Best Knee and Elbow Pads for Electric Skateboarding in 2023

When riding an electric skateboard falling is inevitable. Even very experienced rider fly off their electric skateboard sometimes. That said wearing decent protective gear makes eboarding safe and fun – even after a fall. That’s why a good pair of knee and elbow pads should be an integral part of any rider’s equipment arsenal. In this article, I will teach you everything you need to know about proper knee and elbow pads for electric skateboarding. But let’s come to the important stuff first:

Best Electric Skateboard Knee and Elbow Pads

Image

Model

Check Price

Best Knee Pads

187 Killer Pro Knee Pads

Best Budget Knee Pads

Pro-Tec Street Knee Pads

Best Elbow Pads

187 Killer Pro Elbow Pads

Best Budget Elbow Pads

Triple Eight Elbow Pads 55

What are the best knee pads for electric skateboarding?

What are the best elbow pads for electric skateboarding?

  • Best pick: 187 Killer Pads Pro Elbow Pads (Best protection, excellent quality, but pricey)
  • Budget pick: Triple Eight EP 55 Elbow Pads (Great protection at a reasonable price)

Why do we need knee and elbow pads?

Most common injuries

To understand why we need knee and elbow pads when going out for a ride we should take a look into the most common injuries in electric skateboarding. One problem is that e-boarding is pretty new hence we do not have a lot of empirical data to answer our question. However, skateboarding, inline-skating and even longboarding have some years on their back and are pretty comparable activities. So let’s take look at the most common injuries among skateboarders, longboarders, and e-skateboarders together. These are:

  • Abrasions and bruises
  • Hand, wrist, or shoulder injuries
  • Head injuries
  • Ankle and knee injuries

The first place among the most common injuries are abrasions and bruises. If we take a fall when e-skateboarding it is very likely that we land on our knees or elbows. If they are not protected we sure get abrasion and bruises if we fall on the hard tarmac. Hence the most common injuries (abrasions and bruises) can be easily avoided wearing proper knee and elbow pads.

Crashes

It is pretty obvious that we need knee and elbow pads if we take a fall. But when do crashes occur? And what are the most common injuries? The most common accidents happen when electric longboarders and skateboarders:

  • Ride beyond their skill level (Lose control and fall)
  • Skate on improper or irregular surfaces (rails, curbstone, cracks in pavement)
  • Ride in rainy conditions (wet and slippery surface)
  • Going too fast (downhill or too much throttle)
  • Run into cars, bikes, pedestrians, skaters or another e-boarders
  • The remote control disconnects
  • Regenerative braking stops working on some boards if the battery is fully charged
A vivid explanation why protective pads are important

In my protective gear serious I’m reviewing all the necessary protective gear that electric skateboarders should use. Myself my friends and a lot of colleagues have tested through several years via trial and error a lot of electric skateboard knee and elbow pads. In this article, only recommendable products are reviewed.

Knee and elbow pads have helped me a lot to get better at eboarding and I have had to learn it the hard way. If you are confused with all the “fancy” choices out there – this guide is for you.

What you need to consider before buying knee and elbow pads for electric skateboarding

Softshell or hard shell pads?

If you research for knee and elbow pads for electric skateboarding you will probably notice that there are two different kinds of pads available on the market. Softshell and hard shell pads.

Softshell pads

On one hand and we have soft shell knee and elbow pads. They usually consist of a material that can absorb the impact energy. They can achieve this with their integrated foam, gel or other shock absorbing material built-in. You can wear them beneath or above your pants or shorts. Softshell pads are very popular in the mountain bike scene where you fall on rough grounds. (forest floor, roots, gravelled roads, etc..) They offer great impact absorbing but bad sliding properties and are not designed for high speeds falling on the tarmac.

Hardshell pads

On the other hand, we have hard-shell pads. These are elbow and knee pads with a thick plastic protection cap. You normally wear these on the outside of your pants. Hard-shell pets are better for sliding the fall off instead of absorbing the impact energy. Their sliding characteristics proved game-changing on the rides by preventing the pads from catching on the ground. If you fall on your knees or elbows your body will slide in the same direction you have fallen. Hence the energy you normally would have taken on the impact is now transferred into moving (or sliding) energy. This technique also is used in high-tech motorcycle suits. If you have ever watched a motorcycle race you maybe have noticed that the writers slide a long way if they fly off their bike. Using materials which enable the body to slide when taking a fall are superior when riding with higher speeds. Hardshell pads use impact absorbing materials and hard plastic caps for excellent protection, hence they offer The Best of Both Worlds. In my opinion, hard shell pads are the better choice for electric skateboarding.

