Roller Derby Gear: Skates, Pads, Helmets and Mouthguards

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The night before your first scrimmage, everything is spread across the living room floor: skates, a helmet, knee pads with the Velcro still stiff, wrist guards, elbow pads and a mouthguard you boiled and bit into that afternoon. Derby gear is a kit you’ll trust with every fall and every hit, so it’s worth getting right. This guide covers the roller derby gear you need: quad skates, the five pieces of protection the rules require, wheels and toe stops, and a few things for recovery, with real specs and prices.

Prices change often. The prices below are what we saw on Amazon in October 2026; check the current price before you buy.

What the rules require

Under the WFTDA’s Rules of Flat Track Roller Derby, skaters must wear quad-style roller skates (inline skates aren’t allowed) and, during play, a helmet, mouthguard, wrist guards, elbow pads and knee pads. Gear can’t come off during play; the mouthguard may only come out while a skater is seated in the penalty box. The evidence backs it: the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says wrist guards can reduce skating injuries by almost 90%, elbow pads by 80% and knee pads by 30%, and in a large US study, in-line skaters without wrist guards had about 10 times the odds of a wrist injury. In derby surveys, ankles, knees and heads are the most commonly injured areas. For the full rules, see our roller derby rules page.

Our top picks

Roller derby gear compared

Product	Type	Key spec	About
Riedell R3 Indoor	Quad skate	Nylon plate, 62 mm 95A wheels	$199
Impala Quad Skate	Quad skate	Aluminum plate, 58 mm 82A wheels	$97
Pro-Tec Classic Certified	Helmet	CPSC bike, ASTM F1447 and F1492	$63
Triple Eight Dual Certified	Helmet	CPSC bike and ASTM F1492	$46
187 Pro Derby knee	Knee pads	Derby-specific, washable foam	$115
187 Derby wrist guards	Wrist guards	Slide-on, cupped palm plate	$36
Triple Eight RD Wristsaver	Wrist guards	Extra-wide palm splint	$45
Triple Eight Saver 3-Pack	Knee, elbow, wrist set	Polycarbonate caps, ABS splints	$50
Shock Doctor Gel Max	Mouthguard	Boil-and-bite, Gel-Fit liner	$12
Riedell Radar Halo	Indoor wheels (4)	Neothane, H-shaped hub	$69
Antik Gumball	Toe stops	Rubber, long or short stem	$35

Quad skates for roller derby

A derby skate needs a boot that holds your heel without lifting, a plate and trucks that respond to quick lateral pushes, wheels with grip on a sport-court or wood floor, and a solid toe stop. Many leagues lend skates for the first weeks, so try a few before you buy.

1. Riedell R3 Indoor: best starter derby skate

The R3 is Riedell’s entry-level quad (Riedell also makes a derby-specific R3 Derby): a vinyl boot with a “low, yet precision fit,” a PowerDyne Thrust nylon plate with metal trucks, ABEC-5 bearings, an adjustable toe stop, a Velcro cinch strap, and Sonar Cayman indoor wheels (62 mm x 43 mm, 95A). About $199. The maker says it isn’t designed for children 12 and under. The R3 Derby version was unavailable on Amazon when we checked.

• Good: proven entry-level derby setup; indoor wheels with grip; adjustable toe stop.
• Watch out: nylon plate; serious skaters often upgrade plate and boot later.
• Best for: adult beginners committing to a league.

Check the Riedell R3 price on Amazon

2. Impala Quad Skate: budget first skate

A high-top quad with aluminum alloy trucks and baseplate, 58 mm 82A nylon-core urethane wheels and ABEC 7 bearings, about $97. Softer 82A wheels suit outdoor practice; for an indoor track, many skaters swap in harder derby wheels.

• Good: low price; aluminum plate; works indoors and out.
• Watch out: a recreational skate, not built for derby; low stock when we checked.
• Best for: trying derby before spending more.

Check the Impala Quad Skate price on Amazon

Helmets

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) points skaters who do aggressive or trick skating to a helmet certified to ASTM F1492. A dual- or triple-certified helmet, adding the CPSC bike standard, covers derby and the ride to practice. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) says a helmet should sit flat, with the bottom edge parallel to the ground, and not move when your head moves; replace it if it’s damaged and at least every 5 years.

3. Pro-Tec Classic Certified: best certified helmet

ABS shell, EPS foam liner and 11 vents, triple-certified to the CPSC bike standard (ages 5 and up), ASTM F1447 (recreational bicycling or roller skating) and ASTM F1492 (skateboarding and trick roller skating). Sizes run from XS (52–54 cm) to XL (60–62 cm). About $63. The Triple Eight Dual Certified (CPSC bike and ASTM F1492, two sets of fit pads, about $46) is a lower-priced option the maker lists for roller derby.

• Good: three certifications; classic skate shape; five sizes.
• Watch out: limited stock when we checked; measure your head before ordering.
• Best for: skaters who want one helmet for derby, park and bike.

