Skateboarding is all fun and games until someone cracks open their unprotected head on the concrete. High on the rush of adrenalin, it might seem like a stellar idea to go without a helmet and all the other protective gear; but let me assure you, it’s the worst idea you could possibly have.
While any helmet is better than none when it comes to keeping yourself safe while skateboarding, it never hurts to look for the best skateboard helmet within your budget. On the other hand, a good helmet for you might be a terrible choice for your friend or family. Therefore, making an educated choice is important.
Are All Helmets The Same In Features? They certainly are not. And while good quality skateboard helmets might have some important features in common, you should also know to pick the best for your use.
Our Pick of the Top 10 Skateboard Helmets
There’s certainly no dearth of good quality helmets out there, but making sure it fits all your requirements isn’t easy. So, here we have a list that might help you find a safe and comfortable skateboard helmet. Afterward, we also have a buying guide to help you choose one of them.
1.Retrospec Dakota Bicycle/Skateboard Helmet
- Material: ABS and EPS foam
- Weight: 1 pounds
- Age range: 5 years and older
This Triple Eight gear takes its place as one of the best skateboard helmets simply because it’s terrifically competent at what it does. This dual certified helmet is useful for both cycling and skateboarding thanks to its outer ABS shell and inner EPS foam.
What’s more, this helmet also comes with two sets of inner Sweatsaver fit pads to ensure it fits snugly on your head. The helmet is supplied with the thinner liner already inserted. You can choose to take it out and install the thicker set to customize the fit.
The adjustable chin strap and side release buckle also adds up to make it very safe for use. It comes in a variety of sizes ranging from XS/S to L/XL, so both children and adults can get one of these.
If you’re thinking about getting this helmet for yourself or your child, here’s another plus point- it’s a multi-impact helmet. Which means, even if it gets smacked around quite a bit, it will still remain useful.
PROS
- Dual certified
- Comes with 2 sets of interchangeable pads for custom fit
- Available in matte colors
- Employs Dew Collector technology
- Low-profile
CONS
- Looks unattractive when worn
2.Triple Eight Dual Certified Bike and Skateboard Helmet
- Material: ABS and EPS foam
- Weight: 1 pounds
- Age range: 5 years and older
This Triple Eight gear takes its place as one of the best skateboard helmets simply because it’s terrifically competent at what it does. This dual certified helmet is useful for both cycling and skateboarding thanks to its outer ABS shell and inner EPS foam.
What’s more, this helmet also comes with two sets of inner Sweatsaver fit pads to ensure it fits snugly on your head. The helmet is supplied with the thinner liner already inserted. You can choose to take it out and install the thicker set to customize the fit.
The adjustable chin strap and side release buckle also adds up to make it very safe for use. It comes in a variety of sizes ranging from XS/S to L/XL, so both children and adults can get one of these.
If you’re thinking about getting this helmet for yourself or your child, here’s another plus point- it’s a multi-impact helmet. Which means, even if it gets smacked around quite a bit, it will still remain useful.
PROS
- Dual certified
- Well constructed and robust
- Quite easy on the eyes
- Multi-impact helmet
- Lightweight and comfortable
CONS
- Some customers complained about the fit
3.OutdoorMaster Skateboard Cycling Helmet
- Material: Reinforced ABS and EPS foam
- Weight: 13.86 ounces
- Age range: Suitable for children and adult use
This helmet excels at being perfect for someone who’s looking for a multi-tasking helmet. You can use it for both skateboarding and cycling and it’ll give you the best results. It’s safe as well as supremely comfortable, securing a place as one of the best skating helmets that can also be used for biking.
The reason that this helmet is suitable for biking is the vent system. It has 12 vents in total and they all work smoothly to make sure your head isn’t stewing in stale sweat. As biking produces more sweat, this feature is really useful.
Like any standard skateboarding helmet, this OutdoorMaster helmet is also made of ABS and EPS. However, what increases the comfort is the liner. It’s thick enough to keep the helmet fitted on your head and provide extra relief when there’s a crash.
Two sets of inner liners come with this helmet, and they’re very easily washable. You can also use them to adjust the fit. Another thing that helps with the fit is the sturdy adjustment dial on the back of the helmet.