How to slide with knee pads

Sizing and fit

When selecting knee and elbow pads it’s important they fit properly and feel comfortable on your body. Without a decent fit, there is no such thing as protection. A good fit will prevent the protector from slipping and provide effective protection in the event of a crash.  Almost all of the brands are offering different sizes for their pets according to gender and age. Unfortunately, the sizes are not equal in every brand, so it’s important to take a look at the sizing chart provided by the company. If we fly off all of our boards and land our on our elbows we want to be sure that they sit safely on our body. If not they will just slide away and you take the fall directly on your elbow or knee. That happened to me a lot of times. Since then I am trying to close my pads as tightly as comfortable whenever I go riding.

Sizing and measurement tips

To measure your knees and elbows properly you need a measuring tape or a cord (a cellphone cord will also work) as well as a pocket rule or folding meter stick. You need to wrap the measuring tape around your legs and arms. If you use a cord, you should mark the intersection and then measure the length from the beginning of the cord to the marked point. Congrats! Now you´ve successfully measured your elbow and knee circumference. That enables you to shop for a knee and elbow pads online. For that, you just need to look at the size charts and search for your circumference. Normally we can adapt elbow and knee pads width with adjustable straps. The most comfortable pads might not necessarily be the most expensive ones.

Check: Try to shake your head and bending yourself over without closing the chin strap – you should not lose a helmet that way that fits ideally.

  • Use the Sizing chart of the company you are interested in
  • If you want to wear your pads over your pants (which I recommend) go for a larger size
  • Open back design is more comfortable for riding
  • The bigger and thicker the cap the better they protect you

Comfort

The best knee pad is useless if it doesn’t fit properly. If a knee or elbow pad doesn’t fit the shape of your leg they can quickly become uncomfortable and make e-boarding feel like torture. But it’s not just about finding the right balance between length and circumference. Seams, zips and velcro fasteners can cause irritating and painful friction burns on your skin as well. So we need to be careful on which model we decide.

Quality – brand reputation

It is important to get knee and elbow pads from a trustworthy brand. If you’re planning to protect yourself you don’t want to be cheap. There are some good companies with a long history and great reputation so we don’t need to buy elbow and knee pads from unknown brands. In my article, I’ve only listed elbow and knee pads from reputable brands. You don’t have to worry about when using them every day.

Design and graphics

Get yourself knee and elbow pads you really like. No, the graphics won’t protect you in a crash, but you may find yourself not wearing your pads because you don’t like the look of it. Fortunately, the skateboard industry knows us e-skaters well so many models would pass a style check.

Ventilation and sweat liners

When you’re going out for eboarding you’re probably gonna sweat. Nothing beats boarding on a hot summer’s day, right? But it could turn into a true sweat-fest if you’re packed in non-breathable protectors. More robust fabrics and additional layers may offer more protection against abrasions, but there’s also a time and place for airing so it’s important that you find a good compromise. The sweat liners and air vents help to minimize the amount of sweat that runs down your arms and legs while e-skating.

Care

Knee and elbow pads also get exposed to the ground so it is likely they get covered in dirt from time to time. This means you’ll have to wash them ever and anon. usually, hand washing is recommended, but if you’ve got a model with removable protectors then it should easily withstand some cycles in the washing machine.

Price

Only buy pads from well-known brands, trying to get the cheapest pads is a mistake. We only have one body, do whatever you can to protect it.
Knee pads will cost between $20 and $100.

Elbow pads can cost between $20 and $60.

What are the best knee and elbow pads for electric skateboarding?

Get yourself pads that you like the look of, fits you and offer proper protection.

Invest in quality pads and measure your head according to the size charts. I selected the best-looking and most protective pads that you can feel comfortable with using every day.

Best Hardshell Knee Pads for electric skateboarding

Hardshell knee and elbow pads are the best choices for riding an electric skateboard safely. Modern electric skateboards are faster and more powerful than ever. But this enhanced performance raises the likelihood of crashing – that’s why a good pair of knee and elbow pads should be an essential part of any rider’s equipment stockpile. With the best knee pads on the market offering peerless protection, ventilation and comfort, I have dug through dozens of pads to find the best ones. My top picks are presented below.

187 Killer Pads

187 Killer Pads has been designing and constructing pads for professional skaters for the past decade. Started by a long-time skater in a family-owned shop, 187 Killer Pads has since become a reputable choice of skaters – and eboarders – worldwide. With its simple designs and innovative systems, “187 Killer Pads” plays a big part in the market. They have committed to making top-notch protective gear.

