Slalom racers who clear gates with their arms will want the Leki Forearm Guard between them and the next panel. This race-specific arm guard uses a contoured, high-impact plastic shell over a padded interior, with straps that hold it firmly in place. That lets you focus on taking a tight line in training instead of flinching at every gate.

Why we like it:

The shell can be trimmed to length, so racers can match the guard to their own forearm instead of living with one that runs long at the wrist or elbow.

Features and Functions:

Leki sells the Forearm Guard as a pair in one size, with individual adjustment across small, medium, and large, and the shell can be cut down to fit forearms from roughly 24 to 29 centimeters. The high-impact plastic shell is contoured around the forearm and backed by internal padding, and adjustable hook-and-loop straps keep it locked to the arm through aggressive cross-blocking. Leki designs it to protect against low-force contact from FIS-approved race gates and slalom poles, the kind of repeated knock that adds up over a training block. Leki recommends replacing the guards within three years, since the materials degrade over time, and cleaning them only with water and mild soap.

Bottom Line:

This is a training and race essential for any slalom skier who is cross-blocking gates. It's a simple, durable piece that belongs in the race bag next to the shin guards.