When it comes to electric unicycles (EUCs), safety is always a top priority. In this article, I’ll discuss the importance of wrist guards and recommend some of the best options on the market. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced EUC rider, make sure you protect your wrists with one of these top-rated wrist guards!
Read on to learn more about the importance of wrist and hand safety gear for EUC riding, and a full review of best wrist protective gear you can get for riding electric unicycles.
In a Hurry? Check Out My Top 3 Picks!
- Flexmeter Double Sided Wrist Guards D3O (Most Popular)
- Hillbilly Wrist Guard Gloves – Half Finger (Best Value)
- Knox Handroid MK4 Gloves (Full Hand Protection*)
*The Knox Handroid is a motorcycle gauntlet that protects your hand and wrist using leather and plastic palm slider composites. It does not use the conventional wrist brace you may see on typical wrist guards.
RELATED: MUST-HAVE PROTECTIVE GEAR FOR RIDING AN EUC AT ANY SPEED
Summary: Why Use Wrist Guards for Riding an EUC?
One of the most common injuries for electric unicycle (EUC) riders is to your wrists and hands. This is especially true with lower speed falls, e.g., under 15 mph, where you may put out your hands instinctively. In this case, a huge majority of the force when you fall is absorbed by your wrists and hands. Before your knees hit the ground, your arms and hands may be the first to make contact with the ground.
Here are 5 reasons you’ll want good wrist protection for riding your electric unicycle:
- Reduce forceful impact in a fall, e.g., bruising, hard tissue damage
- Prevents abrasions and cuts
- In a sliding crash, wrist guards will allow your other safety gear to work
- Prevents hyperextension and dislocation of your hand/wrist joints
- Glove-type wrist guards can keep your hands warm in cold weather
Overall, I would say that wrist guards are the second most important piece of safety gear you can wear right next to using a helmet. Sure, using elbow pads, shin guards, and knee pads are also really important. But, wearing wrist protection is probably the most versatile and practical given how instinctual we are when it comes to falling onto our hands. Using our hands is our first reaction to avoiding injury to other parts of our body.
What part of the wrist and hand is injured in a crash on an electric unicycle?
The wrists and hands are some of the most commonly injured body parts in a crash while riding an electric unicycle. This is because, as mentioned earlier, when you fall, your hands tend to absorb the majority of the impact force. This can lead to bruising, hard tissue damage, abrasions, cuts, hyperextension, and dislocation of the joints in your wrists and hands.
The first and most notable injury to the wrist is a sprain. A sprain is an injury to a ligament, the tough band of fibrous tissue that connects two bones and helps stabilize a joint. Sprains are graded on a scale from 1-3, with 3 being the most severe. A Grade 1 sprain is a mild sprain where there is some tenderness and minor swelling. A Grade 3 sprain is a severe sprain where there is significant tenderness, swelling, and the ligament may be partially or completely torn.
Other common injuries to the wrists and hands include fractures (broken bones). This includes fractures of scaphoid, the most common carpal bone to be fractured. Fracturing your scaphoid can occur when you fall with an open palm and this area of your hand hits the ground with sharp force. Treatment for a scaphoid fracture typically includes immobilization of the wrist in a cast or splint for 6-8 weeks.
As a quick anatomy lesson, the scaphoid is located on the thumb side of the wrist and connects the forearm bones to the hand bones. If you’re one of the unfortunate EUC riders who falls off their EUC without good full-fingered protection, it is also possible to damage your metacarpals, which are the long bones in the hand that connect to the fingers–notably along with skin abrasions. This kind of injury often heals quicker than a full break of the bones lower in your hand.
Although less common, I’ve heard stories from motorcyclists who fall or crash where carpal tunnel syndrome may occur due to compression of the nerves in your wrist. Although EUC riders don’t use handle bars, the type of accidents we may encounter can be similar.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition caused by compression of the median nerve as it passes through the narrow carpal tunnel or a passageway through the bones in your wrist. Symptoms include tingling, numbness, and pain in the hand and fingers. Treatment typically includes resting the wrist, splinting, icing, and over-the-counter or prescription medications.
Bottomline: In order to prevent these common injuries while riding your electric unicycle, it is important to wear wrist guards. Wrist guards are designed to protect your wrists and hands.
