Skating requires proper safety equipment to guard against potential injury from falls and accidental collisions. And no piece of equipment is more important than a helmet, which can be the only thing between the skater's head and the unforgiving pavement. All skating helmets consist of soft padding encased in a hard outer shell. A chin strap secures the helmet and keeps it in place no matter how violent the crash. Numerous manufacturers produce skate helmets, and each brand has its own unique qualities.
Pro-Tec
Recognized as a premier helmet manufacturer, Pro-Tec produces a wide range of helmets ideal for skating. Professional skateboarder Bucky Lasek lends his name to many Pro-Tec models, endorsing the company's products and making them popular among skateboarders. Regardless of style, all Pro-Tec helmets feature a durable ABS plastic shell, a multi-impact two-stage liner, soft tubular webbing and stainless steel rivets. The Pro-Tec Ace model, worn by Lasek and other professional skaters, contains Pro-Tec's Surface-Activated Expanded Polypropylene, a special kind of memory foam that regains its shape even after repeated compressions, making it valuable to serious skaters who often have to deal with multiple impacts during competition. Pro-Tec Ace helmets retail for around $36.
Kryptonics
Involved in the skateboarding industry since 1965, Kryptonics started out making wheels and decks but now produces a wide range of skating products, including helmets. The Kryptonic Kore helmet ranks among the sport's very best, featuring EPS foam liners inside a rugged ABS plastic shell. The helmet has an adjustable, low-stretch nylon strap for a secure fit. Vents along the top and in front also allow for ample cooling. Kryptonic Kore helmets retail for around $30 and meet all U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Standards for bicycle, inline skate and skateboard use.
Triple Eight
Perfect for skateboarding, inline skating and other roller sports, the Triple Eight Brainsaver helmet has a rubberized finish on its outer shell to give it a distinctive appearance. On the inside, the Brainsaver has EVA foam padding and a Sweatsaver terry cloth lining with antibacterial properties that eliminate moisture and odor, making for a more comfortable experience. Triple Eight Brainsaver helmets come in a variety of colors, from black to rasta yellow and even camo, and retail for approximately $40.
Nutcase
Despite the crazy name, Nutcase helmets provide skaters with excellent protection. The Nutcase multi-sport helmets feature an ABS injected shell, EPS shock-absorption padding and 11 vents to provide cooling air flow. Starting at around $40, Nutcase helmets come in a wide range of colors and designs, all complying with the Consumer Product Safety Commission standards.
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