Ice Skating is the most fun activity that I have ever tried. The sheer delight in trying something new and falling multiple times on the ice makes me love skating even more. But witnessing someone falling so hard that their wrist broke made me look for some good wrist guards so that I could enjoy the sports.
What are the best wrist guards for ice skating? These are some of the best wrist guards you should have while ice skating: Dakine Wrist Guard, 187 Killer Pads Wrist Guard, Demon Flexmeter Wrist Guard, Soared Skating Impact Wrist Guard, and Triple Eight Wristsaver Wrist Guard.
We have compiled a list of Wrist Guards so that you don’t experience the same and be in pain later on! Read on to know more!
Aspects of the Best Wrist Guards for Ice Skating
I love Ice Skating, and I usually go to the rinks to practice this sport. But throughout the years, I have witnessed so many people getting injured by falling on the ice that it made me look for protective gears.
Wrist Guards are one of the most important protective gears to own so that you don’t face the pain and a deformed limb. There are a couple of things that you should know about while buying Wrist Guards. Let’s get started!
1. Durability
The durability of the wrist guard is critical as it makes no sense that you have to buy a thing time and again due to cheap quality. Wrist guards may face constant wear and tear due to the number of times you fall on the ice, but it will protect your wrist if you have a good quality wrist guard.
I have seen so many people buying cheap quality wrist guards which don’t withstand the wear and tear, and it actually leads to getting more cramps or even a twist in the wrist.
2. Material
You should always buy that material which is breathable and light on the skin. Something heavy will be like a burden on the wrist, which will put unnecessary pressure on the wrist. This can even lead to injury. So always check what material is available to you and what your options are.
Neoprene is the most used material in wrist guards. It provides support, breathing ability, and allows natural movement of the wrist and thumb.
Nylon mesh is another such material used, making the guard breathable and light in weight. It also helps in long-term comfort and is the best product for reducing sweat buildup.
3. Adjustable Straps
Try buying wrist guards with adjustable straps so that you can adjust them from time to time. It ensures a snug fit, and you can also easily slip it on your hand.
With no adjustable straps, there is a major chance of them getting loose. With adjustable straps, you can open, wear them loose, and then tie them according to your hand size and comfort level. This way, the whole process will be easy and with zero wear and tear.
At times, with no straps, you have to pull the glove hard to fit your hand. So it’s always good to go for adjustable straps.
4. Size
This is the most essential aspect of this list. If a wrist gear is too loose or too tight, then on strong impact, you may injure your wrist. Hence you need to see correctly if the wrist guard fits you or not.
I have seen people wearing tight wrist guards so that they don’t slip out. Instead, it started to block their blood flow, and their hands were blue after they took it out. Do not repeat such mistakes as they can get very problematic health-wise.
The easiest way to measure your size is by wrapping a tape through the circumference of your palm, or you can even use a scale or inch tape to measure it. Check the size availability and then try it.
5. Support
Wrist guards provide different types of support, from mild to moderate to maximum. Always go for the one that provides maximum support if you’re going for ice skating.
It helps prevent serious conditions like fractures by providing rigid and semi-rigid support elements that both support and limit the joints’ movements.
The wrist guards with metal sprints are most desirable since they help immobilize the thumb, and the adjustable straps further allow for a safer recovery.
6. Quality
The quality of the wrist guard should be top-notch. A good quality wrist guard would fit your hand easily and will be comfortable as well. Unfortunately, I have had some experiences with cheap quality wrist guards which would itch my skin. I had to buy new ones due to this mistake.
Moreover, invest in some good wrist guards as the budget never comes above your needs and health. Additionally, a wrist guard is in direct contact with your skin, so it is better to spend some extra money than spend money on medical bills!
7. Compression
The last aspect to consider while buying a wrist guard is to see if the wrist guard provides any compression or not. Compression helps heal an injury, so if you have been injured, then you can wear a compression wrist guard to heal the wrist.
Further, this compression also helps in giving an adequate amount of support to your wrist. While buying, you should check if the compression is not too much because it can even stop your blood flow. Be careful while purchasing a wrist guard about this aspect.
Usually, the wrist guards are pretty versatile, and you can use them in different sports so you can interchange them easily.
5 Best Wrist Guards for Ice Skating
After considering the above elements, I have compiled a list of the best wrist guards for you to buy so that you can sit back, relax and order at your home. Let’s get started!
1. Dakine Wrist Guard
Snowboarders have been raving about this wrist guard all over the internet. The durability of this product is impressive. My friends bought it 3 years ago, and it is still working completely fine. They have had some nasty falls in these years, but the wrist has remained intact.
This wrist guard has a sleek and low-profile design that can easily fit inside the gloves. Additionally, it comes with an adjustable strap that can help you put it on and off easily without asking anyone for help.