Types of EUC Wrist Guards Available
There are 3 types of wrist guards typically available on the market for EUCs:
- Full-brace type – this is a hardshell piece of safety gear that covers the top and bottom of your wrist and hand. Some popular models for professional EUC riders, such as the Flexmeter wrist guard, have impact resistant armored plates that extend from your palm up around your forearm on both sides. It is the most protective but also the most bulky and restrictive.
- Half-brace or splint type – this type is similar to a brace but does not cover your entire hand. It may only have hard plastic or metal protection along the bottom (your palm side) of your wrist and hand. It is less bulky and restrictive but also offers less protection, especially in falls where you risk overextension–your hands bend too far back. These are popular for those riders moving at slower speeds and riding in warmer weather.
- Glove type – this is a less common piece of gear for EUC riders and provides the best abrasion protection for the entire hand along with hyper/overextension protection for the wrist joint. The Hill Billy full fingered glove is the most popular model. To an extent, motorcycle gloves or gauntlets with palm sliders are also worn by EUC street riders who ride at faster speeds or race.
Which Type of Wrist Guard Should I Choose?
The type of wrist guard you choose will depend on the following factors:
The level of protection you need
If you are a beginner EUC rider or ride at slower speeds, a half-brace or splint type may be sufficient. If you are an experienced rider or ride at high speeds, a full-brace type is recommended.
Your comfort level
Some riders find full-brace types too bulky and restrictive, while others find half-brace types not protective enough. Motorcycle gloves may be the most comfortable in cold weather, but also provide the least protection for the wrist joint.
The climate
In warmer weather, a half-brace or splint type may be more comfortable than a full-brace type. In colder weather, a glove type wrist guard may be more comfortable.
Where you ride
If you ride on pavement at high speeds, you will need a wrist guard that offers more protection from falls and crashes. If you ride slower or off-road where you’re taking technical trails, a glove type that protects you from abrasion and impact may be sufficient–you may not need the full hardshell coverage that help you slide during a fall. Though I do recommend at a minimum some extra impact protection for your scaphoid along the bottom of your palm and thumb.
Your budget
Always spend as much as you can on the best safety gear you can afford. Other than your electric unicycle, you’ll want to make sure you can afford good gear.
Top 10 Best EUC Wrist Guards and Gloves (Electric Unicycles)
Here are 10 of the best wrist guards for electric unicycles currently on the market
- Flexmeter Double Sided Wrist Guards D3O
- Hillbilly Wrist Guard Gloves – Full Finger
- Alpinestars SPX Air Carbon v2 Gloves
- GTX Snowboard Protective Gloves
- Knox Handroid MK4 Gloves
- EVS Wrister Gloves
- Wrist Guard Protective Gear
- Full Gauntlet Motorcycle Gloves
- Sedici Corsa Gloves
- Hillbilly Wrist Guard Gloves – Half Finger
Read on for a review of these wrist guards and gloves for riding your electric unicycle at any speed, on any terrain and for any skill level.
1. Flexmeter Double Sided Wrist Guards D3O
The Flexmeter Wrist Guard with D30 polymer is one of the most popular safety equipment pieces you can buy for riding EUCs. Many electric unicyclists from professional to casual riders highly recommend these wrist guards.
Personally, I love mine. They are great for many riders of any skill level, and I would suggest you take a really close look at these. Yes, they can feel bulky at first because they cover the entire top and bottom of your hands and lower forearm. But the Flexmeter offer protection for almost any kind of fall, low or high speed.
The D30 polymer is a highly regarded impact absorbing material that effectively dissipates the force of impact against hard surfaces, e.g., pavement, road asphalt, and works to prevent serious injury to your hands and wrist.
An area of improvement I think these could use would be better coverage of your fingers. Because these guards only cover your hands up to your knuckles, your fingers are vulnerable to road rash. I know some riders wear biking gloves under their Flexmeter wrist guards as a “second skin” to reduce skin abrasion risk.
Of course, having your fingers free and bare gives you the dexterity to operate your smartphone or other devices you may carry along for the ride.
