Essential protective gear for a pro scooter rider
If you are starting your pro scooter journey, protective gear is not optional. Scooter riding, whether at the skatepark or on the street, comes with real risk of falls and injuries.
Well fitted protective gear reduces the chance of serious injury and helps you get back on your scooter faster. Even a small injury can keep you out for weeks. Before you invest in your dream pro scooter, make sure you invest in protection.
Even top riders wear helmets and pads under their clothes. That is not embarrassing. It is smart. If you want to keep riding with your crew instead of watching tricks on social media with a sprained arm, protect yourself.
Another advantage is confidence. When you feel protected, you commit more to tricks. Knowing that pads absorb impact makes learning new skills easier and safer.
Let’s start from the top. Protect your head. You only get one.
What helmet is best for a pro scooter?
For scooter riding, you need a skate style helmet. It protects the lower back part of your head, the occipital area. A standard bike helmet usually sits higher and does not offer the same rear coverage.
On a scooter, falling backward is common. A missed trick, bad take off, one second of distraction and you hit the ramp. That is why a proper skate helmet is the safest choice.
Mouthguards for scooter riders
Want to keep your smile? Then wear a mouthguard.
The scooter bars are very close to your face during many tricks. Protect your teeth, especially if they are permanent. A mouthguard can save you from expensive dental repairs.
Elbow pads for scooter tricks
When you fall, you instinctively put your hands out. When you fall backward, your elbows take the impact. They are exposed to bruises, cuts and scrapes.
Anyone who trains tricks knows how painful a direct hit to the elbow can be. Elbow pads protect the joint and prevent painful skin burns when sliding after a fall.
Elbow pads are a must for regular skatepark sessions.
Do you need gloves for a pro scooter?
Some riders prefer bare hands. Others always ride with gloves.
Gloves absorb sweat and often feature anti slip prints, improving grip on the bars. This reduces the risk of the scooter slipping during tricks.
Scooter gloves are also useful in colder weather and protect your hands from cuts and small stones when you slide after a fall.
Knee pads for scooter riding
You will hit your knees more times than you expect.
Sliding down a ramp or missing a landing can easily tear skin off your knees. High quality knee pads with thick internal padding absorb impact and protect joints from serious injury.
They should be strong and durable, but also comfortable and flexible. Good knee pads protect without limiting movement.
Ankle protection for scooter riders
Learning tailwhip? You probably hit your ankles many times before landing it clean.
If you do not want your scooter deck smashing your ankles, wear protection. Ankle guards should fit snug but not too tight.
Modern ankle protectors often look like reinforced socks with extra padding around the ankle bone. They are flexible and can be worn under or over your regular socks.
Here you can learn how to choose the right helmet size. 👇
