Snowboarding Wrist Protector Standard

Snowboarding Wrist Injuries

As snowboarding became more popular, the incident rate of wrist injuries on the mountain increased. While wrist protectors were available, most snowboarders did not wear them and it was unclear how effective they would be in the snow sports environment.

ISSS Working Group on Wrist Injuries

ISSS members identified the increase in wrist injury rates in snowboarders and the mechanisms of how they occur. In 2013, the ISSS working group on wrist injuries published a white paper calling for a standard for wrist protectors. Research was performed to determine what factors influence the effectiveness of wrist protectors to prevent snowboarding wrist injuries. In 2020, an ISO standard for snowboarding wrist protectors was published as ISO 20320:2020: Protective clothing for use in snowboarding — Wrist protectors — Requirements and test methods. The ISSS working group continues to take a multifaceted approach to reducing the risk of snowboarding wrist injuries.

ISO Standard for Snowboarding Wrist Protectors

ISSS recommends the use of wrist protectors that adhere to ISO 20320:2020 and snowboarders are advised to check wrist protector product labels and markings to ensure compliance with ISO 20320:2020. The following brands are known to market wrist protectors that comply with ISO 20320:2020:

  • Burton

  • Ziener

This list will be updated as the number of brands marketing products complying with ISO 203020:2020 expands.

Chair of ISSS Working Group on Snowboarding Wrist Protectors

Thomas Allen, Ph.D.
Manchester Metropolitan University

Associated Publications

Adams, C. et al. (2021) ‘Impact testing of snowboarding wrist protectors’, Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part P: Journal of Sports Engineering and Technology [Preprint]. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/17543371211054752.

Adams, C. et al. (2022) ‘Implementing an ISO standard for snowboarding wrist protectors’, in Tom Allen, H. Espinosa, and S. Shade (eds) The Engineering of Sport 14. Available at: https://doi.org/10.5703/1288284317513.

Allen, T. et al. (2019) ‘Progress and challenges in developing a standard for snowboard wrist protectors’, abstract in 23rd International Congress on Snow Sport Trauma and Safety. ISSS.

Greenwald, R.M. et al. (1998) ‘Dynamic Impact Response of Human Cadaveric Forearms Using a Wrist Brace’, The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 26(6), pp. 825–830. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/03635465980260061501.

Greenwald, R.M., Simpson, F.H. and Michel, F.I. (2013) ‘Wrist biomechanics during snowboard falls’, Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part P: Journal of Sports Engineering and Technology, 227(4), pp. 244–254. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/1754337113482706.

ISO (2020) ISO 20320:2020: Protective clothing for use in snowboarding — Wrist protectors — Requirements and test methods.

Leslie, G. et al. (2020) ‘Effect of Surrogate Surface Compliance on the Measured Stiffness of Snowboarding Wrist Protectors’, in. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2020049084.

Leslie, G. et al. (2023) ‘Feasibility of additively manufacturing synthetic bone for sports personal protective equipment applications’, Annals of 3D Printed Medicine, 12, p. 100121. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stlm.2023.100121.

Leslie, G. et al. (2023) ‘Repeatability of a bending stiffness test for snowboarding wrist protectors’, Sports Engineering, 26(1). Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12283-022-00397-y.

Leslie, G. et al. (2023) ‘Effect of limb surrogate surface compliance on the impact response of wrist protectors’, JSAMS Plus, 2. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsampl.2023.100023.

Michel, F.I. et al. (2013) ‘White Paper: Functionality and efficacy of wrist protectors in snowboarding-towards a harmonized international standard’, Sports Engineering, 16(4). Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12283-013-0113-3.

Senner, V. (2018) ‘Modelling and simulation to prevent overloads in snowboarding’, in Modelling and Simulation in Sport and Exercise. Available at: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315163291-11.