SG vs BAS Elbow Guards

Two inexpensive elbow guards, two different styles.

A. SG Super Test Elbow Guard

Price

The SG elbow guard costs ₹ 229.00, a reasonably inexpensive price. The elbow guard is readily available in stores and in online shopping websites, hence the affordable price; the materials used aren’t that high a quality.

Material

The elbow guard itself is made from low density foam, making it soft to the touch and effective in absorbing impacts; it is moulded in a spandex casing, giving it a perfect fit around the elbow. A soft, absorbent towel is placed on the inside part of the elbow guard. This helps you concentrate on the game without having to worry about sweat going down to your hands and affecting your grip on the bat.

The elbow guard has two elastic straps that help prevent the elbow guard from moving; it attaches to a hook and loop on the side of the elbow guards.

Area Protected

The elbow guard not only protects the elbow but also part of the forearm. This is a big bonus to the protective gear as it gives you additional protection from direct contact with the ball. The part of the elbow guard with a groove extends past the elbow to deflect the ball. The elbow guard itself is curved enough to protect most of the forearm and elbow, which is more than ideal for an elbow guard.

Comfort

The elbow guard is very, very comfortable to wear. Because it uses a hook and loop system instead of the common velcro material, there is little to no chances of irritation when wearing the elbow pad.

B. BAS Vampire Player Elbow Guard

Price

The BAS Vampire Player Elbow Guard costs ₹ 670, which is relatively cheap given the materials used to make it.

Material

The inner mesh of the elbow guard is made from soft, super-absorbent cloth which helps eliminate the problem of sweat affecting your performance. The outer part of the elbow guard is made entirely of leather. The elbow-end of the guard is rounded, letting it blend with the natural shape of the wearer’s elbow. This also ensures that any and all contact with the elbow is not possible.

Both straps of the elbow guard are made from velcro, with one being elastic so that it wraps around the arm better. 

Area Protected

Part of the forearm is also protected from impacts as well as the elbow area. Part of the wrist is exposed which could be dangerous especially when facing fast-paced bowlers. 

Comfort

The elbow guard fits comfortably around the elbow and forearm. The cloth-like material on the inner side of the elbow guard makes it feel very comfortable even when strapped on tight. There is sometimes discomfort when the velcro makes contact with the skin, though this is a rare case. 

Most of the time, the discomfort comes from the lower strap; since it is not elastic, you may have problems when strapping it on.

C. Final Comparison

Both elbow guards have features that one does not: the SG uses a hook and loop system while the BAS uses the classic velcro; the SG is made from low density foam while the BAS is partly made from leather. In the end, the choice of which elbow guard to choose is entirely up to your preference. However, the BAS elbow guard has better characteristics that give it an edge over the SG elbow guard; characteristics such as that it blends in with the natural shape of the elbow which makes it more comfortable.