How To Choose The Best Longboard Helmets In 2024? (Full Face to Half Shell)

Longboarding is always fun and exciting, but at the same time, it’s risky too. That’s why longboarders are obliged to wear safety gear, and helmets are an absolute must. It can help you avoid severe head injuries and the nasty consequences that follow.

Most states in the US have now made it illegal to longboard without wearing a helmet, so it barely remains just a duty to encourage our youngsters to wear them. The law also demands these helmets to meet particular safety standards to ensure they are safe to use.

But finding the best longboard helmets complying with these legal requirements can be somewhat of a hassle for a layperson. And when you want to mix and match it with your personal preference and comfort, it becomes even more troublesome.

With this in mind, we have put together this article to answer all the questions you may have about longboard helmets. Also, we present reviews of helmets that provide uncompromised safety and are cool to wear. So, let’s begin.

We’ve reviewed the following helmets:

Do You Really Need a Longboard Helmet?

The answer is unambiguously a ‘BIG YES.’

Longboarders, whether they’re beginners or pros, often find themselves asking this question at some point. They’re rarely fans of wearing helmets, thinking it takes their freedom away.

Even though many of them agree that a helmet is necessary for downhill racing, full route cruising, skatepark riding, or similar disciplines, which involve substantial injury risks, they strongly disagree on the occasions of low-speed pushing on flats.

Read: How to Look Cool Wearing a Skateboard Helmet?

In case you need some convincing, here’s what we’d like you to know.

1. First of all, it’s illegal to longboard without a helmet in many states.
2. Once you have fallen on your head, you realize how essential helmets are.
3. Some longboarders suffer from severe concussions that even get them into intensive care, including those with two-plus years’ experience. Injuryjournal.com finds longboarders are twice as likely to suffer severe head injuries and neck injuries, as well as neurological trauma.
4. An accident can occur when the board has a poor setup, leading to wheel bite, stopping the riders in their tracks, resulting in a headlong fall.
5. Cruisers usually ride relaxedly with their guards down, leaning heavily and not bending their knees very often, increasing the risk of a sudden fall.
6. A miss of a weight transfer can cause you to hit the ground with a sudden impact even when dancing on your longboard at a slow speed on a flat.
7. Even when riding on a familiar flat surface, you will occasionally run into some deep crack or debris, causing you to fall off your board and hit your head on the sidewalk or road.
8. You may experience a car suddenly pulling out on you even when you’re slowing down on a flat.
9. A kid or an unmindful pedestrian can always pop out of nowhere and push you hard without you even realizing it.
10. Older longboarders should be role models for younger ones by wearing helmets.

When Should You Replace Your Longboard Helmet?

Most helmets have the designs to endure and survive a great deal of abuse, but changing a helmet should never be put off until it wears out completely. Helmet manufacturers usually suggest replacing them after about three to five years of use or roughly seven years after production.

However, it’s incredibly challenging to maintain a bike, skateboard, or longboard helmet integrity through multiple impacts, as it shakes under pressure any impact a skull might have otherwise sustained. Consequently, the damaged area of a helmet can barely withstand another hard blow.

So, we recommend replacing your helmet soon after it has taken one severe blow.

How Often Should You Change Your Longboard Helmet?

Helmets have one steadfast rule: if you crash wearing one, replace it. They are primarily single-use safety equipment. You can no longer protect yourself with a helmet that has had its foam compressed. No matter if you bought the helmet yesterday or twenty years ago, this holds.

Even multi-impact certified helmets that have taken multiple hits will not provide the same level of protection as they did at their time of purchase. Their lifespan decreases near to zero with each slam. It’s best to replace the helmet if you’re not sure if it’s still protecting you.

You might also want to consider replacing your helmet even if you haven’t suffered any injuries in the past few years. Sweat and heat can age and destroy the helmet’s protective properties, reducing its defense mechanism radically. That’s why we recommend replacing yours every 3-years, even if you never fell or crashed while wearing it.

Types of Helmets for Longboarding

The following two main longboard helmet variants are to consider based on the kind of skateboarding discipline you wish to pursue:

• Full-Face Helmets
• Half-Shell Helmets

Full-Face Helmets

A full-face longboard helmet provides more enhanced protection than its half-shell counterparts as they cover your entire head, protect the eyes, ears, jaw, and face.

Almost every full-face helmet comes with a tinted, removable visor that protects your eyes from dirt or insects, as well as the radiant sunlight blinding you when skating. Essentially, they share the same construction as all other hardshell helmets, consisting of an ABS exterior, EPS foam liner interior, and additional padding for a snug fit.

