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February, 2025

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Why does wearing a helmet look normal in freestyle skiing but dumb for skatepark sports?

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FruitBootPro
Posts: 3167 - Karma: 14,475
What gives? Even if skiers are wearing normal street clothing it still looks weirder when skateboarders are wearing helmets.
Nov 1 2019 8:04PM
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Pakanaka
Posts: 318 - Karma: 1,961
wearing a helmet for skating looks fine and you need a helmet skateboarding more than skiing.
Nov 1 2019 8:33PM
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270on420out
Posts: 7520 - Karma: 51,250
You’re already all geared up and shit with boots bindings skis outerwear etc. A helmet is just another gear component.

Helmets are more common among vert skaters and you’ll see that it doesn’t look as dumb because they’re typically geared up in pads, skating fast as fuck, and it’s a lot more normalized cause of x-games, and Tony Hawk and shit.
Street skating has a strong synergy with fashion and helmets never caught on for street skaters. Ever notice how Tony Hawk doesn’t wear a helmet or pads when he skates the Berrics?
Nov 1 2019 9:18PM
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Aric
Posts: 190 - Karma: 851
The majority of people wear or have worn helmets in snow parks making it fit in, skateboard no one wears a helmet so it stands out and looks weird. If you want to wear a helmet wear one every person I can think of that I have seen wearing a helmet at a skatepark usually progresses and is better than most other people
Nov 1 2019 9:27PM
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dolanslebensraum
Posts: 5959 - Karma: -13,094
Skateboarders arent their parents bitches is what it comes down to. Rich dads seem to be more controlling which is why you see alot of wealthy park rats wearing helmets.
Nov 1 2019 10:57PM
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freestyler540
Posts: 13156 - Karma: 19,498
DolanReloadedSkateboarders arent their parents bitches is what it comes down to. Rich dads seem to be more controlling which is why you see alot of wealthy park rats wearing helmets.

Another quality brain fart converted into word, brought to you by dolanreloaded.

Wearing protective head gear is a choice. The day I slammed my head on hard ice, exploded my helmet and got back up without a headache was the day I swore by them. I remember getting up and yelling to my buddies: " I FUCKING LOVE HELMETS DUDE!"
On a side example, do you see DH bikers ride without helmets? Its about risk assessment and personal choice. In the US, a trip to the hospital can ruin your financial life
Nov 2 2019 12:44AM
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a_burger
Posts: 5248 - Karma: 20,896
The average skater just doing flatground, skating a mini or hitting small rails in a skatepark is a lot less likely to get a head injury if they know how to bail then someone who is skiing 30+ mph and getting more then 2 feet of air multiple times a run. Vert skating is a lot more comparable to skiing and a lot of those guys wear helmets/pads.

street skaters don't give a fuck and are never going to wear helmets no matter what theyre doing

**This post was edited on Nov 2nd 2019 at 12:57:49am
Nov 2 2019 12:57AM
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nuggetmonster
Posts: 5 - Karma: 22
Always worn a helmet doing both sports. Its a lot more likely that you're gonna get busted skateboarding than skiing but with skateboarding even minor injuries make keep riding tougher. A sprained ankle will keep you off the board for at least a week. Skiing injuries tend to be more knee focused. If you arent trying to get street/backcountry footage and sticking to park helmets are the way to go.
Nov 2 2019 2:42AM
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dolanslebensraum
Posts: 5959 - Karma: -13,094
freestyler540Another quality brain fart converted into word, brought to you by dolanreloaded.

Wearing protective head gear is a choice. The day I slammed my head on hard ice, exploded my helmet and got back up without a headache was the day I swore by them. I remember getting up and yelling to my buddies: " I FUCKING LOVE HELMETS DUDE!"
On a side example, do you see DH bikers ride without helmets? Its about risk assessment and personal choice. In the US, a trip to the hospital can ruin your financial life


Meh. Skiing on hard ice isnt even fun.
Nov 2 2019 2:47AM
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freestyler540
Posts: 13156 - Karma: 19,498
DolanReloadedMeh. Skiing on hard ice isnt even fun.

