Wrist Guard Size Guides

Snowboard & Skate Wrist Guard Size Guide

Why Wrist Guards Matter

Wrists are the single most common injury point in both skateboarding and snowboarding — it's the first thing that hits the ground when you fall forward, and it's not built to take that kind of load. A properly fitted wrist guard limits how far your wrist can bend backward on impact, which is what actually causes most breaks and sprains.

How Wrist Guards Work

Most guards use a rigid plastic splint on the palm side of the wrist, held in place with straps, to stop your hand from bending back past a safe angle. Some pair splints on both the top and underside of the wrist for extra support; others build the splint into a full glove.

Types Explained

Single-Splint Guards

One rigid splint on the palm side, worn over or under a glove.

Best for: everyday riding and skating where you want protection without bulk. Cons: less support than a double-sided splint on a hard, direct impact.

Double-Splint Guards

Splints on both the palm and back of the wrist for support in both directions.

Best for: beginners and anyone falling frequently while learning. Cons: bulkier, can feel restrictive for detailed hand movement.

Glove-Integrated Guards

The splint is built into a full glove, combining wrist protection with warmth and grip.

Best for: snowboarding, where you need warmth anyway. Cons: not an option for skating, and you're locked into that glove's fit and style.

Fit & Sizing

Here's where it's worth reading closely: brands measure two genuinely different things under the same "wrist guard" label. Some (Dakine, Burton, Triple 8) size off hand circumference, measured around the palm at the base of your fingers — the same measurement used for glove sizing. Others (ProTec, 187 Killer Pads) size off wrist circumference specifically, measured right at the wrist joint. These numbers aren't interchangeable, so match your measurement to the method the brand you're buying actually uses — check each chart below for which one applies.

Size Charts by Brand

Burton Adult Wrist Guards · Burton Kids' Wrist Guards · Dakine Wrist Guards / Wristguard / Wristguard Glove · Demon Flexmeter Wrist Guards (Single & Double Sided) · Protec Street Wrist Guard · Triple 8 Wrist Saver / Wristsaver II · Triple 8 Hired Hands & RD Wrist Guards · 187 Killer Pads Wrist Guard · 187 Killer Pads Derby Wrist Guard