PROS
- Smooth ventilation system
- Very comfortable, washable liners
- Thick shock absorbing EPS core
- Reinforced ABS sell
- Lightweight yet durable
CONS
- The chin strap is rather hard to adjust
4.JBM Skateboard Helmet
- Material: PVC and EPS foam
- Weight: 1.16 pounds
- Age range: Suitable for children and adults
With the motto of “More Sports – Less Worry”, this helmet is manufactured to be a great companion for children who are interested in skateboarding, cycling, roller-skating, scootering- you name it! I’d say this is the best skate helmet for children in this list.
To suit the fancy of children, this helmet comes in 7 popping colors. Other than the colors, there aren’t any extra protrusions or additions, making it safe and low-profile. It’s made of a durable tough shell and a soft liner.
The flannel lining that comes with this helmet is soft, removable and washable. The helmet has conveniently placed vents that facilitate airflow and reduce that sweaty feeling that every skateboarder hates.
While this helmet has its perks, there are also some downsides. It comes with an adjustable dial on the back for a better fit, but the dial is rather fragile and you have to handle it carefully. It doesn’t come with any extra lining for size adjustment.
PROS
- Breathable design
- Comes in a lot of fun colors
- Removable, washable and changeable flannel linings
- Adjustable straps
- Low profile
CONS
- Has issues with fitting well
5.OUWOR Skateboard Bike Helmet
- Material: ABS and EPS foam
- Weight: 15.03 ounces
- Age range: 3 years and above
Here’s an affordable option if you’re looking to save some money buying skateboarding helmets. Out of all the helmets I’ve listed here today, this one seems to offer the best value for money.
This OUWOR helmet is suitable for children as young as 3 years old as well as adults. It’s made of a strong ABS outer shell with a high quality shock absorbing EPS foam inner shell. It’s listed as a multi-sport helmet as well.
To make sure the helmet fits well on your head, it comes with 2 sets of inner lining pads with varying thicknesses. The liners are washable, but they should only be cleaned with mild soap and water. Do not use any harsh cleaning agents.
It is also fitted with quick release buckles on the length-adjustable chin straps. To make it comfortable while both cycling and skateboarding, there are 11 vents on the helmet. The helmet comes with a dust bag for storage.
PROS
- Weighs around 1 lb, CPSC Certified Lightweight
- Very comfortable to wear
- Comes with extra replacement pads
- Equipped with length adjustable chin straps
- Affordable option
CONS
- Doesn’t seem very durable
6.Razor V-17 Youth Multi-Sport Helmet
- Certification: CPSC
- Weight: 14.4 ounces
- Age range: 8-14 years
If you’re going for looks as well as safety, this can be considered the best skateboard helmet within an affordable price range. It comes in a handful of glossy and interesting patterns and colors. It’s CPSC certified, so you don’t need to worry about it being made of sub-par material.
The Razor V-17 Youth caught my eyes with its ventilation system. With a total of 17 vents, there’s no way a little sweating would get in your way. You can keep skateboarding for hours without stopping. The helmet is also equipped with side release buckles.
The interior padding on this helmet is ergonomic, and provides utmost comfort when worn properly. It also comes with a set of additional sizing pads. However, other than this, there aren’t many sizing options on this helmet, which can be counted as a downside.
PROS
- Economical option
- Ergonomic interior padding
- Comes with additional sizing pads
- Altogether 17 vents on the top, rear and sides
- Complies with CPSC standards
CONS
- Not many fitting options
7.Apusale Kids Bike Helmet
- Material: ABS and EPS foam
- Weight: 0.5 lbs
- Age range: 5 years and up
This CPSC certified kid skateboard helmet is as good for toddlers as it is for adults. Made of rugged ABS shell and shock absorbing EPS core, it comes in beautiful pastel colors as well as matte black and gray, so everyone can have a pick.
In terms of being lightweight, this helmet really takes the cake. Despite the high-quality materials, it weighs only half a pound. Moreover, as its fit is adjustable, it can grow with your child for a few years.
