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Why is riding without a helmet considered 'cool'?

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linus_deboss
Posts: 1036 - Karma: 1,914
Have you ever thought about it? How did it ever come to this point that we think it's 'cool' or 'stylish' to ride without a helmet?
(Not to mention that e.g. fisher hats look stupid anyways, but that's a personal opinion, so don't bash on this in the overall argument with not wearing one for coolness)

Of course, if you've got an uncomfy helmet or helmet+goggles don't work good together it must be more comfortable without a helmet...

But think about it, if you only could wear your backplate like a backpack, would u rather not wear it because it's cool?


It's just my opinion, but I think it's really stupid that riding without a helmet gives you a superior feeling, goggles under skate helmet looks dope, if you want you can add a cap under it or a hood over it, it still looks dope...

I think it would be a good thing if mountains just made helmets mandatory, and also for all the pros who ride without a helmet; you guys are heroes to the youngsters out there! they want to be like you, if you don't wear a helmet one day they'll stop wearing theirs too, it's sort of a vicious circle...

As for me, I probably would have been to hospital several times already if I didn't always wear one

watcha guys think?
Jan 21 2014 11:43AM
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CashmereCat
Posts: 2211 - Karma: 2,394
R
Jan 21 2014 11:45AM
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blazer258
Posts: 1101 - Karma: 646
if you like them, wear them, if you don't, don't
Jan 21 2014 11:46AM
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c4t_l0ver
Posts: 5485 - Karma: 810
E
Jan 21 2014 11:47AM
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blazer258
Posts: 1101 - Karma: 646
P
Jan 21 2014 11:48AM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
It's not.


Jan 21 2014 11:48AM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51629 - Karma: 162,075
T
Jan 21 2014 11:50AM
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John18_6
Posts: 7313 - Karma: 49,163
O
Jan 21 2014 11:54AM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51629 - Karma: 162,075
X
Jan 21 2014 11:54AM
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Shredsterr
Posts: 2090 - Karma: 6,930
REPTOX!
Jan 21 2014 12:03PM
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Hdjaiahsbfuw
Posts: 83 - Karma: 1,350
Y
Jan 21 2014 12:11PM
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HeshTaDeath
Posts: 152 - Karma: 827
boarding
Jan 21 2014 12:12PM
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John18_6
Posts: 7313 - Karma: 49,163
Just lost it in class and my teacher gave me the meanest glare.
Jan 21 2014 12:14PM
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McLS
Posts: 1985 - Karma: 6,454
Dude, have you ever jibbed around with a beanie and goggles (glasses for easter)? It feels sooooo dam good compared to helmet...

I think the problem isn't people not wearing helmets, it's people not wearing helmets when they should: when i'm going through the kicker line, i wear one, when i doing pow, i wear one (and tbh beanie doesn't go well in pow, might loose it if you fall too) if i'm learning anything new which implies me falling, i wear one.

To the pros that don't, I don't think it's all down to unconsciousness, and wanting to be cool. People in Stept: probably, but most of ns agrees on the fact that when you're shooting something like mutiny, you ought to wear a fucking helmet. But take Candide: even after his massive big bertha crash, he doesn't were one most of the time. But in the skiing he does, his only risks with not wearing a helmet are to stumble onto a hidden rock (a bit like schummarer, yep dunno how to spell it) or crash on a cliff, where a helmet wouldn't really help anyway.

Kids gotta understand that pros like Candide are on such a different level, they know the mountain so well that a helmet doesn't really make a difference. I do think that some pros doing urban or even park should wear one or at least say that other less experienced skiers always should, cos how many times have I seen someone have a concussion, and yh most of the time it's nothing, but it's always nothing until the day it's something...

So end of the line, people who don't were helmets just to look cool are idiots, and I feel good that i'm having that much of a better time skiing than them, cos frankly, I don't give a fuck what a few gapers and 2 snowboarders think of me. Wear a helmet when you know it might save you the season or your life, don't wear it if you feel a beanie is more comfy (which i do) when you're just jilling around the mountain.












Back protectors are for fucking losers tho, I mean who dafuq wears that, so uncool dude....

