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| Safety Equipment (1172 Posts)
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if you have a $40 head buy a $40 helmet....
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On 12/28/2000
DT
wrote in from
(64.24.nnn.nnn)
ok, i've had a lot experience with helmets and more importantly crashing at speed with them.
there are several factors you need to consider.
1. what type of riding do you do and at what speeds?
if your only riding parks and mellow downhill (10 - 30mph)
than the helmets you'll find at your local skate shop will do fine they usually cost around $40 and they all are pretty much the same helmet but with different logos (i wouldnt even be the least bit surprised if they ALL come from the same factory over in Asia). These brands include protech, tsg, logic, etc...
if you are riding downhill at speeds from 30 - 50 mph I would suggest a full face helmet with more protection. Ive seen the pro tech helmet and its inside is not much differant than the cheaper ones, i would stay away. Vigor makes good helmets starting around $80 - $150. In which i would recommed the Vamoose. Vision becomes more important and is something to be considered.
if your going faster than 45mph on a regular basis I would reccomed a DOT or SNELL approved helmet, these offer far more protection, but do cost more. However the top motorcycle helmets used in racing are not as heavy as you think and still have quite good vision. The good ones will cost you at least $400. But dont think the cheaper ones are no good. what your paying for is more exotic materials, paint (if its a racer replica) and exotic construction (special vents, etc). Now if money is no issue, than go with a DOC GO - FAST helmet, these are some of the safest helmets on the market and the only one designed for downhill skateboarding. They offer the best vision and comfort than any downhill helmet without sacrificing safety or its aero capabilities. they start around $1200.
2. When looking for a helmet, try it on before you buy it!
You may find a good deal on the internet, but find out its model and go to a store and try it on first.
3. Make sure it fits.
The chin strap should be secure.
Roll your head forward and backwards several times.
Side to side, and in circles, if you have a bit of free movement its too big. Grab the helmet from behind and try and pull it off over your head. If you can pull it off, FORGET ABOUT IT! this helmet will most likely come off at a crash at higher speeds. This is how Dave Perry died, r.i.p.
If it moves forward quite a bit, but not all the way off, keep in mind that the exposed part of your head may come in contact with the ground. Do the same test pulling at your the front and up. If your chin is widely exposed, keep in mind if the helmet is worth the possible danger of hitting your chin.
4. Richard Landingham of LAP makes very good visors for helmets, they run around $40 - $60 depending on the quality.
5. Manu was wearing his trusty boardercross (snowboard) helmet and when he crashed at Campo he suffered a very horrible concussion. Danes helmet isnt much safer and is quite similar to the full face protec they sell at the Vans Orange skatepark. Its no different than the cheap half shells.
6. Wedge helmets work great for streetluge, but suck for stand up.
7. If your buying a used helmet check it really good for cracks, even small one can indicate that its been dropped or crashed in before. Dont be afraid to pull out the liner to get a good look. Experts say that if a helmet has been dropped from 5 feet or more, it wouldnt pass the DOT or SNELL and it has served its purpose, the integrity has been comprimised and should be replaced. I read that in a pamphlet on motorcycle helmets.
If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me.
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good lookers
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On 12/28/2000
hugh r
wrote in from
(205.216.nnn.nnn)
Todcar,
Lots of good looking/light weight/ fullface helmets in the BMX and DH varities... however they don't have the face sheilds.
The only sheild wielding full faces I found were DOT (read heavy/bulky) approved motorcycle/snowmobile/etc types.
Some of the Snowboard/Skiing helmets were pretty cool too... just no face sheilds (seemed pretty odd to me) HR
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helemet with face protection
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On 12/28/2000 todcar
wrote in from
(198.39.nnn.nnn)
I know that Von Bommel & manu used to wear helmets with jaw/face protection that were smaller, lighter and better looking than the motorcycle helmets. Von Bommel told me that his was a prototype - but I haven't seen anything enter the market.
The ideal helmet for me would be smallish, well ventilated, lightweight, comfortable and have a removable shield.
Annybody inn Europe or US know where such a helmet exists?
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helmets
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On 12/28/2000
hugh r
wrote in from
(205.216.nnn.nnn)
Kaylee,
I think that the most important thing with a helmet is proper fit. The best helmet that doesn't fit won't protect you well at all. Where as a lesser quality helmet that fits properly will.
For a cruiser most any of the "skateboard" helmets should do the job. Get one that has a solid shell. I wouldn't buy a foam core for general use. They are only good for one head bang and then should be replaced.
For speed you should consider a full face helmet. A dirt motorcycle helmet offers maximum protection (also max weight) A Bell or Vigor down hill bicycle helmet (foam core) both offer good full face protection and light weight... but not as much protection as the motorcycle helmet... But I have seen them take hard falls and save guys mellons (and that's what it's all about) Sure it destroyed the helmet, but the head was saved.
Bottom line is that a helmet that stays on your head will protect it more than one that doesn't... regardless of price/looks and even quality...