The helmet comes with 2 sets of breathable foam liners that you can use to fine-tune the fit. You can also use the head size adjustment knob. Users claim it fits well on the head without making it look like a mushroom, which is a very common complaint about helmets.
However, while the liners are useful, they aren’t quite comfortable. Some users complained that they don’t prevent the head from getting bumped painfully in the event of a smack.
PROS
- Lightweight
- 11 vents provide ample airflow
- Adjustable side release buckles
- Comes in multiple colors
- Fits very well
CONS
- Inner padding isn’t very comfortable
8.Flybar Skateboard Helmet
- Material: ABS and EPS foam
- Weight: 1.46 lbs
- Age range: Youth and adults
This Flybar skateboarding helmet is suitable for both inline skating and skateboarding with its ABS outer shell and EPS foam inner lining. It comes in 9 different colors and designs to suit both adults and youths.
The visually discerning feature of this helmet is its ventilation system. There are 12 vents- 4 air intake vents on the front and 8 other cooling vents. They are oversized and distinct; you really can tell that this helmet is different from the usual skateboard helmets.
The helmet comes with machine washable removable pads. It’s also equipped with an adjustable spin dial on the back of the helmet. Both of these features ensure a better fit.
The weak chink in this helmet’s armor seems to be its chin strap. The straps seem to break off from the sides, so I’d advise you to inspect them for any weakness routinely before you put this on.
PROS
- Suitable for multi-sport usage
- Comes in 9 different colors and designs
- 12 oversized vents
- Machine washable inner pads
- Good customer service
CONS
- The chin straps are quite terrible in quality
9.Tourdarson Skateboard Helmet
- Material: ABS and EPS foam
- Weight: 10.23 oz
- Age range: 14 years old and above
If you’re looking for an aerodynamic design, this might be the best skateboard helmet for you. With its reinforced ABS shell and high density EPS foam, you can partake in any kind of skating activity without any worries.
Just like any respectable skating helmet, this helmet also comes with adjustable buckles and straps, as well as a size adjustment dial. The removable inner foam is washable as well. It’s lightweight, and comes in 7 matte colors.
However, if you decide to buy this helmet, then be very careful about which size you pick. Quite a few customers complained that the helmet came smaller than they needed. Read our guide on fitting and sizing helmets so you don’t make a mistake like theirs.
PROS
- Reinforced ABS outer shell
- Adjustable buckle and straps
- 11 air vents
- Available in 7 matte colors
- Lightweight
CONS
- There seemed to be complaints about bad quality
10.DaCool Kids Bike Helmet
- Material: ABS and EPS foam
- Age range: 3-8 years
A good helmet isn’t all that a young skateboarder needs. If your toddler is learning to skateboard, then they’ll also need knee pads, elbow pads and wrist guard. Good news for you, DaCool has a combo with skate helmets and pads, as well as a storage bag for the 7 piece safety gear set.
The helmet that comes with the set is made of an impact resistant ABS exterior and EPS foam inner shell. The size adjusting knob at the back ensures that the helmet will grow with your child.
Moreover, the pads are made of high hardness PCV shell and padded with soft EVA material. They have adjustable elastic straps, so your child can keep using them even through a growth spurt.
PROS
- Size adjustable knob on the back of the helmet
- Washable sponge liner
- Adjustable elastic straps
- 11 air vents
- Great value for money
CONS
- Some users had trouble fitting the helmet comfortably
What’s the Difference Between Bike and Skate Helmet?
Now that you’ve read (or at the very least, skimmed) through our choice of helmets, you can probably tell that there’s quite a few helmets that are suitable for multiple sports. However, keep in mind that you’re looking for the best skateboard helmet, not a multitasking one.
While an allrounder helmet might seem like a good bargain, it might, in the long run, do more harm than good. There’s a reason that bike helmets and skate helmets are different. They have varying features. Read along, and you can see for yourself.
- Coverage
From appearance alone you can usually tell bike helmets and skateboard helmets apart. Bike helmets tend to only cover the center and front of the head, while a good skateboard helmet covers pretty much all of your skull, including the back of the head.
