As you go out skateboarding or snowboarding, I cannot overemphasize the importance of a snowboard helmet. A helmet is a hard protective headgear which you wear to protect your head from injuries like skull fractures, and traumatic brain injuries like concussions.
So do we wear any type of helmet for any activity? Can you use a snow board helmet for skateboarding? Can you use a bike helmet for snowboarding? The type of helmet you wear for head protection depends on the activity. Each activity has its specific helmet design.
The hard shell of the helmet stops anything from hitting the skull, and this prevents fractures. In baseball, for instance, the helmet is worn in order to protect the batter’s head from cracked teeth and broken facial bones in case of an accident.
Helmets reduce the severity of injuries as skull fracture and catastrophic brain injury. They made baseball helmet of aerospace-grade carbon fiber composite. The inner lining comprises expanded polystyrene (EPS) and a fabric cushioning is stitched over to absorb shock and to make the athlete comfortable.
People enjoy skateboarding and snowboarding as they are both enjoyable leisure activities, but then does being good at one make you good at both? In this post, we will discuss the difference between snowboarding and skateboarding and especially answer the question: can you use a snowboard helmet for skateboarding?
Snowboarding vs Skateboarding
The most obvious difference between these two is the boards used. When riding a skateboard, your feet are free since it has 4 wheels while it trapped a snowboard on your feet and you ride mostly on the edge of the board.
On a snowboard you have the possibility to flex the board given that bindings, which you can’t do on a skateboard, held your feet in place. Skateboard sizes are mostly about preference, but for snowboards, there’s a particular size to be used.
A snowboard is usually longer than a skateboard.
There is a difference in season as they did snowboarding during winter, while skateboarding is mostly a summer sport. Also, snowboarding is usually done snow, they mostly done skateboarding on ground.
In terms of locomotion, skateboard movement is because of the rolling at the base of the skateboard while in snowboarding. Movement is because of the snowboard sloping down the snow.
On a snowboard, you use your whole body to make turns, whereas on a skateboard, you just have to lean in the direction you want to go higher by applying a bit of pressure on your heels and toes.
Despite the differences that exist between these two, many people practice skateboarding as a transition to snowboarding.
Snowboarding Helmet Design Features
Modern snowboarding helmets are full of features to make sure they fit properly; they are so functional and extremely comfortable that there is almost no excuse for not having one on. These days most shops hire out helmets, so even if you don’t have the means to buy one, you can always hire.
There are 2 main types of construction in snow sports helmets, in-mold and hard shell helmets. In-mold construction is made by attaching the shell and shock-absorbing foam liner into a single molding process. This helps for good durability and a better ventilation system.
Components of a Snowboard Helmet and Design Features
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The shell
The function of the shell a helmet is the main part to protect your head. They usually make the shell from polycarbonate plastic, and the core made from expanded polystyrene (EPS. In some cases, the shell is made from fiberglass and carbon fiber. Both polycarbonate and polystyrene are light.
This makes snowboard helmets comfortable to wear. The shell of a helmet helps to spread out force of an impact and protects you from severe injuries caused by sharper objects, as well as protecting the core from abrasions and scratches.
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The core
The core absorbs the energy of an impact through compression or destruction. This protects your head from the powerful forces of collisions. After a hard impact, they should replace helmets, the reason being that the expanded polystyrene will not return to its initial state after absorbing a hard impact and it will not protect your head to the maximum in case of another serious impact.
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The liners
Hard shell helmets make use of a durable shell and lightweight liner which are bonded together. Usually, this type of helmet has fewer vents, but they are of great value. Hybrid construction gives an outstanding balance of durability and weight to both in-mold and hard shell helmets.
The lining in a helmet makes it more comfortable. The lining is the padding inside a helmet that makes it more comfortable. It gives a soft layer between your head and the helmet core. Linings can be easily removed and replaced so that they can be washed.
Some helmets even come with a couple of sets of liners of different thickness. This permits you to customize the helmet to your taste.
4. The Ventilation system:
The vents allow cool air to get to your head through the vents found at the top and back of the helmet. On most helmets, they can open the air vent to cool you down, or left closed to make the helmet warmer.
They usually find these vents on the shell of the helmet, but in rare cases, you can find helmets that have inner liners that plug the vent holes which have to be removed in order to open the vents. There are 2 types; passive and active vents.
They can adjust active vents depending on the conditions, but passive vents are not adjustable. The number of vents and the amount of airflow that can pass through a helmet vary a lot between models and brands of helmets.
Some helmets have vents all over them to let as much air in as possible, while others only make vents a minor feature. Still on vents, most helmets have channels which let air travel from front vents and leave through rear vents. This helps to keep your head cooler since more air passes through the helmet.
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The Ear Pads
They make the ear pads on most helmets with fabric.They protect your ears from damage and keep your ears warm and it doesn’t have a significant effect on your hearing. They build some ear pads into the shell of the helmet while they separated others from the shell and the core.
Usually, the ear pads are removable so that they can be washed and also so they can wear the helmet without the ear pads for those who are not comfortable with ear pads on. Take note the helmet gets a lot cooler without the ear pads on. For music lovers, there are helmets with headphones or speakers integrated into the ear pads, but then this feature should only be used when you are on the lift.
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The Straps
They also made snowboard helmets up of straps. They wear this strap below the chin to make sure that your helmet is firmly tight to your head (snug fit).
It also ensures that the helmet stays on your head in case of any crash. A buckle locks together the two ends and they can adjust the straps to the length of your choice so that it is comfortable enough for you.