Jan 21 2014 12:19PM
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John18_6
Posts: 7313 - Karma: 49,163
^back protectors are a must have on he ice coast or Midwest. I was out for awhile washing out on ice to my back.
Jan 21 2014 12:53PM
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FrysNation
Posts: 491 - Karma: 471
Same teacher just gave me the evil eye
Jan 21 2014 1:09PM
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IBAM
Posts: 1954 - Karma: 2,351
cus stept r my idoles
Jan 21 2014 2:49PM
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White_Goodman
Posts: 101 - Karma: 139
Totally agreed. Its all in context. I mean look at skateboarding, literally no street skaters wear helmets, but the vert/mega ramp guys do, for obvious reasons. When your going off axis in a jump line, or having the risk of coming up short on a jump, or dropping cliffs, the risk of head injuries is huge. But lapping rail lines in the park, or doing tricks on jumps that you're completely comfortable doing? I see no need for it. I guess it all comes down to what you're comfortable doing. I'm sure the Stept guys know pretty well how to avoid hitting their head when falling.
Jan 21 2014 2:57PM
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AdiibA
Posts: 789 - Karma: 2,267
hood over helmet looks retarded
Jan 21 2014 3:18PM
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uyghur
Posts: 993 - Karma: 2,028
it looks like fucking ET
Jan 21 2014 3:41PM
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Chubz.
Posts: 13918 - Karma: 25,661
U look retarded
Jan 21 2014 3:50PM
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steezburgereddie
Posts: 1059 - Karma: 1,945
do you know how to spell?
Jan 21 2014 3:58PM
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Turkelton
Posts: 2829 - Karma: 8,558
This x a million, plus helmets are cooooomfy and you can put stickers on them, what's not to love while protectin your noggin?? Never ridden without one, never will
Jan 21 2014 4:15PM
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UncleGerry
Posts: 1291 - Karma: 1,377
The two people above me are pussies
Jan 21 2014 4:17PM
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Heart
Posts: 6156 - Karma: 3,462
Are you kidding me? This is the dumbest thing I've read on newschoolers in a LONG time. One little mistake and you've slammed your head into a rail, tree, or rock and suffered a permanent brain injury. Pros aren't immune to crashing.
Jan 21 2014 5:02PM
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PizzaKid
Posts: 297 - Karma: 309
They are protective, look good, comfy and warm so I don't see a point to not wear one, especially, but in the end it is really up to each and everyone themselves I guess, more people will wear one over the years but this debate will never really go away
Jan 21 2014 7:05PM
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skier_07
Posts: 326 - Karma: 51
If you don't want to wear one then do me a favor go watch the video about Danny Tourmine (sic?) and then watch the hi5 foundations B.A.S.I.C. Helmet video. They go to show you a helmet ain't all about you it's also about others and they make you realize even the simple things you do can go wrong. Now quit trying to be something your not. Man up (or women up) and wear a helmet. #helmetsarecool
Jan 21 2014 7:17PM
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NPRM
Posts: 689 - Karma: 339
I personally wear a helmet ALL the time but people that don't obviously are confident in their skiing, im not judging, if i was a good ass skier that rarely crashed I wouldn't wear a helmet either
Jan 21 2014 7:46PM
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raull
Posts: 384 - Karma: 2,232
not wearing a helmet is cool because it shows how little fucks you give.
Jan 21 2014 7:50PM
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Miomo
Posts: 4302 - Karma: 14,133
Shows confidence
/thread
Jan 21 2014 7:50PM
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7-3instacall
Posts: 999 - Karma: 1,005
It shows confidence.
but if i see a gaper eating shit without a helmet I just automatically think he's retarded.
I always wear a helmet in the park unless I forget it.
for urbans though I don't know. I guess it's ca;use I grew up watching people not wearing one, but I can never seem to convince myself to wear one. the shot looks less cool.
Jan 21 2014 7:57PM
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.Duncan.
Posts: 1375 - Karma: 459
How about no.
Jan 21 2014 7:58PM
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Troy.
Posts: 5070 - Karma: 12,549
but have you seen my new haircut? I look fucking cute. Don't wanna cover that up.
Jan 21 2014 7:59PM
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Bonzalo
Posts: 2593 - Karma: 1,812
For me, not wearing a helmet = nothing to protect in their heads.
Jan 21 2014 8:04PM
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Smuffy
Posts: 4686 - Karma: 3,408
Truuuuu

