Whitewater Elbow Pads

[nproctor]

Looking to buy some elbow pads (online) or somewhere. Where's a good place to get some?


Thanks Nathan

[Cowper]

Are you just asking "where to buy", or are you also interested in suggestions on "which model?"

I don't really have any great tips on the "where" part, but I do have an opinion on the "which model" question.

I have been using the Fox elbow pads for several years. They take a minute to get on and off because they have both a thin sleeve and a strap, but I like them because they stay in place better than any others I have tried, and have a hard shell which slides on things, instead of "sticking" and tending to reposition the pad when you don't want it to. The exact model I have is no longer made but closely resembles the one they now call the Fox Launch Elbow guards. They cost a little more than some others at $50 per pair (unless you find a sale). The other thing is I have to buy two pairs, a S/M to wear for summer when I am bare-armed, and a L/XL that fits well over my drysuit for winter wear.

After reading many reviews on boatertalk, I recently bought a pair of 661 Comp elbow pads; they look good, feel protective, and are reasonably priced at $30, but I'm sending them back because I could tell the second I tried them on that they are going to slip down to my wrist much more easily than my Fox guards ever did. I'm going to bite the bullet and order some Fox guards today to replace my old ones. (They lasted years but the elastic is finally giving out and one of the plastic plates is coming loose.)

[nproctor]

Thanks man! you help me out

[paddledog]

Dang Coop,
Bustin' on my 661's I have used for years. But you may be right on the
fabric vs hard shell. My 661's are ready for the scrap heap (other wise known
as Loaner pile) So I looked up and found these,,,,,,

http://www.hucknroll.com/fox-launch-spo ... erralID=NA" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Cowper]

AWK! No Steve, I'm not busting on YOUR 661's, the ones you own are probably great! If they are the ones I remember seeing, I think there is no hard shell, but a very long sleeve that does a really good job of holding the pad in place.

But I think your post shows exactly what the problem is - the names and details of construction for the different models are confusing, overlapping, and change every few years, making it hard to find any boater reviews for current models. For example, I said I liked the Fox Launch elbow guards, which cost $50. You tried to help by posting a link to some Fox Launch elbow guards for only $21. But here’s the kicker – the model you found is the Launch Sport Elbow guards, a completely different model, that normally goes for about $25, and looks very similar to the current generation of 661 Comps that I sent back.

I’ll edit this post later to add photos or links so that we can all be sure exactly which model I’m talking about.

[Cowper]

The software only let's me add two files per post. The previous post showed the 661 Comps and Fox Launch Sport, which look very similar to me, but which I think would slip down to the elbows too easily for kayaking.

Here are the Fox Lauch elbow pads, which have worked very well for me for kayaking:

[bmartin]

Cycle gear on University and 10th should have several elbow guards you can touch and feel and they are pretty fair on price. They cary Fox, EVS, and maybe others. Not sure if they have the model Cowper has suggested.

[CAPTAIN ALEVE]

The set I bought at Cycle Gear on University in Little Rock work better than any I bought that were made specifically for boating. They have a hard shell, an inner sleeve, and elastic straps that connect at ergonomic angles - all for $19. They are Fox Titan Race, but the more important thing was actually trying them on. The pair I bought fit better than any of the half dozen other models/brands/sizes they had. If the range of armguards they have doesn't work out for you, try on the child's motocross knee/shin guards. I have used a pair of them until they wore out in the past.

Captain Aleve, alias Mike Coogan