Key Features and Best Used For:
- Great for warm and cool weather EUC rides
- Full protection for high or low speed riding on road or off road
- Riders who don’t mind the bulk around the palm, hands, and forearm
- Good ergonomics with velcro straps
- Preventing serious injury from hard impacts to most of the hand and lower arm
2. Hillbilly Wrist Guard Gloves – Full Finger
The Hillbilly full fingers wrist guard gloves overcome the glaring weakness of the Flexmeter wrist guards by protecting the fingers from road rash. The leather-like material of the Hillbilly gloves is stiff, thick, and provides good cushioning against light smacks against hard surfaces–trust me, I know.
I got these gloves as a back up to my Flexmeters and found them to be a tad less comfortable to wear due to their stiff material. They are also prone to trapping moisture and sweat if your hands get warm. It is important to note that there have been some complaints by other users that the black dye comes off when these gloves get wet. There is no capacitive material on the finger tips, so you won’t be able to operate your touch screen on a smartphone.
On the bright side, these are some of the best budget wrist and hand guards you can buy for riding your EUC. They are really inexpensive. Of course, other than price, an important factor in choosing the best safety gear for using any personal electric vehicle (PEV) is that you like wearing that gear. It doesn’t matter that you ride at slow speed; you’ll want to gear up to avoid injury.
The Hillbilly full finger gloves are the best gloves for those looking for budget, affordable protection of their wrist. The plastic plate armor along the wrist and palm is thick and has protected my hands from some haphazard falls. Because the palm slider plastic slides along hard surfaces, rather than catches or sticks, I’ve not had any long lasting bruising on my hands in crashes.
In contrast to motorcycle gloves (shown below), these do not protection along the knuckles or the sides of the hand. But, remember the kind of the falls we may experience on an electric unicycle are different than what you may expect from a motorcycle crash. Keeping your hands open, palms down, is the optimal way to fall with wrist guards like the Hillbilly gloves. Let the plastic plate take the hit and slide and allow the rest of your safety gear do its work.
Key Features and Best Used For:
- Full hand and finger coverage
- Reducing wrist and palm injury due to unexpected slow-medium speed falls
- Cooler weather
- Inexpensive, effective wrist protection
- Any EUC ride where basic wrist protection is a must (no impact side/top protection)
3. Alpinestars SPX Air Carbon v2 Gloves
Alpinestars SPX Air Carbon v2 Gloves are low profile gloves designed for motorcross or motorcycle use. They look cool and have a futuristic aesthetic that just feels good. Alpinestars is a flashy motorsport brand and these show that off. For example, the carbon fiber knuckle guards are flashy and functional, while the white stripes give them a pro racing vibe.
Unlike the Hillbilly full fingers gloves which have a plastic strip along the bottom of the wrist and palm to protect against overextension and hard impact, the Alpinestars SPX gloves only have minimal plastic sliders along the scaphoid area of the palm.
I’ll note that I’ve not fallen while wearing these gloves. I have these for riding my electric bicycle because they have good grippy material on the fingers and palm. There is also padding to absorb small bumps through the handlebars on my hands when I’m on the bike. For EUC riding, however, because there are no handlebars, none of this design matters. Mostly, these gloves would protect against abrasion, road rash, and some minor hard impacts.
This is the bare minimum I would wear when riding my EUC and would not trust using these at high speeds on EUC rides on pavement or off road. Although, I’m sure there are riders out there who would wear these type of gloves anywhere because they are lightweight, comfortable, and don’t hinder movement of the hands and fingers.
They also have capacitive material along the index finger so you can use your smartphone without taking the gloves off. Because these are full fingers gloves, you can be confident that will probably reduce road rash or minor abrasion to your hands and fingers in an EUC fall.
Key Features and Best Used For:
- Lower speed electric unicycle riding, or off-road where the ground is softer
- When you have no other protective gear with you
- Need finger and hand dexterity
- Choose comfort over resilient safety protection for your palm, hands, and wrist
- Cool motor sport styling and appearance
4. GTX Snowboard Protective Gloves
Do you want to ride your electric unicycle in the cold? And, I mean freezing cold. As the EUC sport grows and the performance of the device improves, more of us are trying to extend the riding season into the depth of Winter.
Other than your face, your hands are probably going to be hardest area of your body to keep warm when riding an EUC at any speed in cold weather. I searched high and low for gloves that were both warm and provided sufficient wrist and hand protection in case of an EUC crash.