- Certification
If you’re buying a helmet that’s legitimately certified, the certification status would be somewhere on the helmet. That said, check the certification to learn whether it is suited as a bike helmet or a skateboard helmet.
Helmets that have CPSC certification are suitable for biking, while ASTM certification ensures that you can safely skateboard using the helmet. In some cases, the helmet might even be dual certified, as in it might be certified by both ASTM and CPSC.
Can you use a bike helmet for skateboarding? Only if it’s dual certified!
- Vents
Biking and skateboarding both makes you sweat profusely. Vents exist simply to make sure you don’t have to stop every couple of minutes to wipe off sweat. Moreover, sweating will also cause you to get irritated and ruin your focus, and no skateboarder needs that.
These holes in the helmet exterior ensure cool air enters from the front and hot air exits from the back, taking the heat away. However, biking is usually more strenuous than skateboarding and will douse your head in sweat in a matter of minutes. Hence, bike helmets tend to have more vents than skateboard helmets.
- Impact resistance
This is a very important criteria to be taking into consideration when you’re picking a helmet.
When you’re skateboarding, it’s expected that you’ll be getting minor smacks to your head on a regular basis. So your helmet might get scratched and scuffed and still stay useful for a long time.
However, the story is different with a biking helmet. When you’re biking, you’d be going much faster than you would if you’re skateboarding, and a smack to your head at this velocity might be lethal.
That is why biking helmets are made in a way that they can withstand one big crash. The inner layer of the helmet is meant to absorb the shock of this crash and break off, preventing your skull from cracking.
Meanwhile, this also means that biking helmets are useless after getting in a big crash. Unlike a skateboard helmet, you can’t keep using it after it’s been in a crash. If you notice the inner foam has broken or cracked, you need to get a new helmet.
How to Choose the Best Skateboard Helmet for Yourself or Your Child?
- Ensure a Good Fit
Whether you’re getting a helmet for yourself or your fast growing child, it’s always best to go to a shop and pick out the helmet that fits you well. If you’d rather buy online, pay attention to the fit. Measure the circumference of your head with a soft measuring tape and match it to the helmet’s measurements.
To stay on the safe side, try picking a helmet that offers adjustment options. There should be a size adjustment dial inside the helmet. Other than that, extra linings that can ensure a finer fit is also a good feature.
If nothing else, you should at least have the option to return the helmet in case the fit is poor. We’ve discussed more in detail about helmet fitting later in this article.
- Safety Above Style
Your helmet is useful for safety and not for decoration, always remember that. Never pick style above safety, and by that I mean do not spend your money on a helmet that looks flashy but doesn’t promise at least a good measure of safety.
A skateboarding helmet should be rather low profile, meaning no flashy protrusions or additional features. The exterior should be very smooth, to ensure that it would slide off of the concrete and not catch on something.
Even a harmless looking sticker can reduce your helmet’s performance, so it’s best to invest in a nondescript, but safe option. Don’t customize your helmet by yourself by painting or putting stickers and additional features on it. If you really want to do so, at least check with the manufacturer to ensure whether it’s safe or not.
Certified helmets tend to be safer than most. Check that the helmet consists of a sturdy outer shell and a thick, protective inner shell. If it fits well and is made of good material, it should keep your head safe.
- Don’t Skimp
Price is an important point to consider no matter what you’re buying, and at least here, less isn’t more. It’s natural that the higher-end helmets would offer better performances. You still have to look for one that’s worth the price, but you can at least ensure a standard performance.
Buying a helmet that’s in the mid or lower range is trickier. You’d have to pay more attention to the features and find one that’s going to offer acceptable performance. While it’s not impossible to find an affordable helmet that’s useful, they tend to be less durable.
- Check Certification
Although we are mentioning this last, getting yourself a certified helmet is a no-brainer. Unless you’re really pressed for money, I’d say get a certified helmet. Dual certification would be the better choice.
You should certainly get a dual certified helmet if all the other criteria are to your liking, because it will provide more safety than a helmet that’s only either certified by ASTM or CPSC.
Other than safety, if you’re getting the helmet for your child then they can use it for both skateboarding and biking. As children tend to be active and take part in multiple types of sports, it’s useful to get one dual certified helmet rather than buying two different ones.