Downhill or challengingly high-speed longboarding calls for a helmet of this type. The rule for professional longboarding and skateboarding contests is that the riders must wear a full-face helmet. As an aerodynamic helmet, full-face helmets do not have that many vents, but ultimately it comes down to your utmost safety and performance.

Unfortunately, full-face helmet makers provide little information about the amount of impact their helmets can handle. So it’s essential to check the helmet’s certification marks to ensure you’re getting the best protection (see below to learn more).

Half-Shell Helmets

Half-shell helmets are also called ‘buckets’ because of their shape. These ABS foam-filled lightweight helmets do not cover most parts of your face. For longboarders, the half-shell helmet only provides ‘basic’ protection for cruising, freestyle, dancing, slalom, and street skating, as well as activities similar to roller skating and cycling.

However, a half-shell helmet is not an ideal option for downhill longboarding. The classic bucket shape only shields the top and the back of your head and the forehead; it doesn’t guard your eyes, ears, jaw, and face.

Half-shell helmets come in two types:

The Classic Half-Shell

It’s the most commonly found half-shell helmet. As we’ve mentioned earlier, it only goes above your hairline and down the back, covering less than half of your face.

The “Full-Cut” Half-Shell

This helmet’s ear covers are borrowed from snowboard helmets of the same style. They don’t have any performance boost over their classic counterparts, but they sure do look cool.

Comparisons between Different Longboard Helmet Constructions

You can find the above two types of helmets in a variety of constructions. It’s always a good idea to compare them to determine which is most suitable for you according to your needs.

Hard-shell vs Soft-Shell Helmets

Longboard skateboard helmets typically have a “hard shell,” meaning a rigid ABS outer shell that sits on top of an inner layer of lightweight EPS foam that disperses and absorbs impacts.

In particular, you should steer clear of “soft-shell” helmets, as they have a thinner outer shell and less stiff multi-density foam lining, which are not as protective as a hard shell helmet with EPS.

Hard-Shell Construction vs In-mold Construction

In terms of the bond between the EPS liner and the helmet’s outer shell, there are two construction types: a hard shell and an in-mold shell.

The Hardshell Construction refers to how the outer shell and the interior EPS shell are not directly joined but are glued at several contact points. It is the reason why some skateboard helmets have come apart after long-term wear.

In contrast, an In-Mold construction means that the outer shell has the EPS foamed directly into it. As a result, the components have a very stable bond between them, as they do not depend on the glue strength used to construct hard shells.

Multi-Impact vs Single-Impact Helmets

In case of an impact on a helmet, the EPS foam liner cracks or deforms, dispersing the energy of the hit while compromising its structural stability. It depends on the helmet. Some can handle more than others.

From this point of view, helmets fall into two categories- multi-impact and single impact, indicating the number of blows they can endure before one should replace them. As the names suggest, single-impact helmets need a replacement after going through a single massive hit, while multi-impact helmets can survive multiple impacts.

But, also keep in mind that multi-impact helmets intend to withstand a single high-impact strike or several low-impact strikes before needing to be replaced. Therefore, if you have been wearing your helmet for an extended period, it is more likely it has encountered multiple minor impacts from transport and handling, potentially causing its protective properties to deteriorate.

Read: Choose the right wrist guards for your safety

Other Varieties of Longboard Helmets

Apart from the main two types, you may often come across several other variants, such as:

LED Helmets

As you can guess from the name, LED helmets are more for electric longboarders than regular riders. In other words, it has more to do with looks than rides. Nevertheless, they can provide some additional security. While their front lights allow you to cruise at night, the backlight notifies nearby cars and pedestrians of your presence.

Foldable Longboard Helmets

These helmets indeed can fold! At the end of a ride, you can tuck them away easily without storing hassles. Folding helmets are typically lighter than other types. However, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re too flimsy; they can offer the protection like the rest so long as they boast a certified, quality build.

The Aero Helmet

An aero helmet is just a full-face helmet with a fairing that enhances its ‘aerodynamic’ characteristics. These fairings can be a tail at the helmet’s base that extends behind or shoulder fairings covering the shoulders. The aim is to smooth out the air movement over the head and the body.

Benefits of Full-Face Helmets

Check out the following reasons why you should consider using a full face helmet for longboarding:

• Face, neck, and head protection- You can never be sure which part of the head will take the hit during a crash or impact. Even if you don’t hit your head, a fall can still injure your neck or even cause you to fall onto your face. But when you wear a full-face helmet, you will be protected from every angle.

• It keeps out dust, flying objects, and insects. A flying insect or dust particle can distract you while riding at full speed, causing an accident. But as long as you keep the face screen down, no problems will arise.

• You stay warm when it’s cold outside. During cold weather or early winter morning rides, a full-face helmet can provide you with ample warmth so that your ride is never compromised.

