Area to discuss the pros and cons of both.
Related threads:
why would you wear a 3/4 instead of a half shell or full-face?
1 Like
For me personally, those are just the ones I prefer for light commuting. If I am trying to go fast or be dangerous I’ll pick up a full face helmet but I almost never do that. They just collect dust.
I can articulate why I prefer open face, because they are easy and fast to put on and take off.
As far as 3/4 versus half shell, IDK I feel like the 3/4 is slightly safer.
But I want to hear what others think.
1 Like
I’ve spent too much money keeping my teeth in good shape over the years (invisalign ain’t cheap) to risk knocking them out or breaking my jaw by riding with an open face helmet.
Half shells feel great, but I can’t take the risk. Full face every single time for me.
13 Likes
We probably have drastically different riding styles LOL
I would too if that’s how I was riding 
8 Likes
Personally, it really depends on needs and speeds. If you are riding 25+ on open roads, in my opinion, and full face is a must. If you don’t want to break the bank, look into downhill MTB helmets. If you are breaking speeds 40+ I recommend a moto helmet.
(Keep in mind that moto helmets are much stiffer than bike helmets, therefore don’t protect your head as well as a bike helmet would at speeds under 20.)
I personally ride a TSG pass 2.0. Dispite it being controversial, it is really a great helmet. But it is very specialized. It only provides a bit more protection than a standard bike helmet.
However, if you have a lower stance or if you are tucking, you should consider it. Me personally, I ride at speeds 40+ in a tuck or lowered stance(both DHSK8 and ESK8) so I’m not at high risk to a big head impact. If you have a higher stance (or if you will be doing EUC), the pass will not protect you head very well as it does not handle high impact well.
A good tip is to wear slide gloves with a helmet. That way, when you fall, you pucks can take a lot of impact.
2 Likes
Full face mountain bike helmet every ride on my Esk8, open face in the park on my analogs, nothing cruising analog.
My logic is that I’m not going to have any control over my fall at high speed so full face is essential. In the park I might loop out on a drop in or some stupid trick and crack the back of my head. Cruising my dive roll is on point and if I hit my head and die I deserve it.
1 Like
I have a shit tier skateboard helmet i grabbed for super cheap just to have when i got my backfire,since moving to diy i am super anxious about destroying my jaw or teeth, but a pass seems obscenely expensive for a minor amount of extra protection, but im also not sure i really need something like a bell qualifier cause the consensus seems to be moto helmets are bulky and fuck with fov, i usually ride around 30kph but i do want to go faster 
and since im in canada, i dont want a motox helmet thats super holy.
Im gonna go a bit off topic, but should i upgrade to full face, or get an armored jacket first?
1 Like
i’d upgrade to the full face helmet first personally. i have a bionic jacket but i usually don’t wear it unless i’m racing, riding long distances on roads with other vehicles, or testing new setups
Full face every ride for me.
Currently I go between a IXS trigger and a TSG pass pro.
IXS trigger MTB helmet is extremely light weight, has a great crank-to-fit system and is very well ventilated. In the Arizona heat this really helps. I wish there was face shield of some kind to make sunglasses not needed.
The pass pro is a double edged sword for me. I love the visibility, fitment and weight. I don’t love that they aren’t known to be very protective. I’ve watched multiple friends get concussions in them. I’ve also seen friends get concussions in moto helmets so 
I’ve tried on a lot of motorcycle helmets and it’s difficult to find one with the level of visibility I want etc. Best I’ve tried are the retro helmets with a very thin chin bar. The bell bullitt and torc t-1 are both on my list as possible next purchases.
1 Like
I would get a full face bike helmet and gloves. Jacket is a bit unnecessary at 30kph in my opinion
It’s interesting how the pass is know in the PEV community as a concussion prone death machine, but also praised in the DH skating community for is protection and weight. You can’t have a helmet that will entirely prevent concussions. It’s important to know the limits of you gear. Ride and fall accordingly to the protection you have.
(PS: I’ve never heard of someone getting a severe concussion on the pass in thr DH skating community. And we hit 60+ on those boards)
I’ve always thought the reason it’s the go to in DH over something like moto level gear is that DH is more closely connected to regular skating, which is still in the anti-gear camp. Therefore any full face helmet is going to provide way more than what most traditional skaters are wearing (nothing or typical pro tec half shells). Add in that aero is way more important in DH and it’s a pretty solid offering.
Esk8 is pretty insulated away from traditional skating. We gear up pretty heavily, I’m guessing part of that is the average age difference and the attraction of electric devices towards less athletic people thinking it’ll do most of the work.
I would love to see TSG make a big jump in safety levels. If they released a model specifically targeting PEV they could probably sweep up most of the market.
All that to say I don’t think it’s a terrible choice, I race one and consider it on par with my mtb helmet.
3 Likes
You actually might be surprised by how seriously downhill skaters take gear. The culture is different from street skating in the sense that if you arnt wearing at least a helmet and gloves, you look like a kook. And it’s highly encouraged to wear knee and elbow pads. (Popular gear being TSG DHP and g form). Also, downhill skating culture heavily emphasizes learning to fall properly, which I feel most people in eskate should learn to do as well.
In terms of aero, most helmets like the pass and the new olders blackbird v3 have struck a balance between protection, aero, and weight that other helmets haven’t. Also DH skaters whip their head arnd a lot so a light helmet is nessary.
4 Likes
Good to hear that’s the general sentiment in those groups.
1 Like
Mountain bike helmets have a technology called MIPS. It has become pretty standard in recent years and helps prevent brain injuries.
The Tsg pass is outdated technology. If you want the best protection for your brain, the pass ain’t it.
2 Likes
100% agree. MIPS is to prevent injury from whiplash and other violent rotations of the head. That’s why you often see it on bike helmets, as it’s much harder to control how you fall off a bike opposed to a skateboard. For me personally, dispite the pass not being the most protective helmet, it’s perfect for my riding style. Also, the pass 2.0 is much wider and beefier than it’s predecessor, leading me to believe it’s more protective. But for most people, a bike helmet is better.
4 Likes