Skateboarding Helmets
Wiping out is an inevitable part of skating. A good helmet can make the difference between walking away from a crash by yourself and being wheeled away by paramedics.
Why Wear A Helmet?Unlike cyclists, who are legally required to wear a helmet that meets Australian safety standards, skateboarders won’t be fined for going bare-headed. On the other hand, no-one wants a head injury. Learning to skate involves a lot of falling over but seasoned pros aren’t accident-proof either, with vert skating and cruising both presenting their own sets of dangers. While skaters have often turned their noses up at the idea of wearing helmets, more and more skateparks are requiring helmet use and pro skaters are adopting them too. Banging your head on the floor can cause health issues from vomiting and memory loss all the way up to permanent brain damage and death. Wearing a helmet is a very small price to pay by comparison.
Skateboarding Helmet SizeGetting the right helmet fit is really important. An over-tight helmet isn’t comfortable to wear and may cause headaches. A helmet that is too loose can move around or even come off during a crash, making it a lot less effective at protecting your head. To find the right size of helmet, use a soft tape measure to measure a level line around your head, just above the eyebrows and ears. Not every head or helmet is the same shape either so you should make sure that your helmet is comfortable to wear. Adjustable fit skate helmets make this a bit easier.
Skate Helmet ConstructionBMX and skate helmets are almost all built in the same way, with a hard outer shell covering a softer inner lining. This design protects the head and cushions against hard impacts. The shell of an entry-level helmet is usually made from ABS plastic with expanded polystyrene or cushioned foam underneath. More expensive helmets may be made from carbon fibre or Kevlar instead to offer the same protection at a lower weight. They may also have a layer of foam molded onto the helmet with more optional foam pads for an adjustable fit.
Other Protective GearHead trauma is the most serious danger of skateboarding but it isn’t the only one. Ankle and wrist fractures are a common skate-related injury seen in hospital waiting rooms, often from skaters sticking a hand out instinctively during a fall, and cuts and bruises are less serious but pretty much inevitable. Knee and elbow injuries can be prevented using protective pads. Wrist guards and gloves protect against wrist fractures and other injuries. Fit is as important with this other gear as it is with helmets. A well-fitting set of pads should protect your joints without restricting their movement, making it easy to skate safely and comfortably.