Skateboarding happens to be one of those sports (or modes of transportation for some commuters) with mass appeal. It’s also one — like snowboarding, skiing, and longboarding — that’s adopted the “cool to wear a helmet” code in recent years. While skateboarding and riding longboards are relatively safe activities similar to bicycling, accidents are known to happen. That’s where a skateboard helmet comes into the picture. This is especially true if you ride an electric skateboard. An e-board is built with an electric motor to power you forward. You typically use a handheld remote or device to control your speed. Most e-boards reach high speeds of 18-28 MPH. A few models zip around at more than 40 MPH. Yew!
With this in mind, there’s only one way to protect yourself from a life-threatening head injury. Investing in a skate helmet is your first line of defense. So, we curated a guide to the best electric skateboard helmets to kick, push your search in the right direction.
It’s estimated that 20 million people worldwide skateboard — and, unsurprisingly, 16 million of those skateboarders are in the U.S. This late-1940s invention is now worth a cool MYR 25.72 billion today and considered a Top 10 global sport. But how about electric skateboarding? As history would have it, motorized skateboards have been around for much longer than you might think.
In 1975, an innovator and enthusiast by the name of Jim Rugroden out of Berkeley, California, created MotoBoard. As its name would suggest, MotoBoard was the first motorized gas-powered skateboard to be mass produced. Unfortunately, gas-powered skateboards were short lived. In 1977, California banned gasoline-fueled skateboards (probably for the better TBH).
But then another Californian came along a couple of decades later. Louis J. Finkle (aka Electric Louie) filed a patent in 1996 for his electric skateboard invention. Said patent was later granted in 1999. Fast forward to the late 2010s when Kickstarter gave rise to a new trend of campaigns featuring none other than the modern e-board. Today, the global electric skateboard market is projected to reach nearly MYR 12.86 billion by 2025 — a clear indication that micro mobility is here to stay.
PHOTO COURTESY OF @eboardbrandon
Helmets aren’t just for cyclists. Electric skateboarders will benefit from wearing the right protective gear. Being safe could save your life whether you’re riding around town or offroading on your e-board or scooter. Here are a few precautions to keep in mind.
Just like a bike helmet, a skate helmet is proven to help prevent bumps, bruises, concussions, and brain injuries in the event of an unfortunate accident. Nowadays, a helmet looks cool and even comes in different colors and styles. There’s truly something for every type of rider so no excuses.
One of the joys of riding an electric skateboard is getting to where you need to go faster. If you also want to get there safer, you might decide to outfit yourself in additional gear. We’re talking elbow pads and knee pads to protect the joints. Wrist guards and gloves are also ideal because our instinct is to break a fall with our hands. The brand Triple 8 is well known for its action sports protective gear. If you ride at night, look into attaching a light to your helmet or board so you’re more visible to drivers and pedestrians.
Learning how to ride an e-board takes practice. You need to consider balance, speed, turns, and more while navigating. If you’re a beginner, you might start out on a driveway or empty parking lot to get the hang of it before heading to the streets. Always ride at your skill level and only increase speed when you’re sure you can handle it.
This one should be a no-brainer. But, for those in the back, don’t drink and ride your e-board. Crashes happen, and they’re more likely to occur while you’re under the influence of alcohol. You’re a danger to yourself and to other innocent bystanders.
Safety starts with you, and sometimes that means being a defensive rider. Don’t expect drivers, bicyclists, or pedestrians to have your best interests in mind. It’s up to you to understand your local e-skate rules and regulations on roads or trails.
PHOTO COURTESY OF @svartsvanur
It’s easy to find the best helmet when you know what to look for. It’s helpful to decide where you want to buy your helmet. Sites like Amazon and REI offer a wide selection, but sometimes it’s more strategic to order directly from the brand for warranty purposes. We’re also pro supporting local bike shops, which often carry a variety of styles, sizes, and brand options (everything from Bern to TSG Pass). There are certain criteria to keep in mind including fit, style, and safety standards. We explore these and more below.
No one likes a poorly fitting...anything. Fit equals comfort; there’s no way around it. A helmet should be snug and should not move around while you wear it. Make sure the helmet sits just above your eyebrows.
Be sure to measure your head circumference before buying. Follow these three simple steps:
Once you get your helmet home, you’ll want to secure the perfect fit, especially if you’re in between sizes. Many helmets feature an adjustable fit system to tighten or loosen things up. You can further customize comfort and fit by taking out the removable interior padding without compromising your safety. Be sure that the adjustable straps make a snug V shape below your chin when fastened closed.
From bucket helmets to full-face helmets, electric skateboard helmets range in style and design. The classic bucket style tends to have a lighter and more aerodynamic design compared to a full-face style. You might opt for the latter if you’re into extreme e-boarding or riding offroad on trails with unpredictable terrain. Ruroc makes the RG1-DX helmet, which has been gaining traction as a full-face e-skate helmet with jaw protection.
Classic skate helmets are made with an expanded polystyrene foam liner. The crushable EPS foam liner is covered by a hard outer shell with built-in vents for airflow and breathability (hello, sweatsaver!). Thoughtful design features like visors keep the sun out of your eyes while magnetic fasteners make it a cinch to get in and out of your helmet.
Whatever you do, we don’t recommend wearing a motorcycle helmet. They’re far too bulky and heavy and don’t offer enough breathability for skateboarding. Even though it boasts a protective hard shell, there’s nothing worse than a sweaty helmet with sticky cheek pads that has the potential for fogging up.
All bike helmets sold in the U.S. need to pass Consumer Product Safety Commision Standards (CPSC). Look for the label to be sure. If it doesn’t have one, don’t buy it. Some helmets are dual certified for sports like skateboarding, roller skating and BMX riding. Helmets with the ASTM F1492 certification are guaranteed safe for skaters to wear while skateboarding.
Some helmets feature MIPS technology, which means multi-directional impact protection system. This system protects your dome from rotational force when you fall at an angle. It works by allowing your head to shift ever so slightly inside the helmet. MIPS helmets are distinguished by the official yellow dot label.
Electric skateboards are an affordable, eco-friendly, and fun way to get around town. Plus, they’re gaining in popularity around the globe. With speeds up to 40 MPH, e-boards get you to your destination faster.
Safety is key when you’re riding an electric board or scooter. It’s highly recommended that e-skaters wear a skateboard helmet to protect against accidental spills. Many riders today are also wearing additional protective gear like gloves, elbow pads, and even reflective clothes. It’s wise to be prepared with lights for night riding. All riders should take care to ride at their own ability. Keep an eye out for cars, bikes, and pedestrians if you’re riding on the street. And whatever you do, don’t drink and ride.
Ready to outfit your dome in a fashionable and functional skate helmet? Shop the Thousand Heritage collection.