The most common buckles that can be found on a snowboard helmet are the clip buckle as on the mechanics of sport helmet and the ratchet buckle where a laddered length of plastic slots into a hole with a spring clip both buckles work well and efficiently.
Most straps also have a chin pad, this helps to make the strap more comfortable lying against your face. Helmets have an adjustable band around the back of the head. They can lengthen or shorten this to make sure the helmet holds your head firmly.
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The Pads
Some helmets have an adjustment wheel whereas others have ratchets and buttons or even an air bag (inflatable pads) that can be inflated to grip the back of your head. The mechanism for adjustment varies between manufacturers and brands. Most of the times, the adjustment band can be adjusted by changing the padding clips into the helmet’s core.
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The Visor
The integrated visor is one feature initially designed for those who wear glasses. However, it is so practical so a good number of snowboarders use it. But snowboarders also need anti-fog since the visor fogs in the cold weather in the hills..
Skateboard Helmet Design Features
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The Shell
There are 3 main types of skateboard helmets: classic, full-cut and full-face
Classic helmets shells cover the head from the middle of your forehead to your neckline. They have ventilation holes at the top, front and back. They also feature ear cutouts.
Full-cut helmets offer a more head-and-face coverage, covering ears and further down the neck. They are slightly heavier than the classic helmets.
Full-face helmets are high protection models for the most extreme riders and they are similar to the ones used by motorcyclists.
ABS plastic is the most common outer shell material in the world thanks to its durable nature. They molded it to the inner foam, and this prevents scratches and other damages. Its major function is to protect the head during collisions with hard objects.
The shell reduces the impact force and absorbs the energy by cracking easily during a collision.
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The pads and liners
The best skateboard helmets feature an ABS (engineering plastic) outer shell, high-impact ready EPS (polypropylene ethylene) foam, soft and extra thick padding, removable liners and adjustable chain straps with side release buckles.
EPS foam liners suffer more of the impact of a crash, protecting your skull from severe injuries. They found these foam liners in most certified helmets.
These head protective systems are often lightweight, durable and meet up with maximum safety standards.
- The ventilation system
Ventilation systems will help keep your head cool and minimize sweating. Safety rear lights ensure car drivers see you, even in the dark.
The ventilation system comprises many vents. Some can be closed in freezing weather to maintain warm temperatures.
Differences between Skateboard Helmets and Snowboard Helmets
We can only use once skateboard helmets while we can use snowboard helmets a couple of tiles, assuming that you don’t get really hard impacts.
Snowboard helmets are more protective than skateboard helmets. They offer more coverage given what the material they are made of and it keeps you warmer.
They designed snowboard helmets in a way that permits you to snowboard with your goggles on whereas goggles don’t really work with skateboard helmets.
Snowboard helmets always cover ears, which is not the case which skateboard helmets.
Snowboard helmets are more expensive than skateboard helmets, reason being that snowboard helmets last longer than skateboard helmets. Do not forget that they design skateboard helmets for a single impact.
How is a Snowboard Helmet Similar to a Skate Board Helmet?
The primary aim of putting on a helmet is to avoid head injuries like skull fracture and brain injuries. Both skateboard and snowboard helmets are out to protect your head from any damage.
They both have straps as part of the helmets, which are used to make sure the helmet is tight enough to your head.
Both have solid shells which help to protect your skull.
Ventilation is an important feature in both helmets. These vents give you good airflow and more comfort.
Although helmets cannot give ultimate protection during all falls or accidents, they will reduce the effects of the impacts on your head. They prevent or lessen head trauma in most cases.
At first, people didn’t really like wearing helmets because they felt they look odd with helmets on. Nowadays, it is the contrary; you look “cooler” with a helmet on.
FAQ about Snowboard Helmet For Skateboarding
Is a Snowboard Helmet Enough for Skateboarding?
Though snowboarding and skateboarding are 2 different activities, you can use a snowboard helmet for skateboarding since the primary aim of both helmets is to protect the head against any injuries.
They make every helmet depending on the sports it’s used for. They have only been safety tested for the sport we designed them for.
Helmets are recommended for all ages when taking part in any recreational activities. It is better to have one on than none. Snowboarding and skateboarding are 2 different activities.
Can You Wear a Ski Helmet for Snowmobiling?
You should know that wearing a helmet when skiing, snowboarding or skateboarding will decrease your risk of head injury. Different activities require different helmets, but this does not mean you can’t use one for the other.
However, when changing helmets, check if the helmets are appropriate for the sports you want to use it for. Simply put, yes, you can wear a ski helmet for snowmobiling given that they make both helmets for activities carried out during winter and have similar features, but is advisable to wear helmets made for the sport you want to do.
Remember, a proper helmet can mean the difference between a major head injury and a minor head injury or no injury at all.
Can You Wear a Skateboard Helmet for Skiing?
A skateboard helmet is not very suitable for skiing reason being that skateboarding is a summer activity while skiing is a snow activity. Helmets are adapted to various seasons hence; wearing a skateboard helmet for skiing is not advisable.
It might get too cold for you. It is better to wear the right helmet for the right activity so they fit properly and protect your head from any injury. Skateboard helmets are only designed for skateboarding. Skip to these related posts on helmets.
Wrapping Up
Can You Use a Snowboard helmet For Skateboarding? You can use a snowboard helmet for skateboarding (especially flat ground skateboarding) since we carry both activities out in snow.
However, each sporting activity has its specific helmet design. We hope this guide post has given you enough information on helmets to make an informed decision.
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