Ever taken a tumble on the slopes and felt that jarring thud? Snowboarding is thrilling, but falls happen. Protecting your tailbone and hips is super important, especially when you are learning new tricks or hitting challenging terrain. That’s where Impact Shorts come in.
Choosing the right pair can feel like a maze. Too bulky, and they slow you down. Too thin, and they don’t offer enough protection when you wipe out. You want gear that keeps you safe without making you feel like a marshmallow. Finding that perfect balance between comfort, mobility, and crucial impact absorption is the real challenge.
This post cuts through the confusion. We will break down what really matters in snowboarding impact shorts. Learn how to choose the best padding, fit, and features for your riding style. Get ready to ride with more confidence, knowing you have reliable protection underneath your outerwear. Let’s dive into making your next session safer and more fun!
Top Impact Shorts For Snowboarding Recommendations
No. 1
Bodyprox Protective Padded Shorts for Snowboard,Skate and Ski,3D Protection for Hip,Butt and Tailbone (Large) Black
- Be limitless, Be fearless -- Your choice of rugged and hidden armor for your vulnerable hip, thigh, sit bone, and tailbone that efficiently bends and moves along with the body. Have your own Bodyprox Protective Shorts during outdoor and all action sports activities such as Snowboarding, skateboarding, Cycling, roller sports, mountain biking, skating, and other extreme activities.
- Premium Protection -- With our very own Protective Shorts that are equipped with generous shock absorbing EVA foam cushions strategically placed to the rear, thigh and tailbone area, this ensured exceptional comfort and protection from scratches, bumps or even drop during an intense outdoor activity.
- Skillfully produced from the highest-grade breathable fabric, combine features of Nylon and Spandex, skin-friendly material that absolutely fit your body, quick-dry technology which prevents fabric from sticking to the skin, providing an exceptional ease of use at the same time, have soft and comfortable custom fit waistband that allows excellent mobility.
- Durable and Flexible -- Durability and stability whilst flexible at the same time without the discomfort that comes with traditional and known padded shorts. Your all-in-one protection for lumbar, butt and thigh area.
- Relaxed-Fit and Skin-Friendly -- Since it is ideally worn underpants, it is the combination the highest grade elements from Nylon, Spandex and Vent Mesh materials keep the skin from moisture and retains the skin cool, dry and fresh. Lightweight even with sufficient amount of pads and precisely designed for comfort.
No. 2
Bodyprox Protective Padded Shorts for Snowboard,Skate and Ski,3D Protection for Hip,Butt and Tailbone (Medium) Black
- Be limitless, Be fearless -- Your choice of rugged and hidden armor for your vulnerable hip, thigh, sit bone, and tailbone that efficiently bends and moves along with the body. Have your own Bodyprox Protective Shorts during outdoor and all action sports activities such as Snowboarding, skateboarding, Cycling, roller sports, mountain biking, skating, and other extreme activities.
- Premium Protection -- With our very own Protective Shorts that are equipped with generous shock absorbing EVA foam cushions strategically placed to the rear, thigh and tailbone area, this ensured exceptional comfort and protection from scratches, bumps or even drop during an intense outdoor activity.
- Skillfully produced from the highest-grade breathable fabric, combine features of Nylon and Spandex, skin-friendly material that absolutely fit your body, quick-dry technology which prevents fabric from sticking to the skin, providing an exceptional ease of use at the same time, have soft and comfortable custom fit waistband that allows excellent mobility.
- Durable and Flexible -- Durability and stability whilst flexible at the same time without the discomfort that comes with traditional and known padded shorts. Your all-in-one protection for lumbar, butt and thigh area.
- Relaxed-Fit and Skin-Friendly -- Since it is ideally worn underpants, it is the combination the highest grade elements from Nylon, Spandex and Vent Mesh materials keep the skin from moisture and retains the skin cool, dry and fresh. Lightweight even with sufficient amount of pads and precisely designed for comfort.
No. 3
Cienfy 3D Hip Protection Eva Butt Pads Protective Padded Shorts Crash Pad Impact Gear for Skiing Skating Snowboarding Skateboarding (X-Large)
- Hip Protection: Padded protective shorts provide strong protection for our fragile buttocks, thighs, coccyx, ischium; When you put on our butt protection pads you can enjoy extreme sports like skiing, skating, skateboarding, snowboarding and roller skating while preventing hip injuries.
- EVA Padded Shorts: Our EVA butt protection pads are specially designed for sports with strong impact resistance; We've installed EVA butt pads on both sides of your fragile hips, sit bones and crotch to reduce the impact of wrestling or falling during sports; Our padded protective shorts are made of EVA material which is highly abrasion resistant and can be used repeatedly without abrasion, increasing the life of the shorts.
