When I first started playing derby in 2009, I did what most do—I went to a big box sports store and purchased a heat-moldable, gel-filled soccer mouthguard. During practice in 2010, I took a bad fall without my arms in front to brace me and I landed jaw-first on a wooden floor. I bit completely through my gel mouthguard, but aside from some bruising to my chin and ego, I was lucky to escape with only a minor crack in my tooth.

However, that ordeal made me realize that my gear was pretty important… certainly more important than just throwing a few dollars at equipment that was not really intended for roller derby. I started doing some research and found SISU Mouthguards (formerly ProtechDent). They completely understand sports like roller derby and their founders have more degrees than a thermometer. Put that knowledge to good use, and BAM—you get the SISU 1.6.

These mouthguards are a thin, flexible piece of perforated plastic. The SISU 1.6 ($25 at Bruised Boutique) is also incredibly light and easy to mold. (And re-mold, if need be—when I began Invisalign to reposition my teeth in 2012, it was extremely easy to fix my SISU before each practice.) It doesn’t necessarily look like much, but looks are deceiving. It snaps into place on my teeth so comfortably and securely that I sometimes forget about it completely. And the best part: I can talk to my teammates clearly on the track.

For people like me who have thousands in dentistry and orthodontia to protect, they’ve got a $30,000 max liability coverage for your pearly whites. That makes my mom happy. For people like me who also drink way too much coffee, they’ve also got a breath spray that will keep your mouthguard minty fresh for up to TWO WEEKS. Plain and simple, it’s a high-impact mouthguard that works beautifully for athletes like derby skaters. What’s not to love?

There are a few slight downsides. Unlike some custom mouthguards, you can’t do any fancy customizations like your name or number. And if you’re one of those skaters that is used to simply spitting out your mouthguard because it’s attached to your helmet with a strap, well… no more of that. I’m usually careful about transferring my mouthguard from mouth to case after practice, but have still managed to misplace it. But quibbles aside, I love my mouthguard, and wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Also, it has to be said that SISU means “bravery, tenacity, endurance, and perseverance” in Finnish.  I mean, doesn’t that just speak roller derby to your soul?

- Sticky #219

While I may not compose many lyrical sonnets while dodging blockers on the track, when the gear is off, I’m a writer by trade. My brain is my most important instrument, and I can’t risk hurting it when I play roller derby. That’s why I switched to an M11 hockey helmet last year—and boy, am I thankful I did.

When I moved to Boston, I switched from playing on somewhat bouncy sport court to stony, unforgiving concrete. Rationally, I knew that smashing my head against sport court would probably hurt as much as doing so on a stone floor, but it was that concrete—and seeing a few nasty concussions—that pushed me toward the hockey helmet realm.

In comparison to the typical skateboard helmet found in derby, hockey helmets are expensive. But when you look at the comparison in protection, there’s no question which one is better. Windy City did a great study a few years ago on the types of helmets found in regular derby play, and recommended unequivocally that skaters purchase hockey helmets going forward. Concussions and brain damage are no joke when you’re playing a full-contact sport.

After a bit of research, I purchased a Cascade M11 ($150; $106 on HockeyMonkey)—partially because it was the helmet of choice for several of my teammates, and I could try theirs on to get a better idea of sizing. (And partially, yes, because I am vain and liked that you could customize the color of the helmet at no extra cost.)

On your head, the M11 feels odd if you’re used to Triple 8s. I was sure that it sat much higher up on both my forehead and the nape of my neck; it didn’t, but if you’re not used to a hard foam interior (as I wasn’t), it sure seems that way. The fit customization is much better than your average Triple 8, though, as you can tighten the helmet’s fit around the back of your head and under your chin.

Playing, you won’t feel all that different (aside from being a little sweatier)—until you get knocked in the head. That’s when having the M11 makes all the difference. A week after getting myself my own M11, I was knocked down with such a force that my entire body was flung onto the ground—and then my head was accidentally slammed to the ground by an opposing player as she fell.

Now, smacking your head against concrete isn’t ever going to feel good, and I won’t lie by saying that it did. But I was able to get up off that floor without even feeling dizzy. And my brand-new helmet had nary a crack or a scuff. I don’t think I could have said that had I been wearing my old helmet.

The M11 isn’t perfect. I still have to take it off sometimes in-between drills and readjust the back—if you play in a hot environment, the hard foam can occasionally feel like it’s compressing against your skull. And obviously, no helmet can save you a hundred percent from a concussion.

But it’s the helmet for me, and I can’t recommend it enough.

— Artoo Detoonate, #B33P