These snowboard protective gloves were one of the best I could find. They are rated for those who enjoy winter sports that may be prone to falling on hard packed snow, e.g., skiiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling. Sure, you could try wearing the Hillbilly full fingers gloves or any of the all weather motorcycle gloves/gauntlets. But, as you’ve figured out by now these other options have limitations, too.
These snowboard gloves are probably the best pieces of wrist, hand protective gear you could wear when you want to keep warm. These gloves have a durable, padded material that insulates your hand and wrist from cold air and moisture, while providing you with the impact protection along the wrist and palm.
These may not be as resilient for protecting you against wrist hyperextension as the Flexmeter wrist guards (shown above). But they will do the job, protecting you from hard and soft tissue injuries that you may be at risk for while EUC riding in the winter months.
The Kevlar cloth material is resilient to tears, abrasion, and cuts–also perfect for those sliding crashes on asphalt. What’s cool is that the internal hard palm and wrist safety plate is removable for those times you want just want the full dexterity of a warm glove. These are machine washable and have other amenities, e.g., vents, removable liner, you would expect from a high end winter sports glove.
In terms of value, I think these are my best protective gloves for riding my Veteran Sherman EUC in cold weather (under 50F or 10C). In terms of cost, these snowboard gloves are kind of expensive, but on par with motorcycle gauntlet type glove protection and not that much more expensive than the popular Flexmeter wrist guards with D30 construction.
Key Features and Best Used For:
- Best for cold weather EUC rides
- Includes hard impact protection for wrist and palm
- Easy to wear, comfortable
- Bulky, but insulated to keep your hands warm and dry
- Kevlar cloth material is resilient to tears, cuts, and abrasion
5. Knox Handroid MK4 Gloves
For full hand protection with maximal dexterity, the Knox Handroid MK4 gloves are probably the best you’ll find. For performance electric unicycles, e.g., Veteran Sherman, Monster Pro, you’ll be traveling at such high speeds that your conventional wrist guards designed for e-skateboards, e-scooters, or even rollerblading won’t suffice.
The most important factor at protecting yourself at riding an EUC at high speeds is protecting yourself first against the hard impact–that breaks bones–and then the damage and abrasion of your soft tissues–e.g., road rash, ligament stretching, tearing. In my view, a motorcycle gauntlet style glove is probably your best choice.
If you take a closer look at these gloves, then you’ll notice a few features that stand out for protecting your hand, fingers, and wrist. The patented Knox scaphoid protective system, which is essentially a strategically placed set of palm sliders, will help you avoid hyperextension of your wrist–allowing your hands to slide instead of bend in a forward facing fall onto pavement.
The Kangaroo leather material is thick, durable, and naturally padded to protect against other impact forces throughout your hand and wrist. The reinforced plastic plates along the top of the hand and along each finger also help protect joints from damage and impact.
For those who aren’t sure of the benefits of a gauntlet style glove are; the extra cuff length protects your motorcycle jacket sleeve from sliding up and moving your other pieces of armor out of place. (You can tuck your armored jacket sleeves into and under the gauntlet). Body armor only works if you have the pads or plates in the right place over your torso. At high speeds, the gauntlet style glove can also block wind and rain from going under your sleeve.
In terms of comfort, I find motorcycle gloves like these Handroid Mk4 gloves to be really nice to wear in almost all kinds of weather. When or if you lose control of your EUC, experiencing those speed wobbles, I think it’s the quality of your gear that helps give you that extra confidence boost to stay with your EUC as long as possible (which is better than bailing off too soon in my opinion).
Are these expensive motorcycle gauntlets worth it? That depends on how comprehensive you want your hands protected. The limitation of these gloves is obviously that they don’t have the full armored plates that protect your wrist joint from hyperextension.
Some EUC riders out there may suggest wearing another pair of extra-extra large wrist guards, like these, over motorcycle gloves. I wouldn’t prefer these as it would make the whole affair more bulky and much harder to put my gear on and take it off. Your mile may vary (YMMV).
Key Features and Best Used For:
- Scaphoid bone (palm) protection against hard impacts
- Best gear for total hand, finger, and wrist protection
- Lacks wrist hyperextension protective plating
- Gauntlet style protects jacket sleeves from rolling or sliding
- Versatile design for balanced flexibility, comfort, and injury risk mitigation
6. EVS Wrister Gloves
The EVS Wrister Gloves are similar to the snowboard gloves with built in palm/wrist guards with more dexterity and freedom of movement. There are no palm sliders or guards as you would expect in conventional wrist guards. So, you would have to be careful about how you fall.
