Impact shorts for snowboarding: do beginners need them?
Last updated: October 2026 · By Slope Goons
Impact shorts are highly recommended for beginner snowboarders. The tailbone and hips take the hardest hits when learning — falls happen on nearly every run in the first few days, and padded shorts absorb the impact and allow you to keep practising longer. Slope Goons considers them as important as a helmet for anyone's first 3–5 days of snowboarding.
Why the tailbone takes so much punishment when learning to snowboard
Skiing falls tend to happen sideways or forward. Snowboarding falls happen backwards — especially heel-edge falls when you're learning to control your speed. Your natural reaction is to sit down suddenly, and the tailbone hits hardest. Unlike a bruised hand or scraped knee, tailbone pain makes it genuinely hard to stand up, and repeated impacts over a day's lesson can leave you too sore to continue. Padded shorts change this completely.
Impact shorts vs no protection: what the difference feels like
| Fall type | Without padding | With impact shorts |
|---|---|---|
| Hard backwards fall on tailbone | Sharp pain, possible bruising, sit-down recovery | Dull thud, absorbed by foam; stand up immediately |
| Hip slam on icy slope | Heavy bruising, restricted movement | Minor soreness, full range of motion maintained |
| Repeated beginner falls in one day | Cumulative soreness stops lesson early | Comfortable to continue all day |
| Trick landing in park (experienced) | Risk of injury on missed landing | Significantly reduced impact on misses |
What impact shorts don't protect: the face
Padded shorts handle everything from the waist down. But beginner snowboarders also fall forward — especially when catching a toe edge — and that sends your face towards the snow fast. Wrist guards help with the instinctive hand-out reflex. A balaclava or ski mask protects your face from snow contact and the cold wind on every run. Together with impact shorts, these three items make your first snowboard days significantly more comfortable and lower-risk.
Which Slope Goons product is right for you?
- LegoFace Ski Mask — hard protective shell for the face; pairs naturally with impact shorts for full-body fall protection
- Frosty Face Ski Mask — soft fleece face coverage; comfortable for long beginner lessons and forgiving on those forward face-plants
- The Slope Stitches Balaclava — lightweight full-face option that fits under any helmet; no fuss, no moving parts
Frequently asked questions
What do impact shorts protect against in snowboarding?
Impact shorts protect the tailbone (coccyx), hips and lower back from the hard landings that happen when falling backwards on a snowboard. The padding absorbs impact energy and significantly reduces bruising and pain from repeated falls.
Are impact shorts comfortable to wear under ski pants?
Most impact shorts are designed to fit under ski or snowboard pants and add minimal bulk. They should fit snugly without restricting movement. Sizes run close to regular underwear or shorts sizing — don't size up, as loose padding shifts around.
Can you rent impact shorts at a ski resort?
Some rental shops and ski schools offer impact shorts, knee pads and wrist guards for hire. It's worth asking at the rental desk — especially if you're only going once and don't want to invest in your own pair.
Do experienced snowboarders wear impact shorts?
Many do, especially when practising tricks in the park where falls are expected. Park riders and freestyle snowboarders commonly wear padded shorts, padded jackets, and knee pads as standard kit. It's not just for beginners.