Hair > Safety













...
Jan 21 2014 8:04PM
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RonJeremiah
Posts: 146 - Karma: 436
kids see pros without helmets and immediately want to do the same. I mean think about it... People watch videos and attempt to emulate the style, tricks, clothes, music shown in their edits. It's the same with basketball, football, mostly every sport, just on a different level. Monkey see monkey do. I see more than half the kids out there wearing helmets when I'm riding, so I don't really think it's a huge problem. But for those that don't, why take the risk? Especially if you're gonna be lapping the park all day.
Jan 21 2014 8:26PM
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CashmereCat
Posts: 2211 - Karma: 2,394
All the people saying do it for those around you are right, but it's also a personal choice to wear one or not, if you do cool, if not, that's cool too
Jan 21 2014 8:49PM
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Chubz.
Posts: 13918 - Karma: 25,661
I wear a helmet becusse I don't want to get concussed if I eat shit on a feature. When those warm spring days come I'll leave the helmet at home and let my mane flow in the wind
Jan 21 2014 8:53PM
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SDrvpr
Posts: 851 - Karma: 649
"Anyone who wears a helmet is a mothafuckin' pussy. Ya hear"

- Mother Teresa
Jan 21 2014 8:55PM
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casual
Posts: 6712 - Karma: 6,748
Well, then you're just really, really young.

I'm 30. NO ONE wore a helmet skiing until when.....6-7 years ago or something? I wear a helmet, but this superior attitude towards people who don't wear helmets is fucking dumb.

Guess what! you're helmet is good for ONE impact under 20 mph. Yes, that's reality. So, all you kids saying shit like, "My helmet has saved my ass so many times!!", jesus christ, at least know how the equipment works. If you tip over on a flat groomer going slow, your helmet will minimize that impact. If you're skiing extreme terrain, skiing the park, etc., your helmet just is not at all designed to withstand those types of impacts. Not to mention, that helmets are designed to help prevent skull fractures and scalp avulsions, they do nothing to fight the real issue in deceleration head injuries—your fucking brain bouncing off one side of your skull, then hitting the other side when it rebounds. So, until they figure out how to bubble wrap the inside of people's skulls, catastrophic head injuries are going to occur whether people are wearing helmets or not.

It would be idiotic for anyone to try and argue that helmets are totally pointless, and that they provide zero protection. But, there's a lot of people who have no clue what the limitations of a ski helmet really are and walk around thinking they're good to go.

P.S. if you wear crash pads and a back protector you're a pussy.
Jan 21 2014 9:06PM
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iH8pow
Posts: 1807 - Karma: 7,688
i always put on a helmet when skiing park.
i ski park so often, i get used to wearing them
then on a powder day, i find myself wearing a helmet
and I look around, and almost everyone is wearing a helmet even though almost none of them ski park or throw down hard

so then I feel dumb, and make a point to not wear a helmet next time out

snowboarders need helmets, people who ski park, trees, cliffs could use one too.

but that's only a part of the population. why does EVERYBODY need a fucking helmet? i couldn't hit my head skiing a groomer if i tried barring any switch skiing
Jan 21 2014 9:25PM
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skier_07
Posts: 326 - Karma: 51
iPad wont let me quote - helmet good for one impact under 20mph.... Just ignore the MIPS technology and other advancements. ... Also just because that's the way we have always done it (May not be quite as old as you but I think I have been a member here longer) doesn't make it smart. Now I do agree there needs to be some improvements in helmet technology and to a certain extent the current standards are holding them back. But I also say age has taught me you better protect what you can.. And if you haven't gained that insight by 30 I feel sorry for you. But please do me a favor and look at the hi5 foundation video.. Talks about some of the new technology and where it is going.
Jan 21 2014 9:26PM
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myllhouse
Posts: 1064 - Karma: 2,157
You're gonna die someday, why not skiing
Jan 21 2014 9:31PM
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MitchT
Posts: 560 - Karma: 4,095
Personally I like to eat food with a fork not through a straw so im not taking any chances.

Don't ever feel pressured to not wear a helemt though, thats just stupid.
Jan 21 2014 9:35PM
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gabew34
Posts: 500 - Karma: 497
Just know that they won't be "cool/superior" when they get a concussion.:D
Jan 21 2014 9:47PM
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casual
Posts: 6712 - Karma: 6,748
I guess you missed the part where I said I wear a helmet and that it is impossible to argue that they don't help. At least a bit.

