The Big Taboo: Saftey Gear (esp. ATTN to the older crowd)

[backinaction]

I was teetering on buying knee pads for the longest time. Mostly shame held me back. What if someone said something to me about them?

But then I realized, “these knee pads are for when your mom is sucking my dick”, and I’m fully padded all the time now.

Um...  aren't they for when you are sucking his mom's dick?

[Sedition]

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I was teetering on buying knee pads for the longest time. Mostly shame held me back. What if someone said something to me about them?

But then I realized, “these knee pads are for when your mom is sucking my dick”, and I’m fully padded all the time now.

[close]

Um...  aren't they for when you are sucking his mom's dick?

Ever since she got that last tooth removed, she’s been giving killer ones. But, fuck man, if you need to wear safety gear for a blow job from a 71-year old geriatric woman, you def better pad-up when skateboarding, it’s way more dangerous.

[ChrisLambe94]

I have friends who wear pads now that were senior citizens.
I couldn't care less if they do. Too each their own.
I can't wear pads , it feels constricting.
I've been keeping it low impact though.
Strictly flatground or park skating.

[stokedtrout]

As someone who pads up for very/large tranny only, it confuses me that dudes maybe a few years older than me rock the full gear in a 5ft bowl. As some have said, it’s all about that knee slide and learning to bail to a knee slide. You just can’t do that on a small bowl. By the time you get to your knees your in the flat and your spine is getting compressed. I get that old blokes wanna protect themselves but fark I swear they’re setting themselves up to get fucked up

[Sedition]

...full gear in a 5ft bowl. As some have said, it’s all about that knee slide and learning to bail to a knee slide. You just can’t do that on a small bowl...

Totally depends on how tight the tranny is, and where in the process of a trick you bail. In many cases, you can get into a knee slide just below coping, even on 4' ramps/bowls. Others times, it's absolutely akin to dropping to a knee slide on curb, and a run out is a much better option. That said, I was skating a bowl last year w/o pads. Came into a tight corner (in the shallow section) way too hot, and got chucked forward into the tranny. Ripped my pants, and knee, open pretty bad, and on the side (def wasn't a proper knee slide situation). Was done for the day. Pads would have prevented that, so it not always about just dropping to a knee slide.   

[Willie]

I've got a Pro Tec from the 80's that probably doesn't protect for dick. I've been wearing it for bigger parks intermittently.

[Lee Ralphs Dear Old Mum]

As someone who pads up for very/large tranny only, it confuses me that dudes maybe a few years older than me rock the full gear in a 5ft bowl. As some have said, it’s all about that knee slide and learning to bail to a knee slide. You just can’t do that on a small bowl. By the time you get to your knees your in the flat and your spine is getting compressed. I get that old blokes wanna protect themselves but fark I swear they’re setting themselves up to get fucked up

Totally agree. Knee Pads on small tranny cause me more problems than padless. I prefer the arse-slide in these situations.

[Szechuan]

43 years old.  I have a Triple-8 helmet that I wear at my YMCA park that requires them (and they enforce it).  With my other helmets, sweat eventually runs down my face and into my eyes.  Not with the T-8.  I have 187 pro knee pads for big stuff (8' +) and I have some Triple - 8 knee pads for smaller tranny and mellow concrete bowls.  I prefer butterfly strapped pads so I can wear them over jeans or dickies in colder weather without having to take off a shoe and slide them up.  I don't wear pads for street.  (I suck so it's not like I'm doing anything too tech anyway).  I will usually wear a wrist guard on my right wrist.  I've hurt it before.  I play darts in a league and national tournaments so I don't want to screw up that wrist.  I have some Rector elbow pads but just pull them out for big pools and ramps.  I used to be a little more self conscious about the helmet and knee pads when I was younger, but after I hit 40 I knew I no longer had anyone to impress and nothing to prove, so screw it!  I have great insurance, but at this age I don't heal like I used to.  Wearing pads today means I can skate tomorrow!

My dad used to be one of the top pro darters of the mid 80s. He still plays and runs the league in Alabama.