Check the Pro-Tec Classic Certified price on Amazon

Knee pads, elbow pads and wrist guards

4. 187 Killer Pads Pro Derby knee pad: best derby knee pads

Derby skaters fall onto their knees on purpose, over and over, so knee pads take the most abuse. The Pro Derby is designed specifically for roller derby: low profile, removable foam you can wash, a Lock-In Cap System that keeps the cap aligned, a Rapid Flex hinge for bending and straightening, and a Fusion Groove channel to stop slipping. About $115 (X-Small; other sizes vary).

• Good: built for derby falls; washable foam.
• Watch out: pricey; size by the maker’s chart.
• Best for: skaters starting contact.

Check the 187 Pro Derby knee pad price on Amazon

5. 187 Killer Pads Derby wrist guards: best slide-on wrist guards

A slide-on design with a cupped, contoured protective plate covering more of the palm and wrist, a padded, perforated interior and a sweatband. Sizes run from Small (7–8 in) to X-Large (10–11 in) by palm circumference. About $36. The Triple Eight RD Wristsaver is another derby design, with an extra-wide palm splint and replaceable front and back splints (about $45).

• Good: quick on and off; fingers free to grip.
• Watch out: measure your hand; too loose and they slide.
• Best for: every derby skater.

Check the 187 Derby wrist guard price on Amazon

6. Triple Eight Saver Series 3-Pack: best beginner set

Knee pads, elbow pads and wrist guards in one box, with EVA foam, polycarbonate caps and ABS splints, sized Junior to Large by knuckle measurement. About $50. A simple way to start; once contact begins, knee pads take the most punishment and are the first piece worth upgrading.

Check the Triple Eight Saver 3-Pack price on Amazon

Mouthguard

The rules casebook calls the mouthguard “required safety equipment for all Skaters.” The Shock Doctor Gel Max is a boil-and-bite guard with a Gel-Fit liner and breathing channels, in adult and youth sizes, about $12. Some skaters prefer a custom-fitted guard from their dentist; either way, it has to stay in during play.

Check the Shock Doctor Gel Max price on Amazon

Wheels and toe stops

Wheel hardness is rated on the A scale: higher numbers are harder and faster on smooth indoor floors; softer wheels grip better on slick floors and roll over rough outdoor surfaces. The Riedell Radar Halo is an indoor derby wheel in neothane with an H-shaped hub for stops and handling, sold in four-packs in ten colors and hardnesses (about $69). For outdoor practice, the Moxi Classic Outdoor wheels are 65 mm, 78A (about $45 for four). Toe stops wear fast in derby; the Antik Gumball is a rubber toe stop on an aluminum stem, in long (30 mm) or short (18 mm), that the maker says won’t mark floors (about $35).

Recovery gear

After a two-hour practice in a low stance, quads, glutes and hips feel it. Many skaters use a foam roller such as the TriggerPoint GRID 1.0 (about $40) or a small massage gun like the Hypervolt Go 3 (about $149), and slip into soft OOFOS OOahh slides (about $60) after hours in skates. They’re for comfort, not treatment. More on our roller derby recovery page, the massage gun guide and recovery shoes guide. Skaters coming back from a knee or ankle injury can look at knee sleeves and ankle braces for training off skates, after talking to a physical therapist; see our roller derby injuries page.

How to choose roller derby gear

• Protection before skates. If your league lends skates, spend first on knee pads, wrist guards and a certified helmet that fit you.
• Fit is everything. Measure feet, head and hands and follow each maker’s chart; pads that slide don’t protect.
• Check the certification. Look for ASTM F1492 on the helmet label.
• Match wheels to the floor. Ask your league what floor you practice on before buying wheels.
• Air it out. Wash removable foam and dry gear after every practice.

For bout day packing, see our bout day page; for kids’ sizes, our junior roller derby guide. Skating outdoors for fun? Our roller skating section covers rink and trail skates.

Roller derby gear questions

What gear do you need for roller derby?

Quad skates, a helmet, a mouthguard, wrist guards, elbow pads and knee pads. The WFTDA rules require all five pieces of protective gear during play.

How much does roller derby gear cost?

From the prices we saw in October 2026, a budget start (Impala skates, a Saver 3-pack, a Triple Eight helmet and a mouthguard) is about $205; a derby-focused setup with Riedell R3 skates, 187 derby knee pads and wrist guards, a Pro-Tec helmet and a mouthguard is about $425 before elbow pads.

Can I use a bike helmet for roller derby?

Choose a helmet certified to ASTM F1492, the standard the CPSC lists for aggressive and trick skating. Many helmets are certified to both F1492 and the CPSC bike standard.

Can I play derby in inline skates?

No. WFTDA rules require quad-style skates and don’t permit inline skates.

Which wheels are best for roller derby?

It depends on the floor: harder wheels for smooth, grippy floors, softer wheels for slick floors. Some skaters keep two sets; ask teammates what works on their practice floor.