My two cents... HR
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Helmets
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On 12/27/2000
Kaylee
wrote in from
(65.0.nnn.nnn)
I have a similar question. I've been looking for a general purpose helmet that will be comfy and look good. I know the time will come (soon I fear) that I'll be wearing a helmet every time I skate. I'd like to get a nice one that will last a while, and not fall apart just from wearing it a lot. I went to Big 5 Sports and checked out the ProTec's, and they looked pretty crappy. Maybe I don't know what makes a good helmet and I'm just a poor judge of quality, but I'd imagine that there's better ones out there. Anybody have experience with TSG, Logic, etc...? I don't want to settle on a helmet, I want to hook up an awesome one.
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ANY HELMET OUT THERE?
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On 12/26/2000
LEO
wrote in from
(146.18.nnn.nnn)
ANYONE WITH A SUGGESTION OF A ALL AROUND HELMET?, I MENA, IDEAL FOR CRUISING,BOMBING, ETC....
DROP ME A LINE
LEO
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And there's more!
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On 12/26/2000 R.
wrote in from
(142.58.nnn.nnn)
thanks for the kind words, Ben... Don't have videocamera, but if you take a run and launch yourself onto your knees....
I should have noted that both of the pads mentioned above are the lower-end "all-purpose" pads of both companies. I think they both (at least TSG does) make much bigger, bulkier, and thicker pads for, like, serious vert or something foreign to me. Got some of those big mo-fo TSG elbow pads for Christmas, and I do believe they are just a wee bit bulky for me (but still comfy). Also, upon further living room carpet _and_ kitchen floor testing, both myself and my brother agree that the TSGs felt a mite more secure on the knee than the Pro-Tecs, but again, they are pretty comparable pads. I don't know, maybe I just have odd shaped legs... My brother wasn't so able to tell the difference between the two in comfort, although maybe wearing them over jeans had something to do with it.
oh yeah, I also saw "Freewheelin'" featuring stacy peralta and tom sims, and an unintentionally comedic "freewheelin' rollerskater" (apologies if he's out there). Check it out! It's a sweet, sweet video, although maybe not too good for safety gear. Does show neat carving, though.
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Knee pads
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On 12/23/2000
Ben
wrote in from
(63.202.nnn.nnn)
Hey R., people do read this forum and I appreciate that post. I have pored over various pad sites but a review from someone is key. It's not like some other site on the internet is going to be posting comparative reviews on skateboarding kneepads for adults. This is it! TSG, eh?
If you have any video of "preliminary simulated wipe-outs on the living room carpet" you might want to post it. I got a bang out of that.
A friend of mine punched it on the Powerboard the other night in my room and did a huge burnout that actually melted the carpet!!! What the fuck?!?! I have to get in there with scissors now and cut out the melted brown carpet-chunks.
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Pro-Tec vs. TSG knee pads
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On 12/23/2000 R.
wrote in from
(172.166.nnn.nnn)
for anyone who really cares (doesn't seem like many folks check this forum out...how sad), and just in time for Christmas:
Pro-Tec Knee Pads $30 U.S. at big 5 versus TSG All-Terrain (the smaller kind) Knee Pads ~ $35 U.S. (bought in Canada):
It's the battle of the SoCal Americans versus the Wily German designers. After my latest nasty knee gouge, I decided, hey, pads are good, and I'll buy some for my brother for Christmas, too, hence the comparison. Both pads have similar construction: full neoprene sleeve in the back with elastic velcro straps top and bottom. First difference: Pro-Tec uses ballistic nylon-type fabric, whereas TSG uses more flexible and fuzzier-type fabric. To prevent lateral movement during slides/wipe-outs, both pads have foam moldings on this inside of the pad. Pro-Tec uses a "valley" in the foam which is meant to cradle your shin blade. TSG, however, centers your knee cap in a ring of foam. TSG and ProTec both use riveted plastic caps. Pro-Tec's is slightly flatter and larger. Both pads use similar stitching and the workmanship seems very comparable, although TSG's materials seem more flimsy than Pro-Tec's ballistic Nylon. I've done some preliminary simulated wipe-outs on the living room carpet, and they both feel pretty similar in padding, shock absorption, and lateral sliding.
TSG, however, is the winner. The biggest difference, and the one I immediately noticed was comfort. TSG's pads are much more comfortable and less apt to slide down the legs while pushing off than Pro-Tecs. Unfortunately for the SoCal crew, the Germans, as with their cars, win the battle of design and engineering. I've also noticed, as a side-light, that TSG's helmets also seem to be a notch safer than pro-Tecs's. Pro-Tecs are just a plastic shell with those velcro-fixed big fuzzy foam pads. TSGs have all that, plus a substantial inner shell of stiff foam.
Anyone with comparative serious wipe-out experience with either of these product schools?
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sliding gloves
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On 12/20/2000
Lansing
wrote in from
(24.218.nnn.nnn)
I posted this over at "misc. equipment," but it seems that this is the proper place. For those who read *everything* on this site, please excuse the repeat...
