Skateboarding is a sport that can be dangerous, especially for beginners and amateurs. Safety should be the biggest priority of a skater. Wearing a helmet when skateboarding is the main thing a skateboarder needs to do to protect him/herself from a head injury. However, not all skateboarders wear helmets, and here is the reason why!
Why don’t skateboarders wear helmets? Some skaters do not wear a helmet for reasons like: “I do not look cool wearing this” or they are not comfortable wearing a helmet. There are beginners in skateboarding that ended up in the ER because of not wearing a helmet, and they have the same reasons for not wearing one.
There are many things you can learn from this topic. If you are a skateboarder that does not want to wear a helmet, keep reading because I will tell you why it is essential. Also, I will tell you the best helmets you should buy from the market! If you are ready, let us go!
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Do Skaters Need To Wear A Helmet?
Skaters never wear a helmet because they think that it is not cool to wear a helmet. Some say that they are not comfortable wearing one. However, do skaters really need to wear a helmet when skateboarding?
Do skaters need to wear a helmet? Yes! If you care about your safety, you should be wearing a helmet whenever you are skateboarding. The sole purpose of wearing a helmet is to protect your head from various injuries you can get when you fall. Lots of head injuries might happen to you, especially if you are a beginner.
Here, in my country, lots of skateboarders do not wear a helmet. I think that fashion and love for validation is the main reason why skateboarders do not wear helmets. It is not mainly because it is not comfortable. Yes, not being comfortable may be a reason for some, but only a few of them.
There are things you can do to become comfortable wearing a helmet, such as choosing the right helmet and adjusting the helmet. That is why not being comfortable cannot be the main reason for skateboarders to avoid wearing one.
Pros And Cons Of Wearing A Helmet
Using a helmet has been an issue in the skating community around the world, but less nowadays because there are laws regarding this, and each skateboard group requires their members to wear one.
Some skateboarders say that they do not need to wear a helmet because they know how to fall properly. The skating community diverges about wearing a helmet. Each skater has their own opinion.
To help the skating community advocating for wearing a helmet, I have made a list of the pros and cons of wearing a helmet. Let us check them out!
Pros Of Wearing A Helmet
The pros of wearing a helmet are:
- The drivers can see you on the road if you use a colorful helmet.
- Your chances of getting a fatal head injury are less.
- Prevent you from entering the ER.
- Reduce recovery time if you fall.
Now that you know the pros of wearing a helmet, let us check the cons!
Cons Of Wearing A Helmet
There are only two cons of wearing a helmet. First is you will not look cool in front of others. The second is it may be uncomfortable. I do not understand why people risk their bodies to look cool in front of others. How pathetic!
The first cons can be resolved by changing the mindsets of skateboarders. The second cons can be resolved by educating our young skaters on how to choose the proper helmet, which we will talk about later on.
What Does The Law Say?
The law in the United States required all skateboarders to wear a helmet. All skateparks are told to demand their visitors to wear helmets to enter the skating rink. In California, there is a law that requires skateboarders below 18 years old to wear a helmet on the street or any public place.
In other countries, there are also some rules regarding this. But not the government itself requires it. The skateparks are the ones who are making the rules. Why is this? Because, in some countries, skateboarding is not that popular. That is why government officials don’t care.
In my country, skateparks are very limited. However, these skateparks require all their skateboarders to wear proper safety gear and helmets.
What Injuries Can You Get From Not Wearing A Helmet?
The various injuries you can get from not wearing a helmet while skateboarding are:
- Brain Trauma
- Skull Fracture
- Concussion
- Hemorrhage
- Edema
- Hematoma
These brain injuries are all horrible! I am sincerely telling you to please wear your helmet while skateboarding to prevent these scary injuries that may happen to you. If it is not cool for you, please wear a helmet!
How To Choose The Right Helmet
There are many helmets in the market, and it can cause you confusion if you do not know how and what to pick. Whether you buy a helmet from your local skate shop or online, you need to consider these five things:
- Your size
- The type of helmet
- How safe the helmet is
- The ventilation of the helmet
- The straps
Fit
The first reason why skateboarders do not feel comfortable wearing a helmet is that they chose the wrong size for them.
