Rollerblading is a fun, fitness-promoting exercise, but falls do happen, unfortunately. Having thrilling fun is the main thing, but if you take a hard tumble and bust your cranium open, you likely won’t skate ever again. Always wear a fitting helmet when skating, but what skate helmet size should I get? Well, measure you head circumference and look at the model’s size chart. That’s how you size a skateboard helmet.
Related: How to choose a good skate helmet
Incorrectly Fitted Skateboard Helmets Can Be Risky
Choosing the right skate helmet and ensuring a proper fit are critical for optimal protection while inline skating. If a helmet fits you too loosely, there’s a good chance it’ll roll off your head, leaving your head to the mercy of fate.
And a skateboard helmet that fits too closely can wind up giving you pressure points at the temples, front of the head, back of the head, top of the head, and elsewhere.
In this guide, we’ll describe the steps to follow when measuring your melon for a well-fitted skate helmet. You’ll also learn what skate helmet safety certifications to watch out for including the increasingly popular MIPS.
An OK Helmet That Fits Superbly Outperforms a Fancy One that Fits Poorly
An OK skate helmet that fits well and offers comfort can be many times better than one that offers all the bells and whistles but fits poorly.
When fitting your head for a skate helmet, two essential factors stand out: fit and comfort. A well-fitted helmet should feel snug, not too tight or too loose. Use the “two-finger” test to check the fit. If you can fit more than 2 fingers between your skin and chin strap, definitely adjust it because it may not be snug enough.
Also, there should be no more than one inch of movement if you shove the helmet sideways or up and down. If the helmet moves too much when shoved, you can’t trust it to be there for your head the next time you dive into a tree trunk. A well-adjusted chin strap forms the letter V around your ears.
One more thing: If your helmet came with a fit adjustment dial on the back, it should stay nice and secure. It shouldn’t come loose at any time and unfortunately some do. Also, properly fitting helmets don’t exert pressure on your temples, crown, or other areas on your noggin.
Measuring Your Head for a Skate Helmet
To measure your head accurately follow these 3 simple steps:
Step 1: Use a flexible measuring tape or string to wrap around the widest part of your head about 1” above your eyebrows. Keep the tape or string parallel to the ground so you can get an accurate circumference number.
Step 2: Note down the circumference measurement in centimeters or inches.
Step 3: Consult the manufacturer’s size chart to find your helmet size based on your head circumference. For example, this helmet here is in the 55-59cm range. Bujie measured my head at 58cm, It fits me perfectly.
Seek Help for Head Circumference Measurement
If measuring on your own proves to be challenging, you may wanna seek help from a friend, family member, or skate shop staff. Bujie helped me not only measure my head circumference, but he also helped me put on my helmet and secure it correctly.
Inline Skate Helmet Safety Certifications
Never compromise on safety certifications. Only use certified skate helmets. You wanna use an option that fully meets or even exceeds the ASTM F1492 skate standard. You can also use a dual-certified skate helmet. A dual certified brain bucket is one that’s certified to both the CPSC bike safety standard and the skate safety standard.
Usually, these rollerblading safety certifications are found on a label attached to the inside of the helmet. And they are evidence that the helmet has passed rigorous safety tests and will provide adequate protection during impacts.
S1 skate helmets have a demonstrable ability to reduce 1000Gs of energy to under 300Gs. During testing, an engineer put the helmet on a metal head form and then dropped it from 6.5 feet onto a hard flat surface.
The S1 Lifer helmet, for example, decreases 1000Gs of energy to just 253Gs. This means it disperses up to 747Gs of crash energy away from your head, which is impressive. The S1 Mega Lifer big-head helmet passes the test, too. Here’s a review of the S1 Mega Lifer if you’re interested (we bought the helmet and tested it). Watch this S1 skate helmets video to understand how they crash test helmets.
The yellow helmet in the video above is a cycling helmet but you can use it for skating. It has this black hard foam that soaks up the impacts instead of your head. By the way, this Giant cycling helmet reduces 1000Gs of energy to 340Gs. This means it wouldn’t protect similarly to any S1 skateboard helmet.
MIPS Technology – Optional but Beneficial
You may be wondering if you need a MIPS equipped skate helmet.
MIPS is an acronym for Multi-Directional Impact Protection System. And some inline skate helmets come with MIPS. Many skate brands these days offer MIPS helmets alongside non-MIPS options.
However, there’s no conclusive evidence that a MIPS certified helmet offers better protection than a regular certified helmet. But if the technology makes you feel safer when out skating, definitely get a MIPS skate helmet.
While this extra head protection system isn’t mandatory, MIPS could add an extra layer of protection for certain types of impacts. It’s designed to reduce rotational forces that could happen from angular impacts because not all crash impacts are linear.
EN 1078 Standard
Apart from the US-formulated skate helmet standards the ASTM F1492 skate standard and the CPSC bike standard, there’s the UK and Euro zone helmet safety standard, the EN 1078 standard. This standard isn’t as stringent as the ASTM one, but you can rest assured that a helmet certified to this standard meets all of the safety requirements for rollerblading.
Keep your eyes peeled for any new developments in skate helmet technology and upgrade your brain bucket if necessary. By the way, it’s recommended that you replace your helmet every 5-7 years. But if you take a hard spill at any time, stop using the helmet and replace it.
Your Head Shape Matters, Too
Skate helmet brands like Triple 8, Pro-Tec, and TSG make high quality helmets, but they don’t fit exactly the same way. Skate helmets are designed for different head shapes. For example, Triple 8 helmets typically suit rounder heads better while Pro-Tec and TSG helmets may be more suitable for oval-shaped heads. If you wear a helmet that’s more round and you have a more oval head, it likely won’t fit you very well.
How to Fit Your Head for a Skate Helmet: Summary
Finding the perfect fit for your skate helmet is essential for your safety and comfort. Remember to measure your head accurately, prioritize safety certifications, and consider additional features like MIPS technology for added protection.
Also, factor in your head shape when selecting a helmet brand. With the right fit and a certified helmet, you can confidently enjoy your blading adventures while keeping safety a top priority.
