Protective gear and helmets are coming for a ride with the Olympics hosting skateboarding again and propelling the category into the public viewpoint. As every competitor under 18 is obliged to wear a helmet, it’s further pushing the idea that wearing a helmet can be both safe and cool. We look at what brands have to offer and what to watch out for in the Source Retail Buyers Guide for Skateboard Helmet & Protection .
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Unlike the skate footwear segment, it seems that the hard goods over-stock fiasco is easing off for some protection brands. Nadja Herger, Head of Communication at TSG said “The storage situation is slowly relaxing. We are seeing demand in all our areas, from helmets to protectors.”
With the skateboarding scene continuing to diversify with increasing participation from female riders and a notable rise in LGBTQIA+ riders, skate schools and groups are forming and creating safer spaces to learn in, with these groups/clubs/schools often promoting safety gear. With progression and falling going hand in hand, it’s only right that protective gear is vital to progress. Andy King – General Manager at REKD said, “The more protected they are, the less time they will need to spend recovering from injuries, allowing them to progress faster and enjoy the sport more fully.” Nadja Herger, Head of Communication at TSG also noticed that the not-so-recent pump track fad popping up everywhere, is influencing helmet use. Nadia said “Everything that rolls meets on the pump track, from skateboarders to BMX and scooter kids. Skateparks (indoor and outdoor) are family hangouts at the weekend. Skateboarding dads and mums put their kids on the boards. They all need helmets and pads.”
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Whether padded base layers or full-cut skate helmets, the protection market is still pushing new & retro styles, and the coming season looks no different. Andy from REKD said, “For , key advancements in protective technologies include slim-fit protection, impact shock foam (REKD Energy foam), and innovative helmet designs.” It’s not just park and vert skateboarding that requires protective gear. As Nadja explained, TSG will improve their hit downhill helmet with the Pass Pro 2.0, “Super safe ABS construction with reinforced chin bar and comfortable fit and new Anti-Fog Air Duct System, which prevents the visor from fogging up.”
Trends
The protection market is spanning further than just the run-of-the-mill knee & elbow pads these days. Xion PG CEO Björn Clausen said “We see skate customers prioritising their safety more, looking at more than just head, knees and elbows. We see a trend of buying back protectors and shorts that cover the coccyx.” Whilst some brands cater to the general extreme sports category, Triple Eight distribution (187 killer pads, triple 8 & Pro-tec) has been helping customers get more out of their products, instead of reinventing the wheel with new models. Noah Todaro, Marketing Manager at Triple Eight explained, “Not necessarily your traditional helmets and pads, but tertiary/accessory items that help refine the fit and extend the life of existing products.”
Price Points
The longevity of a product in today’s market speaks no bounds, with the ‘buy cheap, buy twice’ methodology coming into play here. Andy from REKD said it perfectly, “In today’s economic environment, consumers are becoming more discerning in their purchasing decisions. They are increasingly seeking products that offer long-term quality and durability, ensuring their investment provides substantial value over time.” Brands like those under Triple Eight Dist. will be maintaining relatively similar price points to previous seasons, however, as Noah said, “One thing to note is that we do plan to introduce a few premium helmets in the second half of the year that’ll sit at a slightly higher price point than our current line”. Pads and base layer protection mark up is slightly higher than helmet costs it seems, with Nadia from TSG saying, “2-3 piece protector sets start at €44.95 to €69.95. Knee pads from €59.95 up to €129.95 for high-performance vert pads.” Xion PG’s back protectors and shorts on the other hand start at €139.
Safety communication
Protective gear and especially helmets are of course known to protect the wearer, but just how is the effectiveness of these products communicated with customers? “Certified helmets are THE only way”- Nadja from TSG explained. ALK13 owner Vincent Isaac added “Certification is a must-have – We have noticed this in each product. It’s the law.” S1 Co-Founder Dan McCashin communicated the issue perfectly saying, “The idea that we are still talking about non-certified helmets being available on the market is disappointing and speaks to the larger issue of cooperate greed where certain companies prioritise sales over the safety and overall well-being of the human race.” It’s no surprise that every brand listed here has their products certified, and clearly stated both online and on their product packaging/branding. There are still uncertified products out there though on sites like Temu.