Falling on your palms does present some risk to hyperextending your wrists, bending them too far backwards. And, while the Wrister Gloves have a plastic shock absorber along the back (or top) of your hand and wrist, it isn’t as stiff or shock absorbent as you may want it to be for hard smacks on concrete or whatever road surface you’re riding your EUC.
Yet, after taking a closer look at these gloves, I noted a few reasons why I would strongly consider these for EUCs, especially for riding off road and on unpredictable dirt trails. They give you much more range of movement in the hands, fingers, and even your forearm that other devoted wrist guards or protective equipment lack.
These are also designed for keeping your hands warm in cold temperatures. This isn’t a surprise given that they are meant for winter sports such as snowboarding. Some riders might find the lack of hard protection for the back of the hand and wrist unappealing.
I think the EVS Wrister glove is a good choice for those who want extra dexterity in their hands for gripping things, keeping your hands warm, which can be a major consideration when riding in colder climates, while offering you some level of protection to reduce serious injury. The gloves do not have as much hard protection as some other options, but make up for it through these benefits.
Key Features and Best Used For:
- Extra dexterity in the hands, fingers, and forearm
- Plastic shock absorber along the back of the wrist to protect against hyperextension in lower impact falls
- Best for EUC riding off road where the ground isn’t as hard as pavement or concrete
- Keeps you warm with insulating cloth, fabric construction
- Good knuckle protection for those hits to the top of your hand
7. Wrist Guard Protective Gear
When you think about wrist guards, you may be conjuring images of these classic wrist guards that are best associated with skateboarding, rollerskating, or other non-motorized sports.
These wrist gaurds have a simple design to do one job without a lot of other hassle: That is, to protect your palms and wrist from impact and abrasion injury when you fall forwards onto your open hands. The plastic plate are impact resistant and will allow your hands to slide forward to help dissipate the downward energy and give you some forward sliding momentum to control the rest of your fall.
The plastic armor gives you time to slow down your speed without hurting yourself, acting like speed brakes. Although at first glance the quality of the guards aren’t impressive, these guards function really well for slower EUC riders. For me, these were my first wrist guards–they weren’t expensive and you can find these in any department store with a sports department.
For slow speed electric unicycle riding, I would highly recommend using these over simple bicycle gloves. Although they lack the full hand coverage, exposing the skin of most of your hands, the most common area you’ll probably fall on is protected by the palm plastic skidplate. If you find the full glove wrist guards uncomfortable, e.g., Hillbilly gloves, then these might be a great alternative.
Given that these wrist guards use velcro straps around the back of your hand and wrist, I find these to give you a lot of flexibility to add further protection. You can wear a glove under these wrist guards, for example. Or, you can get an extra-large pair of these wrist guards and wear them over a motorcycle gauntlet for added protection against wrist hyperextension.
In other words, you can wear these along for slower EUC rides, or combine the wrist guards with other hand/wrist safety gear for added protection. Alway wear safety gear is a motto most of EUC riders would agree with, and given how easy these wrist guards are to find, wear, and use, it’s pretty obvious that you should at a minimum have these in your EUC kit.
Key Features and Best Used For:
- Best beginner wrist safety gear for slow EUC rides
- Simple and effective wrist protective gear
- Great for riding electric skateboards, electric unicycles and more
- Perfect for slow, lesuirely rides in warm weather
- Inexpensive, affordable
8. Full Gauntlet Motorcycle Gloves
When it comes to falling and crashing with your hands, protection for your palm, e.g., scaphoid bone area, and wrist is the top prority. Healing after serious injury to your wrist and hands can take weeks if not longer. These full motorcycle gauntlet gloves from Riparo are built to give you maximal protection for all areas of your hand, wrist, and fingers; while at the same time, the gloves provide good dexterity and feel to move.
One of the best things about these gloves is that they are designed to protect you from all sorts of different kinds of injuries. For example, the gloves have strategically placed plastic skin plates and pads in order to protect your palms from abrasion in the event of a fall. The gloves also have tough leather on the outside to give you good abrasion protection and from harsher elements, e.g., cold air, small bits of debris.