I grew up on pure ice, so those conditions are second nature to me. Better than no skiing at all. It encourages you to always stick your landings and master the basics.
When I moved to the west coast, I went crazy with progression; falling wasnt so painful, so I got to try new things. I love peoples reaction when I shred under the chairs at Whitewater in bulletproof ice while sending some cliffs along the way. As long as my edges can slice through flesh, Im not afraid of stepping it up.
When the conditions suck, the lift lines fall to 0. Ice coast riders are far more hardcore than powder pussies.
Nov 2 2019 3:04AM
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Obie.
Posts: 1741 - Karma: 3,646
freestyler540I grew up on pure ice, so those conditions are second nature to me.
When the conditions suck, the lift lines fall to 0. Ice coast riders are far more hardcore than powder pussies.

Word. We’re definitely more apt to getting after it when the conditions are less than perfect.
Now that I live on the west coast I see a lot of people opting out of days because the conditions aren’t great. I understand if there’s high avy danger or something but just cruising a resort is better than sitting at home any day.
Nov 2 2019 8:44AM
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skierman
Posts: 8475 - Karma: 8,367
No one uses a helmet while street skating because it limits your vision and ability to do the tech tricks required. This is why there hasn't been a single successful street skater that always wears a helmet.
Nov 2 2019 11:19AM
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BigPurpleSkiSuit
Posts: 9495 - Karma: 70,099
I agree with this 100%. Watching ice coasters take on the bumps under peruvian in super icy spring conditions after a rain and a hard freeze was inspiring.
freestyler540I grew up on pure ice, so those conditions are second nature to me. Better than no skiing at all. It encourages you to always stick your landings and master the basics.
When I moved to the west coast, I went crazy with progression; falling wasnt so painful, so I got to try new things. I love peoples reaction when I shred under the chairs at Whitewater in bulletproof ice while sending some cliffs along the way. As long as my edges can slice through flesh, Im not afraid of stepping it up.
When the conditions suck, the lift lines fall to 0. Ice coast riders are far more hardcore than powder pussies.
Nov 2 2019 12:09PM
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FruitBootPro
Posts: 3167 - Karma: 14,475
skiermanNo one uses a helmet while street skating because it limits your vision and ability to do the tech tricks required. This is why there hasn't been a single successful street skater that always wears a helmet.


Is this really true? I'm not familiar with the pro skate scene but I know a good few bladers who always wear a helmet and they can drop hammers no trouble, so idk if it really impairs your abilities that much. Helmets do make you hot and sweaty though because they heat up all the blood vessels running through your head, just like a beanie.
Nov 2 2019 2:27PM
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FruitBootPro
Posts: 3167 - Karma: 14,475
Pakanakawearing a helmet for skating looks fine and you need a helmet skateboarding more than skiing.


No you don't. You can bail and land safely very easily on a skateboard. Skiing is more like blading in which you have to learn to fall without being able to bail, but what makes it even worse is that you have these giant sticks on your feet that will get tangled up in the rail if you fall off. Oftentimes in urban you slam and can't do anything about it, just watch X Games Real Attempt or En Particulier. You def need a helmet way more in skiing.
Nov 2 2019 2:41PM
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FruitBootPro
Posts: 3167 - Karma: 14,475
freestyler540The day I slammed my head on hard ice, exploded my helmet and got back up without a headache was the day I swore by them. I remember getting up and yelling to my buddies: " I FUCKING LOVE HELMETS DUDE!"


https://youtu.be/b9yL5usLFgY
Nov 2 2019 2:42PM
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FryingBiscuit
Posts: 27 - Karma: 178
skiermanNo one uses a helmet while street skating because it limits your vision and ability to do the tech tricks required. This is why there hasn't been a single successful street skater that always wears a helmet.


So, what about Andy Anderson?

His street parts seem pretty technical to me...
Nov 6 2019 10:27AM
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fries
Posts: 2978 - Karma: 7,522
skiermanNo one uses a helmet while street skating because it limits your vision and ability to do the tech tricks required. This is why there hasn't been a single successful street skater that always wears a helmet.



Nov 6 2019 10:51AM
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GrandThings
Posts: 3237 - Karma: 33,031
FryingBiscuitSo, what about Andy Anderson?

His street parts seem pretty technical to me...


Andy Anderson is really the first skater who has been somewhat successful in breaking down this barrier and launching a successful skate career. He's starting to get some love from legit pros and companies, but he's really the first dude I can think of that hasnt been totally laughed out of the industry.

Unfortunately, skateboarding is ruled and judge by extremely strict unwritten rules. (Don't push mongo, don't mall grab, dont ride red-tops, don't repeat tricks, etc.)

Much moreso than skiing, which embraces the uniqueness and creativity skateboarding has rules and no-helmets has been a major one for a while
Nov 6 2019 11:02AM
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