Roller Derby Protective Gear Guide

This checklist will help you select the right roller derby protective gear. Before you hit the track...get protected!

#1: A Quality Roller Derby Helmet

The consequences of a serious head injury make a helmet your first priority. Derby girls (and refs) fall a lot, especially as you learn new moves and tricks. Depending upon your speed, distance to the ground, ground hardness, and other factors, you can suffer a serious head injury.

Don't mess with roller derby helmet safety. Get yourself a good quality roller derby helmet. Make sure it fits well, feels good, and looks good. Then, WEAR IT!

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#2: Roller Derby Knee & Elbow Pads

A good pair of vert, skateboard-style knee pads and elbow pads are durable, rugged and plush...ie. great for derby. They will help absorb impacts and prevent nasty abrasions from sliding on rough surfaces. Derby Pads Combo Packs are an inexpensive way to outfit yourself with knee and elbow pads, and several also include skate wrist guards, which you will need as well.

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#3: Roller Derby Wrist Guards

Roller Derby injury statistics show that wrist injuries are the most common derby injury. When you fall, your natural reaction is to reach for the ground. This places large impact forces on your wrists and causes lots of injuries.

Good quality roller derby wrist guards will help prevent a wrist injury. There are three basic styles, all of which have splints underneath the leather or nylon webbing that absorb the force of impact and reduce the chance of a wrist injury.

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#4: Roller Derby Padded Shorts

Roller Derby Padded Shorts help protect your butt, tailbone, hips, and thighs from impact and abrasions. Padded skate shorts are very popular with our customers, as they make falling much less painful and reduce soreness. Trust us, you'll really appreciate padded skate shorts after your first time on skates OR if you are a more experienced derby bruiser! Plus, you can be covert and hide them under your shorts or skirt, so no one will know...

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#5: A Quality Mouth Guard

Broken teeth aren't so cute and mouth guards also help to prevent concussions.

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Roller Derby Protective Gear

The Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) Rules, Section 9.1 Protective Gear, requires:

9.1.1 Protective gear must be worn while skating on the rink. Helmets and mouth guards may be removed by skaters during team introductions. Failure to wear required protective gear may result in a penalty at the referees' discretion.
9.1.2 Protective gear shall include, at a minimum wrist guards, elbow pads, knee pads, mouth guards, and helmets.
9.1.3 Optional protective gear such as padded shorts, shin guards, knee and ankle support, and tailbone protectors may be worn at the skaters' discretion as long as they do not impair or interfere with the safety or play of other skaters, support staff, or officials. Skaters are strongly encouraged to secure or tape down loose Velcro on pads.