BMX helmet: full face, skate-style and kids

Skate-style or full face: which BMX helmet for which riding?

In BMX racing, riders set off together from a start hill, jump the rollers and brush past each other in the berms: the face is exposed in a crash, hence the full face helmet, which protects the skull, jaw and chin. Its visor limits flying dirt and gravel.

In freestyle, whether park, street or flatland, the skate-style helmet dominates. Its round shape, inherited from skateboarding, covers the back of the head well, and its hard shell absorbs repeated low-speed falls. For dirt and big ramps, where the jumps get bigger, many riders also switch to the more protective full face helmet.

What the rules require in BMX racing

UCI regulations require a full face helmet for every rider, fitted with a visor at least 10 cm long and worn with the straps securely fastened whenever the rider is practising, racing or simply within the track boundaries; open-face helmets are not allowed. A rider whose helmet comes off during a race is classed as not having finished.

The same regulations require gloves that cover the fingertips and long trousers made of tear-resistant material, or shorts worn with full knee and shin protection: BMX gloves and BMX race pants therefore complete the helmet, as do the goggles worn under the visor.

Standards, materials and weight of a BMX helmet

The EN 1078 standard is the minimum for any bicycle helmet in Europe, as the CPSC standard is in the United States. Full face helmets intended for racing often also carry American ASTM certifications specific to BMX and downhill, which are stricter on impacts and on the chin guard. Motorcycle helmets, certified for much higher speeds, are heavier but very protective.

The shell makes the difference in weight and price. Polycarbonate or ABS is used on entry-level models, composite fibres on mid-range models, and carbon on the lightest and stiffest full face helmets. For a young rider, every gram saved relieves the neck over a race day.

Size and fit of a BMX helmet

A full face helmet is held in place by its cheek pads: it should grip your cheekbones firmly without hurting, and should not rotate when you try to turn it while holding the chin guard. Your forehead should stay well covered and the visor clear of your field of vision in the riding position. A skate-style helmet, for its part, is adjusted with fitting pads of different thicknesses or with a dial.

A double-D buckle is fastened by threading the strap through both rings, then bringing it back through the outer ring only, before pulling to tighten; the press stud then holds the loose end. After a crash with an impact to the head, replace the helmet, even if there is no visible crack.

Other helmets and BMX gear

For trails and the bike park, mountain bike helmets offer full face and removable chin guard models, while urban helmets focus on lighting for getting around town. Jerseys and shoes complete the outfit in BMX gear.

Which BMX helmet brand should you choose?

Fly Racing, an American brand that comes from motocross, brings together its race full face helmets here: the Werx-R Carbon, with a carbon shell, is certified to American BMX and downhill standards, and the Rayce comes in kids' sizes.

Bern, a specialist in helmets for non-motorised action sports, offers the Macon 2.0, a skate-inspired helmet with a thin ABS shell, certified for both cycling and skiing and available with MIPS.

Shot Race Gear, a French motocross gear brand, brings its expertise to BMX with the Level full face helmet and also offers the Core Fast, a motocross helmet.

Lazer designed its Maze KinetiCore, a skate-style helmet assembled without glue to make recycling easier, for BMX, skateboarding and dirt, with a junior version.

Bluegrass, Met's gravity line, makes the Vanguard Core MIPS, a full face helmet with a Fidlock magnetic buckle and the MIPS C2 system, which combines American downhill certification with the NTA 8776 standard.

Where can you find a BMX helmet on sale?

Helmets, number plates and parts from previous ranges join BMX clearance; the latest products are gathered in new arrivals. Before the racing season starts, the winter sales and Black Friday are a chance to replace a full face helmet.

Frequently asked questions

Which BMX helmet for a child?

On the track, even the youngest riders must wear a full face helmet: several brands offer them from size XXS, with light shells so as not to tire the neck. For the skatepark, a skate-style helmet in the right size is enough. In both cases, choose the child's current size, never a size up.

Is a motorcycle helmet suitable for BMX racing?

It can be: it protects more, but it is heavier and less ventilated than a bicycle full face helmet. Check that it is a full face helmet with a visor at least 10 cm long, as UCI regulations require, and that it lets you see the start gate clearly with your head down.

Can you use a full face mountain bike helmet for BMX?

A one-piece downhill full face helmet, with a fixed chin guard and a visor, generally meets race requirements, and some are certified for both downhill and BMX. Helmets with a removable chin guard are a different matter: check the rules of your competition before racing in one.

Do you need a specific helmet for the skatepark?

A skate-style helmet certified for cycling is suitable for freestyle BMX. Some models also carry a skateboarding certification, useful if you switch between sports. Avoid road helmets with large vents, which cover less of the back of the head.

How do you look after a BMX helmet?

Remove the pads to hand-wash them and let them air-dry. Clean the shell with soapy water, without solvents, and store the helmet away from sun and heat, never at the bottom of a bag under the bike. Regularly check the visor, the screws and the strap.