Protection for snowboarders: helmets, clothing, manufacturers review and reviews

Snowboarding is called the Olympic sport, which consists in descending from the mountains and snow-covered slopes on a snowboard. At first, the competition was conducted only in the winter, but some extremals learned to descend in the summer from sandy hills (sandboarding).

Very often, athletes ride on unprepared roads at great speed. That's why they use different equipment for protection from injuries - helmets, equipment for hands, feet, joints, back.

In 1998, in Nagano, during the Olympic Games, the snowboard was first included in the Olympics program.

Thoughts on protection

Protection for a snowboarder is very important - this is the first thing that a wise rider gets. Going to the slope for the first time, many people forget about kneecaps and helmets. They think that such an amazing event will not spoil anything. After repeated falls athletes begin to hurt their beaten parts of the body. As a rule, the first idea of equipment appears at this moment.

Those who have already traumatized during training, begin to think about protection in advance. They do not look back at skillful friends who ride without a helmet and damage. And this is correct: protection for a snowboarder provides the athlete the pleasure of riding. Equipped riders do not need to heal the bruises.

Protection for a beginner snowboarder

Interestingly, is the protection of the tailbone important for snowboarders? When purchasing equipment, many people do not want to spend a lot of money. They do not know if they will like snowboarding, will there be enough money, spirit and time to continue. Therefore, let's define now with the minimum expenses for equipment for beginners, taking into account the safety and the maximum pleasure received from riding.

Training amateurs are held at ultra-low speeds with a huge number of falls from the height of average growth. Riders basically land on the following body parts:

• Wrists (instinctively, all athletes fall on arms outstretched forward);
• Knees (during the training of skating on the front edge);
• Ass (during the training of riding on the back edge).

Therefore, protection for a snowboarder should protect what is most injured.

Knee Wraps

Knee pads - special lining to your knees. This equipment, as a rule, consists of a cup made of rigid plastic. It is she who takes on the basic striking force. According to the version, the product can be equipped with soft inserts made of foamed material, which are placed at the bottom, top and sides of the knee.

The knee is fastened in three ways:

• Straps from below and above the knee - a budget option. Such fastening is not considered reliable, it can be displaced by a side impact and does not fulfill its purpose. Suitable for fans of snowboarding, riding at minimum speed.
• Chulkom. Here the knee is located in the middle of the tissue tube, which is equipped with various inserts. This modification is reliable previous, but has a very awkward appearance.
• Hybrid way. In this case, the stocking is fastened with straps to the top and bottom of the knee. This is the most expensive and reliable option.

It is necessary to note the excellent modernization of the rigid knee pads, which are inclusions of elastic raw material, placed between the plastic cup and the knee. It can be foam rubber or other raw materials, mitigating the blow and assuming its power. Some riders use pieces of fluffed polyethylene. After two or three workouts, they split along due to falls. But landing on them is very pleasant, as they are soft and comfortable.

Knee pads cost from 700 to 2500 rubles and above. Those who are going to try snowboarding for the first time, can use the equipment for volleyball or for the rollers.

Non-profile products are popular due to their thickness. The most chubby volleyball knee pads cost about 300 rubles - this is not the highest payment for unbroken knees.

Wrist protection, shorts

Protection for a snowboarder is necessary to pass the stage of incessant falls. After all, if the training is not accompanied by injuries, the athlete learns faster and skates with pleasure.

1. Protective shorts are called special equipment, equipped with inserts from a variety of materials (solid plastic and elastic synthetics). Such equipment protects the side surfaces of the hips and tailbone from injury, it is comfortable to sit on the lift, especially if it is wet. Shorts cost from 1,600 to 3,500 rubles, depending on the raw materials and the number of protective inserts, thickness of protection, manufacturer and design. Of course, more expensive does not mean better. It is known that Russian enterprises create efficient products at an affordable price. Choosing this product, you need to focus on convenience, thickness, quality of seams.
2. The provision of wrist protection consists of one or two plates placed in a cover. They are made of plastic or steel and are attached to the hand in the form of a hollow glove. This protection for snowboarders plays a very important role, as it fixes the hand and prevents its excessive bending. In fact, this equipment prevents dislocations and fractures. The plates are imperceptible under the glove and very comfortable. Their price is small - from 600 rubles, but it is known that the effectiveness of the cost does not depend.

As a result, protection for snowboarding beginners costs about 3000 rubles. If you take any things from friends, it's much cheaper.

Protection for the Aces

Increasing the speed of snowboarding, athletes increase the risk of injury. Of course, they rarely fall, but it is critical, there are collisions at a speed with other snowboarders, and even with skiers. To remain healthy during training, riders are stocked with additional equipment.

In protection for snowboarding, professionals prefer a helmet. It is known that at low speed it is almost impossible to fall and damage your head. At an impressive speed it can be broken thoroughly. Helmet very often saves from trouble. It is made of solid plastic, which is able to take on the full power of the shock and prevent a concussion. Most cases prove its real effectiveness.

Neglecting the helmet

Many snowboarders neglect helmet, and therefore, safety. They say that the product has too much weight, so it is uncomfortable. But when they go to the mountains, they still get it, because they do not want to go to the hospital.

It is known that there are many cheap models of light helmets. For example, the Head version has a mass of only 365 grams, while it is very convenient and inexpensive.

Some athletes say that they look ugly in a helmet. Today you can find a product that will create an unforgettable style for the rider. You can choose a helmet for the color of the eyes, hair, costume ... When you're protected, you can roll mountains!