Size Chart 187 Killer Knee Pads

187 Killer Pads Fly Knee

Globally popular the Fly knee is the slimmest and most versatile knee pad by 187 Killer. The Fly knee is a proven option for safety and protection. They offer a relatively slim desing but they do not sacrifice on the most important thing which is the knee protection. This is done by utilizing hard plastic caps stuck to the knee pad and using little EVA foam which makes them low profile and cheaper than most options. Though if you fall a lot, you can expect your knees to be sorer using these pads.

Price: $ 38,95

187 Killer Pads Fly Knee

Pros:

  • Big plastic caps
  • Good value for the price

Cons:

  • Little Padding
  • After a few cycles in the washing machine straps start to fringe

187 Killer Pads Pro Knee Pads

It’s hard to go wrong with the 187 killer pro pads. It is the preferred choice for many Pro skaters and Derby players (who fall a lot). These pads are made for an environment where heavy protection is a must. Specially formulated Impact Foam to provide the perfect combination of cushion and protection for multiple hard impacts 187 Killer Pads Lock-In Cap System. It has a Three-Panel construction for reliable performance, open back design for excellent fit and quick on/off. Providing safety through proven technology and Superior materials the Pro Knee is the trusted choice of professional skaters and top athletes worldwide. The plastic caps are even replaceable! One of the best and unique features of these knee pads! What I love also is that pad casing is washable.

These Knee pads search for their competitors. Almost every customer is satisfied with these. Almost nobody wants to change their 187 Killer Pro Knee Pads against other ones after the purchase. I deeply recommend these for those wanting to be great electric skateboarders. With these pads, you really can feel comfortable leaving your own comfort zone while eboarding. I think they are the best eboard knee pads for learning and guaranteeing you have the most fun.

Price: $ 79 – $99

Check them out on Amazon

Pros:

  • Excellent reviews and reputation
  • Great protection
  • Big and replaceable plastic caps
  • A lot of padding
  • Very durable
  • Open back design (no need to take shoes off to wear them)

Cons:

  • Pricey
  • After a few cycles in the washing machine straps start to fringe
  • A bit bulky

TSG Kneepad Force III

TSG was founded in 1988, the founders state that they couldn’t find protective gear that measured up to their high expectations – so they decided to make their own. With years of expertise in riding and falling, they knew what they wanted to make.

TSG is a reputable brand that has several products, from helmets (one of the best ones) to various pads and slide gloves. Through rider feedback, they have made great knee pads to makes sure riders and boarders are getting what they really need. The TSG Force III uses memory foam for a comfortable fit that shapes the pad to your knee’s shape. It also has
open back design to enable you to wear them without having to take your shoes off.

The ergonomic pre-shaped design with strong multi-layered foam and a replaceable cap provide excellent protection when hitting the pavement. For good safety, TSG’s hardshell construction combines a strong injection molded outer shell and a shock absorbing EPS inner shell. EVA Foam provides high shock absorbing properties, stress-crack resistance and low-temperature toughness. It can be used in multilayers and is backed with hard shell caps for a solid performance.

The plastic caps are even replaceable, one best feature of these knee pads! These pads are an excellent choice. You will not do something wrong with deciding on them!

Price: $99,95

TSG Kneepad Force lll

Pros:

  • Open back design for an easy put on
  • Great protection
  • Big and replaceable plastic caps
  • A lot of padding
  • Very durable

Cons:

  • Pricey
  • A bit bulky

Pro-Tec Street Knee Pads

Founded in 1973, Pro-Tec is the original skateboard protective gear brand, featuring a lot of different products on the market. Today Pro-Tec delivers modern protective equipment with a broad range of impact technology for a variety of sports. There are only a few other action sports brands which have 45-years of heritage producing protective gear. I would say that sounds very appealing for e-skate protective gear.

Long ago, even before the modern skate era, Pro-Tec brought out their first knee pads on the market and they have been improving them ever since. The Street series offers basic protection for the pad wearer who wants non-bulky pads. The Street Knee Pads are manufactured out of neoprene for riding comfort, have a full wrap hook and loop fasteners for a secure fit and a stretch lycra interior with upper and lower support straps.

Size Table for Pro-Tec Knee Pads

The low profile, flexible and protective body is good for beginners riding their eboards on the road and learning the basics or advanced riders pushing their boundaries and trying out new tricks. Due to the low profile design (not much EVA foam) if you fall often your knees could get sorer than with other pads. They are made of a breathable material to allow you to keep fresh on hot days. They do not have an open back design (they are actually like a sleeve), meaning you have to remove your shoes to put them on. The sizes may be smaller than foreseen so watch out for difficulties with sizing.

