The Best Skateboard Helmets To Protect Your Head

Buyer’s Guide: Skateboard Helmet

New to skateboarding or a seasoned rider? Either way, don’t forget to put on your protective gear! Choosing the right helmet is essential for safe riding. However, making that choice can be a little overwhelming. Buying a helmet is an important decision and requires careful consideration. From colors and appearances to shock-absorbing certifications, you’ll need to know exactly what to look for to make your ideal choice. It might seem confusing at first, but don’t worry! As soon as you drop into our detailed buyer’s guide you’ll have all the information you need for choosing your next skateboard helmet.

What to Look for in a Skateboard Helmet?

Ventilation

If the idea of a helmet sounds off-putting because you feel it may be too hot to ride in, don’t let that scare you away. Worthy skateboard helmets have an accommodating aerodynamic design with multiple vents. These are strategically supported by the overall ergonomics so the wearer feels cool no matter how hot it is. Unfortunately, many helmets aren’t appropriately designed; they either don’t feature enough vents or the vents they include are too small. We recommend looking for a helmet with large vents for ample breathability. A great way to check for this is by trying a helmet on and walking around in it.

Impact-absorption liner

The main reason for wearing a helmet is to prevent head trauma. However, only a few people know that impact absorption is just as much about the lining as it is about the outer shell. Because your head rests against the inside of the helmet, the interior needs to be soft and foam-lined to provide a cushion in case of impact.

Keep in mind that sturdy, durable helmets use specialized materials made for shock absorption. A helmet’s quality determines how well it handles impact. We recommend looking for helmets that are safety certified or choosing brands you trust when trying to determine if a helmet has a highly impact-absorptive liner.

Safety standard compliance

If there’s one thing you shouldn’t compromise on it’s safety standard compliance. Look for a helmet with an ASTM F-1492 certification. If the brand is compliant, you can rest assured that the design prioritizes the wearer’s safety. Many of the most durable helmets on the market have a certification, however, this means that they are likely going to cost me.

Size

Buying the wrong size not only is uncomfortable but it also is unsafe. A too-small helmet will make you feel claustrophobic and a too-large helmet might slip off when you need it to work most, causing you physical harm. We recommend carefully sizing your head and choosing the right-sized helmet, which will give you peace of mind and let you focus on your skills.

Shell durability

Choosing a durable shell is essential as it’s the first part of the helmet to come in contact with the ground if you fall and hit your head. We recommend checking the composition (what the helmet’s made out of) and reading customer reviews to see how the helmet has fared during riding. Other riders who have worn the helmet while out in the half-pipe should be able to give you an idea of if the helmet lives up to its durability claims. Keep in mind that the last thing you want is the outer shell cracking or breaking upon collision, exposing your head to the concrete.

When looking for a durable skateboard helmet, check for materials like ABS plastic, which is the most durable material used to make skateboard helmets. While it’s unlikely you’ll find other compositions due to ABS’s widespread adoption, we don’t recommend considering any other material.

Why Wear a Skateboard Helmet?

Injury prevention

Simply put, helmets keep your head safe while skateboarding. Head trauma can be serious, causing a concussion, internal bleeding, and even worse outcomes resulting in brain injury and permanent damage. Skateboarding is an inherently dangerous sport and falling on hard concrete is a sure way to end up in the ER, especially if you’re not wearing a helmet. Wearing a helmet in these circumstances can often be the difference between life and death.

Completes the ensemble

Let’s be honest, skateboarders don’t quite look complete without the necessary gear. If anything, wearing helmets and pads is a trademark of the sport — plus, they look cool! An attractive, colorful helmet will make you stand out at the skatepark, plus you can decorate your helmet with stickers to personalize it as you like.

Multi-purpose

Skateboard helmets are versatile protective gear that can be used far beyond the halfpipe. Great overall protection for your head, you can wear these helmets during any vigorous activity that poses some risk, such as inline skating, rollerblading, cycling, and more.

Are Luxury Skateboard Helmets Worth the Price?

There are a lot of stylish, luxury options on the market, including protective gear like helmets. However, keep in mind that the most attractive helmets may not be the safest and may not be safety-certified. Also, these helmets can be quite expensive. However, if you’re really interested in a luxury skateboard helmet, they come in a variety of price points and you should be able to find one that works for your budget — either to ride in or as a collector’s item.