As an older skater I need my pads as I can't shrug off the slams like I used to. As you say it's also a confidence thing, makes me really nervous to skate without them. The thing with helmets I find is it's the most unexpected slams that take you by surprise where you need them. Last autumn I slipped out on a few leaves in the flat bottom of the bowl, it was so unexpected I tapped my head on the concrete! That's why I always wear a helmet now. Great video.
Thanks for posting this. I'm researching a helmet that will work well for both MTB and skateboarding, and it's a confusing market to filter through and figure out. What's crazy about the Certified vs Non-certified issue is that non-certified helmets do a horrible job of displacing the impact, since it's just foam against your head. The annoying space in the helmet above your head is part of the impact process for certified helmets, which is why they fit so awkwardly. Even crazier, you can tell the non-certified version by the blocky foam ear pads, and all the pros use the uncertified decorative helmets since they look better. You can see it for yourself even in the Sky Brown photo you shared. Any helmet is better than no helmet, but there seems to be a culture of decorative helmet usage in pro skateboarding.
I’m glad you found the video useful it’s definitely a minefield out there ! Luckily in the UK these days it’s most often incredibly hard to find a non certified version from a reputable brand these days, maybe there’s some kind of law that makes it harder for the manufacturers or maybe the distributors are just being more conscientious. But personally I don’t find any problem with certified helmets and if someone is going to bother to wear one at all it may as well the safest it can be.
I too, wear all the pads and a helmet. Better a flat spot on your helmet than your head. I’m already on my second pair of wrist guards because I broke the first pair.
Hello there. Just felt like sharing a thing : MIPS Technology (Multi-Directional Impact Protection System) It helps reduce injuries caused by rotational force. The MIPS system itself is a low friction layer that sits between the EPS foam and the helmet liner, and allows for a sliding motion of 10 to 15mm in all directions. This aims to reduce the transfer of rotational motion onto your brain. Rotational impacts can lead to concussion and serious traumatic brain injuries. There is enough reading material describing the system on the internet.
I totally agree with this video. I haven't skated since I was 13, and I'm now 36. I am getting back into it and will not skate until I get my helmet. It's not worth dying or having brain damage just to look cool or "tough." These younger guys don't know what tough is, and no helmet is stupid, not tough. Our head is very fragile, especially our brain. Do not waste your life to make others like you.
yeah, i got back into skating and i took one bad fall (no breaks but it hurt for days) on my left elbow and ribs after hitting a rock. fell a second time whilst cruising pretty fast then trying to kick turn, but minor injuries if any. usually i can step off when i sense trouble, but these two falls were uncontrolled in the sense that i was on the ground before i even knew it, no time to react and control my fall. after that i decided i need a helmet because the odds are that im going to hit my head during one of these falls.
Another excellent and helpful video, thanks Neil! I'm a 47-year old geezer who after a 29-year hiatus from skating is slowly getting back into it. Protective gear is essential as I've had some bad falls as teenagers (and as an 'old' snowboarder). Cheers - maybe one day I'll learn to skate pools, bowls and ramps as well as you guys!
Cheers 👍🏻 I’m glad it helped and it’s good to hear another fellow old schooler getting back on the board. I won’t skate without protection now, it’s just not worth it and the extra confidence boost it gives is such a benefit. There’s absolutely no reason why you can’t do anything anyone else is doing, just go get it 👊🏼
Great video Neil. Maybe get some wrist sweatbands to complete the early 80s look. I like the Protec Helmets. Glad your head has stopped ringing and you're all good. I bounced my head a few weeks after starting up again. My back wheels slipped out on a simple kickturn due to some sand (it was by the beach). Not always when you are doing something gnarly.
Thanks👍🏻 I couldn’t wear them, my wrist guards wouldn’t fit 😁 (that’s another video to come). Yeah that’s a good point the injuries often come at the least expected time. I tore my calf simply kick turning on a vert ramp 🤷🏻
Hi Neil. Found you on instagram recently and have just seen you have these videos when I was researching protective gear. Really thoughtful and helpful! Like you, I’m starting skating again in my 30’s. I also care zero about what other people think I look like when skating! Love your stuff. Keep it going 🤙
I have used a Protec helmet for years now until I had a hard landing with it so had to buy a new one. I happened upon the Triple 8 brand (new in the box at a yard sale) and I don't think I'm switching back. You should try them out sometime if they're available in the UK. Their helmets come in a large range of sizes, have decent padding, and are certified. What I like about them is they fit very snugly but they're still comfortable.
perfect video i've been looking for - mushroom-head has admittedly put me off helmets, but I know i have to get comfortable with it - gonna get a protec now.
Glad to hear you have found it useful, it’s a strange phenomenon but we all think we look a lot worse than we actually do to anyone else. It’s a bit like hearing the sound of your own voice recorded/played back to you, we don’t like it at first but you get used to it. And above all nobody really cares that much about what anyone else looks like. As a slight update for you I’m now trying out a triple 8 sweatsaver and that also looks quite proportional and acceptable to me.
Uncertified helmets are garbage that flex and do very little protection. Not worth risking your life. Want a good fit try an s1 lifer. Looks pretty decent imo. P.s. 34 y.o. bmx rider, also shopping fir helmets. Looks like the market has plenty of junk product so this purchase really needs to be taken seriously. ✌🏻
Helmets ⛑️ are common sense . I would think a bicycle helmet would be better than nothing . When I used to ride dirt bike I had several memorable head impacts with the trail .If I had not been wearing a helmet I wouldn’t be here today .✌️😎
Wearing an uncertified helmet seems a bit daft, you've no real idea what protection you've got, and with how much junk there is online you could be putting yourself at greater risk. Glad you're okay and now riding a proper helmet now though.
The only uncertified helmet I ever wore was the green protec one and I never hit my head hard enough wearing that to be of any concern but even wearing that one was better than nothing. It’s pretty hard to buy uncertified helmets from reputable brands these days too.
Water helmets are not certified to the same standards as wheel sports helmets as they dont offer the same level of impact protection, so it wont be ideal. However it'll be better than nothing at all in my humble opinion.
@@NeilHesterSkateboarding I appreciate the knowledge. I’ll cancel the order and get the correct helmet then. I will always go with safety over fashion. Thank you 🤙🏾
