Power Kite Forum

Helmet Choices

shaggs2riches - 10-7-2011 at 05:48 PM

So I took a bail last week that finished off my K2 helmet. The plastic triangular piece on either side broke off on the front side. Better the helmet than my head though. Anyway I went down to try and get another, but all those style helmets are out till the snow flies again. My only option was a skate helmet. For $50 it was okay, but the guy at the store claimed it to be a single impact type. Not wanting to wait for one to order in, I bought it. The website states it to be a multi-impact though. Does that mean that it can take multiple impacts, or that it is designed for impacts from different sports???? Here's what I got......

http://www.triple8.com/shop/product/Triple-Eight-Brainsaver-...

If I end up bailing am I gonna have to get a new helmet???? Seems to be a waste if I have to get a new one, especially that I'm starting to try ground tricks and have been falling quite a bit. Not really hitting my head that much, but it has happened. Ids this one even gonna be able to absorb an impact from kitelandboarding, or mountainboarding?????

BeamerBob - 10-7-2011 at 06:10 PM

I'd go more on what the mfr says rather than the sales guy.

flyjump - 10-7-2011 at 06:17 PM

Pro-tec has a good line up of helmets if you have to get a new one in the future

Kamikuza - 10-7-2011 at 06:36 PM

I think most helmet companies will say to get a new helmet if you knock it ...

I personally believe it's less important with the plastic-type canoe helmets like my Pro-Tec or the one in your link - I seem to remember reading up on it and it being so.
Helmets with a shell (like motorbike helmets) are stuffed if you give them a good thump - if the shell is hit hard enough to compress the liner, then it's energy absorbtion ability is shot ... change it out.

It's all about slowing down the time of the impact, lowering the G's transferred to your bonce and so dissipating the energy ... I think though that with kiteboarding, primarily you want something to protect your head from contusions and impacts eg. sliding along the ground, hitting yourself with the board, trees etc ...

shaggs2riches - 10-7-2011 at 08:04 PM

So basically unless I completely hammer my head with whiplash force this thing should be able to take a few knocks. Good to know, just didn't want to be heading into the store every time I bumped my melon. Now I just gotta reheat and relocate my GoPro mount off the old helmet

Kamikuza - 10-7-2011 at 08:32 PM

Knocks yes, but if you land ON your head it's your neck etc that'll take the strain ... and like elbow or knee pads - if you hit them hard enough, you'll hurt :lol: and the helmet will probably be ok too - unless it's got the fibreglass/composite skin like 'cycle helmets ...

Cerebite - 10-7-2011 at 08:33 PM

If you look on this page
Triple 8 Helmet chooser you can see that Triple 8 makes that model in both bicycle style [single impact] and skate style [multiple impact].

The way to tell is if the insides of your helmet are like a small foam cushion [soft] or an old style styrofoam cooler.

I got one of these a couple of months ago and have loved it.

shaggs2riches - 10-7-2011 at 09:31 PM

Yep mine is the one with the soft sweatsaver inside. Fits snug, but doesn't feel real tight. Definitely feels comfy, hoping it doesn't get scratchy once I start sweating.

Feyd - 11-7-2011 at 08:08 AM

Keep in mind that single impact helmets (expanded polystyrene) has a service life of 5yrs. So even if you never wack ur noggin in that time they loose impact absorbing abilityover time.

csa_deadon - 11-7-2011 at 11:56 PM

Thing to remember though is this. Even if you didn't get knocked around to much the helmet could still be shot. all it takes is a small micro fracture. I don't know how many times I've seen it Hauling in Motorcycle riders, skate boarders, etc. The only way to tell if the helmet will survive another impact is to have it x-rayed. Doesn't matter what the sales rep, or manufacture says about multi-impact. Most hospitals with x-ray the helmets at no charge. Don't take the chance. Helmets can be replaced, your noggin can't.