However, if your budget really cannot accommodate a certified helmet, then at least get one that has a good fit and is made of sturdy material. Because, as we’ve said earlier, a less than standard helmet is still better than no helmet.
- Fitting and Sizing Guide
A fit helmet is a safe helmet. Your skateboard helmet should always be comfortable and close-fitting. It shouldn’t be so loose that it slides around on your head, but it also shouldn’t be so tight that it gives you a headache. Knowing the circumference of your head will help.
The inside of the helmet should be padded enough so that it doesn’t hurt your head to wear it. You could look for extra liners that would make things more comfortable.
While you’re wearing it, the helmet should be level on your head. It shouldn’t be leaning too far back or front. Wearing it properly is also something you should learn from someone who’s been skateboarding for a while.
It might sound silly, but take your hairstyle into account as well. Your helmet should fit the hairstyle you use when you’re skateboarding. If you have voluminous hair but intend to get a haircut sometime soon, your helmet might not fit well then. So consider this while buying.
Standard chin strap or side straps is something that should also fit well, but is often overlooked. The side straps should create a “v” below and a little to the front of your ears. The chin strap should also fit well and shouldn’t slide around.
Your helmet should have adjustable features. My last word on this? Make sure the helmet fits before you take it out for a spin. If it doesn’t fit, don’t wear it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Skateboard Helmets
Q. Are all helmets the same?
A. No, all helmets certainly are not the same. For each type of sports or outdoor activity, there is a different type of helmet that’s built specifically to provide safety while doing that activity.
Therefore, you cannot just expect to pick up a random helmet and hope for it to be useful in your activities. If you’re skateboarding, you absolutely have to find a helmet that’s been made with the safety of a skateboarder in mind.
Q. How Do I Measure The Circumference Of My Head?
A. This is an important question and you need to know the answer before you attempt online shopping for a skateboard helmet. You should know the circumference of your or your child’s head so you can buy the right size of helmet.
For this, the only thing you’ll need is a flexible measuring tape. Barring that, a string or ribbon would also do. Wrap the tape or string right about the eyebrows and ears. In this process, the tape should stay level all the way from the front to the back.
After you’re done measuring, compare this to the size chart of a helmet you want to buy and pick the size that would fit the best.
Q. Does wearing a helmet cause hair fall?
A. The short answer is, no, wearing a helmet does not cause hair fall. It can, however, exacerbate hair fall if you’re already facing that problem.
If you’ve been wearing a helmet for long hours, you might feel like you’re losing hair. It could be due to traction alopecia or dandruff. You could tackle part of this problem easily by wearing your helmet in a way that it doesn’t cause your hair to get pulled at the roots.
On the other hand, to minimize dandruff, you should keep both your helmet and your hair clean and well cared for.
Q. Is it illegal to ride a skateboard without a helmet?
A. According to vehicle Code section 21212, it is illegal in the state of California to skateboard without a helmet if you’re younger than 18 years old. However, this law isn’t all that well known and most skateboarders ignore it.
Q. Are skateboard helmets similar to bike helmets?
A. Yes, skateboard helmets are sometimes similar to bike helmets. In fact, you can use some dual certified helmets as both skateboard and bike helmets. However, there are marked differences between the two types of helmets.
While bike and skateboard helmets have visibly discerning features, the main difference lies in their build and impact resistance. Bike helmets are meant to withstand one big crash and then break, while skateboard helmets are meant to take a series of low impact crashes.
Q. Can you use a snowboard helmet for skateboarding?
A. Yes, you can. In terms of safety, snowboard helmets tend to be just as sturdy and safe as skateboard helmets. If you use one and take a tumble, your head should be safe. They tend to be more expensive though, so keep that in mind if you want to buy a snowboard helmet for skateboarding.
Snowboarding helmets also tend to offer more coverage, and less number of vents. They might also be heavier. If you’re okay with these features, then you can go ahead and use a snowboard helmet for skateboarding.
