Cracking the Bike Helmets vs. Skate Helmets Secret

There are many doubts about bike helmets vs. skate helmets. Both biking and skating are somehow dangerous activities. You always need a helmet that protects you while falling from skating and bike riding.

Today I am going to highlight the significant differences between bike helmets and skateboard helmets. Safety is the primary job of all helmets, but some other features make bike helmets differ from skate helmets.

After watching this comparison of bike helmet with skate helmet, you will clearly understand the real fact that nobody told you before. It will also help you decide which helmet is more suitable for you.

Let’s get started

Safety Standards

Each helmet has some safety standards. You can verify it by checking the labels inside the helmets.

Bike Helmets

The bike helmets comply with the CPSC safety standards. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission of the United States, each bike helmet must meet the CPSC safety standards.

CPSC:

Consumer Product Safety Commission is the U.S. certification for the protection of the public. Each bike helmet requires this certification. Bike helmets that are CPSC certified better protect you against severe injuries.

Skate Helmets

Since skateboard helmets have a soft and thinner foam compared to bike helmets, they only comply with the ASTM F1492 standard. Today most skate helmets are multi-sports helmets because they are dual-certified and meet CPSC and ASTM F1492 standards.

ASTM F1492

These are the safety standards for skateboarding and roller skating helmets. These are based on the performance and design of the helmet. Skateboard helmets should meet the test requirements to be certified.

So based on the safety standards, I suggest you consider a bike helmet for bike riding and a skateboard helmet for skateboarding only. You may also consider dual-certified skate helmets for different sports like roller skating, in-line skating, one-wheeling, scooter riding, etc.

Protection and Impact Resistance

The notable difference between a bike helmet and a skate helmet is the protection they offer to your head. How these helmets resist different impacts largely depends on their construction. The fact is that no helmet (even a full-face helmet) will guarantee 100% safety to your head or neck.

Bike Helmet Construction

A bike helmet is made of a hard outer shell with EPS foam. This construction makes the helmet withstand the hard impacts, and after the impact, you have to replace the helmet.

Skate Helmet Construction

Unlike a bike helmet, a skate helmet has a thin foam shell. Such construction of skate helmets allows them to protect against several small impacts.

Single Impact vs. Multi-Impact Helmet

Falling from a skateboard is entirely different from having an accident on a bike. Both the situations will lead to different kinds of impacts. That is why both the helmets are constructed distinctly.

Also Read: Open Face Helmet Injuries

Bike helmets provide excellent protection during high-speed crashes. Such hard impacts damage the foam of the helmet and change its shape. So, you can not use this helmet anymore, which makes the bike helmet a single-impact helmet.

Skate helmets protect against several low-speed impacts or falls. The skate helmet can withstand these small impacts making it a multi-impact helmet.

Now, you have an idea about how both the helmets will protect you. My suggestion is to wear a bike helmet for high-speed riding and a multi-impact helmet for skateboarding.

Advanced MIPS Protection:

Many new helmets coming today are equipped with a multi-directional impact protection system. This MIPS technology enhances the levels of protection provided by the helmet.

MIPS integrated helmets reduce the effect of impacts by minimizing the rotational forces during accidents. Most bike helmets use this system for better protection, but this will increase the helmet’s cost.

Style

Both bike and skate helmets have different styles. Many people prefer a bike helmet for skateboarding or a skate helmet for gravel biking or cycling.

In comparison, skate helmets are somehow more stylish than bike helmets. So, you may choose the skateboard helmet for a more attractive look. But, make sure to check the safety certification of a helmet.

Ventilation

Vents on the helmet allow air circulation inside the helmet. Every helmet has a different ventilation system based on the number of vents. The larger the number of vents, the lesser the material, and hence the helmet will be more lightweight and expensive.

During cycling, you need more ventilation and more aerodynamics. That’s why bike or cycling helmets have the highest number of vents as compared to other helmets.

Unlike bike helmets, skate helmets have fewer vents because skateboarders do not want excess ventilation.

Coverage of Head

Bike helmets and skate helmets also differ in their design. Both provide coverage to your head in a different manner.

Road bike helmets only cover the top of your head and some upper part of the back of the head. Since there is little chance for a bike rider to fall off the bike’s back, there is no coverage for the lower back of your head.

BMX and mountain bike helmets have full face coverage. These full-face helmets provide better safety for speedy rides, but I don’t recommend wearing them for regular riding. They are a bit heavier, hotter, and not much comfortable compare to other road helmets.

Also Read: Best Motocross Helmets

On the other hand, skate helmets are usually round and have coverage to the back of your head. On skateboards, you typically fall backward, so these helmets are designed to protect against such falls.

I always recommend the skateboard helmet for skating as they have better coverage to the head’s back whenever your board accelerates. For cycling and regular riding, you should consider the road cycling helmet for comfortability.

Visor

Skateboarders usually don’t need the visor. Therefore, most skateboard helmets do not include visors.

The mountain bike helmets include visors, while there is no visor in the road bike helmets. Mountain bike riders sometimes need to sun shield; therefore, a visor is helpful, while road bike riders prefer to wear sunglasses. You may also check these helmets with a tinted visor to protect your eyes.

Can I Use Just One Helmet?

Many people usually ask this question about skate and bike helmets. The straightforward answer to this question is YES, as I have already mentioned that you need a CPSC-certified helmet for bike riding. For skateboarding, you need an ASTM F1492 certified helmet.

If you love biking and skating, there is no need to buy a different helmet for both activities. You can use the dual-certified helmet just like those of one-wheel helmets. These dual certified skate helmets have a thick shell and protect against both high and low-speed impacts.

Final Words

The primary purpose of a helmet is to protect your head and brain. Whether you are a cyclist or a skate rider, you always need the safest helmet. You may wear a skate helmet during cycling because cycling without a helmet is risky.

Among all the features, safety is the foremost factor you should look at while choosing the helmet. Hopefully, the above article on bike helmets vs. skate helmets will surely help you understand the significant differences.