Do you ever look back at some of the things you used to do and wonder: what was I thinking? I’m slightly embarrassed to say it happens to me pretty much all the time.
I still have flashbacks of speeding down a slope, hair in the air, no helmet, no protective gear, no wrist guards, and feeling cool as can be. I’d like to take this moment to apologize to my poor joints, tendons, and bones for everything my more naïve self put them through.
Now, that I know that safety is, in fact, smart, and smart is in fact cool, I have found a new appreciation for safety gear.
Being able to enjoy extreme sports, in particular, snowboarding, get the full adrenaline rush and decrease the chance of injuries, especially unnecessary ‘if only I would have been wearing wrist guards, this wouldn’t have happened’ kind of wrist injuries, is to me the best win-win situation.
And since the memory of a preventable wrist injury that kept me off the slopes during a particularly great season still haunts me to this day, I’ve rounded up the best snowboard wrist guards for your convenience.
Product
Details
Best Overall
Burton Adult Wrist Guards
- Brand: BRUTON
- Material: Nylon
Best Value
Dakine Low Profile Wrist Protection
- Brand: Dakine
- Material: Neoprene
Best Price
CTHOPER Impact Wrist Guard
- Brand:CTHOPER
- Material: PE shield, EVA cushioning
Best Multi-purpose
Soared Skating Impact Wrist Guards
- Brand: Soared
- Material: ABS Plastic
Best for Beginners
BOSONER Wrist Guards for Impact Sport
- Brand: BOSONER
- Material: Cotton
Best Versatile
Hillbilly Wrist Guard Gloves
- Brand: Hillbilly protective gear
- Material: Leather
Best Wrist Guards for Snowboarding – Our Top 6 Picks
Here is our list of the best snowboard wrist guards that will guarantee maximum protection while enjoying the wonderful icy cold days at the mountain.
1. Burton Adult Wrist Guards
If a pair of snowboard wrist guards were to win a popularity contest, the Burton wrist guards might just be it. They’re comfortable, efficient, and made by a brand that has repeatedly delivered quality equipment in the snowboarding and extreme sports world.
These wrist guards feature a flexible tapered top plastic splint, which means most of the support is focused on the top part of the wrist.
They’re made from durable materials and offer excellent protection, especially if you’re just starting off in snowboarding (in which case many hand bracing falls might be on the cards as you’re learning the ropes) or even if you’re exploring new tricks.
They offer a good range of motion both forward and backward, a feature we like because it still allows for comfortably tightening the binds and maintaining a good level of dexterity.
We’re big fans of the double velcro straps, as it allows an enhanced level of customization.
I, for one, struggle with finding well-fitting mittens/hand gear, a case of long fingers, and narrow palms, so these are perfect to get that comfortable fit so that it’s easy to forget they are on after a little while.
The palm portion features a soft palm pad which provides extra support and shock absorption.
They have a low profile design, however, you still do need to size up in the glove and mitten compartment to be able to fit this underneath, so that’s something to keep in mind when choosing the Burton wrist guards.
Burton Adult Wrist Guards
The price of “Burton Adult Wrist Guards ” varies, so check the latest price at
2. Dakine Low Profile Wrist Protection
The Dakine Wrist Guards fit like a glove, get it? Now that I got that off my chest, in all seriousness, these wrist guards have a really nice fit, made out of 100% neoprene material, with a slip-on design, a velcro strap to tighten them around the wrist and an adjustable hook and loop wrist cinch.
A combination that results in a very snug fit without constricting blood flow. I’m a big fan of not only being protected, but also feeling protected, and these wrist guards offer just that.
In terms of the actual protection, the main support in these wrist guards is along the palm of the hand, which really helps soften some of those harsh falls.
We would have loved to see more support on the wrist area in the back, but overall they are a solid choice and should keep most snowboard enthusiasts sound and safe whilst they’re out on the slopes having fun.
The quality, features, and price ratio is pretty great too. As some of the more affordable wrist guards on the market, we think these provide a lot for the buck.
They do run a little bit small, so we’d advise you to size up when buying these.
Dakine Low Profile Wrist Protection
The price of “Dakine Low Profile Wrist Protection ” varies, so check the latest price at
3. CTHOPER Impact Wrist Guard
Low profile design, adjustable straps, great support, and did I mention – very attractive price? It’s a rare combination but the CTHOPER Impact Wrist Guards sure have it.
They feature a thick splint on the palm and back of the hand, which offers improved shock absorption and extra support to ensure your wrist doesn’t bend awkwardly when you fall, all of this without compromising dexterity.