- Enjoy Extreme Sports: The block protection design allows you to enjoy the protection of the hip pad while being flexible and stable; Even if you want to have big moves like jumping and flipping in extreme sports like skiing, ice skating, snowboarding and skateboarding, there are no limits; Padded protective shorts allow you to enjoy these sports to the fullest.
- Breathable Skin-Friendly Fabric: Our butt protection pads are made of soft and comfortable milk silk, which is breathable and quick-drying for a perfect fit against your skin; The padded protective shorts also have an extra breathable mesh design that allows you to quickly wick away sweat and stay dry during intense extreme sports without worrying about the heat.
- Adjustable Elastic Waistband: The elastic waistband of the padded protective shorts can effectively adjust the size of the waist, and the hook and loop closure is very easy to put on and take off; Our padded shorts are also very lightweight, so you won't feel bulky during all kinds of extreme sports; According to your sports needs, you can choose to wear the butt protection pads inside or out of the pants; XS-XXXL are available, suitable for kids, youth, men and women.
No. 4
Bodyprox Protective Padded Shorts for Snowboard,Skate and Ski,3D Protection for Hip,Butt and Tailbone (Small) Black
- Be limitless, Be fearless -- Your choice of rugged and hidden armor for your vulnerable hip, thigh, sit bone, and tailbone that efficiently bends and moves along with the body. Have your own Bodyprox Protective Shorts during outdoor and all action sports activities such as Snowboarding, skateboarding, Cycling, roller sports, mountain biking, skating, and other extreme activities.
- Premium Protection -- With our very own Protective Shorts that are equipped with generous shock absorbing EVA foam cushions strategically placed to the rear, thigh and tailbone area, this ensured exceptional comfort and protection from scratches, bumps or even drop during an intense outdoor activity.
- Skillfully produced from the highest-grade breathable fabric, combine features of Nylon and Spandex, skin-friendly material that absolutely fit your body, quick-dry technology which prevents fabric from sticking to the skin, providing an exceptional ease of use at the same time, have soft and comfortable custom fit waistband that allows excellent mobility.
- Durable and Flexible -- Durability and stability whilst flexible at the same time without the discomfort that comes with traditional and known padded shorts. Your all-in-one protection for lumbar, butt and thigh area.
- Relaxed-Fit and Skin-Friendly -- Since it is ideally worn underpants, it is the combination the highest grade elements from Nylon, Spandex and Vent Mesh materials keep the skin from moisture and retains the skin cool, dry and fresh. Lightweight even with sufficient amount of pads and precisely designed for comfort.
No. 5
SHINYPRO Protective Padded Shorts for Snowboarding and Skating,Tear Resistance Butt Pad Heavy Duty Protection,All Pads are Removable Black
- Large Areas Of Protection: This snowboard impact short is divided into 11 areas of protection. Each partition is specifically designed for a different body part. Our snowboard impact shorts provide you with all-round protection. More zones can make you more flexible and confident when doing difficult movements. And all pads are equipped with ventilation holes to ensure good ventilation and heat dissipation.
- Focused Tailbone Protection: These impact-resistant snowboard shorts are equipped with three tailbone pads.Includes A (RZ-LABs orange pads, 1/2" thick, CE Level 2), B (black rigid-flex pads, 1/2" thick), C (soft black pads, 1/3" thick ). You can use as suggested in the third picture, or choose other suitable combinations.The outermost layer of the butt pad has been upgraded to a tear resistant fiber material. It won't tear under constant impact.
- All Pads Are Removable: 11 removal holes are set inside the shorts. Each pad is removable. If you are an advanced player, you can remove the unnecessary pads according to your usage habits.
- Cleaning Tips: Remove all pads before cleaning the snowboard butt pads. The shorts with pads removed are machine washable and do not tumble dry.
- Not Just A Short For Snowboarding: These impact-resistant shorts aren't just for snowboarding. Also suitable for skating, skiing, roller skating, skateboarding,Ice hockey,Hockey
No. 6
Legendfit Protective Padded Shorts for Snowboard Ski Ice Skating Skateboard Hip Butt Tailbone Protection for Men Women Youth
- UPGRADED CLOSURE SYSTEM - Enjoy better comfort and fit with our new elastic and drawstring closure. Customize your fit and stay secure during activities like snowboarding, skiing, skating, and more. Our double elastic band is tighter than similar products, giving you a stable fit when playing winter sports.
