Equipment Checklist

required protection

Quad skates (4 wheels - no inlines)

If you have finally discovered the sport of Roller Derby and have decided you are passionate enough to participate, purchasing a solid pair of skates will be your first major step. Most skate shop and online vendors offer full skate packages which include the boot, plate, wheels, and bearings. Riedell and Bont are two of the big manufacturers, but you can also start with a starter level skate like SureGrip. Wheels and bearings can be changed out, but if you’re just getting started, there’s no need to get fancy. Just make sure you are ordering “speed skates” (the short ones that don’t go above the ankle).

helmet

A properly fitting helmet is arguably the most important piece of safety gear you will invest in. It should have a hard foam liner (and probably soft foam too), and should be rated for Roller Derby. Your helmet should fit snugly, and come down to about 1 inch above your eyebrows. There are many brands to choose from, but we like S1 the best.

Choosing a Helmet by WFTDA.org

How to Measure Your Head for a Helmet by S1 Helmets

mouth guards

Mouth guards protect the inside of your mouth and teeth against concussions. They are a very important part of the derby skater’s equipment.

Impact Mouthguards have a custom mold model that many of our skaters and trainers use and really like. There are also a couple of other different styles to choose from if you choose to forego the custom models. Many skaters use the boil-and-mold mouth guards such as those made by SISU or Shock Doctor. You may also have a custom one made by a dentist or buy a non-molding type typically used by people with braces. Night guards are not acceptable for use as a mouthguard.

knee pads

Your knees are important … junior skaters are still growing and their knees need extra care. Make sure that the knee pad fits tight enough so that it will not slide off. Some good name brands are Pro-Tec, Rector, 187, TSG.

As with pretty much anything, the more you spend the better protection you have. Pro-tec pads are the most basic pads with side coverage. We don’t recommend anything thinner than those. If you’re not sure about a particular set of knee pads, feel free to email us and ask.

Shopping for Knee Pads by WFTDA.org

wrist guards

Wrist guards are designed to protect your hands and wrist. Some guards have splints on the top or bottom and some have splints on both sides. Like all protective gear, your wrist guards need to be sized correctly for optimum support.

elbow pads

Elbow pads should fit snugly just like knee pads. You should treat your elbow pads just as you would knee pads: inspection, care, and maintenance are essential for long-lasting protection.

additional protection

hip pads (NOT REQUIRED)

Hip pads protect your hip bones and tailbone, and may prevent bruising. McDavid makes a custom pad that is longer, has a thicker tailbone lining and wraps around to protect the hip bones better. This style was designed for the roller girl at the request of FastGirl Skates in Seattle, www.fastgirlskates.com. Hip pads that have a hard shell are not recommended because they can hurt an opposing skater.

gladiators (NOT REQUIRED)

Gladiators are extra padding under the knee pad that are designed to support ligaments, cartilage, and the patella. Additionally, they help keep the knee pad from slipping. The Gladiator is optional and not a required piece of gear.

other tools and things to MAYBE have on hand

Reusable Water Bottle

Recommended extras for quick fixes and maintenance:

  • Roll of Duct Tape

  • Dry Rag

  • Wet rag in a plastic bag

  • Skate tool (for adjusting trucks, axle nuts, and toe stop. Powerdyne tool by Riedell works well)

  • Spare Bearings, Axle Nuts, Toe stops, Laces, Mouth Guard

care and maintenance

You have just invested a good deal of money on equipment so make it last as long as possible by taking proper care of it. Moisture, metal, and plastic are a bad combination when left to marinate, so be sure to remove your gear from your skate bag after practice and bouts to preserve the integrity of your equipment where moisture will occur. It is also recommended to use some kind of bacteria neutralizing agent to keep your gear from getting too pungent.

Helmets, protective gear, and mouth guard can be purchased at many sporting good stores. A good resource is your local skate shop or skate rink; they have experience and good advice for the beginner and novice skater. Please make sure the equipment purchased fits correctly. For more information feel free to email an AJRD Representative for recommendations on purchasing your skates and gear.

Other information to consider

All-In-One Packs

While at first glance, these look like they could be good deals, we generally tell people to shy away from these because very few people (young or old) fit into the same size for all the different pads.

Which Wheels are right for me?

Wheels are a very personal choice. There is a lot of research that goes into creating wheels and the science of it is fascinating stuff. There are some great resources out there for helping you decide what will be best for you or your skater. Here are just a couple:

Choosing the Right Wheels by WFTDA.org

***WE HAVE A LENDING LIBRARY TO TRY GEAR OUT BEFORE YOU BUY ANYTHING***