[Elderly Gentleman]

[/quote]
My dad used to be one of the top pro darters of the mid 80s. He still plays and runs the league in Alabama.
[/quote]

I have probably met him.  I am on the board for the league here in Nashville and I've been to a few big tournaments in Alabama (like the Shoot for the Moon tournament in Huntsville that will happen this weekend).

[beatifk]

Bumping...

Are there any benefits to wearing a helmet that covers your ears vs. the normal ones that don't? I haven't bought a helmet in years and I've never bought pads, but I'm going to soon...

Found a big combi bowl about a 1 hour drive from my house and I'm determined to learn to skate transition for real this summer. Or at least not die while trying.

[talklessSkateMore]

Is it realistic to wear pads on top/outside of pants? Not down with shorts but I feel the need to pad up just like that dude ^

Some nice bowls and 3 pools a little north from me. Totally worth padding up for

[Elderly Gentleman]

Is it realistic to wear pads on top/outside of pants? Not down with shorts but I feel the need to pad up just like that dude ^

Some nice bowls and 3 pools a little north from me. Totally worth padding up for

I bought a set of Triple 8 XL knee pads because they have butterfly straps and you don't have to slide them on.  So they are much easier to wear over pants.  They have already saved me in the concrete bowl in my town.  I got squirrelly coming out of a corner and went to the pavement fast and hard, luckily I was able to turn my body and hit my knees.  The pads saved me big time. 

[givecigstosurfgroms]

  I kinda want big ol hip and bum pads.

[lampshade]

Salba sleeps with leopard print Pro-Tec gear on.  I always feel like safety gear makes me fall more.  Maybe due to not being used to the weight or balance, but then I don't skate much over the 7ft bowl at my local park.  To each their own. 

[Xen]

Are there any benefits to wearing a helmet that covers your ears vs. the normal ones that don't?

You get to look like Gonz?

Honestly I have no idea on specifics but it does guarantee you more coverage overall.

[Sedition]

Is it realistic to wear pads on top/outside of pants? Not down with shorts but I feel the need to pad up just like that dude ^

Some nice bowls and 3 pools a little north from me. Totally worth padding up for

I hate skating in shorts, unless I'm wearing pads on transition. I mean, yeah, you can wear pads over pants, but IMHO, it's much, much more comfortable with shorts. Pants bind-up and bunch-up under pads and create weird pressure points, add another layer, end up with weird wet knee prints (e.g. sweat) when you take them off, etc. If it works for you, by all means, go for it. That said, give pads and shorts a try. You'll probably find it much more comfortable. 

[Trail]

Knee Pads & Helmet in Pools/Bowls for me, Nothing when Street/Park skating.

[DISTANT RUMOURS]

any good advice on finding a good ankle brace?

I love skating but I'm scared to roll my feet again

[Too Frank To Fred]

Sorry to resurrect an old thread but this was probably the best one for pads.

There are a few new big bowls opening up near me that I'm stoked to skate. Being fresh concrete, knee bails are fully a possibility unlike the pad-grabbing aged 'crete I usually skate.

Anyway, I usually use 187s on the once in a blue moon that I do actually pad up. However, I might treat myself to some new pads to get amped to skate some smooth new bowls...

Anyone tried the S1 Gen 4.5 pads? I have a 20% off coupon but would love a review, if you have one...

[dstrytruitt]

Sorry to resurrect an old thread but this was probably the best one for pads.

There are a few new big bowls opening up near me that I'm stoked to skate. Being fresh concrete, knee bails are fully a possibility unlike the pad-grabbing aged 'crete I usually skate.

Anyway, I usually use 187s on the once in a blue moon that I do actually pad up. However, I might treat myself to some new pads to get amped to skate some smooth new bowls...

Anyone tried the S1 Gen 4.5 pads? I have a 20% off coupon but would love a review, if you have one...

I've tried the S1 4.5 after skating 187 for a number of years and they're good but the padding isn't as thick as 187. I haven't felt any pain knee-sliding but it is notable. The S1 is a little more comfortable so if you need pads and have a discount then I'd say go for it. Be sure to measure precisely if you can't try them on in person first.

[Too Frank To Fred]

Expand Quote

Sorry to resurrect an old thread but this was probably the best one for pads.

