Hip, tailbone and thigh pads, and whether they stay in place

Impact shorts for snowboarding, compared

Learning to snowboard means sitting down hard, repeatedly, on the two places that hurt most: the hip and the tailbone. Impact shorts are a padded layer worn under the trousers for exactly that, and the shelf divides on how many pads there are and where. The shelf shows the common pattern — 3D hip pads plus a tailbone pad from 22.99 € to 42.89 € — a model that adds the thighs at 32.99 €, and at the top a 55.49 € pair. The foam is the specification behind the count: EVA is firm and spreads a blow, a viscoelastic pad stiffens on impact and is softer to sit in, and a thin compression short with token padding is a garment rather than a protector. Whether the pads are removable decides whether the short can be washed properly and whether it can be worn as ordinary base layer in spring. The fit is the part that determines whether any of it works: a pad that has slid round the leg is a pad over nothing, so a compressive cut and a waistband that holds matter as much as the foam, and the size on this shelf is the garment size rather than a bracket. Read also what a product is for — the same search brings up back protectors and armoured vests at 99 € to 115 €, which are a different piece of equipment for a different force and belong to a different shelf entirely. Nothing here is described as preventing an injury: this page reports the pad layout, the foam each maker names and the area they state it covers. We compare pad layout, foam, removable pads, fit, sizes and stated coverage.

Every accessory here, figure by figure

1. 

   TOMSHOO Protektorhose

   The cheapest shorts here, padding four areas rather than three, in a fabric the listing names.

   Pad layout

   Hip, seat, tailbone and thigh

   Foam

   Multi-layer high-density EVA

   Removable pads

   Not published

   Fit

   Stretch milk-silk fabric with elastic fibres and mesh ventilation panels

   Sizes

   XL as read; no size table published

   Stated coverage

   Skiing, snowboarding, skateboarding, ice skating, roller skating, inline skating and hockey

   Amazon reference

   B07WSMNVTH (one reference across 6 Amazon marketplaces)

   EAN

   0791329366501

   • Pads four areas including the thighs, where three shorts here cover three
   • Names the fabric — milk silk with elastic fibres — rather than "breathable material"
   • No word on whether the pads come out for washing

   Best for: A first pair, for a beginner learning to fall on a snowboard

   ≈ $27 / £27 / €23

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2. 

   WEITING KJ59JF5NH49TV10E

   The only shorts here with a percentage attached to their protection — and no test, method or reference behind it.

   Pad layout

   Hip and tailbone; the seat is named as the protected area

   Foam

   Not published; a 3D protective hip construction is stated

   Removable pads

   Not published

   Fit

   Polyester and elastane with an elastic belt

   Sizes

   Not published

   Stated coverage

   Skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, figure skating, roller skating, skateboarding, scootering and cycling

   Amazon reference

   B0CTQ679KL (one reference across 6 Amazon marketplaces)

   EAN

   0613205644124

   • Names the fabric blend: polyester and elastane
   • An elastic belt, stated to keep the shorts in place during hard movement
   • The 70 % shock absorption figure has no test, no method and no reference

   Best for: A buyer comparing on price who will discount the percentage

   ≈ €26

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3. 

   Cienfy Cienfy-01

   The only pair here the maker says can be worn over the trousers as well as under them.

   Pad layout

   Seat, thighs, tailbone and sit bone

   Foam

   EVA, stated highly abrasion-resistant and reusable without fraying

   Removable pads

   Not published

   Fit

   Soft breathable polyester with an extra mesh panel; elastic waistband with hook-and-loop

   Sizes

   Not published

   Stated coverage

   Skiing, skating, skateboarding, snowboarding and roller skating

   Amazon reference

   B0BBLNR963 (one reference across 6 Amazon marketplaces)

   EAN

   0757611639777

   • States that the shorts can be worn inside or outside the trousers, which no other listing here does
   • Names four protected areas including the sit bone, which three shorts here do not mention
   • No foam thickness, no size table and nothing about removable pads

   Best for: A skater who wants to put the protection on last, over everything else

   ≈ $30 / £33 / €32

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4. 

