Ever discovered your self gazing your bike helmet, questioning if it’s rated for skateboarding? 🤔 Don’t be determined by appears to be like; not all helmets are the identical, and it’s essential to know whether or not a motorcycle helmet can really shield you whilst you shred.
On this information, I’ll dive into the security requirements, safety ranges, and key variations between bike and skateboard helmets.
No matter what sort of helmet you put on, you could put on one, particularly in the event you’re going vert or bombing. Don’t imagine me? Verify this video out.
A video titled ‘I Love Helmets‘ from the wakoiii YouTube channel.
Key takeaways
- At all times select helmets which might be dual-certified for skateboarding and biking to make sure optimum security.
- Skateboard helmets supply superior back-of-head safety, particularly vital for vert skating.
- Bike helmets could look misplaced on the skate park—go for a low-profile, skater-friendly design as an alternative.
- Change helmets instantly after important impacts to make sure steady safety.
Helmet security requirements and certifications
When contemplating a motorcycle helmet for skateboarding, twin certification is non-negotiable. Your helmet should meet each CPSC 1203 and ASTM F1492 security requirements. These certifications make sure the helmet can deal with the multi-impact eventualities typical in skateboarding, not like customary bike helmets designed for single high-speed impacts.
Customary bike helmets fall quick in skateboarding as a result of they’re not constructed for the repeated impacts and different angles of falls. Twin-certified helmets bridge this hole, providing the robustness wanted for each biking and skateboarding.
Professional tip: Verify for certification lables
At all times verify the within of your helmet for certification labels to make sure it meets each CPSC and ASTM requirements.
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Key variations between skateboard and bike helmets
Design and development: what’s the distinction?
Understanding the design distinctions between skateboard and bike helmets is essential for choosing the precise safety.
Skateboard Helmets:
- Multi-Influence Safety: Constructed to face up to a number of hits, which is essential while you’re repeatedly bailing out of tips.
- Excessive-Influence Resistance: Designed to soak up and disperse power successfully from numerous angles, retaining your head protected against the varieties of impacts frequent in skating.
- Enhanced Protection: Gives higher back-of-head protection, which is very vital for skaters. The probability of falling backward is fairly excessive, notably while you’re hitting vert or trying new tips. Belief me, this back-of-the-head safety is a lifesaver.
- Small Vent Holes: Skateboard helmets have smaller vent holes in comparison with street bike helmets. This reduces the danger of objects penetrating the helmet whereas nonetheless offering sufficient air flow.
Bike Helmets:
- Single Excessive-Pace Influence Safety: Optimized for one-time, high-velocity crashes, which makes them nice for biking however not splendid for skateboarding, the place falls are sometimes decrease velocity however extra frequent.
- Aerodynamics: Streamlined to scale back wind resistance—nice for street biking, however form of pointless while you’re in a bowl or on a mini-ramp.
- Huge Vents for Cooling: Bike helmets usually have bigger vents to boost airflow and hold riders cool throughout lengthy, steady rides. Whereas that’s helpful on a motorcycle, it doesn’t present the multi-impact security options you want for skateboarding.
Useful implications: how do these variations have an effect on you?
Occasion Suitability: Not like bike helmets with their large vents and streamlined look, BMX and skate helmets are meant for multi-impact safety and high-risk eventualities like skate parks and massive skate occasions. They aren’t simply designed for wanting cool; they supply sensible security options that account for the dangers skaters face.
Again-of-Head Protection: Skateboard and BMX helmets present considerably higher safety for the again of your head, which is tremendous vital for vert skating or while you’re studying new tips. Falling backward is an actual chance, and in the event you’ve ever tried dropping in on a vert ramp, you’ll know the again of your head can take a tough hit if issues go unsuitable.
Aesthetic Issues: Does a motorcycle helmet look misplaced on the skate park? Huge time! Bike helmets have a special aesthetic that doesn’t mix properly with the skateboarding scene. They give the impression of being goofy, particularly with their lengthy, aerodynamic form and massive vents. Skaters usually desire helmets that look low-profile and badass—one thing that matches the skateboarding vibe. You don’t need to be the man displaying up with a street bike helmet.
