How to Choose a BMX Helmet

You will find some important information on this page, which you should pay attention to if you want to buy a BMX helmet.

The most important in brief:

• Due to the high risk of falling, a BMX helmet is a standard part of any BMX equipment.
• When riding BMX you perform stunts and tricks with your bike, whether on the street, skate park or dirt parkour. On many of these facilities, a helmet is mandatory anyway.
• When buying, look for test seals in addition to the fit. The design also plays a role.

How can the BMX helmet be adjusted and what weight should it have?

Even the most expensive helmet will not provide adequate protection if it does not sit firmly on the head. Because of this, it is essential to find the right size for you. The helmet should not be too loose, but also not press on the head.

As a guide for the size of the freestyle helmet is the head circumference. Some helmets also have an adjustment wheel at the back of the head area to adjust the circumference to the head. However, this is usually only the case with children’s helmets.

Thereby, there is the possibility to better adjust the helmet to the head via the chin strap closure. Furthermore, pads of different thicknesses can be used inside the helmet for fine adjustment.

The weight of a BMX helmet should be around 420 grams for an adult. If the helmet should be above this, this would restrict the freedom of movement and additionally press on the cervical vertebrae. For children, attention should be paid to a particularly lightweight construction.

This size chart should help in deciding the size of the helmet:

Which designs are in vogue?

The most sought-after helmet designs are those of the pros. However, these are hard to come by, as they are usually given to the athlete by the sponsor. The sponsor helmets from RedBull, Monster Energy or Rockstar Energy are very popular.
Most of the helmets are kept very simple and differ roughly only in the arrangement of the air intakes. The design does not affect the safety of the helmet in any way, so you have free choice in color or printed design.

Where should I buy my BMX helmet?

You can certainly buy your helmet in the local bike store. However, there are countless online stores that advertise with a huge selection of helmets. Here you have quite the agony of choice.
The advantage of buying online is the huge selection of products. As well as the availability of different sizes. The price range of products offered will of course be able to outbid that of a local store. Delivery times are no longer a problem. 1-3 days and the desired product is on the doorstep.

Most helmets differ only in their designs or extras, such as a short visor.

Which manufacturers are recommended?

There are some manufacturers that have been in the safety helmet market for a long time. Consequently, these have a lot of know-how and experience combined in their products. In addition, most BMX bike helmets from implemented companies already have a test seal.
Furthermore, these manufacturers sponsor many events in the field of freestyle sports, which contributes to their reputation.

The following manufacturers can be recommended by the editorial team:

• TSG
• Bell
• POC
• Uvex
• FOX
• Giro

What types of BMX helmets are there and which one is right for you?

The BMX helmet differs from normal bike helmets basically in its construction and occasionally in the choice of materials.

The BMX helmet offers the best protection for hard hits after failed stunts or tricks. This is helped by the deep fit of the hard plastic shell. This is pulled down on the side of the head as well as the neck area to provide maximum protection.

Normal bike helmets are micro-shell helmets. They are lighter, but also more sensitive to impact. Are therefore not designed for constant load.

Since BMX riding is designed for jumps and tricks, the helmet must not withstand impact at high speeds. When learning new tricks, the risk of falling is enormous, so its concept is designed for the fall from a height. This is also necessary, because significantly higher forces act on the head during the impact.

It can be assumed that a BMX helmet offers one of the highest levels of safety against impacts. Furthermore, the protective helmet for BMX offers inlets for air to be able to keep a cool head.

BMX Race riders are required to wear a full-face helmet from the category Moutainbike, because too high speeds are reached and no chin protection is available!

After a heavy fall or damaged outer shell, the helmet must be replaced! There may be invisible micro cracks that no longer provide protection in a new fall. Furthermore, every 5 years the helmet should be replaced because the hard plastic becomes porous.

Can I use my BMX helmet as a bicycle helmet?

Here you have to differentiate. Basically, the BMX helmet is only intended for use in the park. Normal bicycle helmets have a different construction and differ in shape significantly from a skate helmet.

Inasmuch as one moves slowly with his normal bike, for example in the city, the BMX helmet should bring the necessary level of safety with it.

Should you play with the idea of a tour or to ride off-road, a special helmet must be purchased for this. For high speeds or terrain, a BMX helmet is not suitable.

Does it make sense to buy a used helmet?

Here you can generally say that no helmet should be bought used. One does not want and should not take the risk of buying a possibly pre-damaged helmet used. Often you can not see the damage, because it could be micro cracks.

If the helmet is original packaging, of course, a bargain can be made via a private sale.

Please be sure to ask how old the helmet is! No helmet should be older than 5 years.