BMX KNOWLEDGE FROM RIDERS
BMX Protection Explained
BMX involves taking a few slams – whether you're learning your first tricks, riding street, hitting trails or racing. The right protection can help reduce the chance and severity of injury when things don't go to plan.
A properly fitting helmet should be the starting point. Knee pads, elbow pads, shin and ankle guards, gloves and wrist guards can then be added depending on your riding and the level of protection you want.
BMX Protection Quick Guide
Helmet: The most important piece of protection – fit and correct sizing matter.
Knee pads: Protect the knees from impacts, slides and abrasions.
Elbow pads: Help protect your elbows when you put your arms out during a slam.
Shin guards: Particularly useful for protecting against slipped pedals.
Ankle guards: Help protect the ankle bones from pedals, cranks and the bike during tricks.
Gloves: Improve grip and help protect your hands.
Wrist guards: Can provide additional wrist and palm protection, particularly for beginners.
BMX Helmets
A helmet is the most important piece of BMX protection. Even experienced riders can take an unexpected slam, so we'd always recommend wearing one.
BMX helmets are available in different constructions and styles, including traditional skate-style helmets, lightweight in-mould designs and full-face helmets.
The helmets sold by Waller BMX meet the relevant safety standards required for their intended use. You'll also see the word Certified used in the actual names of some helmet models, particularly within the Pro-Tec range.
Always choose a helmet designed for the type of riding you're doing and replace a helmet after a significant impact in line with the manufacturer's guidance.
How Should a BMX Helmet Fit?
The helmet should fit snugly and securely without being painfully tight. It shouldn't rock around or move excessively when you shake your head.
To find your size, measure the circumference of your head around the point where the helmet will sit – usually just above the eyebrows and around the widest part of your head.
A soft measuring tape is easiest. If you don't have one, use a piece of string and then measure the string against a tape measure.
Compare the measurement with the sizing information for the individual helmet because sizing can vary between brands and models.
Skate-Style & Full-Face Helmets
Skate-style BMX helmets are the most common choice for freestyle, street, park and trails. They're compact, easy to ride in and provide head coverage without the bulk of a full-face helmet.
Full-face helmets provide additional coverage around the face and jaw and are commonly used for BMX racing, dirt jumping and more aggressive riding.
The best choice depends on where and how you ride, but whichever style you choose, make sure it fits correctly and is suitable for its intended use.
Knee & Elbow Pads
Knee and elbow pads are particularly useful when you're learning new tricks or pushing your riding. That's usually when you're taking more slams, and protecting the joints that regularly hit the ground can help keep you riding.
Protection ranges from traditional hard-cap pads through to slimmer, flexible pads designed to fit comfortably underneath clothing.
More advanced pads can also use specialist impact-absorbing materials while remaining flexible enough to pedal and ride comfortably.
Choose the level of protection based on your riding. A rider learning at a skatepark may want something different from a racer or someone looking for slim protection underneath jeans.
Shin Guards
If you've ever slipped a pedal and caught your shin, you'll already know why shin guards are popular with BMX riders.
Modern BMX shin guards don't have to be bulky. Slim designs can sit underneath jeans or trousers with very little restriction, while heavier-duty options provide more coverage for riders who want maximum protection.
Some pads also combine knee and shin protection into one piece, which can be useful if you want more complete lower-leg coverage.
Ankle Guards
Ankle guards are small but extremely useful, particularly when learning tricks such as tailwhips where the bike and pedals regularly pass close to your ankles.
They help provide a layer of protection around the ankle bones from pedals, cranks and other parts of the bike.
They're also easy to wear underneath trousers and can be combined with shin guards if you want more complete lower-leg protection.
BMX Gloves
BMX gloves aren't just about protection. They can also improve grip on the bars, help manage sweaty hands and protect your palms if you slide across the ground.
Different gloves offer different levels of padding, ventilation and feel. Some riders prefer a very thin glove for maximum bar feel, while others prefer a little more protection.
Fit is important – BMX gloves should be snug without restricting movement in your fingers.
Wrist Guards
Wrist guards can be useful for beginners and riders who want additional protection around the hands and wrists.
Some designs use a palm splint and straps to provide support while also protecting the palm during a fall. Complete protection sets can include knee pads, elbow pads and wrist guards together.
Bar & Frame Pads
Bar and frame pads are part protection and part BMX style – and they've been around almost as long as BMX itself.
A bar pad adds cushioning around the handlebar crossbar, while frame pads add padding around areas such as the top tube. Complete padsets can also include a stem pad.
They're particularly popular for old school, retro and race-inspired BMX builds, although plenty of modern freestyle riders run them purely because they look good.
They don't replace rider protection such as a helmet or pads, but they can add some cushioning between you and the bike.
Getting the Right Size
Protection only works properly when it fits correctly. Helmets, knee pads, elbow pads, shin guards and gloves can all have different sizing between manufacturers.
Don't automatically order the same size you use in another brand. Check the individual product sizing information and take the recommended measurements where possible.
If you're between sizes or aren't sure which protection will suit your riding, contact Waller BMX and we'll help.
Shop BMX Protection
Shop BMX helmets, knee and elbow pads, shin and ankle guards, gloves and bar and frame pads. Check the individual product sizing information before ordering or contact Waller BMX if you need help choosing.