Essential Skateboarding Gear: 4 Skateboarding Essentials

To keep yourself safe from injury while you shred during skate sessions, look online or head to a local skate shop to get the following skateboard gear and equipment:

1. 1. Helmet: The skateboard helmet is the most essential safety piece of gear you will need because it protects your head from an injury when you fall. You should always wear a multi-sport or skateboarding helmet that fits your head snugly (look for one with installable pads—it shouldn’t move when you shake your head). A skate helmet should sit low on your forehead and have side straps that form a “V” shape around each ear as well as a buckle that fastens tightly under your chin. If you can fit more than two fingers between the strap and your chin, it’s not tight enough. Also, be sure your helmet is multi-use and capable of taking more than one hit.
2. 2. Wrist guards: Wrist guards reduce the chance of twisting or breaking your wrists when you fall or bail on a trick. Not all skateboarders wear them, but they’re sensible if you’re starting out and haven’t learned how to fall properly or if you tend to land on your hands more than your knees. Choose your skateboarding equipment based on what you need, rather than how it looks.
3. 3. Knee and elbow pads: When you fall—and you will fall—pads prevent or reduce the severity of cuts, scrapes, bruises, and burns. Additionally, knee pads can be used in a knee slide maneuver to slide to safely on a vert transition. Make sure yours have sufficient padding and an external plastic cap designed to take abuse.
4. 4. Skate shoes: Another skateboard essential is a good skate shoe. Whatever your personal aesthetic, a good skate shoe has closed toes and flat, thick, durable, slip-resistant rubber soles that hold on to grip tape and prevent shocks from traveling up your feet. Padded tongues and thick midsoles are also key for protecting your ankles from spinning boards and obstacles.
   

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