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Are Bern Hardhats safe enough?

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Cincher
Posts: 3403 - Karma: 535
I've heard some people say that bern hardhats are a death wish waiting to happen. I'm sure it'll protect my head well enough, but could I have done better? Any personal experiences?
Nov 19 2009 6:23PM
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Malcolm
Posts: 15951 - Karma: 9,451
i think you might be mistaking the bern baker for those capix helmets.
Nov 19 2009 6:24PM
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MrLarsen
Posts: 583 - Karma: 16
Bern helmets (I only checked the baker) are certified CE EN 1077. Which as far as I´m aware of is the highest certification standard for ski/snowboard helmets..
Nov 19 2009 6:30PM
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benk
Posts: 1342 - Karma: 988
they make a different model with foam that isnt certified so maybe thats what you're thinking of. I have the bern baker and not too worried about it. I feel like it would hold up against just about anything except rocks
Nov 19 2009 6:35PM
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stickstompin
Posts: 564 - Karma: 24
they make bern bakers in (hardhats) not as protective on hard slams and the normal bakers that are rated for blahblahblah...
Nov 19 2009 6:46PM
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TastyCorn
Posts: 82 - Karma: 17
Can you change the liners out? Not the protection ones but the part where you see the ear flap? I like the grey baker but I don't want the plaid liner... and wanna switch with a black one in the store.

Sorry to thread jack but didn't think my question was a new thread worthy.
Nov 19 2009 9:51PM
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Ftacnik
Posts: 1997 - Karma: 111
Ive got a bern baker (hardhat) and it seems like it will do fine. Havnt takin any falls to my head with it yet though so dont know for sure.
Nov 19 2009 9:59PM
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thelizards
Posts: 4042 - Karma: 43
with mine you can take it out and switch with other ones
Nov 19 2009 10:11PM
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Hairspray
Posts: 298 - Karma: 14
I remember hearing that the bern helmet we were talking about was not that great at protection, i cant remember which model but i do know it had the brim and a hat attatched to it inside
Nov 19 2009 10:14PM
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JDon
Posts: 282 - Karma: 15
I have a Bern Macon Hardhat and I really like it. With my Giro Nine helmet that I had before, when I fell hard, it actually really hurt my head because the foam is quite hard and I got a concussion (it obviously would have been worse without my helmet). This summer I took a hard fall at CoC with my Macon and my head didn't really hurt at all. The foam is softer and absorbs a lot of the impact, or at least that's how I feel. It might not be as safe for hucking big cliffs but I like it the most for park

Nov 19 2009 10:21PM
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jeremy.g
Posts: 4931 - Karma: 459
normal helmets keep you safe by being crushed or cracking when you take a big hit, they absorb all the energy from it. however they will be pretty useless after this happens. the hard hat, while not as safe for taking slams off say some big cliffs will protect your head better if you are riding the park. you take a lot of slams and instead of just crumbling after one it will continue to protect you as much as you fall.
Nov 19 2009 10:54PM
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Cincher
Posts: 3403 - Karma: 535
Ok thanks for the re-assurance. There's no such thing as a cliff in Manitoba so it will all be park, cordouroy, and zipping through trees.
Nov 20 2009 10:10AM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6657 - Karma: 10,897
The Brock foam in the Hardhat series does not fully pass industry standard safety tests, but it is more "breathable" than other types of foam so it's not as sweaty.  The same Bern helmet with EPS foam fully passes all industry standard safety tests.  That's the Bern helmet you want to buy if you care about your brain.
Nov 20 2009 1:22PM
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PhuzzyWuzzy
Posts: 358 - Karma: 82
Very informative post, it makes a lot of sense.  I have a baker hardhat and like it for that "softer" feeling and I also agree that it does breath better. 

My shop told me that hardhats with the brock foam are "better" than the ones with the EPS because when the little brock foam beads start falling out, you know when the helmet needs to be replaced.  I'm not really sure why this would make them "better" overall though, seams like a lot of B/S to me since they didn't even fully pass industry standard safety tests and the EPS ones did. 
Nov 20 2009 5:33PM
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KennyC
Posts: 1922 - Karma: 46
ya my friend has a hard hat version and to tell you the truth they are probly just made for carvers. he slipped out on a kink and landed on his edge then to his hip and then his head and he complained of headaches for the next week (concussion im pretty sure) i had a baker helmet and caught in edge attempting a 270 on this box and smacked the box with my head first. i only had a headache for like 20 minutes then forgot about. moral of the story, dont get the hardhat version.
Nov 20 2009 5:54PM
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wrichmond
Posts: 562 - Karma: 369
From Bern's owners manual

HARD HAT WARNING
Use this hard hat at your own risk! This product does NOT meet ASTM or EN standards for protective head gear for use in non motorized situations. It is a HARD HAT. Bern's helmets use hard foam hat is designed to break apart to absorb higher impacts. Bern's HARD HATS use soft foam lining to provide added protection from multiple lower force impacts.

EPS helmets comply with the EN1077, EN1078, CPSC and ASTM F 2040 Standard Specifications for helmets.



Also I talked to a Bern athlete about what to buy, and he said DON'T GET A HARD HAT. It's a hard hat, not a helmet.
DON'T GET A HARD HAT!
Nov 20 2009 7:14PM
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Cincher
Posts: 3403 - Karma: 535
^Damn, that's what I got. So I guess I'm doomed.
Nov 20 2009 10:31PM
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dbchili
Posts: 2555 - Karma: 1,657
where the shit do you ski in manitoba?
Nov 20 2009 10:49PM
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Cincher
Posts: 3403 - Karma: 535
The winnipeg floodway and valleys like Asessippi is in.
Nov 20 2009 11:08PM
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RudyGarmisch
Posts: 25443 - Karma: 13,844
Some of the falls I've taken in the park have been harder and more forceful than any cliff. Nailing your head on a rail or getting catapulted into a icy landing after catching an edge on takeoff... I'd rather have a helmet that absorbs the full force than something that will leave me with a concussion and keep me out for a week.

Hat < Hard Hat < Helmet
Nov 21 2009 12:00AM
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Cincher
Posts: 3403 - Karma: 535
Aww damn, I knew I sould've gone with a POC....too late now.
Nov 21 2009 1:18PM
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*Johnny
Posts: 403 - Karma: 19
It's not too late, You never should mess up with an helmet.. IMO, my head and my mind are priceless so I don't care about how much money I spend on a helmet.. everyone here should do the same thing here... your head is so important !
Nov 21 2009 1:39PM
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Cincher
Posts: 3403 - Karma: 535
No, I mean I already made the purchase.
Nov 21 2009 1:43PM
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Ftacnik
Posts: 1997 - Karma: 111

Yeah he means you can still buy another helmet lol...

Im kinda mad i got a hardhat too now. Good thing i only spent $20 bucks for it at tj maxx

Nov 21 2009 10:59PM
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Piste.Off
Posts: 11586 - Karma: 1,860
no, return that pos and buy an actual helmet, its your head for christ's sake, protect it
Nov 21 2009 11:11PM
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