the_intern

I'm a designer at a protective gear company. I want to get some input from the riders so I can design better products for us all. I've been out doing tons of interviews with shops and riders, but I want to start a community conversation conversation to see how the people feel about protective equipment.

I've noticed that snowboarders often buy protective gear as they get better. The helmets and pads provide tons of confidence. Has anyone experienced this? Any stories to tell? Maybe they'll inspire others to try some protective gear out too.

alaric

Protective stuff really doesn't give me more confidence, and honestly it doesn't make me feel any safer. I know I can still get seriously hurt even while wearing a helmet. But I do know that it may help reduce the impact. I don't depend on the helmet to keep me from getting hurt, but it doesn't hurt to have extra protection.

I wear a helmet while trying new tricks in the park, or when I'm on unfamiliar terrain. I don't always wear a helmet, and I know that I should.

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BoarderBabe

Uhmm well i only use a helmet when im riding park, or when im jibbing, but otherwise i really don't use much..

and yea i agree with Alaric, it doesn't give me much confidence. its just a safety thing to wear it. there is always a chance of injury, but wearing a helmet can reduce the chance of a more traumatic injury.

the_intern

I've been hearing from a few folks that they ride park better when they have a helmet on. They say they get some extra confidence that helps them consistently land tricks. Anything that helps is a good thing.

When I finally started to go off kickers with the right speed I got way freaked out in the air. I'm more used to it now, but that's when I first felt like I needed a helmet. Life preservation kicked in.

My big problem with wearing a helmet is comfort. I'm thinking that if it feels weird in the store, it's gonna feel worse on the hill. Did you guys have to get used to wearing yours before you were comfortable?

What keeps you from using your helmet every time you go ride? Where would you like improvements?

alaric

I agree with your idea of if it feels bad in the store, it'll feel worse on the hill.

I don't really know what keeps me from wearing it all the time. I just sometimes don't feel like it.

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Snowolf

I do not wear a helmet either. I can`t stand the feel and how hot they are. The one piece of protective gear that I do find usefull though are the ass pads. Whenever I do loose control landing a jump or slipping off a box, I almost always land right on my ass, so these things are great when I am working on my spins or riding boxes. I do not wear them when free riding or doing back country though. When I am wearing them for park, I do feel more confident or at least not so concerned about crashing.

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BurtonAvenger

If you think you're riding better with a helmet why not just chug a 6 pack and give yourself some false courage. At the end of the day its not designed to save your life its designed to reduce the amount of damage you do to yourself.

I've rode on and off with helmets, ass pads, wrist guards, etc. etc. Honestly I probably should wear a helmet, I have a smith holt its light and feels great, but I'm a dumb ass. The big thing with helmets is they're like boots everyones head shape is so different you need to find one that fits you. Now if you could design a moldable helmet I'd be pretty damn impressed.

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http://www.angrysnowboarder.comknow it love it read it

alaric

I do want to give those a shot, just as a little bit more cushion. Being a jibber/park rat, those seem like they'd help with ass landings just a little bit.

+1. Totally agreed.

A moldable helmet would be really cool. Those would probably be a bit safer too, leaving less room for jiggling

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T.J.

i dont usually wear my helmet at my home mountain unless i am going to spend the entire day in the park. i did wear it the entire trip to jay last year and it kept my brains on the inside more than once.

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Passion Over Fashion

the_intern

That's a huge problem. I think all helmet manufacturers use the same head to design their helmets around. I have to ask around and find out more about where the size actually comes from.

I'm assuming that a moldable helmet will be a bit heavier, that eps foam is really really lightweight, but super strong. Do you guys have any problems with the weight? Does it make you feel more unstable in any way? Or is the lack of comfort the big issue?