The 3 Best Jet Ski Helmets: This is Why You Need One!
Surprisingly, helmets are not legally required when riding a jet ski, that’s why you very rarely see jet ski riders wearing a helmet.
But regarding the potential risks of jet skiing there are several cases in which it’s recommended that a helmet be worn. Are you curious about these cases?
We at JetDrift have included the most common of these cases and listed the best jet ski helmets in this post for your information. Learn what to wear to reduce the consequences of a potential accident!
Do You Have to Wear a Helmet On a Jet Ski?
Jet skis are considered to be the motorcycles of the water, and as we know a helmet is required for every recreational motorcycle rider. But unlike them, helmets on a jet ski are not legally required in any state. Also, keep in mind, you have to wear a helmet on a jet ski if you are a racer or other non-recreation rider!On one hand, it makes sense as jet skiing is much safer compared to riding a motorcycle. There are few objects around you on the water like you find on the streets – like buildings or trees and don’t even mention the traffic! Additionally, falling into the water is usually a lot less painful than falling onto city streets.
On the other hand, jet skis have become extremely powerful in recent years. Many models even have 300 horsepower engines that can hit a top speed of 67 mph quite easily. So, the whole idea of riding safely on a jet ski is something people are just starting to realize the importance of.
Because of this, we want to discuss when you should wear a helmet on a jet ski! Let’s check these out one-by-one:
- Racing: All sanctioned PWC racing associations require that participants wear a helmet, and for good reason. When you’re racing you are at high risk of being hit by a competing jet skier, and a good jet ski helmet can save your head in these accidents. Helmets must also be worn at freeride/freestyle competitions as well!
- Riding with others: Just like during races, there is always a risk of bumping into others just on recreational rides – and others can bump into you! The risk is much higher if you ride in a group with other jet skiers, especially if you ride really hard! In case of an accident a jet ski helmet can save your life!
- Doing tricks: When it comes to recreational jet skiing, using a helmet also makes sense for everyone who prefers tricks or who regularly rides aggressively. Huge wave jumps are especially risky and often result in very serious injuries. Not just your skull, but your jaw can be seriously injured as well!
- Rough weather: If you like riding in rough weather, you also have a much higher risk of accidents and injuries due the big waves, bad visibility and other factors. Thus, a helmet make sense again here!
- Cold weather: If you live in the north or just like riding your craft in chilly weather, a helmet can keep your head and ears warm. Of course, a warm hat can do a really good job too, but a helmet means even more protection from the wind and cold. Just make sure you wear a mask under it!
- Attaching a camera: If you like taking videos on your rides, a jet ski helmet could be a good place to attach the camera.
- For children: Let’s face it, children are often irresponsible. That’s why many jet ski accidents are caused by young people. If you have children and regularly let them operate the jet ski, a helmet is a great safety accessory for them. If they rebel against it, just say they look like pro racers. Maybe that will help!
- Staff on duty: Lifeguards, SAR (Search and Rescue) and many other organizations use jet skis these days. It’s also more and more common for jet skis to be used in assisting surfers. For these operators, wearing a helmet is obligatory by default in most cases!
Disadvantages of Wearing a Jet Ski Helmet
Surprisingly, beyond the several advantages of PWC helmets, there are some disadvantages as well. To stay unbiased, we have to consider these factors too:- Limited vision: If you’ve already worn a helmet you probably know that it limits your vision. This is especially true of your side vision. So, this needs some getting used to!
- Limited hearing: Jet ski helmets are not intended to limit your hearing, but you do hear less from your surrounding when wearing one. On a jet ski you need to constantly be aware of your surroundings, that’s why it’s important to turn off your speakers in a crowded area!
- Storage issues: Helmets are really bulky and not collapsible. They are not just a pair of gloves that you can easily store. So, if they are not in use, storing them on a jet ski can be a pain – especially if they won’t fit in the storage bin!
- Selecting the wrong helmet: It’s essential to choose a right jet ski helmet, as purchasing the wrong model can be a problem. And, in a serious accident you won’t get the level of protection you expect and need from it!
The Best Jet Ski Helmets
When it comes to selecting the best helmet for jet ski rides, there are many factors to consider.First things first. You need to know that you cannot find helmets on the market specifically designed for jet skiing. Because of this jet ski riders can only choose among helmets made for other sports. But you need to be careful because not every helmet is good for jet skiing!
Sometimes you can see jet ski riders wearing motorcycle helmets designed for street bikes, which are not recommended at all. The other bad choice can be a half helmet (known as skull-cap helmet), which is typically worn by people riding scooters.
These models do not just look funny on a jet skier, but they do not protect your jaw. And it is very important for you to have jaw protection on a jet ski! After a huge wave jump, you can hit the handlebar with your jaw really hard and get seriously injured.
You may be wondering what type of helmet you should wear on the jet ski. The best choices are typically the motocross and Downhill MTB/Motocross helmets with jaw protection.
These helmets usually work really well for jet ski riders. They are lightweight, have many vents and don’t have too much foam in them, which means they won’t be waterlogged after a fall.
Wight is very important as a heavy helmet can make your rides difficult and uncomfortable.
What’s more, these full-face jet ski helmets look pretty cool so you will look like a professional them! When it comes to colors, you can even choose one to fit your jet ski’s colors and your style. Bright colors are usually recommended as they make you more visible on the water.