- UPGRADED MESH FABRIC - In line with our dedication to comfort, we've elevated the fabric in the groin area to feature breathable mesh fabric. This enhancement improves the shorts' breathability. Stay feeling refreshed and drier, whether you're engaging in vigorous workouts or embarking on outdoor escapades.
- DETACHABLE EXTRA BUTT PADS - To cater to the diverse needs of sports enthusiasts across various seasons and activities, we've designed outer orange padding to be detachable. Our tailbone protection features a dual-layered structure for enhanced safeguarding. It comprises a built-in thick foam layer along with an additional removable butt pad. This allows you the flexibility to choose whether to remove the extra protective layer based on your specific requirements.
- PROFESSIONAL PROTECTION - For winter sports players at low temperature, our protective padded shorts offer exceptional safeguarding. They feature ultra-thick EVA foam pads that protect your hip, butt, and tailbones from shock and impact. The ergonomic design conforms to your body’s natural curves, lowering the injury risk during falls or slides. Our extra pads have achieved overall level 2 performance in the test experiment, at -20℃/-4℉.
- LEGENDFIT SATISFACTION - We stand behind the quality of our products and are dedicated to providing excellent customer service. If for any reason you are not satisfied with your purchase, please do not hesitate to contact us.
No. 7
Cienfy 3D Hip Protection Eva Butt Pads Protective Padded Shorts Crash Pad Impact Gear for Skiing Skating Snowboarding Skateboarding (Medium)
- Hip Protection: Padded protective shorts provide strong protection for our fragile buttocks, thighs, coccyx, ischium; When you put on our butt protection pads you can enjoy extreme sports like skiing, skating, skateboarding, snowboarding and roller skating while preventing hip injuries.
- EVA Padded Shorts: Our EVA butt protection pads are specially designed for sports with strong impact resistance; We've installed EVA butt pads on both sides of your fragile hips, sit bones and crotch to reduce the impact of wrestling or falling during sports; Our padded protective shorts are made of EVA material which is highly abrasion resistant and can be used repeatedly without abrasion, increasing the life of the shorts.
- Enjoy Extreme Sports: The block protection design allows you to enjoy the protection of the hip pad while being flexible and stable; Even if you want to have big moves like jumping and flipping in extreme sports like skiing, ice skating, snowboarding and skateboarding, there are no limits; Padded protective shorts allow you to enjoy these sports to the fullest.
- Breathable Skin-Friendly Fabric: Our butt protection pads are made of soft and comfortable milk silk, which is breathable and quick-drying for a perfect fit against your skin; The padded protective shorts also have an extra breathable mesh design that allows you to quickly wick away sweat and stay dry during intense extreme sports without worrying about the heat.
- Adjustable Elastic Waistband: The elastic waistband of the padded protective shorts can effectively adjust the size of the waist, and the hook and loop closure is very easy to put on and take off; Our padded shorts are also very lightweight, so you won't feel bulky during all kinds of extreme sports; According to your sports needs, you can choose to wear the butt protection pads inside or out of the pants; XS-XXXL are available, suitable for kids, youth, men and women.
No. 8
Soared 3D Protection Hip Butt XPE Padded Shorts for ski, ice Skating, Snowboarding, Skateboard for Men Women Black
- 3D Premium Protection: Our protective shorts are padded with high-rebound, eco-friendly XPE. 1cm hip pads are laid on the rear, coccyx, thighs and other parts to provide you with all-round protection. According to the needs of hip protection, we have upgraded the protection of the most vulnerable hips and filled 2cm hip pads.This will greatly reduce the pain of bumping or falling during extreme sports.
- Breathable and Quick-drying Fabric: We use nylon as the fabric that fits your skin, the soft and skin-friendly material will provide you with the perfect comfort experience, while the breathable and quick-drying technology will keep you from being stuffy and sticky during intense outdoor sports . The superior abrasion resistance also allows our shorts to have a longer lifespan.
- Lightweight and Flexible: The lightweight and high-elastic XPE filling material can effectively reduce the bulky feeling when wearing it. At the same time, we have adopted a surrounding cutting filling design on the waist and crotch, which makes your extreme sports movements unrestricted and more flexible.
- Stable and Durable: The pads are wrapped in a durable diving fabric, and our superb sewing skills are used to secure each pad where it should be, reducing damage to the hip pads from intense outdoor sports. It can maximize the life of your shorts in wrestling.
- Enjoy Extreme Sports: We provide maximum protection for your delicate hips, sit bones, coccyx, and thighs, so you can enjoy skiing, skating, skateboarding, roller skating and a variety of other sports. It will protect you from slipping or falling.