When buying a helmet, you need to make sure that the helmet fits you well. To determine what size is the best for you, measure your head. One simple method to measure your head is by getting a tape measure, position it one inch above your eyebrows, and measure the circumference of your head.
After measuring it, memorize your size or type it on your cell phone so that you will never forget it. Go to the store and ask the authority there if they have a helmet with a size of what you have measured. Or if you are going to buy online, check if there are available sizes for you before checking out.
Wearing a helmet that is too big or small for you is uncomfortable. Aside from that, you also do not get the protection you needed. That is why you need to make sure that the helmet fits you well!
Type
There are many types of helmets that you can choose from, but I suggest you choose the standard skateboard helmet type for skateboarders. The helmets for skateboarding were made to become more impact-resistant compared to other types of helmets in the market. Open face helmets are the popular type of helmet, while full-face helmets are used by longboard riders.
Safety
The main reason why you are buying a helmet is for your safety. You need to look at the certification of a helmet. If the manufacturer of the helmet meets the standards of the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the American Society for Testing and Materials, it is sure that the helmet is safe.
Ventilation
Ventilation is essential if you want to make your head cool. It also helps you avoid the uncomfortable feeling, like sweat getting into your eyes while you are riding the skateboard or doing a trick. Ventilation is essential if you want a comfortable feeling while skateboarding, but it also depends on the weather. If it’s summer, it’s much more comfortable than wearing it in winter.
Straps And Retention System
The last thing you should look for when buying a helmet is the straps and retention system. Straps are essential because it is what keeps your helmet in place. It helps you to keep the helmet tight while allowing you to eat or open your mouth to talk.
The retention system should be able to easily adjust to the fit where you are comfortable. You can choose a quick release buckle or an ordinary one. Either of the two is the best as long as your helmet is tightly attached to your head.
Are Bike Helmets Good For Skateboarding?
Bike and skateboard helmets are different from each other. Never use bike helmets for skateboarding because skateboarding helmets are made robust to protect your head. If you are going to use a bike helmet, make sure to use MTB or BMX helmets. However, we still do not recommend it.
Safety should be your sole concern when buying a helmet, not the fashion. The bike helmet looks cool, but it has poor head protection compared to skateboard helmets. A bike helmet will never protect you if you fall from jumping on tall things.
The Three Best Helmets In The Market
When buying a helmet for skateboarding, always choose quality over price. Never go to cheap ones because this might not protect your head. A helmet can save your life. That is why you need to invest in it.
Below are the three best helmets that will protect your heads. If the reason why you don’t wear a helmet is that it will make you look dumb, do not worry! These helmets are stylish too! Let us check them out!
Triple Eight with Sweatsaver Liner
This helmet is well-known for its high-impact-absorbing EPS foam, thick dual-density soft foam, and plush moisture-wicking Sweatsaver fabric. This helmet is best for your buck because it is affordable and guaranteed to protect your head. Here’s a link to Amazon if you want a top-notch helmet like this!
Pro-Tec Classic
Pro-tec offers a high-impact absorption. It has 11 vents that will make you cool while skateboarding. It has adjustable straps with secure locking buckles. Pro-tec is certified by ASTM, which means it is guaranteed safe. Check the reviews about Pro-tec here on Amazon!
TSG Evolution
This helmet has maximum protection! The outer shell of this helmet is made of ABS. This helmet is very robust and has high-impact resistance! The evolution helmet is comfortable and is a light-weight helmet. Check the other features of this helmet here on Amazon. We cannot list it all because it has many positive features!
Final Verdict
No matter how good a skateboarder you are, you still need to wear a helmet. Skateboarding can be dangerous, especially for beginners. Once you step on that board, the control is not on your feet anymore but on the board. Even though you know how to fall, you will never be sure how hard the fall may be the next time. So wear a helmet to protect your life!
Related Article: Are Skateboards Allowed In Malls?
