Okay, in trying out these pads there are some really good points and some really bad. These pads are designed for beginning inline skaters, meaning no side fall protection (their logo is in-fact an inline skater). The knee and elbow pads will protect from a fall going straight forward and that's about it.
Here are the the drawbacks: Knee and elbow pads are trash. They have no side fall protection to prevent injuries, they have no support around the back and make your legs itch like crazy. Bottom line, they chafe. The straps that go around the back are so constricting and rough that they will leave a pad rash on your delicate mountainboarder skin.
The elbow pads and knee pads are pretty much the same thing, something to avoid. The only benefit to either of these pads is the breathability they offer in keeping you cool. It's not worth it though, I couldn't wear the things for more than a minute without being irritated by how uncomfortable they were. Now, the real reason I chose these pads, the wrist guards. Well, it's been so long, no it's been never since I really had a wrist guard protect like these. They are a nice design.
Not only do they cover the wrist in the most important places, but they are very well ventilated and comfortable. The sides have a screened mesh covering that is silky smooth and allows for a nice breeze to blow right through.
Top and bottom protection is great, and formed to actually FIT the hand. I can not stress enough how good that is. Mini-wrist glove guards and full sized wrist guards have that stupid plastic tuck-in piece of plastic. You know what I'm talking about? Well, just take a look at the Yogaher pads review from the last issue of T.R.I.P. if you are not familiar. It's a stupid strip of plastic that offers as much protection as it does inflict bruises with poor positioning and... well, I'll keep to these pads, they are nice.
Not only do they fit the hand, but they aren't covered in fabric on the outside, they use rivets and cover all the way up to the fingers. They last a crud load longer than any fabric covered plastic strips, I can tell you that right now. They are also a lot less bulky than full size wrist guards, and protect a lot better.
Right in the middle, the part that matters the most, the plastic guard spans all the way across your wrist. This covers in impact where it counts, your wrist! It also puts the pressure from the impact through out the hand, dispersed instead of in your palm. Believe it, these "wrist guards" actually guard your wrist. I've yet to find any other like this and give it the "Unit M, two toes stuck in peanut butter" seal of approval. As of now, the wrist guards work well for minimal use and unfortunately the draw back to these pads is how cheap the materials used to make them are. Under heavey slides, the get shredded fast.
High points and low points summary:
High points: Very breathable pads, inexpensive, the wrist guards are the best I have ever had and are comfortable, protect well, and breath well.
Low points: The knee and elbow pad straps chafe, and the overall pads do not protect on the sides. Unfortunately, the wrist guards can only be purchased at the same time as the knee pads, in a set. The materials they make these pads out of are cheap. They easily scrape away with contact to rock over a short period of time.
Rating: 0 = bad, 5 = best. Overall take in relation to other pads is a 2. Even though you can not purchase the wrist guards separately, the price is only $20.00 for both knee and wrist guards. Your wrists are worth $20.00, aren't they? I'd say to buy the wrist guards, and just keep the knee pads in a box somewhere no one can ever see them. What could be changed? The plastic strip could be a little more centered to cover the base of the thumb on the wrist guards, and the knee and elbow pads could used a facial.
-Unit