skate/bmx helmets

[gmac]

Hey, I've been riding the full face for over a year (no xc lid). I finally switched to the XC lid ($0.00 deal). I tried a couple rides and the thing just flops around even tightened down. Real nice Giro helmet too.
I really do not like it now.

Anyone ride w/ a skate helmet ? How is the venting, movement, protection ? Are they for looks or are they that much better than XC lids ?

[muddy beast]

Skate helmets all the way. The only other helmet I've ever worn for the last 5 years is my Specialized Full face.

There pretty good for keeping your noggen safe, I would guess better then XC lids, but I cant say much there. The venting isnt great, and you'll want to take the helmet off when your not riding, and likely want to shave your head. But you get used to the sweating after awhile, sounds weird to say...but its true, I dont even notice how much I'm sweating anymore. Movement, well it stays in place when you get the right size *some helmets are sized funnier then others* I personally found a Bell Fraction works best for me as far as fit, looks, and comfort, so I've used it for 3 years *new helmets, but same model*. And as for protection, I've hit my head full force a few times on the ground *whiplashed fall* and cracked the helmet in half, but I didnt even realize I hit my head so hard for what would have caused a concusion.

Hope that helps!

EDIT: oh yeah, and if you do get a skate helmet, dont forget to check the foam for cracks once a month and after every fall. Skate helmets arnt as easy to see when they will no long work like the XC helmets *since the foam is hidden with hard plastic*. And as we all know, cracked foam/helmets are no good any more.

[ZHendo]

i've kept my 4 year old pro-tec skate helmet because there is no hard foam in the entire design. it is all this softer stuff that conforms to the shape of my head and stays put, i love it. probably very unprotective, but it can't crack and so far it has served me well. however, there are plenty of current skate helmets that are very uncomfortable. definitely try them on before buying. the tsg helmets are amazing, if i had to buy a new skate helmet, that would be it for sure. it even has temple protection. i have a giro xen helmet that i go on sale, and i love it. sure, it looks funky, but it is more of an all mountain/light fr helmet, so it has more coverage on the back of your head. i've never felt it slip around at all, and the venting is like night and day compared to a skate helmet.

[pnj]

There are two kinds of foam with the skate type helmets. one is soft and squish. this kind forms to your head better, IMO. but it pretty warm in the summer.

the other type of foam is hard and sucks, IMO. :)

[HBFR33R!D3]

personally, i think skate helmets are better than xc ones they fit better ,i havent fallen hard enough to test the durability but they are very comfortable

[-dustin]

the softer foam won't help much in high speed impacts, which is why the bmx version has the harder foam.

venting will suck.

the hard foam ones need to be replaced after a hard impact. the force of the blow is absorbed by the harder foam and 'destroys' it. once 'destroyed', it's pretty much useless.

i would look for a helmet that fit better (something like a Giro Xen). there's a fair amount of difference between Giro, Bell, Pro-Tec, and Specialized as far as fit goes.

[Shortbus]

consider snow/ski helmets too. They're very similar to bmx helmets but more often than not a better quality product. Bern makes nice ones.

[tozovr]

Bern!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mandown]

for fit, it doesn't matter. all helmets will flop or fit depending on the design and sizing. find a helmet that fits, regardless of the "skate/XC" style. some skate lids don't fit my head, but some do. some XC lids don't fit either, but others are great.

venting and weight - XC helmet for the win. if head heat isn't a big deal for you, then this is a non issue. if you overheat on long rides in hot weather, the XC is the best option. how much better? that is personal judgement.

impact protection. regardless of style check for the impact type of the helmet. all XC helmets i know of are designed for single impact. the foam is designed to smash and crack to absorb the impact. this is like crumple zones in car design. the energy of the crash goes into breaking the helmet, not your head. because of this, you need to buy a new helmet each time you have a crash. even if you can't see the damage, the helmet has probably lost much of its protective capabilities. skate helmets are more often designed for multiple impacts. i'm not sure what the exact design changes are, but it does involve making the outter shell harder than an XC helmet and it probably changes the foam/padding material and desing choice for the internal part of the helmet.

[Boxxer]

http://www.pro-tec.net/skate/product/ace/burnquist.jpg

Ace Burnquist edition. It rocks, more vents than the 'old skool' pro tec, but with the same comfort.

[cjcrashesalot]

I just switched from a Bell skate lid to a Fox Flux xc style helmet for all mountain riding, and it makes a world of difference as far as venting goes. The fox extends a bit further down the back of my head than a typical xc helmet (so similar protection to a skate lid), and is by far the coolest looking helmet in that style. Ventilation is SO much better, makes long rides much more bearable

[gmac]

I just want something that semi covers my head and doesn't flop around. The Fox and Xen are sexy. Does that rear spoiler piece on the Flux do anything ?

[cjcrashesalot]

I just want something that semi covers my head and doesn't flop around. The Fox and Xen are sexy. Does that rear spoiler piece on the Flux do anything ?

Honestly, I think it is mainly there for looks. It could help with aerodynamics or ventilations, but I can't say for sure. My black camo version looks dope though...

[mandown]

i tried the fox on and liked the way it fit. it was much nicer than my skate lid. the XC domes these days have adjustable straps to fit the back of your head. this will help with the flop factor. skate lids only let you change the pad size.