So looking for some opinions on the best park helmet out there. I was thinking the smith maze but I'd love some help!
Helmets are similar to boots where you need to try them on to get a perfect fit. You're protecting your most important part of your body so you need to get a good helmet. Try helmets on with goggles and beanie and you'll be laughing.
Poc Receptor Bug
Smith Maze
Smith Holt
Poc Fornix
Giro Battle
I enjoy this one
But if that is not your style, there is always the, Low Budget Iron Man Pro helmet.
For protection and durability, I'm going to have to give Giro props for the new softshell technology they've been putting out. The Combyn and Discord.
Personally, I like the Pro-Tec Bucky Classic skate helmet. It's light and has a timeless design. Plus, it comes in several new colors other than the traditional opaque white.
I've heard that poc makes some super great helmets as far as safety goes, however I have never personally ridden with one on. I've also heard that the smith maze is decent as well.
I rock a bern baker and I love it. most comfortable helmet I've ever worn. if the brim isn't your thing, they make the macon, which is the same helmet with no brim. it comes in a hardhat and EPS foam, whichever floats your boat.
I can't say enough good things about my POC Receptor Bug. I had a really bad concussion a few years ago and the doctor said had I not been wearing it there's a good chance I would've had brain damage. I'd definately reccomend it, just make sure to try on whatever you buy.
Tin Foil is the only way to ensure true protection.
SweetProtection or Poc are prob most safe.
Giro Shiv most stylish imo.
I have a bug receptor and love it. It has puffy padding so it kinda feels tight
Bio-mechanics is a big part of my schooling right now. All helmets right now are basically the same in that they prevent puncture injures and more blunt force trauma. What is not accounted for is rotational forces. This is the whip lash you get from hitting your head which causes a majority of concussions. Your brain actually hits the skull where you hit the ground and then whips back to the opposite side of your skull.
I stumbled upon a new thing called MIPS recently. POC and a few other brands have put in their helmets a Multi-Impact prevention system which seems to counter some of the rotational forces. It seems not much research is out there about it but I showed my professor and he seems to believe the idea behind it makes perfect sense. Look up MIPS helmets. Interesting stuff. I'll be getting one of these this season.
ESBsmith maze
Big fan of my Maze. Super lightweight and low-profile.
[nick]Personally, I like the Pro-Tec Bucky Classic skate helmet. It's light and has a timeless design. Plus, it comes in several new colors other than the traditional opaque white.
You might as well not even be wearing one, an uncertified soft foam skate helmet does nothing to protect your head.
Bern helmets in general, I'm fits better, the chip strap is more comfortable, and their far more aerodynamic. I hate my Smith Maze.
Id say poc thats what i have or bern those seem nice
Giro Combyn is the best I have used. Also its one of the safest
Poc receptor bug. Really comfortable and good protection.
Pret Cynic for sure.
Great price, comes with a fit system that is still usable after you take out the ear pads. Super light weight and the best fitting helmet i've ever had on my dome!
a lot of people wear the smith maze, but if you have a big noggin like myself, I'd reccomend the giro combyn, I'm a big fan
I don't know much about specific models, but I did a lot of research before I bought my POC receptor+. It's a good helmet, but it's very heavy. Good for developing afterbang.
Anyway, most helmets are EPS which provides good protection through plastic (permanent) deformation. Once the foam deforms, it no longer absorbs nearly as much energy, and you gotta get a new one.
Some helmets are made with EPP (POC receptor+ and Bern hardhats to name a few). EPP protects you with elastic deformation, and is good for multiple impacts. The problem with Bern's hardhats is they're really thin. They're also not certified (receptor+ is certified and MUCH thicker than the Bern). This could be because it's so thin it didn't pass certification, or they didn't feel like paying the money for the cert. I got a receptor+ cuz i hit my head alot and don't wanna get a new helmet each time.
I've had a Bern baker hardhat, POC receptor+, and then some giro a few years ago that saved my ass when I crashed into a snowboarder (my bad...) and his edge hit my head. The hard plastic shell and foam (EPS) totally cracked but I walked away unscathed.
Also nick is totally right about rotational forces being the primary cause of concussions, and that conventional helmets don't dampen them at all. Unless your head is moving in a straight line, when it hits something your brain spins and the grey matter on the perimeter tears and you get a concussion.
Sorry if this is TMI but I wish someone told me this when I was buying helmets.
chaitea
Ahahahahhaahhahha inhopemyou aren't serious. Anyways full faces are always an option if you wanna be full hoji/Seth Morrison style but I really like my bern Macon.
zbphotoYou might as well not even be wearing one, an uncertified soft foam skate helmet does nothing to protect your head.
That's why I recomended two extremely safe Giro helmets first and then proceded to give my personal preference. Kind of a do as I say not as I do situation.
Smith Maze, ive had it for the past four years and just bought a new one this past month, real simple but a great helmet
Would be sick for anyone that uses a full face in the BC:
http://www.bellhelmets.com/cycling/helmets/dirt/super-2r-mips-equipped
ChubbyBoyHelmets are similar to boots where you need to try them on to get a perfect fit.
Definitely go try some stuff on and fit it the same way you plan on wearing it on the hill. Beanie, goggles, strap over/under. And make sure it fits well. You obviously don't want it to be to tight. You also don't want it too loose or it won't do its job.
I've been skiing in the Pret Effect for the last three seasons and love it. It's the best fitting lightest helmet I've owned.
I had been in the habit of buying a new helmet every other season or so and never seemed to find one that fit well enough for me to actually want to wear it. I've had Salomon, Giro, Bern, Boeri, Leedom and a few others. All good helmets.
The point is you need to find something that fits YOU well and feels right.
I really like my Bern Macon eps, pretty solid fit on my long dome
I have the RED trace helmet, its a decent helmet. It's a simple skate design with tons of space for stickering it up, it's not too expensive either
[nick]Would be sick for anyone that uses a full face in the BC:http://www.bellhelmets.com/cycling/helmets/dirt/super-2r-mips-equipped
srsly
POC recepter bug. Great, cool helmet nice padding and fits perfect.
This is by far my favorite helmet for skiing, especially at a summer cape. you can go from the slopes straight to the pool.
Other acceptable helmets:
the Aviator
The Bling Vader
The Darth Bong
And of course the hipster
I'm really liking my smith holt. It's pretty light given that I got an xl for my big ass head.