I learned the hard way that roller derby will punish your tailbone. After my second bout, I spent a week sitting on a cushion and missing practice. That is when I started searching for the best padded shorts for roller derby, and I have been testing crash shorts on the track ever since. Roller derby … Read more
When you’re dropping into a vert ramp or hitting a rail at speed, your wrists are the first thing to hit the concrete. I learned that the hard way after a botched soul grind left me in a splint for six weeks. That experience sent me on a mission to find the best wrist guards … Read more
I still remember the first time I caught myself with my hands during a skating fall and felt my wrist bend backward at an angle it was never meant to go. The ache lasted weeks. That is the moment most riders start shopping for wrist protection, and the first wall you hit is this: bulky … Read more
Falling is part of roller skating. Whether you are learning your first stride or perfecting a transition at the skate park, the ground catches up with all of us eventually. I have spent months testing protective gear bundles to figure out which sets actually hold up when you hit the pavement hard. Wrists and knees … Read more
I took up inline skating again at 52 after a 20-year break, and my first fall on the greenway taught me a hard lesson about gravity. A scraped palm, a bruised hip, and three weeks of avoiding stairs reminded me that my bones no longer bounce back the way they did at 25. That’s exactly … Read more
Urban skating pushes your body across concrete, asphalt, and unpredictable terrain at speeds where a single slip can cost you weeks of recovery. I have spent months testing protective gear across city streets, skateparks, and commuting routes to find out what actually holds up when you hit the ground. The best Ennui protective gear for … Read more
Roller derby is brutal. I learned that the hard way during my first scrimmage when a teammate’s hip check sent me sprawling into the infield. My teeth survived only because I was wearing a proper mouthguard that absorbed the shock before it reached my jaw. After that wake-up call, I went deep into the mouthguard … Read more
Falling is part of skating. Whether you are learning crossovers at the rink, dropping into a bowl, or just cruising the boardwalk, gravity eventually wins. The difference between a quick laugh and a months-long recovery often comes down to one thing: what you are wearing underneath your clothes. Finding the best tailbone and hip pads … Read more
Falling is part of roller derby. Every skater I know has hit the floor hard during practice, and the ones who keep showing up are the ones who invested in good crash pads early. Whether you are a fresh meat rookie learning your first falls or a veteran blocker taking hits in the pack, protecting … Read more
After eight weeks hauling my inline skates through train stations, skate parks, and parking lots, I learned one thing fast. A good bag makes the difference between showing up tired and showing up ready to skate. I packed 4026-review workhorses and lesser-known brands side by side, loaded each with a pair of 4x80mm fitness skates … Read more