Helmet News for Inline Skaters

The Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute has posted a review of helmets that will be sold this year. Their report covers trends, new developments and individual models. And since the ASTM standards for inline skating and bicycle helmets are the same, the institute's reports apply to inline skaters. too. For other sports activities, bicycling helmet safety information may not apply. According to BHSI, there are no radical safety improvements that would justify replacing your current inline skating helmet.

There are some new helmets that may be worth looking at if you are really shopping a new one, though. These include some new models with rounder, smoother profiles that may work best when you crash. The rounder, smoother "compact," "city," "urban" or "commuter" models that BHSI recommends are growing in number, and most manufacturers have at least one in their lineup.

• The higher-priced helmets have big vents, but no proven advantage in impact performance over lower-priced models.
  
  
• There are no new radical impact materials in safety helmets this year.
  
  
• There are a few affordable helmet models that are better looking and better fitting, but not any safer.
  
  
• Strap adjustment fittings still need improvement. Most of them slip too easily.
  
  
• Ring fit systems - the one size fits all solution - have taken over for most of the less expensive and mid-range helmet models.

The Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute still recommends looking for a helmet that:

• Meets the CPSC bicycle helmet standard.
  
  
• Fits your head well.
  
  
• Has a rounded, smooth exterior with no major snag points.
  
  
• Has no more vents than you need, because more vents mean there is less protective foam.

There are ten important things to look for in an inline skating helmet, but finding all of the safety, convenience and cosmetic features that most inline skaters would want is nearly impossible. The Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute has a long list of rounder, smoother helmets for this season and a long list describing almost all of the helmets you will see on the today's market. Unfortunately, the Consumer Reports helmet article has not been updated for this season.