Here's my solution to the finger wear-through prob. Rather than duct-taping the fingertips like Eric M suggests, check this out:
While you're at Home Depot or Tag's or wherever picking up a cheap cutting board for the palms of the gloves, look around the Kitchen section. 90% probability that they'll have hundreds of free formica countertop samples hanging on a wall or display unit. Grab a few of those (the one's I got were 2.5" x 1.75").
Using a fine-toothed blade on your jigsaw or bandsaw, or pair of heavy-duty sheers, simply cut-out 10 oval shaped pieces about 1.25" long & .75" wide. (The first one's I made were too small, 1"x.5"). Then hot-glue or shoe-goo 'em to the fingertips of the gloves.
They slide beautifully, and you can still grab & pick up your board with ease! Sure, the pieces are thin, but since the bulk of your weight is on the palm, they last really long. An added plus is that they come in a whole variety of colors for you "style-saavy" skaters!
Lansing
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vegetarian
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On 12/11/2000 DT
wrote in from
(64.24.nnn.nnn)
a word once used for those that werent very good hunters.
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Vegan Leathers
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On 12/11/2000 Herbn
wrote in from
(216.107.nnn.nnn)
Wrap yourself in cabbage,so you can call you crashs, coleslaws:)
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Vegan leathers
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On 12/7/2000 Herbn
wrote in from
(216.107.nnn.nnn)
I never thought of that,it's actually kind of amusing to me.Oh well just the ramblings of a heartless meateater:)
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Kelvar "leathers"
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On 12/5/2000
kaylee
wrote in from
(209.43.nnn.nnn)
By requiring that protection be leather, EDI is being vegan unfriednly. I know most people don't care, and it's not a big deal to the world. They probably have a good reason for the ban, right Chris? All the best stuff is leather, the synthetic vegan skate shoes suck anyway. I just thought it's not very cool to REQUIRE leather, when there's a vegan alternative. Now I'll go hug a tree.
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speed suits
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On 11/25/2000
Roger
wrote in from
(32.100.nnn.nnn)
CoLd_fISh,
Speedsuits can be anything that is very smooth and without wrinkles such as latex rubber. It's purpose is to be as slippery through the air as possible and it not consider safety gear. The real protection (kevlar, leather, etc) is buried underneath.
Check out www.chrischaput.com/speedboarding for an example
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Speedsuits
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On 11/24/2000 Herbn
wrote in from
(216.107.nnn.nnn)
Liquid meth is catalized and drawn into long fibers then woven into a very slick fabric:)
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speedsuits
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On 11/24/2000 CoLd_fISh
wrote in from
(196.2.nnn.nnn)
does anyone know what speedsuits are made out of?
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helmet
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On 11/21/2000
hugh r
wrote in from
(205.216.nnn.nnn)
Dave, In the past I spoke with Jodie @ EDI/dregs who indicated that with membership some sort of speed helmet was available in the 350 range. Not sure which one it was... but she's real nice to talk to anyway! HR
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helmet
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On 11/20/2000
Hamm
wrote in from
(205.188.nnn.nnn)
Anybody know of a good speedboarding helmet that offers
good visability and doesnt cost $1000.
Dave
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helmet visors
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On 11/18/2000 mikez
wrote in from
(196.2.nnn.nnn)
does anyone know how to make a helmet visor I am getting a rad helmet but it doesn't come with a visor and it would be an even better helmet with a visor or does anyone know where to get a visor made
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leathers
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On 11/13/2000 clayton
wrote in from
(130.212.nnn.nnn)
i'm looking for good quality, protective leathers preferably under $200.
if something like that exists let me know.
thank you,
clayton
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Leather Garments & Gloves
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On 11/10/2000
shamas
wrote in from
(203.135.nnn.nnn)
WE are Manufacturers and Exporters,
of all Sorts Leather Garments and Gloves.
Please contact us for our line of Productions.
Our web site www.bara.com.pk
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Helmet testring
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On 11/9/2000 Herbn
wrote in from
(216.107.nnn.nnn)
I was just being fasicious(secret code,so drifter won't know what i'm talking about:)i hope i got the spelling right or half the joke is on me.I know there are probabely some pretty high tech tests done to helmets,are those "Go Fast" helmets Snell or DOT rated?
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Re: Helmet test
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On 11/8/2000
DT
wrote in from
(24.177.nnn.nnn)
I did not mean that those that crashed were a substitue for a test. but that i have seen many bad crashes that should have been a lot worse both on the rider and the helmet. This helmet has been designed very well, its not luck. Believe me there is not a helmet out there that can match its quality of construction . If you have seen the inside of one than you know what i am talking about.
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charly insider
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On 11/8/2000 mikez
wrote in from
(196.2.nnn.nnn)
they are light have a few aerodynamic properties. they are full face and don,t cost very much. theyre like 300 german DEM and look very promising.
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