Choosing the right forearm guards depends on the intended use, cost, and need for hand protection. Different sports require different types of guards, and hard-shell guards are more durable but more expensive. Full body armor is unnecessary for most activities.
The best way to choose the best forearm guards is to decide what you will be using the guards for. There are countless styles of forearm guards, and some are better suited for certain activities than others. Soccer forearm guards, for example, are usually quite thick, but they don’t feature hard-shell plates. The protectors used by downhill mountain bikers will be thinner than soccer protectors and will likely feature tough, lightweight plastic plates. Guards for certain types of fighting sports can be similar to football guards, although they may include hand protection as well.
Once you’ve decided how you’re most likely to wear your forearm guards, decide how much you’re willing to pay for them. Shields can vary in price based on size, design, and the materials used to construct them, so it will be important to research the different designs and the cost of each. Try to find a balance between cost and functionality; you may find a set that is the right price, but inadequate for your purposes. Safety is the most important consideration, so make sure the forearm guards you choose will adequately protect your forearms during the activities you intend to participate in.
Decide if you will also need hand protection. Many forearm protectors extend to the first knuckles of the hand or even longer, adding protection to the upper hand in addition to the forearms. Full contact sports such as soccer and karate can benefit from such designs, as the hands are likely to take as much impact as the forearms. The padding on the hands is usually thinner than that on the forearm, and some models have hinges or a seam at the wrist to increase mobility.
Hard forearm guards are usually lightweight and highly durable, although they can be more expensive than other designs. Very often hard forearm guards are attached to other types of guards; The complete set is sometimes called body armor and will include a chest protector, arm protectors, and even an articulated spine protector. Body armor is significantly more expensive than other types of armor, and unless the wearer needs to protect the entire upper body, this may be overkill. Forearm protection can be made with hard shells, and they can be secured to the forearm with hook and loop straps or even neoprene sleeves.
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