Wrist guards have an almost impossible task. They must provide adequate support and protection, while allowing the wrist to be used as normally as possible.
A wrist guard covers the lower forearm, wrist and part of the hand. There are two main types: those worn over your glove; and those worn underneath. Gloves with built-in wrist guards are also being developed.
Wearing any wrist guard should be better than not wearing one. But our panel was disappointed in the wrist guards we saw.
The panel agreed that the RAC wrist guard (pictured right) - worn over the glove- was the most protective. It protected both sides of the wrist and had a fan-shaped support on the palm to spread the impact.
But the RAC screams "learner". It's bulky, unattractive, and uncool. So you won't find it in many shops.
The good news is that most ski fields will lend you a free pair of RAC wrist guards when you hire a snowboard. All beginners should take up this offer.
The Dakine Wrist Guard (pictured right) also provided good protection to the palm of the hand. It's compact and would fit easily under a glove. However, there's no support splint on top of the hand. This guard is a good compromise for a more experienced snowboarder.
The Dakine Nova Wrist Guard Glove was the most convenient. You only need one piece of equipment, rather than both a glove and a guard. But our panel questioned how much support it'd give. It's definitely not for a beginner, although it may provide some support for a more experienced boarder who's less likely to fall.
Matt Wood from R&R Sport (one of our panellists) told us that this technology was fairly new. In time, he expects gloves with built-in wrist guards to offer better protection.
Two of the other guards - Red Impact Wrist Guard and Triple Eight Undercover Snow Wrist - provided little protection.
The Seirus Internal Wrist Guard Jam Master Exo was uncomfortable.
The Teal and Black wrist guard we bought from Trade Me was considered totally unsuitable. The protective support was easily snapped and it was bulky and uncomfortable to wear.
The panel stressed the importance of trying the wrist guards before you buy. So don't buy online, or from a store that won't let you try them.
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