Skate Helmets & Protection 2024 Retail Buyer’s Guide
Protective gear and helmets are coming for a ride with the Olympics hosting skateboarding again and propelling the category into the public viewpoint. As every competitor under 18 is obliged to wear a helmet, it’s further pushing the idea that wearing a helmet can be both safe and cool. We look at what brands have to offer and what to watch out for in the Source Retail Buyers Guide for Skateboard Helmet & Protection 2024.
Unlike the skate footwear segment, it seems that the hard goods over-stock fiasco is easing off for some protection brands. Nadja Herger, Head of Communication at TSG said “The storage situation is slowly relaxing. We are seeing demand in all our areas, from helmets to protectors.”
With the skateboarding scene continuing to diversify with increasing participation from female riders and a notable rise in LGBTQIA+ riders, skate schools and groups are forming and creating safer spaces to learn in, with these groups/clubs/schools often promoting safety gear. With progression and falling going hand in hand, it’s only right that protective gear is vital to progress. Andy King – General Manager at REKD said, “The more protected they are, the less time they will need to spend recovering from injuries, allowing them to progress faster and enjoy the sport more fully.” Nadja Herger, Head of Communication at TSG also noticed that the not-so-recent pump track fad popping up everywhere, is influencing helmet use. Nadia said “Everything that rolls meets on the pump track, from skateboarders to BMX and scooter kids. Skateparks (indoor and outdoor) are family hangouts at the weekend. Skateboarding dads and mums put their kids on the boards. They all need helmets and pads.”
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Whether padded base layers or full-cut skate helmets, the protection market is still pushing new & retro styles, and the coming season looks no different. Andy from REKD said, “For 2024, key advancements in protective technologies include slim-fit protection, impact shock foam (REKD Energy foam), and innovative helmet designs.” It’s not just park and vert skateboarding that requires protective gear. As Nadja explained, TSG will improve their hit downhill helmet with the Pass Pro 2.0, “Super safe ABS construction with reinforced chin bar and comfortable fit and new Anti-Fog Air Duct System, which prevents the visor from fogging up.”
Trends
The protection market is spanning further than just the run-of-the-mill knee & elbow pads these days. Xion PG CEO Björn Clausen said “We see skate customers prioritising their safety more, looking at more than just head, knees and elbows. We see a trend of buying back protectors and shorts that cover the coccyx.” Whilst some brands cater to the general extreme sports category, Triple Eight distribution (187 killer pads, triple 8 & Pro-tec) has been helping customers get more out of their products, instead of reinventing the wheel with new models. Noah Todaro, Marketing Manager at Triple Eight explained, “Not necessarily your traditional helmets and pads, but tertiary/accessory items that help refine the fit and extend the life of existing products.”
Price Points
The longevity of a product in today’s market speaks no bounds, with the ‘buy cheap, buy twice’ methodology coming into play here. Andy from REKD said it perfectly, “In today’s economic environment, consumers are becoming more discerning in their purchasing decisions. They are increasingly seeking products that offer long-term quality and durability, ensuring their investment provides substantial value over time.” Brands like those under Triple Eight Dist. will be maintaining relatively similar price points to previous seasons, however, as Noah said, “One thing to note is that we do plan to introduce a few premium helmets in the second half of the year that’ll sit at a slightly higher price point than our current line”. Pads and base layer protection mark up is slightly higher than helmet costs it seems, with Nadia from TSG saying, “2-3 piece protector sets start at €44.95 to €69.95. Knee pads from €59.95 up to €129.95 for high-performance vert pads.” Xion PG’s back protectors and shorts on the other hand start at €139.
Safety communication
Protective gear and especially helmets are of course known to protect the wearer, but just how is the effectiveness of these products communicated with customers? “Certified helmets are THE only way”- Nadja from TSG explained. ALK13 owner Vincent Isaac added “Certification is a must-have – We have noticed this in each product. It’s the law.” S1 Co-Founder Dan McCashin communicated the issue perfectly saying, “The idea that we are still talking about non-certified helmets being available on the market is disappointing and speaks to the larger issue of cooperate greed where certain companies prioritise sales over the safety and overall well-being of the human race.” It’s no surprise that every brand listed here has their products certified, and clearly stated both online and on their product packaging/branding. There are still uncertified products out there though on sites like Temu.
Cross over
Protective gear can be used across a variety of activities, however, certain styles cater to certain sports. As Björn from Xion PG said: “Our protection gear is very versatile and can be used in all different situations, be it snowsports, biking or skating.” Andy from REKD said similarly, “We pride ourselves on being a multi-sport brand, with many of our protection products and designs being applicable across various sports.” This however isn’t always the case. Nadja from TSG said: “Each product has its area of application and has been developed for a specific sport. Are there any overlaps? Definitely. Some skateboarders like to wear pads under their clothing. The other way round is rather rare.” Vincent from ALK13 spoke of the concerns of using purpose-designed protection for the wrong sport, however: “Sometimes riders don’t take into account certifications, for example, using water helmets for skating.”
Trending designs
It looks like customers want slimmer, less bulky protection. Triple 8 Distribution’s Noah said, “We have worked hard to develop slimmer models of pads for 2024 that feel lighter and comfier, but will protect the same way as our thickest pads.” Andy from REKD said similarly, “Trending styles in pads include low-profile designs that fit easily under clothing and stay close to the body.” Dan from S1 spoke of the brimmed helmet trend he noticed this year, “Our new Lifer Brim Helmet keeps the sun out of your eyes!”
Colours/graphics and collaborations
Collaborations seem few and far between for the year, although trending styles and colours of helmets seem to be loud and bright. Nadja from TSG said, “We are bold and loud with the tie-dye all-over print on the Meta helmet. Allover logo prints remain popular.” Pro-tec’s helmets also pack a rather jazzy punch, as Noah explained, “Our Glitter helmets (in Black, Silver and Gold) are hard to keep in stock due to all the demand!”
Technology
Advances in protective technology mean lighter and safer gear. ALK13 are using “Kevlar and neoprene in their kneepads for example” as Vincent noted. Comfort is key, and brands are pushing the boundaries with how certified helmets fit. Noah from Triple 8 said, “Never before have we or anyone else figured out a way to get a Certified helmet to fit just above the eyebrows, the same as a non-certified helmet would.” Dan from S1 spoke of their tech input saying, “Fusion Foam comes in all our Lifer models which is our propriety blend of EPS foam that is soft enough to pass multi-impact testing and hard enough to pass high-impact certifications.”
It looks to be an exciting year for helmets and protection alike, with loud colours and lightweight pads bringing a bit of variation to the field of play. Un-certified helmets are being phased out and better safety technology is becoming more readily available. This further validates the need for safety in these rapidly progressing sports.
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