Pro-Tec Street Knee Pads

Price: $29,99

Pros:

  • Big plastic caps
  • Not very bulky
  • Good price-performance ratio

Cons:

  • Little Padding
  • Not the best protection
  • Sleeve design (you have to put your shoes off to put them on)

Triple 8

Triple Eight exist for 22 years. It was founded in 1996 in New York. the company states that New York City is in their DNA with the turbulent and ever ongoing traffic you’re sure want to be protected when riding your bike or skateboard through the City. Therefore the people behind the company wanted to create their own protection so they are not only making the products they are using them too. They are one of the if not the most reputable company when it comes to skating protective gear. They offer almost every protective gear you can think of from helmets to hip protection. When it comes to knee and elbow pads they offer three different models.

To ensure a perfect knee pad fit, measure the circumference of your extended knee and match to the sizes listed below: (for all triple 8 knee pads)

Size Chart for Triple 8 Knee Pads

Triple 8 Street Knee

The knee pad protection line starts with the street knee model. The pads have big plastic caps to offer slide abilities and also come with shock absorbing EVA foam as well. You can put them via the butterfly closing system on and off. These knee pads are pretty basic, they do their job, but some users report sore knees after several falls. If you fall often or are up to more protection then maybe the other models fit you better!

Price: $21,99

Triple 8 KP 22  

The triple 8 KP (Knee Pads) 22 are designed for those skaters that need more padding, the KP 22 should get you back up after a fall – even after many. They have a pretty thick layer of heavy duty EVA memory foam. Additionally, to the butterfly closure, they provide elastic top and bottom adjustable straps to tighten and secure the fit.  

Triple 8 KP 22  

Price: $34,99

Pros:

  • Big plastic caps
  • Good price-performance ratio
  • Butterfly closing (you don’t have to put your shoes off to put them on)

Cons:

  • Not the best protection
  • Velcro is not the best quality

Triple 8 KP Pro

With a specially contoured body for maximum protection and comfort without the bulk, KP Pro pads are our top-of-the-line knee pads for skaters who like to push their limits and simultaneously ride safely. They have an even thicker layer of heavy duty EVA memory foam than the KP 22 without adding too much bulk. Additionally, to the butterfly closure, they provide elastic top and bottom adjustable straps to tighten and secure the fit.  

Price: $59,99

Triple 8 KP Pro

Pros:

  • Big plastic caps
  • Butterfly closing (you don’t have to put your shoes off to put them on)

Cons:

  • Not the best protection
  • Velcro is not the best quality

Best Elbow Pads for electric skateboarding

Hardshell elbow pads are the best choice for riding an electric skateboard safely. Modern electric skateboards are faster and more powerful than ever. But this enhanced performance raises the likelihood of crashing – that’s why a good pair of elbow pads should be an essential part of any rider’s equipment stockpile. With the best elbow pads on the market offering peerless protection, ventilation and comfort, I have dug through dozens of pads to find the best ones. One of the most important criteria in finding protective elbow pads is the size of the plastic cap. Therefore I just picked pads with wide and large caps. My top picks are presented below.

187 Killer Pads Pro Elbow Pads

It’s hard to go wrong with the 187 killer pro pads. It is the preferred choice for many Pro skaters and Derby players (who fall a lot). These pads are made for an environment where heavy protection is a must. Specially formulated Impact Foam to provide the perfect combination of cushion and protection for multiple hard impacts 187 Killer Pads Lock-In Cap System.

Designed for athletes who want the highest-level of elbow protection. The innovative design surrounds the elbow offering maximum cushioning and comfort. These pads are a trusted choice of professionals worldwide. The pads have extra thick padding which provides impact protection, and the design maximizes the range of motion. The size progressed cap extends protective coverage zone. The seamless interior finish provides good comfort. Ballistic nylon with industrial-weight stitching ensures durability.

Price: $42,95

To put it, in a nutshell, you can’t go wrong if you pick these elbow pads. These are one of the best (if not the best) out there. (Size chart runs small, order one size up.)

Size Chart 187 Killer Elbow Pads
187 Killer Pads Pro Elbow Pads

Pros:

  • Excellent reviews and reputation
  • Great protection
  • A lot of padding
  • Very durable

Cons:

  • Costly
  • After a few cycles in the washing machine straps start to fringe

Triple 8 Street Elbow

The elbow pad protection line from Triple 8 starts with the street elbow model. The pads have big plastic caps to offer slide abilities and also come with shock absorbing EVA foam as well. You can put them via the butterfly closing system on and off. These elbow pads are pretty basic, they do their job, but some users report sore knees after several falls. If you fall often or are up to more protection then maybe the other models fit you better!