Just my medical opinion. :smilegrin:

nocando - 12-7-2011 at 12:02 AM

A thing to remember is an old Motorcycling adage

If you have a 10$$ head

wear a 10$$ helmet

WIllardTheGrey - 12-7-2011 at 12:28 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by csa_deadon
Thing to remember though is this. Even if you didn't get knocked around to much the helmet could still be shot. all it takes is a small micro fracture. I don't know how many times I've seen it Hauling in Motorcycle riders, skate boarders, etc. The only way to tell if the helmet will survive another impact is to have it x-rayed. Doesn't matter what the sales rep, or manufacture says about multi-impact. Most hospitals with x-ray the helmets at no charge. Don't take the chance. Helmets can be replaced, your noggin can't.

Just my medical opinion. :smilegrin:


What hospitals? In our area?

Kamikuza - 12-7-2011 at 12:45 AM

Deadon - are you saying that multi-impact helmets aka those plastic bucket canoe things, have FAILED on impact due to repeated impacts and that failure has resulted in trauma?

csa_deadon - 12-7-2011 at 12:55 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Kamikuza
Deadon - are you saying that multi-impact helmets aka those plastic bucket canoe things, have FAILED on impact due to repeated impacts and that failure has resulted in trauma?


More the owner has failed the helmet. Most helmets can't take repeated abuse (impacts). Most owners don't understand this. My years of working ambulances, and now as an RN I have seen this to many times, but let's be honest once is to many.

What I'm trying to say is this. The helmet is only as good as the last impact.

Willard, check u2u.

ripsessionkites - 12-7-2011 at 05:08 AM

Any helmet is better than no helmet

Racers use full face helmets

Freestyler use lids, I see why now because the bottom mouth piece blocks view.

A good helmet for the money is ProTec

Full face would be Bell, Giro and any Paraglider helmet.

IMO

Feyd - 13-7-2011 at 04:43 PM

Agreed.

FOr the snow I really prefer a fullface. It's nice to mousetrap and not rip your face up in the crust. Also It provides good windchill protection. Some helmets have shorter face guards than others so if downward vision is and issue ther are options.

I can't even see my face guard. Bell and Giro are basically the same. If you want full high speed protection Giro isn't gonna have it. 661, Bell, Troy Lee, Fox etc.

Be carefull about helmet ratings. I've seen some company post a rating on a bike helmet that qualified it for use in water impacts. It was just so they could have a CSPC rating. Also some multi impact helmets aren't even qualified to call helmets. They are refered to as "hard hats" because they off some protection but don't meet the basic safety standards for helmets. Bern started out that way and we refused to carry them because of it. Too much liabilty. I think they have it more together now.

Kamikuza - 13-7-2011 at 05:58 PM

Interesting read ...

http://www.kiteforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=202276#p202276

Kober - 13-7-2011 at 07:00 PM

Any one use RuRoc ????
I got one on US introduction sale .....
.... planning to use for snow, buggy and downhill biking .....

http://www.ruroc.com/

Cerebite - 13-7-2011 at 07:37 PM

^^ I have not heard of them but from a quick look at the link it looks like they are geared towards winter sports which means the helmet will be well insulated [warm] which can be a downside in a non -cold season.
I am not certain but I do not think that snow helmets are required to meet the same testing standards as bike. Many of them probably do but something to think about.
They look very cool with that removable face insert

csa_deadon - 13-7-2011 at 10:01 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Cerebite
^^ I have not heard of them but from a quick look at the link it looks like they are geared towards winter sports which means the helmet will be well insulated [warm] which can be a downside in a non -cold season.
I am not certain but I do not think that snow helmets are required to meet the same testing standards as bike. Many of them probably do but something to think about.
They look very cool with that removable face insert


If we could get popeye to chime in on this one. He was using a RuRoc at NABX this year.

Kober - 13-7-2011 at 10:28 PM

Thats where I did see RuRoc first time ...... Popeye's web site .....

Any snow at NABX this year ???? lol ......

Lotus F1 pit crew use them in middle of summer ..... hopefully will not cook my brain after first session .....

Kamikuza - 14-7-2011 at 05:24 AM

SWEET BOOTLEG FIREWORKS look at those prices :o

Kober - 14-7-2011 at 10:41 PM

me ???? Bootleg ??????????