As someone who is hypermobile, I’m more prone to over-extension than most, so the added support is a great help to keep my wrist joint safe.
The padding is done with high-quality EVA foam, which helps take off some of that impact and protects the hands from shocks and bruises.
The closure system is via two velcro straps, and we already know how I feel about those, great choice CTHOPER, a big hug from us narrow-handed gang for that extra level of customization on these snowboard wrist guards.
The overall construction is made out of four way stretch breathable nylon, which not only provides a great fit but also better breathability. When your hands are inside gloves most of the day, it’s features like this that add that extra bit of comfort.
They’re lightweight and can fit easily under the best snowboarding gloves or mittens.
And, drum roll please, they’re actually not just snowboard specific but more of a multi-sport design which means if you can use them mountain biking, skating, or in any other activity where you feel like more protection on your wrists will come in handy.
CTHOPER Impact Wrist Guard
The price of “CTHOPER Impact Wrist Guard ” varies, so check the latest price at
4. Soared Skating Impact Wrist Guards
The Soared Skating Wrist Guards are a solid choice for your wrist protection this snow season. They feature a frontal and dorsal splint guard, all thanks to the ergonomic, flexible, and impact-resistant ABS plastic shell (I know that’s a mouthful).
Seeing that the main material used for the protective part is plastic, this does have an added level of flexibility and will not feel as stable as other wrist guards that feature a metal guard, for example. Not to say they are not as efficient, just a question of preference.
The body of these snowboard wrist guards is crafted out of a premium lycra mesh fabric on both sides, which is breathable and comfortable to wear and helps keep your hands dry.
It also features thick padding on the palm, which is sweat absorbing and also adds that extra cushioning to soften any fall.
They do have a bulkier construction than most wrist guards, and in fact, these ones fit over the glove rather than underneath it. For some people, it can be slightly inconvenient as you’d have to take it off every time you want to use your phone.
As with most others on our list, the double velcro makes another appearance. It allows you to customize the fit around the top of the hand and the wrist, and seeing that these will fit on another piece of gear, the extra customization is in fact necessary.
They are suitable for skating, skateboarding, skiing, snowboarding, roller sports, and other outdoor sports – someone says multi-purpose gear? I think I just did. Also, they are very affordable.
Soared Skating Impact Wrist Guards
The price of ” Soared Skating Impact Wrist Guards ” varies, so check the latest price at
5. BOSONER Wrist Guards for Impact Sport
The BOSONER wrist guards do not take any shortcuts when it comes to high-quality materials.
It features the ever-popular EVA foam padding, which guarantees some extra cushioning for the hands (and less bruises), and polycarbonate full-coverage caps that allow for extra ventilation and limit perspiration.
The support is focused on the palm side, through high-density, impact-resistant molded ABS plastic splints that protect you from injury when falling directly on your palm and slapping the ground.
The back, however is almost fully exposed, so if you, like me, have a tendency to bend your wrist too far back, this wrist guard might not offer the right kind of support for that.
It features an adjustable closure through two velcro straps shaped in a V, that leave most of the back open, so if you want to wear a watch, you can easily do so with these wrist guards.
The minimalistic design also means you probably have more dexterity than other more supportive ones.
I think it’s a great option for people just starting out in snowboarding, that are not going to go too hard too fast and will stick to slopes of a low level of difficulty.
I’d personally recommend them for kids and teens, for the above reason but also because they tend to run a bit small.
BOSONER Wrist Guards for Impact Sport
The price of “BOSONER Wrist Guards for Impact Sport” varies, so check the latest price at
6. Hillbilly Wrist Guard Gloves
Is it a guard, is it a glove, or is it a half-finger glove? However you want to name it, it’s pretty great.
It’s made out of thick and tough goat leather, with double stitching, that not only looks stunning but also makes it a very durable construction. It will take you some good time to wear through this material.
The convenient half-finger glove design lets you do everything you need to do without ever taking them off.
I, for one, like not having to take my gloves on and off to use my phone all the time, firstly because my hands get cold, and also once you’re on the slopes finger dexterity to take things on and off is slightly decreased.
Plus, they look really cool, and can still fit under a snowboarding mitten or glove but, as with most, you’ll need to size up in the mittens compartment.
The Hillbilly also offers really great wrist protection. It features a thick velcro strap around the cuff, which makes it quite stiff and should keep your wrist nice and steady.
The splint is placed on the heel of the palm, made from a very durable material, particularly great for absorbing the impact of falls when you land straight on your wrist.
It doesn’t have any plate on the back, so if you’re looking for front and back support, this might not be the one for you.