You can use this for skateboarding, figure skating, and ice skating. It comes in a variety of sizes, so you won’t have to worry about your size. However, I would advise you to measure your hand and then order one, or if these are available at a store near you, then do give it a try and then buy it.
It is made from 60% Neoprene which immobilizes the wrist while providing free movement of the wrist as well. Since it is not leather, you can even machine wash it.
There has been only one complaint regarding its coverage area. It covers only a small part of your arm, whereas it should extend a bit further so that the shock on the wrist does not travel to the arm.
Pros:
- Comes with 2 years of warranty
- Neoprene material for maximum comfort
- Adjustable strap
- Provides side compression
- Durable
- Versatile
Cons:
- Too short
2. 187 Killer Pads Wrist Guards
187 Killer Pads are one of the best in the market with their modern construction and rigid material. They can withstand tough falls and still cause no injury to your wrist.
The durability of the product is another factor that people love. There is even extra padding inside so that your hand is saved from the impact. The extra thick splint protects the hand base as well.
Additionally, it is made of Nylon with industrial stitching, which further ensures better manufacturing of the product. But you have to care for this product since it is made of nylon. If these are folded incorrectly, they can even break, and the nylon can be chipped as well.
Moreover, these are available in multiple sizes, and they also have a new size called Junior Size, which is suitable for the kids as well. So they are targeting not just one age group but various age groups.
Also, there is a metal wrist protector inside the sleeve for the sole purpose of protecting and supporting the hand. This also enhances the durability of the wrist guard.
Pros:
- Metal wrist protector
- Various sizes available
- Extra padding to provide comfort
- Reinforced thumb hole and palm increases longevity
Cons:
- Nylon can chip off easily if not cared for
3. Demon Flexmeter Wrist Guards Double Sided
These are the most expensive ones on this list, but they are absolutely worth it. Professionals use it for figure skating, mountaineering, and even snowboarding.
These wrist guards protect the wrist, arms, and shoulders, absorbing most of the shock from an incident. I once read someone falling off from 30mph speed and still got saved due to these wrist guards, so you should definitely invest in these.
Although they are expensive, they are durable and won’t create any problems for at least 4-5 years unless you are in a terrible accident. Most importantly, these were made with the help of physicians and are doctor recommended as well. So you can trust these wrist guards to protect and support you well.
However, the only disadvantage of this product is its cost. The fabric is 90% Neoprene, and it comes with adjustable straps as well. So it basically ticks off all the elements in our list.
Pros:
- Warranty of 1 year
- Adjustable straps
- Durable
- Extra padding for comfort
- Resistant to extreme temperatures
Cons:
- Very expensive
4. Soared Skating Impact Wrist Guards
These wrist guards are suitable for beginners and are inexpensive. They are flexible but can protect you from shock. So you can buy them without any hesitation.
Moreover, the straps are long, so they cover the arm area as well. It protects both the hand and wrist, which is amazing because many wrist guards only protect the wrist. The inner padding absorbs the sweat and gives breathable room to your hand.
Additionally, these are versatile, and you can use them for skating, skateboarding, skiing, and roller sports. Although it’s a good product, people have complained regarding it being a bit bulky and heavy which leads to hands tiring very easily.
Pros:
- Stretchable Lycra mesh
- Adjustable straps
- Flexible
- Impact-resistant splint
- Extended coverage
- Versatile
Cons:
- Bulky and heavy
- Inconvenient
5. Triple Eight Wristsaver Wrist Guards
With a 4-way stretch nylon mesh material, these wrist guards provide a snug fit. They are comfortable and are impact-resistant as well. The EVA foam helps in resisting impact and supports the hand well.
It also has extra padding with soft cushioning inside it to make the experience of the product comfortable. You also have an option to choose between two styles, one with a butterfly strap design and 3 hooks and loop straps. The other is named Wrist saver II with a slide-on nylon mesh material with 1 hook and loop strap for easily removing the gloves.
The only disadvantage of this product is the material used which people do not like. The plastic material easily chips off, which hampers the durability of the product.
Pros:
- Different styles available
- EVA foam absorbs shocks
- Impact Resistant
- Slide on design
Cons:
- Material chips off easily
5 Best Wrist Guards for Ice Skating: Comparison Chart
| Product | Where to Buy | Price |
| Dakine Wristguard | Amazon | $21.95 |
| 187 Killer Pads Wrist Guard | Amazon | $19.13-$29.35 |
| Demon Flexmeter Wrist Guards Double Sided | Amazon | $79.99 |
| Soared Skating Impact Wrist Guards | Amazon | $12.99 |
| Triple Eight Wrist Saver Wrist Guards | Amazon | $17.10-$38.49 |
Final Thoughts
Wrist Guards are the most important protective gear to use while ice skating. When you fall, the first instinct is to protect yourself with your hand, and this is when the wrist injury happens the most.
The article gives you various options to choose from by keeping in mind the elements that you should observe before buying wrist guards.
