Well, if you know me then you'd know I've been on a quest for some good wrist guards. Even better than the last ones I've found, these K2 wrist guards are smaller, just as breathable, stronger materials, better construction, and best of all, only ten dollars. I might just have a a highest review rating for these guards with a little more use.
The K2 Pro wrist guard is succnificantly better that the Bone Shieldz in my last review. I even have to discredit the quality of the materials used in the Bone Shieldz since they just didn't last up and hold true under REAL abuse. The materials lasted for a couple weeks, then right after the review, they crumbled like a dry cake. You also have to buy a crappy set of knee pads just to get them.
These K2 wrist guards offer just as much protection if not more, than any pad I've tried out to date. They are lightweight, comfortable, and strong materials. So far they pass up any other wrist guard I've tried for the most amount of protection one could get.
A half sized wrist guard, good for those who just hate wrist guards all together. Hey, I don't blame you, pads get hot, sweaty, and after a while smell like bacon. Mmmmmmm, bacony. Anyways, the K2 wrist guards have held up under pressure, so I'll give them that. They are small, ventilated well, and cover the palm, instead of just having one of those stupid little plastic strips that dig into your wrist.
Good side ventilation, a mesh cloth to keep the pad on straight, do it doesn't wobble around or shift on you in those crucial landing moments.
The plastic pad is not as thick as those stupid plastic strips, but is a still somewhat thick. Using rivets instead of cloth to hold the shell on makes this guard last a little longer. Hey, I have to admit, my last wrist guard review got me all pumped. There I thought I found a good wrist protection and then the next time I rode it got shredded in seconds with my wrists all jammed up. I'm a bit more weary, but still put these pads through some thrashings. The K2 pad is better made, with stitching that doesn't come apart. For only ten dollars, I'm tempted to pick up about three sets of these things.
They've taken abuse from the best test of wrist guards one could, the Nate Harrison Grade. 7 miles of carving hits a bit on the wrists. I give these pads a 4 from a zero to five scale. They are light weight, they are breathable, they are soft interior, the stitching is strong, the materials are good, and they're only ten dollars a set. You don't have to buy a set of cruddy knee pads with them just to get these guards. Easy to order online from skate shops too.
What could be changed? Well, for maximum protection the back support would need to be longer. However, these are half size wrist guards, thus kind of defeating that purpose there. I would say that if they made the shell two of three times as thick, and a little harder material these pads would be a top scoring guard.
Good points, already mentioned, they're only $10. You don't need to buy other pads with them, they are made of good materials and have stood up to more thrashings than their previous reviewee.
If you don't like large wrist guards, these little things are a pretty good fit. One day, someday, I'll find the perfect 5 wrist guards. Someday. Until then, these will be the prime.
- Unit