Wrist Guards

[K-Shock]

I need to get new wrist guards - the ones from the CCDG loaner bag have long since worn out. This one concerns me because I have relatively weak wrists. What do you guys use/what are the quality brands I should look at?

[DV Ant]

I have Rector wrist guards. One thing to look at is the amount of material holding the plastic bar in place. These are usually what rips out causing the wrist guards to fail.

[Dave Atonement]

They're expensive and Wild Bill is kind of a pain in the ass to deal with but when it comes to wrist guards I haven't found anything that beats Pro-Designed.  I have 'em as does Valentine -- I think Robin Sock'em  wears them and a few others.  They're like $60 but they'll last forever.

[The Hawt Rod]

I'm really happy with my 187's compared to others I've tried on.

[chrome-a-tose]

Triple eight hired hands are good, they are leather.  They are strong and they sell replacement plastic splints.

[Terror of Paranoiac]

I'm really happy with my 187's compared to others I've tried on.

Same here.

[CarrBomb]

I loved my 187s They were comfortable and seemed to be made pretty well.

[Dave Atonement]

You can now buy the PD WGs from various sites and don't have to pay the Wild Bill "tax" (talk to him for 45 minutes about whatever crazy shit is on his mind).  X-sports Protective has them for $50 (best price I've seen) and I bet you can find a discount code somewhere to knock even more off. You can also buy replacement inserts (they call them spoons).

http://www.xsportsprotective.com/pro-designed-wrist-guards.html

And yes, there is a discount - use code: EM4141 for 10% off - that makes the PDs $45 - a really great price.

Hired hands usually go for right around $40.

187s go for about $20.

So it depends on what you want to spend and what you are comfortable in.  I tried some Pro-tecs and 187s on and each of them felt like they could break too easily - doesn't mean they will, it's just how I felt.  Conversely, the PDs felt more sturdy to me so I felt safer because I didn't feel like they would break -- doesn't mean they won't.  I also hated the gloves on the hired hands - but some people love them.  Try a few on and see what feels best to you.

Just some anecdotal evidence for NOT going by what people recommend, I bought the 187 knee pads (the goods ones, not the "fly" ones) because so many people raved about them but I absolutely hate them.   

[Terror of Paranoiac]

Which is funny, as the 187 knee pads I have fit the best of all the ones I tried on.

It's all a matter of sense and feel. Makes the case for buying pads in stores and not online.

[K-Shock]

I suppose I should pose another question, then: where are good stores that would have this equipment? Dick's Sporting Goods didn't help me out much when I was first looking before I started practicing.

[The Hawt Rod]

Only place I know of that would actually have stuff to try on would be Rolling Thunder Fun Factory in bloomington.  Veronica was really nice and helpful and made sure I got sized up properly.

If you know what size, I would say happy online shopping.  

[chrome-a-tose]

DG bicycles in Nora has equipment in stock.

[DV Ant]

You are welcome to look at any equipment I have and/or try it on before you buy anything.

As for knee pads, I hate 187s. They are too bulky. I suggest that everyone try on a set of Fat Boys before they buy any knee pads.

[beattie sedgwick]

You are welcome to look at any equipment I have and/or try it on before you buy anything.

As for knee pads, I hate 187s. They are too bulky. I suggest that everyone try on a set of Fat Boys before they buy any knee pads.

agreed.

I have some backup ProTec (I think?) wristguards that Strawberry bought in my bag. I think they're small. They seem a bit flat to me, but I've worn them once or twice, and they worked okay. You can try them on. I wear Triple 8 Wrist Guards. I like these. You can try these on, too. My first pair of wrist guards were 8 Ball. They were cheap and came in a rookie pack, but the plastic piece never fell out, they fit me well, and I liked them a whole lot. They just got really gross. I only have one, but if you want to try on the one, you can try it on, too. They're all in my gear bag, and they're all sized small. I like the 8 Ball and Triple 8 Best.

I agree with Ant on the Fat Boys. I'm on my 2nd pair ever. I still have my old pair as backups. I LOVE them. I have size small if you want to try them on. I also have some back up ones that have some stitching on the strap (I'm a little rough on my pads).