Let’s face it—skate boarders are sometimes proof against sporting helmets in any respect. I’ve been responsible of that myself. Again within the day, I used to journey helmet-free, particularly throughout avenue periods, till I began skating vert extra critically. The chance of falling grew to become very actual, and after turning into a dad, I spotted I had much more to lose. Sporting a helmet is not only about you—it’s additionally about defending your future and your loved ones.
Head and mind damage prevention
However how efficient are these helmets actually? They’re extremely efficient! Statistics present a major lower in damage dangers when correct helmets are worn. Sporting a helmet reduces the danger of head and mind accidents by a staggering 65-88%. That’s an enormous distinction while you’re performing tips or navigating difficult terrain.
Helmets additionally play an important function in defending your face. They lower the danger of higher and mid-face accidents by 65%, guaranteeing you keep secure from scrapes and extra critical accidents.
Within the unlucky occasion of a extreme fall, helmets scale back the danger of fatality by 37%. That’s almost a one-third probability of avoiding the worst end result.
Whether or not it’s a motorcar crash or a skateboarding mishap, helmets present equal safety, decreasing dangers by 69% and 68%, respectively.
Security suggestions for skaters
1. Use sport-specific helmets: your finest wager
Every time potential, go for helmets particularly designed for skateboarding or BMX. These helmets are tailor-made to deal with the distinctive calls for of skateboarding, providing superior safety and luxury.
So are BMX helmets simply nearly as good? Sure, they’re! BMX helmets are usually dual-certified, making them a flexible alternative for each biking and skateboarding.
2. Making certain correct match and fastening: get it proper
A helmet is barely efficient if it suits appropriately. Be sure your helmet sits snugly in your head, with straps securely mounted. It shouldn’t transfer round while you shake your head. A well-fitted helmet feels snug and stays in place throughout your tips.
3. Common inspection and upkeep: keep secure
At all times verify your helmet for any indicators of harm or put on. Search for cracks, dents, or any half that doesn’t appear proper. Should you discover any points, it’s time for a alternative.
4. Alternative after affect: don’t skimp
After any important affect, change your helmet instantly. Even when there’s no seen harm, the inner construction could have been compromised.
However Jedain, can’t I simply hold utilizing it if it appears to be like tremendous? Nope! It’s higher to be secure than sorry.
5. Twin certification is important: don’t compromise
Be certain that your bike helmet is dual-certified. This certification is your assure that the helmet meets the security requirements required for skateboarding.
6. Enough back-of-head protection: full safety
Your helmet ought to cowl the again of your head sufficiently. This space is commonly weak throughout falls, and sufficient protection can forestall critical accidents.
7. Instant alternative post-impact: act quick
After a significant affect, change your helmet immediately. Your security depends upon it.
Ceaselessly requested questions (FAQ)
Bike helmets are designed for single high-speed impacts, aerodynamics, and enhanced airflow. Skateboard helmets, then again, supply multi-impact safety, enhanced back-of-head protection, and are constructed for repeated, lower-speed impacts typical of skateboarding.
Sure, in the event you expertise a major fall that impacts your helmet, it is best to change it instantly. Even when there isn’t any seen harm, the integrity of the inner construction could also be compromised, decreasing its capacity to guard you in future incidents.
Many skate boarders desire to not put on helmets because of the notion that helmets have an effect on their type and freedom of motion. Nevertheless, as tips and challenges get extra intense, the dangers additionally enhance. Personally, I used to be responsible of skating helmet-free till I began vert skating and had a household to consider—now, security is my high precedence.
Conclusion
Selecting the best helmet is essential on your security in skateboarding. Whereas it’s potential to make use of a motorcycle helmet, guaranteeing it meets twin certification requirements is important. Skateboard-specific or BMX helmets supply the perfect safety with out sacrificing type or performance. Keep in mind, your security ought to at all times come first—so put money into the precise gear and luxuriate in your skate periods with peace of thoughts.
Able to improve your helmet? Try our top-rated dual-certified helmets and hold shredding safely! Have any experiences or questions about helmet selections? Drop them within the feedback beneath!