What Is a Skateboarding Helmet?

Skateboarding, like most modern sports, requires the use of some essential protective equipment, such as knee and elbow pads, wrist guards, and a skateboarding helmet. The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that skateboarding injuries account for about 50,000 trips to the emergency room and for the hospitalization of 1,500 children and adolescents in the U.S. each year. This statistic underscores the importance of wearing the proper protective equipment while skateboarding.

  1. Function and Design

    • Many parents and novice skateboarders still make the mistake of thinking that a bicycle helmet will do. Although some multi-sport helmets are acceptable for both cycling and skateboarding, the latter requires much better coverage and protection than that offered by a standard bike helmet. Skateboarding helmets are designed to protect the sides of the head as well as the back, although the one downside to this is slightly less ventilation. They are made of a rubbery, lightweight interior foam (often expanded polypropylene or EPP), which deforms upon impact but has good recovery. The exterior shell is hard enough to withstand multiple hits.

    Risks of Not Wearing a Helmet

    • A fall, even at low speeds, can result in a serious head injury. Although most skateboarding injuries involve the face and joints, such as the wrist and ankle, injuries to an unprotected head are generally the most damaging. These can lead to long-term effects such as impairment of vision, speech, hearing, or motor skills, and can even affect thinking. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons puts skateboarders who do not wear protective equipment at highest risk, along with inexperienced skateboarders, pro skateboarders who attempt difficult stunts, and those who skateboard near traffic.

    Proper Fitting

    • Another mistake some skateboarders make is treating their helmets as if they were hats. Skateboarding helmets weren't designed to just sit on top of the head; they require a secure strap and buckle. When worn properly, a skateboarding helmet sits low on the forehead, with the top interior foam flat on the head and the bottom edge parallel to the ground. The strap must be tight enough that only two fingers can fit between it and the chin. The "V" shape formed by each strap should go around each ear for added security. If the helmet doesn't fit snugly and moves about when the head is shaken, extra padding can be installed; however, it should never be worn so tight that it hinders vision, hearing, or movement.

    Laws and Standards for Skateboarding Helmets

    • Helmets are mandatory in skateboard parks and in some states. California has the strictest child helmet laws in the U.S. since 2003. Skateboarders are required to wear at least single-impact skateboarding helmets or be charged a fine of $25. All skateboarding helmets should meet or exceed the standard set by the American Society for Testing and Materials, ASTM F1492, or the "Standard Specification for Helmets Used in Skateboarding and Trick Roller Skating.” Helmets usually carry stickers or labels that indicate the standards with which they comply. Many top-of-the-line skateboarding helmet brands are certified by both ASTM and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).