Cross over
Protective gear can be used across a variety of activities, however, certain styles cater to certain sports. As Björn from Xion PG said: “Our protection gear is very versatile and can be used in all different situations, be it snowsports, biking or skating.” Andy from REKD said similarly, “We pride ourselves on being a multi-sport brand, with many of our protection products and designs being applicable across various sports.” This however isn’t always the case. Nadja from TSG said: “Each product has its area of application and has been developed for a specific sport. Are there any overlaps? Definitely. Some skateboarders like to wear pads under their clothing. The other way round is rather rare.” Vincent from ALK13 spoke of the concerns of using purpose-designed protection for the wrong sport, however: “Sometimes riders don’t take into account certifications, for example, using water helmets for skating.”
Trending designs
It looks like customers want slimmer, less bulky protection. Triple 8 Distribution’s Noah said, “We have worked hard to develop slimmer models of pads for that feel lighter and comfier, but will protect the same way as our thickest pads.” Andy from REKD said similarly, “Trending styles in pads include low-profile designs that fit easily under clothing and stay close to the body.” Dan from S1 spoke of the brimmed helmet trend he noticed this year, “Our new Lifer Brim Helmet keeps the sun out of your eyes!”
Colours/graphics and collaborations
Collaborations seem few and far between for the year, although trending styles and colours of helmets seem to be loud and bright. Nadja from TSG said, “We are bold and loud with the tie-dye all-over print on the Meta helmet. Allover logo prints remain popular.” Pro-tec’s helmets also pack a rather jazzy punch, as Noah explained, “Our Glitter helmets (in Black, Silver and Gold) are hard to keep in stock due to all the demand!”
Technology
Advances in protective technology mean lighter and safer gear. ALK13 are using “Kevlar and neoprene in their kneepads for example” as Vincent noted. Comfort is key, and brands are pushing the boundaries with how certified helmets fit. Noah from Triple 8 said, “Never before have we or anyone else figured out a way to get a Certified helmet to fit just above the eyebrows, the same as a non-certified helmet would.” Dan from S1 spoke of their tech input saying, “Fusion Foam comes in all our Lifer models which is our propriety blend of EPS foam that is soft enough to pass multi-impact testing and hard enough to pass high-impact certifications.”
It looks to be an exciting year for helmets and protection alike, with loud colours and lightweight pads bringing a bit of variation to the field of play. Un-certified helmets are being phased out and better safety technology is becoming more readily available. This further validates the need for safety in these rapidly progressing sports.
After the boots your men’s snowboard helmet is the next most important piece of gear. Never leave home without it! Wearing a helmet is not only practical, it’s essentially a must.
One bad fall can change your life, that’s why wearing a helmet is so important.
When you plan to go out and ride, you’ll need a helmet that will keep you protected while also keeping your head warm and comfortable.
In this guide we’ll explain how to find the right fit and size, different construction materials, compatibility with goggles and adjustable features. It’s everything you need to know before you buy your own men’s snowboard helmet.
Sizing and How to Find the Right Fit
Construction Materials
When to Replace a Snowboarding Helmet?
I Have a Helmet from a Different Sport, Can I Use it for Snowboarding?
Compatibility with Goggles
Features and Tech
Where to Buy Men’s Snowboard Helmet
Most brands carry helmets in small, medium, large and sometimes extra large. The sizes correlate to ranges in the circumference of your head measured in centimeters (cm). If you have a way of measuring your head–maybe you own a tape measure–great, otherwise, you’ll need to physically try on a few different helmets. Most helmets have a dial system that allow you to micro-adjust the helmet for a precise fit. Start by finding the right size men’s snowboard helmet, then fine-tune the fitting is the best way to choose.
You can use this sizing chart as a reference if you can’t get to a store and need to buy online.
Want more information on Abs Safety Helmet? Feel free to contact us.
A helmet should feel snug but not tight. Here’s how you’ll know if you have the right fit:
Most buyers don’t know this but there are many different types of helmet construction and materials. You wouldn’t realize how much some helmets differ from others just by looking at their cosmetic differences. First we’ll discuss the different men’s snowboard helmet construction types, then the materials used.
When it comes to these particular types of men’s snowboard helmets, there is a hard plastic shell that is used for the outer layers. The plastic is molded onto an Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) foam liner, which is a fancy way of saying styrene foam. It’s used to absorb the impact of a fall and traditionally offers less rebound. For the most part, these are the lightest helmets available.
When it comes to these men’s snowboard helmets, the Hard Shell ABS variety makes use of a much thicker Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) plastic for the outer shell. It’s manufactured and then glued onto another hard foam layer (interior) and the liner – it’s the most optimal option for those who want both security and affordability.