The gloves also have a wrist closure with a Velcro strap in order to keep the gloves snug on your hand and to help prevent debris and other items from getting inside the glove. The fingers are also pre-curved so that they fit snugly around your fingers and provide good dexterity while you are riding. When I first wore my pair, they were a bit too tight around the joints of the fingers. But after using them a few times, they broke in perfectly and now fit like a glove (pun intended).
All in all, these gloves are an excellent choice if you are looking for full-coverage motorcycle gloves that will protect your hands, fingers, and wrists from falls and other injuries from an EUC crash. The gloves are also very well-made and should last you for many years of riding.
So far, my only concern with wearing these gloves is that they are bulky for most daily type rides at cruising speeds 25mph or slower. And, they don’t have that extra shock absorption for protecting my wrist from hyperextension. I have to kept a mental note that to use these gauntlet style gloves at faster EUC speeds, I should try to fall with my hands closed into a fist and let the other armor I’m wearing, e.g., elbow and shoulder pads, take more of the impact force.
I will be wearing these gloves more and more when I ride in the cooler seasons of Autumn or early Spring. The convience factor of having comfort, warmth, and complete finger and hand protection in a single glove is very attractive. While the snowboarding gloves gloves may offer other advantages, these gauntlets have been my regular choice when the moderate, less extreme weather permits.
Key Features and Best Used For:
- Good value, affordable motorcycle gaunlets with cowhide leather
- Plastic palm sliders help protect your vulnerable scaphoid bone in your hand
- Durable construction with extra abrasion protection all along the hand, fingers, and cuff area
- Comfortable, snug strapping mechanism keeps the glove in place
- Vents keep airflow throughout the glove and prevents moisture build up
9. Sedici Corsa Gloves
Want to ride your EUC with a bit more style? Check out these Sedici Corsa Gloves. When I was looking to upgrade my own gloves (the Hillbilly gloves that had worn out) I was looking for something that had better grip, was more comfortable, and provided some level of protection in case of a fall. The Sedici Corsa gloves met all those criteria and more.
Although these suffer the same limitation as other motorcycles gloves, which lack wrist plates to protect against hyperextension, the Sedici Corsa gloves also have palm sliders like the Knox Handroid gloves without the higher price. Yes, these are Sedici brand motorcycle gloves which means they are at the budget end of the spectrum.
But, as an EUC rider, I am not looking for flashy styling, e.g., Alpinestars, Joe Rocket. I want function, good protection, and comfort. And, anyway, these do look cool! The black and white color scheme is nice and the graphics are not obnoxious. The build quality seems solid with double stitching in all the right places. I have had no issues with the gloves coming apart at the seams.
The gloves feature an velcro wrist closure system to keep debris out and provide some support to the glove during a fall. There is also a soft thumb wipe material on the left glove to help keep your visor clean and clear–if you use a full face helmet with goggles or a flip visor like a TSG pass helmet.
The goatskin material is somewhat thin, but I like how it molds to the shape of your hand and stretches a bit. It feels more natural to wear than other racing motorcycle gauntlet type gloves.
Indeed, I am somewhat concerned with the lack of wrist hyperextension plates. But, the goatskin leather does seem to provide some abrasion resistance in a fall. The fingers also have some sort of hard plastic material sewn into the glove which seems like it will help if you come down on your hand at speed.
The palms of the gloves feature strategically placed pads to help protect your hands from road rash and the plastic skid plates should mitigate energy to protect your hands from catching against pavement during a slide.
Overall, when it comes to gloves, I think the Sedici Corsa gloves are a great option for EUC riders. They offer good protection, comfort, and grip without breaking the bank. If you are looking for something a bit more flashy or with more protection, you will have to spend quite a bit more money. If you are looking for a good pair of motorcycle type gloves to protect your hands while riding your EUC, I would recommend the Sedici Corsa gloves.
Key Features and Best Used For:
- All weather EUC riding gloves, except for very cold or wet temperatures
- Motorsport racing styling and aesthetic without the cost
- Very comfortable, good dexterity with decent airflow through the glove
- Decent protection for the palm area, e.g., scaphoid safety
- Same benefits and drawbacks as other gauntlet style motorcycle gloves
10. Hillbilly Wrist Guard Gloves – Half Finger
The half-finger, Hillbilly wrist guard gloves are a staple in the EUC riding community. These are probably as popular and widely recommended as the Flexmeter wrist guards for EUC riding. This is because they provide great high and low speed protection for a really low cost.