• It ensures protection without obstructing ventilation. Well-made longboarding full face helmets will be breathable and comfortable even if you wear one on a hot day. Despite covering the head, face, and neck areas, it will still keep you safe and secure. ​

Benefits of Half-Shell Helmets

As evident as it is, a half-shell helmet won’t offer the same level of protection as a full-face helmet. Still, you shouldn’t ignore the following advantages it can provide.

• Safety, more or less. Wearing a helmet will always protect your head in case of an accident. While half helmets don’t provide as much protection as full-face helmets, they’re still better than wearing nothing at all.

• Enhanced airflow. The best half-shell helmet for longboarding lets you enjoy the wind on your face while keeping cool. A helmet with an open face does not have chin bars, so your cheeks and chin are more exposed to fresh airflows.

• Lightweight. It is much lighter to wear a half helmet than a full-face or a 3/4 helmet. Good longboard helmets with a half-shell aren’t too bulky or cumbersome, yet they are still pretty sturdy and protective.

Review of the 4 Best Full Face Longboard Helmets

The following reviews feature five of the best full face longboard helmets and what makes them the best on the market.

Review of the 4 Best Half Shell Helmets for Longboarding

The following reviews of five of the best half-shell longboard helmets are worth looking for freedom-longboarders who find the above full-face helmets too bulky.

Longboard Helmet Certification Marks

Helmet certifications assure you that they won’t fail you when the time comes. The jargon may sound complicated and gibberish, only it isn’t. Other than the odd number and letter names, certifications are pretty simple to comprehend. Skate and longboard helmets are most commonly certified by ASTM, CPSC, and CE. With just three to know, there is no reason you wouldn’t.

ASTM Standards

Thousands of skilled volunteers serve on ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) International Organization, including doctors, physicists, and engineers. The ASTM sets safety standards for a variety of safety equipment. Most protective sports gear on the market in the US is designed to follow ASTM standards. Certifications to look for include:

• ASTM F1492 – skateboard and longboard helmets
• ASTM F1447 – bicycle helmets
• ASTM F1952 – downhill mountain biking helmets

CPSC Standards

The Consumer Product Safety Commission of the United States sets bicycling helmet safety standards. In the US, bike helmets sold exclusively for bicycles must comply with the CPSC’s safety standards (CPSC 1203).

At present, the CSPS doesn’t have any standard for skateboard helmets. However, it does set the safety standards of the EPS foam inside the helmets. And when a helmet comes with both ASTM CPSC inner liner certification, it’s labeled dual-certified, guaranteeing exceptional durability of the model.

CE Certification (EU)

In Europe, you should ensure that a helmet has a CE certification, assuring its compliance with all safety, health, and environmental standards of the European Economic Area (EEA).

The most common certification for longboard and skateboard helmets is CE EN 1078.

As part of this standard, items must endure a single high impact and a few puncture scrapes, such as those incurred during cycling, skateboarding, or roller-skating.

Are Other Helmets Like Cycling or Motorcycling Helmets Also Good for Longboarding?

It’s better to wear a helmet than not at all, but wearing a certified sport-specific helmet is always the best practice to ensure maximum safety. You can use any type of helmet if you cannot buy one dedicated for longboarding, but you should be aware of these drawbacks.

Cycling helmets don’t provide the necessary protection, motorcycling helmets can be too bulky, and paragliding helmets (like the Icaro SkyRunner) don’t have the build to get scuffed up against the asphalt; they don’t meet skating safety certifications either.

So instead, a mountain biking helmet would be the best substitute for a longboard full face helmet. And it must include all the necessary certifications we’ve discussed above.

However, the disadvantage of these helmets is that they are bulkier and have so many vents, causing them to be less aerodynamic than you would hope. Additionally, they won’t have visors, so you may have to craft one yourself.

Read: Is there a difference between a bike helmet and a skateboard helmet?

Things to Consider when Choosing the Best Longboard Helmets (Buying Guide)

While longboarding, choosing the proper head protection is a necessity and not an option, so it’s crucial to think carefully before making a choice.

We have already addressed the helmets’ safety standards and types in the previous sections, which you must go over carefully. Here, we’ll go over a few more essential factors to consider when you shop for longboarding helmets.

Material

Typically, skateboard helmets have two kinds of build materials, ABS and PVC. These materials are used in the outer shell’s construction and are the first to contact the ground upon impact.

In contrast to ABS, which is a bit heavier, PVC is lightweight and costs much less. ABS, however, is more impact-resistant than PVC. For this reason, one should always choose ABS over PVC when choosing the material.

