing.
Available in a fun array of colors, this complete set of pads is sized for little ones but is cool enough for big kids who love to shred. These plastic hard-shell pads are padded with airy foam and secured with comfortable elastic straps, making them great for long rides.
Sold by Amazon
Bosoner Kids/Youth Protective Gear Set
Bosoner upgrades their kids' pads for youth users who take bigger and harder falls. This full set of heavy-duty hard-shell pads provides ample coverage over sensitive areas with a shock-absorbing design that distributes impact forces away from the center cap. You have your choice of seven colors.
Sold by Amazon
DBX Youth Inline Protective Set
This full set of pads is designed to cover your kid's knees and elbows above and below the olecranon and patella. They come in a sleek black design with foam padding and a mesh layer to wick moisture. They're great for older youth skaters who want to upgrade to more serious, adult-like pads.
Sold by Dick's Sporting Goods
Gonex Skateboard Protective Gear Set
This full set of pads should fit most teens. You have your choice between all-black and pink-and-black pads. The studded hard-shell design is particularly adept at absorbing big falls when skating vert ramps. You can wear them as a sleeve for extra support, or strapped over clothing for maximum comfort.
Sold by Amazon
JBM Adult/Child Kneepads Elbow Pads Wrist Guards 3 In 1 Protective Gear Set
This set comes in five mature yet trendy colorways for older skaters who want the protection of an adult set but don't want to settle for plain old black. Though they only come in two sizes, they're adjustable for comfort, and the large shell bubbles not only provide ample room to grow but can also take a beating. Most teens and tweens fit in the adult size.
Sold by Amazon
Want to shop the best products at the best prices? Check out Daily Deals from BestReviews.
Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals.
Karl Daum writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