Soft shell helmets aren’t designed to take the impact that the other two options are, but they still provide an exceptional amount of protection. Most of the time, you’ll find that soft shell helmets have two different kinds of foam inside (to promote a more secure helmet in general); the harder foam will be on the outer layers for protection and the softer foam will be close to your head for comfort.
Men’s snowboard helmets are designed for a singe-impact. Meaning that once you take one strong impact to the head, the helmet will have lived out its usefulness and will need to be replaced.
You’ll be able to tell if you’ve had an impact hard enough to now render the helmet useless. If you remove any padding or cushions in your helmet to expose the hard foam, you’ll notice it has cracks or pieces that have crumbled. Regardless of how small the cracks, the helmet has lost its structural integrity and it’s time for a new one.
If you have a helmet from skateboarding, BMX bike riding, snowmobiling, inline skating etc. you should not use it for snowboarding. You should use a snowboard helmet for snowboarding.
This is because helmets must be certified by a regulatory body to approve they’re safe to use. Certification is based on the helmet’s design to protect the user from certain types of falls or impacts that would occur during the specific sport. Therefore, helmet safety approvals are slightly different for each sport.
Most of the time you won’t have any issues with how the shape of your goggles fit with the shape of your men’s snowboard helmet. Generally, men’s snowboard goggles will interface with your helmet perfectly fine.
However, on the rare occasion you might find that they don’t fit right. There will be gaps or small spaces where airflow can get in. This is a compatibility chart for Oakley goggles. The chart displays which goggles will fit well with other brand’s helmets.
You want the shape of your goggles and your helmet to integrate well. There should be no gap between the top of your goggles and the helmet.
Make sure the helmet fits snugly to the top of the goggles, but not so low that it hinders vision or pushes down the goggles.
You want your goggles to fit comfortably with your goggle strap over the helmet. Some people wear their goggle strap below their helmet while also wearing a toque or beanie. I don’t prefer this as I find it can make my head itchy. I find myself twisting and adjusting the helmet to scratch an itch.
I recommend wearing the goggle strap over the helmet. I also stay away from wearing a toque or beanie underneath. Sometimes I’ll use the hood or my hoodie and then wear my helmet overtop if I want to protect my neck and ears from wind.
The best is when you can wear a balaclava under your helmet. The balaclava in thin and will wick any moisture from sweating, keeping you dry and warm without the bulk of wearing a toque or beanie. A properly fitted helmet and goggles will feel great and will keep you out on the slopes for longer.
Most helmets will feature adjustable fitting systems. It’s usually a dial that you can turn to tighten and loosen the fit. There are some other fitting systems out there, including:
Adjustable Wheel System – This fitting system allows the rider to customize the tightness of their helmet through the use of a dial. It’s a finely tuned option that will allow riders to “pin-point” that perfect level of snug!
In-Form Fitting System – Somewhat similar to the adjustable wheel system, this one makes use of a ratchet for tightening purposes. You can adjust the size of your helmet both horizontally and vertically.
Pad Systems – These men’s snowboard helmets have pads inside that can be removed to change the level of tightness that you experience. It’s perfect for those riders who value comfort over everything else, especially the younger generation.
Air Fit – A small headband is attached inside of the helmet, providing you with the ability to inflate and deflate the interior of your helmet at will. Controlling the snugness of your helmet through the magic of air is much easier than you would expect.
Fixed Venting – Almost all helmets have some form of open, passive venting built into their design that allows for excess heat and moisture to escape. These systems are generally simple and cannot be personally adjusted. Each company sets up their venting systems in different ways to reflect what they see as necessary.
Adjustable Venting – Helmets with adjustable venting systems give you the ability to open or close the holes to fit your needs depending on the weather conditions. A variety of adjustable systems are used by companies including plugs, sliding mechanisms, and one-push buttons. Choosing a specific system is mostly up to your personal preference.
If possible, try on helmets at your local snowboard shop. I like to go to Corbett’s in Oakville, Ontario. Tip: bring your goggles with you to the store and try them on with the helmet.
Sometimes its not possible to go to a store so you can always buy men’s snowboard helmets online. You’ll have to be more cautious though, as you’ll want to make sure your helmet is compatible with your goggles. When buying online double-check that there is a return policy incase the helmet doesn’t fit quite right. You’ll want to be able to return it or exchange it for something else.
Now that you know how to find the right fit, as well as what construction types are available, you should be able to navigate the market accordingly.
Are you interested in learning more about White Safety Helmet? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!