Second in importance is the internal core, which also absorbs impacts. Helmet inner cores usually consist of EPS or expanded polystyrene material. A fall will most likely result in EPS absorbing most of the impact force, so it’s critical to ensure it’s durable and not just a cheap imitation. A CPSC-certified EPS inner core is always the best option.

Another way to ensure an impact-enduring EPS material is by checking the thickness. In general, one can go for a minimum of ¾-inch. However, we recommend opting for an inch-wide liner so that you can be on the safest side.

Ventilation

You must also consider the helmet’s comfort profile after covering the safety concerns. And ventilation is a crucial factor here.

Your scalp requires constant airflow, just like every other body part. A lack of proper airflow can cause excessive sweating, especially if you reside in a warm area. A helmet’s ventilation cannot be measured objectively, but a helmet with multiple vents generally has better ventilation.

Essentially, you need to check how many vents the helmet has before deciding whether or not to go for it. For people living in moderately warm areas, seven vents are usually sufficient. However, seven may not be enough for longboarding in hotter climates; ten or anything over could be better.

Read: How Much Does A Skateboard Helmet Cost?

Padding

In addition to making the helmet more comfortable, a helmet’s padding also helps to prevent sweat from building up on your skin. If the mercury is rising, sweating is sure to occur regardless of ventilation. As a result, if you do not have a way of absorbing the sweat, the sweat will eventually drip from the helmet into your eyes, which can be dangerous.

For this reason, a quality helmet should have appropriate padding that both provides comfort and absorbs sweat. The trouble with absorption is that the pad starts to stink unpleasantly when too much gets in there. Some manufacturers use coatings that make their products stink-resistant. These coatings kill bacteria that produce foul odors.

However, this feature is only present in expensive, high-end helmets. So, what should you do if you have to go for budget helmets?

It is simple. Just go for a helmet that has a lining you can remove and wash.

Fit

Fit has more to do with maximizing your protection than just providing comfort. There is no way that a loose helmet will be able to protect you from an impact if it wobbles on your head.

If you want to make sure you have the perfect fit, measure your head’s circumference and go by the size chart of the company you are buying from. The best way to measure is with a measuring tape. And whenever you’re unsure, or your head falls in between two standard sizes, you should strongly consider buying the larger size.

Straps and Retention System

The straps on a helmet keep it tightly in place while enabling you to easily open your mouth to speak, drink, or eat.

There is nothing better than a strap that creates a v-shape beneath the ear lobe. And how do you keep the helmet secured to your head? You need to be able to adjust the fit to make sure you’re comfortable and secure.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What makes a helmet downhill certified?

ASTM F1952 is the standard certification for downhill helmets. There is no requirement for a chin bar in the standard, but chin bars are tested if a helmet has them (even if they are removable). A helmet with a removable chin bar is tested both with and without it.

How can I pick the right size if I order online?

Here’s a chart that might help you size your helmet. Compare the readings after you’ve measured your head circumference with a measuring tape.

Size	Head Circumference
XS/S	20–21.25 inches (51–54 cm)
S/M	21–22.5 inches (53–57 cm)
L/XL	22.5–23.5 inches (57–60 cm)
XL/XXL	23.5–24.5 inches (60–63 cm)

What certification is best for skateboard helmets?

As we’ve addressed above, skateboard or longboard helmets are certified by ASTM in the USA, while CSPC certifies only the helmets’ EPS lining. So, it’ll be best if you buy a dual-certified helmet to be on the safe side.

Should I replace a helmet after a crash?

Mostly, yes. When you have a single-impact helmet, it’s always best to replace it after receiving a blow. However, if you have a multi-impact helmet and it has only endured a minor crash without any visible cracks, you can keep wearing it. The general rule is to replace your helmet as soon as you’ve survived a severe knock.

Will motorcycle helmets work?

As we’ve previously said, any helmet is better than none at all. So long as the motorcycle helmet’s bulk doesn’t bother you, you can wear it for longboarding.

Should you buy cheap helmets?

Never. Invest in helmets from reputable brands. It’s a huge mistake to try to cut corners on helmets. You should protect your head as best you can.

What’s the best longboard helmet of all time?

It’s hard to label one particular helmet as an all-time best. Yet, some renowned brand names have become trusted over time among longboarders, such as Triple-Eight, ProTec, Giro, and TSG.

Wrapping Up…

There you have it. Hopefully, our comprehensive guide and reviews have given you all the information you need to pick the best longboarding helmet.

Every rider needs to put safety first, and a helmet can provide you with the protection you need when riding outdoors. While longboarding may appear to be a sport without many risks, a simple fall while riding at high speed can be deadly enough to cost your life.

So, what are you waiting for? Choose one from the above longboard helmets best fits your game and style, and venture out to enjoy the thrill with your buddies.