There are a few new big bowls opening up near me that I'm stoked to skate. Being fresh concrete, knee bails are fully a possibility unlike the pad-grabbing aged 'crete I usually skate.

Anyway, I usually use 187s on the once in a blue moon that I do actually pad up. However, I might treat myself to some new pads to get amped to skate some smooth new bowls...

Anyone tried the S1 Gen 4.5 pads? I have a 20% off coupon but would love a review, if you have one...

[close]

I've tried the S1 4.5 after skating 187 for a number of years and they're good but the padding isn't as thick as 187. I haven't felt any pain knee-sliding but it is notable. The S1 is a little more comfortable so if you need pads and have a discount then I'd say go for it. Be sure to measure precisely if you can't try them on in person first.

Appreciate that. my 187 are still in good shape so I'll just skate them until they are toast. You saved me some $s.

[back smith]

Got the 187 Derby pads. They don't really prevent any kind of movement for me which is great but of course means they won't protect me from twisting my shit into some unnatural position and getting injured that way. But hey impact protection without any hinderance is a pretty sweet deal. Only disappointment has been figuring out they are the roller derby model instead of being named after the skatepark.

[Too Frank To Fred]

Got the 187 Derby pads. They don't really prevent any kind of movement for me which is great but of course means they won't protect me from twisting my shit into some unnatural position and getting injured that way. But hey impact protection without any hinderance is a pretty sweet deal. Only disappointment has been figuring out they are the roller derby model instead of being named after the skatepark.

Ha. I love skating Derby but I'd never knee-slide out of any bails there.

[dstrytruitt]

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Sorry to resurrect an old thread but this was probably the best one for pads.

There are a few new big bowls opening up near me that I'm stoked to skate. Being fresh concrete, knee bails are fully a possibility unlike the pad-grabbing aged 'crete I usually skate.

Anyway, I usually use 187s on the once in a blue moon that I do actually pad up. However, I might treat myself to some new pads to get amped to skate some smooth new bowls...

Anyone tried the S1 Gen 4.5 pads? I have a 20% off coupon but would love a review, if you have one...

[close]

I've tried the S1 4.5 after skating 187 for a number of years and they're good but the padding isn't as thick as 187. I haven't felt any pain knee-sliding but it is notable. The S1 is a little more comfortable so if you need pads and have a discount then I'd say go for it. Be sure to measure precisely if you can't try them on in person first.

[close]

Appreciate that. my 187 are still in good shape so I'll just skate them until they are toast. You saved me some $s.

Happy to help! You could always get some different color caps for your 187s; spruce them up a bit.

[Too Frank To Fred]

Yeah, I wore through the black re-caps and got some grey ones last summer.

My discount coupon expires in Oct so I'll get another summer out of these 187s and then try the S1s.

I don't use knee pads very often but when I do its usually on concrete and they take a hammering.

[oldfart]

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...after I hit 40 I knew I no longer had anyone to impress and nothing to prove, so screw it!
...at this age I don't heal like I used to...
...Wearing pads today means I can skate tomorrow!

[close]

This. Everything this.

I am going to turn 42 next month and I don't wear any pads. Never even thought about it..
I just skate some curbs and my local skatepark. nothing wild...
I guess there are no pads for big toe osteoarthritis and back pain...

[back smith]

I guess there are no pads for big toe osteoarthritis and back pain...

DC Lynx OG

[Slave IV]

Never wore pads in my life. Took about 20 yr hiatus on skateboarding and when I got back into it, first thing I tried was to 50/50 a small ledge at a skatepark because it was an easy goto trick I could always do and "what could go wrong?" Well, I slammed pretty hard and luckily didn't get too hurt but I ordered a helmet and full set of pads including wrist guards before I went back to the park again. For a while, I wore it all every time. Then I started skated small street spots again and gradually removed some pads depending on what was going on. Funny thing is usually, if I removed an elbow or knee pad, that elbow or knee would be what I slam on. I will still wear a helmet anytime I'm at a skatepark and riding transition and add more protection depending on what I'm doing. I rarely ever wear the wrist guards anymore for anything though.