   80Six Crash Pad

   The only pair here that names three materials and says what each one does — and the only one that cites a standard.

   Pad layout

   Hip, seat, tailbone and thigh

   Foam

   Polyurethane for the impact areas, EVA foam to spread the force, elastic polyester for the fit

   Removable pads

   Not published

   Fit

   Close-fitting and unobtrusive under clothing; a wide elastic waistband and silicone grip strips

   Sizes

   Five: XS to XL

   Stated coverage

   Snowboarding, skiing, skating, cycling and outdoor sport

   Amazon reference

   B0FMQ61L7W (one reference across 6 Amazon marketplaces)

   EAN

   0604352087810

   • Names three materials and what each does — the only listing on this shelf that separates them
   • Five sizes published, XS to XL, where five pairs here publish none
   • The standard it cites, EN ISO 13688:2013, is a general requirements standard and not an impact one

   Best for: A rider who wants to know what the padding is made of and which size to order

   ≈ £33 / €33

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5. 

   Jiakalamo 16297880186506

   The only pair made for children, and the only one that says plainly it is meant to be worn as underwear.

   Pad layout

   Back, thighs and tailbone; the lumbar spine, seat and thighs are named as the areas covered

   Foam

   Highly absorbent EVA foam cushions, strategically placed

   Removable pads

   Not published

   Fit

   Compression, in nylon, elastane and ventilation fabric; described as a relaxed fit

   Sizes

   Not published; children’s

   Stated coverage

   Roller skating, snowboarding, skating and intensive indoor and outdoor activity

   Amazon reference

   B09DG1BWVR (one reference across 5 Amazon marketplaces)

   EAN

   0627666522341

   • The only pair on this shelf made for children
   • Names the fabric blend — nylon, elastane and a ventilation fabric — and states it is meant to be worn as underwear
   • No size range published, on a children’s garment where sizes change every year

   Best for: A child learning to snowboard, who will fall backwards all day

   ≈ £20 / €32

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6. 

   Relaxyee Y11893-CA

   A revised pair with more seat coverage and thicker pads, in Lycra, with a waist you tie rather than stick.

   Pad layout

   Hip, thighs, sit bone, tailbone and seat

   Foam

   EVA, stated thickened over the previous version, with an enlarged seat area

   Removable pads

   Not published

   Fit

   Lycra, stated resistant to pulling and friction; two breathable mesh strips that do not touch the skin

   Sizes

   L as read; no size table published

   Stated coverage

   Skateboarding, snowboarding, skiing, roller sports, skating and cycling

   Amazon reference

   B09DSK76PL (one reference across 6 Amazon marketplaces)

   EAN

   0746667595601

   • Names Lycra specifically, and states it resists pulling and friction
   • Mesh ventilation strips designed not to touch the skin, so they cannot itch or pinch
   • The Italian price, 69.99 €, is twice the Spanish one

   Best for: Somebody who has worn padded shorts before and found the mesh itched

   ≈ $36 / £45 / €35

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7. 

   McDavid Thudd, L

   The dearest pair here, from the best-known name on the shelf, described in four adjectives.

   Pad layout

   Not published

   Foam

   Not published

   Removable pads

   Not published

   Fit

   Not published; stated to keep the wearer cool and comfortable

   Sizes

   L as read; no size table published

   Stated coverage

   Not published

   Amazon reference

   B00BN2ID62 (one reference across 6 Amazon marketplaces)

   EAN

   0029369109872

   • A published reference and EAN, which identify the exact garment
   • From a maker whose protective range is documented in detail elsewhere
   • Four bullet points: keeps you cool and comfortable, gives extra comfort, high-quality material, durable

   Best for: A buyer replacing a Thudd they already own

   ≈ $73 / £49 / €55

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