My point in bringing up my age was that a lot of young people don't understand and can't relate to a time/culture where NO ONE wore a helmet. And, it isn't long ago. Helmet usage has exploded, and yet, people are just skiing faster, going bigger, taking more chances and the net result has been no reduction in catastrophic injuries. While there's clearly a myriad of reasons why those stats look the way they do, it still can't be dismissed.

There's some kind of relationship (not claiming it's as simple or straightforward as cause-->effect) between wearing a helmet and a person's willingness to accept higher and higher levels of risk. Anecdotally, we see it in these threads constantly: "Oh, I always wear a helmet when I'm trying a new trick, but not if I'm cruising". There's been similar studies done when looking at avalanche deaths and the proliferation of beacons and rescue equipment. They expected to see a marked decrease in deaths, yet they haven't and it isn't a terrible argument to suggest that people are willingly putting themselves in increasingly riskier situations because of a sense of increased security.

I saw that video. i also saw how they were testing the thing still. As far as I know, there isn't any technology currently available to the general public that can prevent your brain from being damaged by impacting your skull—again, almost definitely the most traumatic aspect of a head injury.

Whether or not some helmet exists that is better at higher speeds, that isn't what people are wearing who are doing incredibly dangerous things on skis. My whole point is that there is this culture emerging that thinks they're damn near invincible because they have a helmet on, and that simultaneously mocks and scoffs at people that choose not to wear a helmet, and I don't like it. I've never in my life (in person) heard someone clown someone for wearing a helmet. On the other hand, I've heard countless people talk shit on someone not wearing one.

The reality is, unless you're wearing a Seth style full-face helmet, you're only marginally safer than someone wearing sunglasses and no hat. That's just the reality. You can get all angry and aggro with me if what I've said has somehow shaken your foundation for some unknown reason, but it is what it is.

I wear a helmet because when i duck a tree branch, I don't want to get my cap peeled. I wear a helmet because it's a bit warmer. I wear a helmet because I told my mom and dad that I would and because they sleep a little bit better knowing that I do. I wear a helmet because dumb little mistakes happen and it's a barrier.

I don't wear a helmet because I think that if I collide with a tree arcing a gs turn on a 38 degree slope that I'll be good to go. I don't wear a helmet because I think that if I underrotate a backie and land directly on my head that I'll be good to go.

I protect what I can.....when I can. When I can't, I don't delude myself into thinking that I can and then act as if. Lastly, I am 30, I've learned a lot about life, the world, and other people (just enough about those things to know that I don't know shit) have done an obnoxious amount of dumb shit in my life, have used up 9 or so lives, etc. etc. But, hey....I'll take whatever pity/sympathy/condescension you're offering!
Jan 21 2014 9:52PM
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El.
Posts: 221 - Karma: 845
This. Root of the problem. People think that it looks bad when theyre shooting, so the kids watching edits and movies see the people without helmets and think helmets are uncool
Jan 21 2014 10:06PM
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skier_07
Posts: 326 - Karma: 51
@casual think we agree pretty much. Only difference is I have heard a lot of people get ripped (in person) for wearing a helmet yet very few say anything about not wearing one. In my opinion a greater effort needs to be put forth in increasing the cap advising of helmets to meet the current needs. As for people who take greater risks because of it.. That's a mental thing that they need to realize and control because at that point it does no good.. But if you always where it at least it has a shot at protecting you.
Jan 21 2014 10:38PM
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MontanaMuggin
Posts: 444 - Karma: 1,642
Me and my "gang" of skiier buddy's all didn't wear helmets, my friend told us he was gonna backflip the big jump at bigsky. So we go to the landing and wait, to see him catch his tips and heads ice into the knuckle, he says he's fine so we ride on the lift. Then he tells us can't see, at all. He said Everythinh was silvery shiny. We took him to ski patrol and he had a terrible concussion. He would've been fine if he was wearing a helmet. Me and my friends all went out and got helmets literally that night.
Jan 21 2014 10:48PM
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kebbek
Posts: 408 - Karma: 170
I have a hard head, nothing will stop me.
Jan 21 2014 10:49PM
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