Unlike the classic wrist guards you may see rollerbladers or skateboarders use, these Hillbilly gloves have been worn by stunt EUC riders who sing its praises after shredding them from serious high speed crashes. The Hillbilly gloves have protected riders from high speed (30+ mph) sliding type falls on roadway pavement and other terrain.
Do not underestimate the simplicity of the design of these gloves. They have an easy-to-use, single velcro strap that wraps around your cuff, wrist area. Putting these on and taking them off is a breeze. Because your fingers are free and exposed, you can operate the touchscreen of your smartphone or other device.
Indeed, the half-fingered design is also a weakness because your fingers and the sides of your hand are somewhat exposed to road abrasion during a fall. Yes, there is the full-fingered version of the Hillbilly (see #1 above); but that glove also has different limitations in its design.
For EUC riding, I like wearing mountain biking gloves under my Hillbilly half-fingered gloves. The coverage over my fingers keeps the rest of my hand warm and, I hope, the additional fabric protects my skin from the deeper cuts I would encounter in a fall.
I will note that in talking with others who use the Hillbilly glove that they complain about them being a bit too tight or stiff, which could be uncomfortable, they do wear them because they trust how they work. I’ve never had an issue with comfort and I don’t think they are bulky at all.
Overall, the hillbilly wrist guard gloves seem like a good option for those looking for a high quality, durable glove that provides good protection. However, they may not be suitable for everyone due to their fit and half-finger design.
Key Features and Best Used For:
- Simple design with single velcro strap
- Can be worn over other thin gloves or by itself
- Highly durable, but lacks full finger abrasion protection
- Good protection for high speed falls on an electric unicycle
- Very affordable with great protection for your palms and wrists
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the best wrist guards for riding electric unicycles?
There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on personal preference. Some people prefer wrist guards that offer more coverage and protection, while others prefer those that are lighter and more comfortable to wear. There are many different types and brands of wrist guards available on the market, so it is important to do some research to find the pair that best suits your needs.
What are the benefits of wearing wrist guards?
Wrist guards can help to protect your wrists from injuries sustained in falls or collisions. They can also help to absorb impact and reduce the risk of wrist fractures. Gloves with built-in wrist guards or pads can also help to keep your hands warm in cold weather.
How do I choose the best wrist guards for riding electric unicycles?
Some people prefer wrist guards that offer more coverage and protection, while others prefer those that are lighter and more comfortable to wear. Things that will determine what wrist guards or gloves work best for your EUC riding will depend on things like weather, comfort level, and how much protection you feel you need. You also want to make sure that the guards fit well and do not impede your ability to move your hands and fingers for different tasks you want to do, e.g., operate a touchscreen or check your smartphone.
What are some of the different types of wrist guards available?
There are many different types and brands of wrist guards available on the market. Some brands that are popular among EUC riders include the Flexmeter wrist guards and Hillbilly gloves. There are also several different types of wrist guards, such as those with hard shells over the hand and palm, or palm sliders for scaphoid protection, or a combination of both.
How much money should I expect to spend on wrist guards for riding an electric unicycle?
Prices for wrist guards can vary depending on the type, brand, and features. You can expect to spend anywhere from $20-$60 USD for a good pair of basic wrist guards. For superior coverage and safety protection for your hands, wrist, and fingers, the sky’s the limit. I’ve personally spent hundreds over the years trying to find the best wrist guards and hand protective safety gear for my EUC rides. A lot of what I learned through this process I share in this article.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for the best wrist guards and hand protective safety gear to ride an electric unicycle, it’s important to do your research. The right pair of gloves will depend on what kind of weather conditions you’ll be riding in, how much protection or coverage you want (or don’t need), as well as what features are most comfortable for you.
I hope this article has helped you to understand some of the different options that are available and what to look for when choosing the best wrist guards for riding electric unicycles. Ride on!
Are you looking for a pair of wrist guards, or an upgrade for your EUC riding? Happy with a particular choice? I’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment below.