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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 3D padded impact shorts in black

    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
    Check price on Amazon
  2. WEITING padded hip protection shorts in black

    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
    Check price on Amazon
  3. Cienfy 3D EVA padded protective shorts

    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
    Check price on Amazon
  4. 80SIX padded crash shorts for snowboarding

    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
    Check price on Amazon
  5. Jiakalamo children’s padded protection shorts

    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
    Check price on Amazon
  6. Relaxyee 3D padded protective shorts in black

    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
    Check price on Amazon
  7. McDavid Thudd protective shorts in black

    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
    Check price on Amazon

This category at a glance

  • Most affordable here: Jiakalamo 16297880186506, at 20 £.
  • Highest Amazon reference in this category: Relaxyee Y11893-CA (B09DSK76PL (one reference across 6 Amazon marketplaces)).

Every model compared

Only the specifications at least four models out of five state. A column that is more empty than full compares nothing.

ModelPriceAmazon referenceFitFoamPad layout
Jiakalamo 1629788018650620 £B09DG1BWVR (one reference across 5 Amazon marketplaces)Compression, in nylon, elastane and ventilation fabric; described as a relaxed fitHighly absorbent EVA foam cushions, strategically placedBack, thighs and tailbone; the lumbar spine, seat and thighs are named as the areas covered
WEITING KJ59JF5NH49TV10E26 £B0CTQ679KL (one reference across 6 Amazon marketplaces)Polyester and elastane with an elastic beltNot published; a 3D protective hip construction is statedHip and tailbone; the seat is named as the protected area
TOMSHOO Protektorhose27 £B07WSMNVTH (one reference across 6 Amazon marketplaces)Stretch milk-silk fabric with elastic fibres and mesh ventilation panelsMulti-layer high-density EVAHip, seat, tailbone and thigh
Cienfy-0130 £B0BBLNR963 (one reference across 6 Amazon marketplaces)Soft breathable polyester with an extra mesh panel; elastic waistband with hook-and-loopEVA, stated highly abrasion-resistant and reusable without frayingSeat, thighs, tailbone and sit bone
80Six Crash Pad33 £B0FMQ61L7W (one reference across 6 Amazon marketplaces)Close-fitting and unobtrusive under clothing; a wide elastic waistband and silicone grip stripsPolyurethane for the impact areas, EVA foam to spread the force, elastic polyester for the fitHip, seat, tailbone and thigh
Relaxyee Y11893-CA36 £B09DSK76PL (one reference across 6 Amazon marketplaces)Lycra, stated resistant to pulling and friction; two breathable mesh strips that do not touch the skinEVA, stated thickened over the previous version, with an enlarged seat areaHip, thighs, sit bone, tailbone and seat
McDavid 737R-BK-L73 £B00BN2ID62 (one reference across 6 Amazon marketplaces)Not published; stated to keep the wearer cool and comfortableNot publishedNot published

What each budget buys here

Lower range

20 – 26 £

2 models

WEITING KJ59JF5NH49TV10E

Mid range

27 – 30 £

2 models

Cienfy-01

Upper range

33 – 73 £

3 models

Relaxyee Y11893-CA

Sources and method

Specifications: manufacturer sheets and Amazon product pages. Prices and availability: Keepa. No product on this site has been physically tested.

Most recent revision in this category: September 28, 2026.

How we assess products

The live figure beside a product went and asked the shop for it the moment this page opened; any amount written into the text has not moved since the sentence was drafted, and it is the first of the two that counts.