8 Best Wrist Guards for Snowboarding:Safety Guide
There is a specific acronym in the medical world that every snowboarder should know: FOOSH (Fall On Outstretched Hand). It is the most common mechanism of injury in our sport. Whether you are catching your toe edge on a green run or overshooting a jump in the park, your instinct is to put your hands out to break your fall. Unfortunately, often the thing that breaks is your wrist.
Wrist injuries account for nearly 40% of all snowboard trauma. Yet, many riders avoid wrist guards because they think they are bulky, uncomfortable, or “uncool.” This mindset is why snowboarding is dangerous for the unprepared. Modern wrist guards have evolved; they are lower profile, breathable, and often integrated directly into gloves.
Whether you are looking for gear deals or prioritizing safety for your first trip, this guide ranks the top 8 wrist guards that actually work.
Best Overall (Stealth): Burton Impact Wrist Guard – Fits seamlessly under most gloves and offers flexible protection.
Best Heavy-Duty: Demon Flexmeter Double Sided – Medical-grade protection with D3O foam for high-impact falls.
Best Integrated: Level Fly Mitts – The BioMex system is built directly into the glove for zero bulk issues.
Why You Need Wrist Guards (The Science)
⚠️ The Colles’ Fracture
A typical wrist guard functions like a splint. When you fall, the energy is transferred from your palm up your forearm, bypassing the delicate carpal bones and the distal radius. Without a guard, that energy snaps the radius bone backward—a classic Colles’ fracture that can end your season instantly.
Wearing protection doesn’t make you a beginner; it makes you smart. It allows you to ride with confidence, knowing that a simple slip won’t result in surgery. Just like wearing impact shorts for your tailbone or a helmet for your head, wrist guards are essential PPE.
The Top 8 Wrist Guards for 2025
1. Burton Impact Wrist Guard
The go-to choice for riders who want protection without the bulk. Burton designed these specifically to fit inside their own gloves, but they work well with most brands.
- Flexible tapered top splints.
- Soft palm pad.
- Low-profile design.
Fits under almost any glove
Very comfortable
Lifetime warranty
Less rigid protection than Demon
Velcro can wear out
2. Demon Flexmeter Double Sided
Designed by a surgeon, this is the tank of wrist guards. It uses a “Flexmeter” hinge that allows normal movement but locks out during a dangerous hyperextension.
- D3O impact absorbing foam.
- Double-sided splints (dorsal/volar).
- Skid plate.
Superior fracture protection
D3O hardens on impact
Medical grade
Bulky (needs large gloves)
Expensive
3. Dakine Wristguard Glove
Stop fighting to fit a plastic splint inside a tight glove. Dakine solves this by building the rigid nylon support directly into the glove itself.
- Integrated rigid nylon support.
- DK Dry™ waterproof insert.
- DWR treated shell.
Convenient all-in-one
Great value
Waterproof
Can’t remove guard easily
Not as warm as mittens
4. Level Fly Mitts (BioMex)
If you prefer mittens over gloves for warmth, these are the gold standard. They feature the BioMex internal skeleton.
- BioMex wrist protection system.
- Removable fleece liner.
- Kevlar reinforced palm.
Ergonomic fit
Very warm
Durable Kevlar
Pricey
Sizing runs small
5. Hillbilly Wrist Guard Gloves
Originally for mountain boarding, these are legendary among carvers. Made of tough goat leather with a half-finger design, perfect for high-abrasion carving.
- Goat skin leather.
- Double stitched.
- Half-finger design (great for tow ropes).
Incredibly durable
Great dexterity
Rock solid splint
Not waterproof (leather)
Cold on powder days
6. Triple Eight Undercover
Simple, effective, and cheap. While designed for skating, the “Undercover” model is slim enough to slide under snow gloves if you size up your gloves.
- High-density impact-resistant splints.
- Neoprene body.
- Pull-on loop.
Very affordable
Simple design
Good palm protection
Sweaty
Can feel stiff
7. Seirus Jam Master Exo
Most wrist guards get sweaty. The Jam Master uses a mesh body for maximum airflow. It acts more like an exoskeleton than a heavy brace.
- External rigid support.
- Mesh body construction.
- Ambidextrous fit.
No sweaty palms
Lightweight
Palm protection
Less dorsal support
Mesh can tear
8. Demon Flexmeter Single Sided
If the Double Sided Demon is too bulky for you, the Single Sided version offers the same dorsal (back of hand) protection but allows for more palm movement.
- Dorsal flexmeter shield.
- Straps under palm (no hard plate).
- D3O option available.
Easier to grab board
Less bulk than double
Prevents hyperextension
Less impact protection on palm
Still pricey
Buying Guide: How to Choose
Choosing the right guard depends on your riding style and tolerance for bulk.
Under-Glove vs. Integrated
Under-Glove (Standalone): These offer the best versatility. You can wash them separately and use them with different gloves. However, you often need to size up your gloves to fit them.
Integrated: The guard is built into the glove (like the Dakine or Level options). These are hassle-free and comfortable but harder to dry out overnight.
Flexibility vs. Protection
If you are learning how to carve or spending time in the park, you will fall often. Go for maximum protection like the Demon Flexmeter. If you are just cruising and want insurance, the Burton Impact is sufficient and won’t annoy you.
Conclusion
Wrist guards are the cheapest insurance policy you can buy for your snowboarding career. They keep you on the mountain and out of the emergency room.
Whether you choose the stealth of the Burton Impact or the fortress-like protection of the Demon Flexmeter, the best wrist guard is the one you actually wear. So gear up, check your board wax, and go shred with confidence.