To help your buying process, we’ve compiled a list of the most popular models recommended by many riders and industry professionals! Without further ado, let’s check out the 3 best jet ski helmets on the market!
Fox Proframe – The Best Recreational Jet Ski Helmet
The Proframe helmet by Fox is certainly among the best choices for recreational jet ski riders.
Of all the helmets Fox has developed over the years, the Proframe is the lightest at only 750 grams.
For a full-face jet ski helmet, this is very important because you need to easily hold your head up to see what’s ahead and surrounding you. It’s so light that you can even forget you have it on. Even though it’s lightweight, it’s heavy in terms of protection.
The inner shell is filled with cone-shaped EPS foam in a variety of densities designed for ultimate shock absorption.
Even though the inner foam is quite thin it offers plenty of protection and the Proframe is nice and comfortable when worn. It’s breathable and because it doesn’t get waterlogged, you can hardly tell when it’s wet. Plus, it drains and dries very quickly as well.
Features:
- Weight: 750 g (medium)
- Material: Polycarbonate
- Safety certifications: CPSC 1203, ASTM F1952, AS/NZS 2063:2008, EN 1078:1997 approved
- Shield: yes
- Vents: 24 Big Bore vents
- Recommended: recreational riding
Another Good Full Face Jet Ski Helmet: O’Neal 3 Series
O’Neal offers sports enthusiasts a broad range of outstanding safety products and their 3 Series Helmets are no exception.
They are available in all different shapes and sizes, from XS to XXL and you have two premium color choices: white and black.
The helmet’s outer shell is made of polycarbonate, which is very durable and can weigh up to 1500 grams, depending on size, which is twice the weight of the Fox Proframe helmet.
The shell is huge, so this helmet is nothing if not durable with a very cool design. It has an adjustable visor, so you can get the most out of your ride by adjusting it for speed or for slowing down.
The visor has a built-in sunscreen shield to protect your eyes from UV rays that can blur your vision and even blind you when the sun’s rays shine straight at you. But the visor on this helmet helps you see any obstacles in front of you much better in these conditions.
Features:
- Weight: 1500 grams
- Material: Polycarbonate
- Safety certifications: O.T. (U.S. only), ECE 22-05 (Europe)
- Shield: yes
- Recommended: recreational riding
The Best Jet Ski Racing Helmet: The Carbon Fly Racing F2
When it comes to jet ski racing, you definitely will need something more heavy-duty!
Many pro jet ski racers use and recommend the Fly Racing helmet. This model is designed for motocross racers, so this means higher protection compared to the previous two helmets.
The F2 Carbon Fly Racing Jet Ski Helmet is made with a Kevlar carbon composite shell that is well-designed and lightweight. This is an incredible helmet and even though it has pro-level features it’s affordable at a medium-level price point. It’s the perfect helmet for many types of riding, including jet skiing.
The Kevlar shell is what makes the F2 Carbon such a great helmet with DOT and SNELL certifications, weighing just 3.3 lbs. (1500 g), and a removable dual-density EPS liner for added protection if you need it.
It also has removable cheek pads as well, which helps when cleaning your helmet. The Racing F2 is also a very comfortable helmet, with soft textured padding that limits abrasions and painful pressure points.
To make it even more comfortable, it’s well vented with 4 exhaust and 11 intake vents, plus a tri-vent system above the brows that draws air up away from your goggles, so they don’t fog up under any conditions.
If you’re racing your jet ski, in addition to wearing a helmet you should also wear a neck collar for added protection.
Features:
- Weight: 1500 g
- Material: Carbon fiber and Kevlar composite
- Safety certifications: O.T. (U.S. only), SNELL M2010
- Shield: yes
- Recommended: racing, freestyle/freeride competitions
Jet Ski Goggles
Once you purchase a jet ski helmet, you will probably need goggles as well for better eye protection. Without a helmet, riders typically wear sunglasses, but they are not the best choice if you’re wearing a helmet.We recommend that you complete your helmet with googles, which create a much better seal. For racers it’s a must-have (and required) accessory!
We also recommend that you attach a key chain floaty to your goggles to keep them from floating away should you end up falling into the water.
Fly Racing Focus Goggles are perfect for racers and for recreational riders as well. Youth and adult specific frame sizes are made from premium, high-grade materials that are designed to provide a secure fit and a wide field of vision.
They come in many different colors, so you can choose one that goes with your helmet!
https://youtu.be/Oeub30I3h_E
Should You Wear a Helmet On a Jet Ski?
Even if it’s not required by law there are many times when you should wear a helmet on a jet ski. For racers and other non-recreational riders, wearing a helmet is usually obligatory by default. If you are a recreational rider, you may also want a jet ski helmet if you ride aggressively or prefer doing tricks like wave jumping.When selecting a full-face jet ski helmet consider all of the most important factors like durability, weight, foam, color, and the price of course.
For recreational use, you can’t go wrong with Downhill MTB helmets like the Fox Proframe or even the O’Neal 3 series. If you are looking for a racing jet ski helmet many racers and industry experts recommend the Carbon Fly Racing F2 helmet.
Don’t forget, when racing you should probably wear a neck collar as well, and good goggles never hurt either!
