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Jun 09
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Picking the Perfect Skateboarding HelmetSports Comments Off
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Besides your skateboard, your helmet is the most important piece of skateboarding equipment that you need to worry about. Many skateboarders refuse to wear helmets, but this is really pretty stupid. In fact, some skateparks require skaters to wear helmets now just to keep major injuries down. Skateboard helmets are generally pretty sleek and easy to wear, so you don’t have to worry about looking goofy in one.
There are two different types of helmets that you can use for skateboarding: skateboard certified helmets and bike certified helmets. Both types protect the top, back, and sides of your head, and both make you safer for skateboarding. There are a couple of differences, though.
While you can use a bike helmet for skating, you shouldn’t use a skate helmet for biking. Bike helmets are made with a harder interior layer that is mean to absorb the impact of one major fall. A skateboarding helmet, on the other hand, has a softer, spongy layer on the inside that is meant to absorb multiple impacts over time. A skateboard helmet doesn’t give quite enough protection for biking on the road, but it is plenty safe for boarding. Either way, you should always choose a CPSC certified helmet.
Many people consider skating helmets to be more comfortable, since the soft foam layer more easily conforms to your head. The helmet that you choose should feel comfortable enough that you can wear it for several hours. Many bike and skate helmets come with adjustable pads and extra pieces that move and make the helmet fit your head perfectly.
Once you’ve found the perfect fit, you can choose from tons of different options. There are plenty of colored helmets of all sorts, so you can match your skateboard or your personality. You can also decorate your helmet within certain limits. Just make sure that you aren’t actually damaging the integrity of the helmet by decorating it with harsh paints or other chemically based products.
Finally, you may eventually need to think about upgrading your helmet in some way. One of the more common upgrades for skateboard helmets are helmets that protect the face with a bar across the front. This way, if you take a fall on your face, your jaw and chin will be protected. This is most important for skaters who are going at top speeds or who are doing some really complicated tricks, especially those that involve large ramps.