These are good for snowboarding but probably even better as skateboard wrist guards due to the focus on palm support and shock absorption, something extra handy when it comes to impact with hard surfaces such as cement.
Hillbilly Wrist Guard Gloves
The price of ” Hillbilly Wrist Guard Gloves” varies, so check the latest price at
Buying Guide
Choosing the right wrist guard, as with any other piece of gear, is a personal journey. You want something that’s good quality, has a good rapport between features and price, and above everything else, suits your style and can support your progress within the sport.
What works for me, might not be the best option for you, so here’s a breakdown of what features are available to get you started on your safety gear-choosing journey.
Splint Guards
Probably the most important feature is the splint guard, basically the part of the wrist guard that is made out of a hard protective material meant to protect your wrist by absorbing the brunt of the impact when you take that fall, and also keep your wrist from twisting in awkward angles.
These can come in a few different setups:
Frontal
This means the splint is located on the palm side and is meant to both absorb impact from the fall as well as keep your wrist from moving side to side.
Dorsal
This means the splint is located on the back of the hand and is meant to keep your wrist from bending too far backward, as well as keep it stable.
Both sides
Here the wrists are supported by splints on both the frontal and dorsal parts, which is great for people that had previous injuries due to the added stability or those who want that additional support
Each setup will allow for a different level of comfort, flexibility, and dexterity so it’s good to try them out and see what works best for you. The most commonly used materials are metal and plastic.
Material
What makes safety gear successful is its wearability. If it’s not comfortable to wear, then people will probably not want to wear it that often or will justify situations in which they can forgo the added discomfort.
For this reason, it’s always important to look for materials that are breathable and will keep your hands warm and dry throughout the day, that don’t chafe or cause any kind of irritation, and that are comfortable and durable so that they can last you a long time.
There are a lot of options out there, from nylon to leather, all suitable depending on the intended use and personal preference.
Adjustability
A proper fit is very important when it comes to your wrist guards as you definitely don’t want them moving around or constricting your hands.
Usually, they adjust either manually, through one or more velcro straps, or through an elastic material that fits snugly to your hand. If your hands are not the standard size, I’m the poster child for that remember – narrow palms long fingers, then added adjustability is a necessity.
Whatever the system, making sure they can fit you well is a top consideration.
FAQs
Are Wrist Protectors Good?
Whether you’re just starting out and are preparing yourself for all the falls, it takes to master the art of snowboarding, or you’re already a well-seasoned snowboarder practicing new tricks, protecting your wrists is always a good idea.
Wearing wrist guards, simply put, reduces the risk of injury without compromising any of the enjoyment of the sport. To me, that’s a win-win situation.
Do Wrist Guards Help Snowboarding?
Let’s be honest, no piece of gear will make you better at snowboarding. The sport itself requires practice, technique, and more practice.
What wrist guards will do, however, is help keep wrist injuries, also known as the most common injuries in this sport, at bay and therefore keep you more days on the slopes practicing your snowboarding tricks rather than in the Apres Ski chalet nursing your latest sprain.
How Do I Choose a Wrist Guard?
Similar to any other piece of snowboarding gear, in order to choose the best snowboard wrist guards for you, you first need to understand your own snowboarding style and requirements.
What kind of support do you prefer, dorsal or frontal, how do you usually fall, how do you brace your falls, and what setup makes you feel most comfortable? This usually comes with experience.
Our advice, for now, would be, any wrist guards are always better than no wrist guards.
Conclusion
Safety is definitely cool. Before you hit the slopes, make sure you invest in some quality gear and, let’s not beat around the bush, wear wrist guards.
With snowboarding, in particular, falls are daily and our wrists definitely take the brunt of it, which explains why most snowboarding injuries are wrist injuries.
Even if you won’t end up with a broken wrist, just a bruised or sprained wrist can be the reason you won’t snowboard for a few weeks whilst it heals, you might miss out on a great season, or it can even just knock down your confidence to a point where you just won’t have the same appetite for progress.
If you’re just starting out your snowboarding journey, it’ll be great to get yourself acquainted with how to snowboard first. Make sure to also check out the best snowboarding gloves with wrist guards to get you up to speed with what’s new in terms of gear, what to look for and how to choose the best setup for yourself.
If you’re already a seasoned rider and are looking for what comes next, check out our thoughts on the best intermediate snowboard for some pointers on how gear can level up your game.
And finally, whatever your level, keep riding, keep adventuring and never forget to enjoy every moment and have fun!
English (UK) 
Français 
Deutsch 
Nederlands
0 Comments