Impact Shorts for Snowboarding: Your Essential Buying Guide
Impact shorts are crucial gear for snowboarders. They protect your tailbone and hips when you fall. A good pair keeps you safer and lets you ride with more confidence. This guide helps you choose the best pair for your needs.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping for impact shorts, certain features make a big difference in protection and comfort.
Impact Padding Material
Density and Coverage
- Foam Type: Look for high-density foam or specialized materials like D3O. These materials absorb the shock better when you hit the snow hard.
- Coverage Area: Ensure the shorts protect your tailbone (coccyx) well. Good shorts also shield your hips and sometimes your thighs. More coverage means better safety.
- Flexibility: The padding should bend easily. Stiff pads feel bulky and stop you from moving naturally on the board.
Fit and Comfort
Strap System and Waistband
- Secure Fit: The shorts must stay put. Look for strong, adjustable waistbands and secure leg grippers. If they slide around, the padding moves out of place when you fall.
- Breathability: Snowboarding makes you sweat. Mesh panels or moisture-wicking fabric help keep you dry and comfortable all day.
- Bulkiness: Thinner designs offer less bulk under your snow pants. However, very thin pads might not offer enough protection for beginners who fall often.
Important Materials in Impact Shorts
The materials used determine how long the shorts last and how they feel against your skin.
Outer Fabric
- Durable Nylon or Spandex Blends: These fabrics hold the pads in place and resist tearing from rough use or repeated washing.
- Moisture Wicking: Inner linings should pull sweat away from your skin. This prevents chafing and keeps you warmer when you stop moving.
Padding Materials
- EVA Foam: This is common, lightweight, and provides decent shock absorption.
- Specialized Polymers (Like D3O): These materials feel soft and flexible during normal movement but instantly harden upon impact. They offer superior protection.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Not all impact shorts perform the same. Pay attention to how they are built.
Quality Boosters
- Removable Padding: High-quality shorts often allow you to take the pads out. This makes washing the fabric liner much easier.
- Flatlock Seams: These seams prevent rubbing and irritation, improving overall comfort during long sessions.
- Reinforced Stitching: Strong stitching around the edges of the padding ensures the shorts withstand hard falls and frequent use.
Quality Reducers
- Thin, Cheap Foam: Very cheap padding compresses too easily, offering minimal protection after just a few impacts.
- Poorly Placed Straps: If the straps constantly slip, the protection is useless.
- Non-Breathable Fabrics: These trap heat and moisture, leading to discomfort and potential skin irritation.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you use the shorts changes what you should prioritize.
Beginners vs. Experts
- Beginners: You fall a lot! Choose shorts with maximum padding coverage, especially around the tailbone. Bulkier protection is acceptable for maximum safety while learning.
- Experts: Experts might prioritize a slimmer profile to avoid feeling restricted. They often opt for shorts with advanced, flexible impact materials.
Riding Style
- Park/Jumps: Riders hitting big features need the best shock absorption possible.
- Freeride/Backcountry: Comfort over long periods and breathability become very important on long touring days.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Impact Shorts
Q: Do I really need impact shorts for snowboarding?
A: Yes, especially if you are learning or riding aggressively. They protect your tailbone from painful and sometimes serious injury.
Q: How often should I wash my impact shorts?
A: You should wash the outer fabric after every few uses, or whenever they start to smell. Always remove the pads before washing the liner.
Q: Can I wear impact shorts under tight snow pants?
A: Most modern impact shorts use slim designs meant to fit under standard snow pants. If yours are very bulky, you might need looser outer pants.
Q: How tight should impact shorts fit?
A: They should fit snugly, like compression gear. If they are too loose, the padding shifts when you fall, reducing protection.
Q: What is the difference between foam and D3O padding?
A: Standard foam absorbs impact consistently. D3O is softer and more flexible during movement but locks up instantly to absorb high energy impacts better.
Q: Should I buy shorts or simply a padded girdle?
A: Shorts generally offer better overall hip and tailbone coverage than simple padded underwear, offering more comprehensive protection.
Q: How long do impact shorts usually last?
A: With proper care (removing pads for washing), they often last 3 to 5 seasons. The foam degrades slowly over time, especially after many hard falls.
Q: Do impact shorts help with cold weather?
A: They offer a small extra layer of insulation, but their main job is protection, not warmth. They are not a replacement for thermal base layers.
Q: What size should I choose if I am between sizes?
A: Always size down if you are between sizes, as you want a snug fit for the padding to stay in place. Check the manufacturer’s specific sizing chart.
Q: Are impact shorts required for resort riding?
A: No resort requires them, but many experienced riders wear them every day because falls are inevitable, even for experts.