To ensure a perfect elbow pad fit, measure the circumference of your extended elbow and match to the sizes listed below. (A lot of costumers state that their size runs small, so better take the bigger one. )

Size chart Triple 8 Elbow Pads

Price: $18,99

Triple 8 Street Elbow

Pros:

  • Big plastic caps
  • Good price-performance ratio

Cons:

  • Not the best protection
  • Velcro is not the best quality

Triple 8 EP 55

The triple 8 EP (Elbow Pads) 55 are designed for those skaters that need more padding, the EP 55 should get you back up after a fall – even after many. They have a pretty thick layer of heavy duty EVA memory foam. Additionally, to the butterfly closure, they provide elastic top and bottom adjustable straps to tighten and secure the fit. Totally recommendable!

Price: $24,95

Triple 8 EP 55

Pros:

  • Big plastic caps
  • Good price-performance ratio
  • Decent protection

Cons:

  • Not as protective as other ones

Pro-Tec Street Elbow Pads

The Street series offers great protection for the pad wearer who wants non-bulky street elbow pads. The Street Elbow Pads are manufactured out of neoprene for riding comfort. Have a full wrap hook and loop fasteners for a secure fit and a stretch lycra interior with upper and lower support straps. The low profile, flexible and protective body is perfect for beginners riding their eboards on the road and learning the basics or advanced riders pushing their boundaries and trying out new tricks.

Price: $24,99

Size Chart Pro-Tec Elbow Pads
Pro-Tec Street Elbow Pads

Pros:

  • Big plastic caps
  • Good value for little money

Cons:

  • Not the best protection

Best pad set (knee and elbow pads) for electric skateboarding

Pro-Tec Pad Set

If you don’t want to spend a lot of dollars on knee and elbow protection I would recommend the Pro-Tec Pad Set. They don’t offer the level of protection of 187 Killer Pads but are still way better than nothing! These pads will provide decent and trustworthy protection at a reasonable price. The ProTec Pad Set consists of Street Elbow and Street Knee Pads.

$ 49,99

Triple 8 Park Pack

Package includes KP 22 Knee Pads and EP 55 Elbow Pads in convenient two-pack, along with lightweight mesh backpack for convenient storage. Normally I would go for this package the price-performance ratio is great but a lot of users complain about sizing, availability and packaging problems.

$49,99

187 Killer Combo Pack

The Killer Combo set consist of 187 Killer Pads Fly Knee Pads and the regular “Elbow pads” which I would not recommend cause of the small protection caps.
Price: $49,99

What is the pad set (elbow and knee pads sold together) for electric skateboarding?

  • Best pick: Pro-Tec Street Knee and Elbow Pad Set (Good value for the money, good protection at a reasonable price)

Best other electric skateboard gear

 

Last words – now it’s your turn!

I hope you have liked reading this article. If you have any further questions just comment below. I am excited to continually enhance the quality of this blog so feel free to give me feedback!

Now I want to hear from you:

Which knee and elbow pads do you like the most? I would also love to know why you like these particular pads the most.

Let me know by leaving a quick comment.

4 thoughts on “Best Knee and Elbow Pads for Electric Skateboarding in 2023”

  1. Hey,

    thank you for your reviews, they are amazing. I learned so much! I was wondering if you tried the Nobleman protection gear? Is it good?

    Reply
    • Hey Maxime,

      thank you for your nice words. To answer your question: No, I haven’t had a chance to try them! But in my opinion there is better protection gear on the market than nobleman. their pads don’t use plastic cups which are the main feature pads should have, they let you slide on the asphalt and percent hard rashes. Have you tried them?

      Best,
      Daniel

      Reply
  2. I think these knee and elbow pads for adults are some of the most secure pads I have. There are wide elastic straps to keep the pads mounted to my knees and elbows. Plus, these straps have adjustable wrap hook and loop closures to keep them from loosening or pulling off.

    Reply
  3. Hi, I don’t mean to sound critical, but it seems most of the pads you reviewed here have a Con of ‘not the best protection’. Could you tell us why that is? Are there other brands that use better materials? I ask because I just purchased and then promptly returned a set of Triple Eight Exoskin Elbow and Knee Pads from Amazon. Although I’d measured the circumference of my knee joint twice, apparently my calves are so much wider that I could not get the knee pad above my calf muscle. And the quality looked and felt so shoddy that I felt like one or two good jerks on the sleeve and the kneepad would rip in some unfortunate spot. The elbow pads fit, but in much the same way, they were poorly stitched and one of the loops looked like it was almost unstitched. Anyone else have this experience with Triple Eight products?

    Reply

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