Q. Can A Skateboard Helmet Be Used For Snowboarding?
A. You should not use a skateboarding helmet for snowboarding. This is mostly due to safety reasons, as your helmet should be able to handle multiple high impact crashes during snowboarding, which skateboard helmets are really not capable of.
Moreover, snowboarding helmets come with some exclusive features, such as extra padding, snow goggle shelves or clips, vents that open and close, and even built in headphones. Skateboard helmets are generally devoid of such features.
Q. Why aren’t European skateboard helmets considered dual certified in the US?
A. Aside from CPSC and ASTM certification, you might also find some helmets that boast EN 1078 certification. However, even an European skateboard helmet that’s been EN 1078 certified cannot be considered dual certified in the US.
This is because a helmet needs to pass tests that are much more lax to acquire an EN 1078 certification. The impact test it needs to pass is quite low. Such a helmet cannot be compared to a CPSC or ASTM certified helmet, and certainly not a dual certified one.
Moreover, if you inspect an EN 1078 certified helmet, you’ll notice that it’s made of much thinner and lighter material than US certified helmets. For this reason and more, you cannot really consider a European skateboard helmet as dual certified in the US.
Q. When do I need to replace my helmet?
A. If your helmet has been in a crash, is too old, or simply doesn’t fit anymore, it’s time to replace it. That’s the short answer
To explain it better, if your bike or skateboard helmet has been in a significant crash, you should replace it. The crash might have left your helmet’s inner shell broken or cracked, or scuffed the outer shell.
Even if there’s no visible sign, your helmet’s taken the hit meant for your head and the least you could do to keep your head secure in the next crash is to get a brand new helmet.
Now, in the case of skateboarding, there are usually numerous small smacks and crashes, none of them too serious. Your dual certified helmet will be able to handle quite a few of those. However, if your helmet’s inner or outer shell is cracked, definitely replace it.
On the other hand, just because you haven’t been in a crash doesn’t mean you can keep using your helmet indefinitely. According to CPSC, you should replace your helmet once every 5-10 years.
Lastly, if you were still growing when you bought the helmet and you’ve outgrown it, replace the helmet and get one that fits. A fit helmet is a safe helmet.
Q. Why are BMX helmets different?
A. BMX, or bike motocross helmets need to provide more protection than average skateboarding or bike helmets. That is why BMX helmets tend to be full faced and provide more coverage. Aside from that, they are also built in a way that the inner shell would not break from a single impact.
Editor’s Pick
After considering all the criteria that a helmet needs to fulfil to be considered better than the others, I’m compelled to name Retrospec Dakota as the best skateboard helmet out of the bunch.
This helmet might not be the best-looking of the bunch, but it does present a fairly low profile and that’s more important. I’ll once again remind you that looks aren’t as important as safety when it comes to picking a helmet.
My biggest reason for picking this helmet out of the selection is that in my opinion, this one would offer the best safety in the event of a crash. Users of this helmet have reported it to be terrifically dependent during the hour of need, and that’s certainly something you want in a skateboard helmet.
Most helmets bought online have issues with fitting; it’s inevitable, But this particular piece comes with more than one measure to make sure it fits your head like a glove. The interchangeable pads that come with it to ensure a better fit really impressed me.
Lastly, as sweat is what most people complain about when they’re thinking about forgoing a helmet, this helmet’s sweat-busting technology is certainly something I’d look forward to. The Dew Collector technology means your head will stay free of that annoying sweat stench and you can enjoy skating safely and comfortably.
Final Verdict
Skateboarding is seen as a lighthearted and fun activity that doesn’t warrant much seriousness. However, accidents are called accidents for a reason, and you never know why you might crash your head against concrete or something just as hard.
Your head’s safety can be ensured with the simple act of putting a helmet on it. And by now, you must have a clear idea on what sort of helmet to pick. There should be at least one helmet out of our pick of 10 that strikes your fancy!
Even if you haven’t decided on the best skateboard helmet for you out of our selection, you should be confident enough to pick one based on the buying guide we have provided. Pick the one that seems the safest, most comfortable, and fits your budget.
So there you have it! We hope our blog post on the best skate helmet has been helpful to you. Let us know in the comments which helmet you liked the most. Don’t forget to let us