Useful property of a helmet

The helmet possesses one more useful property: it warms a head at windy and frosty weather. Riders often ask the question: "Is it possible to wear a hat under a helmet?" Many people know that because of it, the helmet can move in the fall.

Of course, wearing a hat under protection can be without loss of safety, provided that it sits on you securely and comfortably. The cap also softens the impact when falling, because it is an additional layer. If the helmet, which is worn on it, shifts, you need to purchase a different size or model.

In shops where snowboard protection (helmets, clothes) is sold, you can find special balaclavas that look like hats or light balaclava. Sellers often say that helmets can be adjusted size. It's not bad, but hope for this nuance is not worth it, because the product should be comfortable and fit snugly to the head.

Audio system

The helmet can be integrated into the audio system. Its most important purpose is the dialogue of riders during skating. They are necessary in order to call for help when necessary and not be lost. Use for this headphones and walkie-talkie.

Unfortunately, many athletes use this option for a different purpose and build a player in a helmet. Thus, they increase the pleasure received from riding, but reduce safety: the snowboarder begins to disregard the details of the route, increasing the risk of collision and injury.

So, how to choose a helmet? It is necessary, when trying on fitting, to pay attention to the size and weight of the product (the helmet must fit snugly against the head, but do not squeeze it and do not disturb the athlete).

Mask

Protection for a snowboard, in fact, is sold in any sports shop. And what is a mask? It protects the eyes and part of the face from snow, head wind and small mechanical damage. Usually it needs professionals, riding at great speeds.

Many say that the mask is harmful, because because of it the viewing angle decreases. So it is wrong to think. First, this nuance depends on the model of the product. Secondly, the review narrows because of the snow and air flows that get into the eyes, and not because of bad equipment.

Under the helmet mask is selected so that there is no gap between the products. For example, the Head helmet is perfectly used only with the Scott mask.

Vizor

It is known that the visor, which is equipped with a mask, has a large number of characteristics: contrast, color, transparency, sharpness, viewing angle and so on.

There are two types of visor:

1. Spherical. In it, the reflection spreads to the circle with the effect of the "eye of the fish". Spherical masks provide a large viewing angle and are considered the best for vision: they do not distort the image, because they form a sphere around the eye. They are expensive.
2. Cylindrical. Here the reflection resembles the outer surface of the cylinder, as it stretches vertically. This product can be purchased at a low price.

Sellers can recommend models of masks, equipped with a removable visor. In general, to choose a visor for a certain model of the mask (usually obsolete) is very difficult, it is cheaper to purchase a new one. Therefore, it is better to buy a good product from the first time, and not to change the visor.

Back protection

And what is the protection of the back of a snowboarder? It is used by professionals who ride at high speed. After all, on crowded slopes when performing tricks you can encounter colleagues and fly a few meters.

The back equipment is made in different versions. The simplest, but quite effective, is the placement of several moving plates on straps and a wide waist belt. It is an inexpensive and effective defense. A more expensive specimen is equipped with plates attached to the back with a thin fabric waistcoat. This outfit is also in the "tortoise", which protects the chest and arms of the athlete from injuries.

Previously, this product was made of hard plastic. Today, a lighter raw material resembling a foam is used. It is very soft, but at the moment of impact it becomes stiff. Many riders do not risk using this option, so they skate in plastic.

Before buying it is necessary to try on the protection of the back, it should sit tight and do not move with the head. In general, any product may seem comfortable, but not fit the figure, so you need to look for a comfortable model.

Breast protection

All about protection for snowboarding can not be told, but we will try to make out the most important points. To get down from the mountain on a simple soft snowboard, many wear breast protection. At high speed, the slightest mistake, a stone on the track or a wrong balance can cause the rider to fall. Ride a couple of tens of meters by inertia on his own chest - the test is not a pleasant one.

A small addition made in the form of a "turtle" or a protective waistcoat helps an athlete to feel safe and confident at any speed and not be afraid of injuries.

Technologies and manufacturers

Protection for snowboarding is made by different technologies. For example, comfortable and soft knee pads become firm at the moment of impact. Technologies come from different areas, a lot was borrowed from motorcyclists.

Buying a product, you can clarify the brand of the manufacturer: Rossignol, Uvex, Red, Burton. Well-known firms always produce expensive products.

In general, everyone is interested to see how any technology works to protect the snowboarder, everyone chooses their own version. Someone prefers brands, someone has a price. Some dislike Dainese products: they say that this company produces heavy helmets and frivolous knee pads. But this enterprise is the leader of the market of protection, primarily motorcycle. In general, usually pay attention to how the equipment is made and whether it is comfortable sitting. It should be remembered that the availability of equipment is much better than its absence.

Reviews

The choice of protection for snowboarding is of paramount importance. Many athletes respond positively to Dakine products, some praise Pro-Tec. Those who praise Dakine, argue that the protection of the wrist of this company is equipped with a rigid insert, which prevents injury to the brush when it falls. They say that the main thing is to take the product in size so that it does not pinch your hand and hang on it.

Of course, they praise and Pro-Tec, but argue that the protection of this manufacturer is more cumbersome, because, for example, the wrist protection has an additional insert from the outside. Those who like Pro-Tec prefer to have two soft inserts on the wrist, in contrast to one rigid Dakine insert.

We hope this article will help you determine the choice of protection for snowboarding.