There’s a wide variety of water sports, and jet skiing is among the best of them. It’s well known for its fast-paced nature that pumps adrenaline into every part of your body.
Aside from this, jet skis can be dangerous. That’s why you should have a helmet in your skiing gear.
In this article, I’m going to share with you my recommendations for jet ski helmets. Also, we’ll discuss what to look for when you’re buying one. Ready? Let’s go!
Here’s a quick list of our top picks for the best jet ski helmets:
Best Jet Ski Helmets in the Market
Here’s a roundup of the best jet ski helmets. You’ll find a variety of features to choose from, in addition to the benefits you’ll get and the trade-offs you’ll make in each case.
Best Full-Face Jet Ski Helmet
Wearing a full helmet provides the best function, but it might tire your neck with the usually heavy design. Well, this is not the case for this 3-pound helmet from ILM.
But when you actually use it, the lightweight won’t be its only good feature. The ABS shell is made with special aerodynamics that ensures a steady helmet against the toughest wind.
Although ILM claims that this design reduces the wind sound, it actually doesn’t. But I personally prefer a stable noisy helmet over a mute rocking one. Don’t you agree?
This helmet comes with a removable leather neck scarf and two visors, clear and smoked. I think this gives you the best value for your money.
However, it’s worth mentioning that the anti-fog feature of these visors isn’t that effective.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Stable under wind
- Comes with a neck scarf and two visors
- Fairly-priced
Cons
- Noisy
- The anti-fog visor is not that effective
Best Half-Face Jet Ski Helmet
If you don’t prefer having your whole head covered with a full-face helmet, then consider purchasing this half helmet from AHR.
The EPS lining would provide the necessary protection to your head. It doesn’t feature a full-sized visor, though. But you can simply use it with glasses or goggles.
To securely hold onto your head, it’s supplied with a chin strap and an adjustable D-ring.
The shell has a glossy black finish which is quite popular with various users. I think it suits skiing more than the matte look.
Pros
- Small lightweight design
- It has an adjustable chin strap and D-ring
- Glossy black finish
- Budget-friendly
Cons
- It doesn’t have a full-sized visor
Best Open-Face Jet Ski Helmet
Full-face helmets provide the best protection. Half-face ones let you enjoy the wind at your face.
Open-face helmets give you the best of both worlds. Its ABS shell completely covers the sides of your head, leaving your chin free.
Thanks to its UV-resistant coating, you won’t have to worry about how much time you spend skiing. This drastically decreases the helmet heating in addition to preserving its look for the longest time.
Pros
- Open design
- Well-ventilated
- UV-resistant coating
- Moderately-priced
Cons
- Some users reported a poor uncomfortable padding
Best-looking Jet Ski Helmet
If you want a cool helmet that looks good on photos or youtube videos, search no more. This helmet from GDM features a unique design. The interesting shape is based on a Black Panther head.
Although I don’t prefer a matte finish, it perfectly suits this design. Luckily, you won’t pay for a fashionable look only. This helmet is Bluetooth-compatible. You’ll be able to add more fun to your skiing with your favorite music.
This helmet comes in a light 4-pound design. Moreover, you have the freedom of choice between clear, tinted, chrome, and iridium visors that are sold separately.
Pros
- Fashionable look
- Bluetooth-compatible
- Lightweight
- Different visor choices
Cons
- Noisy
- Poor chin strap
- Quite expensive
Why You Should Wear a Helmet for Jet Skiing
Some people assume that jet skiing is safe, especially teenagers and young adults who only ski on occasions. Statistics clearly prove them wrong.
Taking a fall into the water doesn’t seem that dangerous. But it’s the possible bumping that should be of concern.
People could easily bump into buoys, boats, sandbars, other jet skis, or a large wave. These collisions can make them lose hand-support and hit their head or jaws at the handlebar or any part of the jet ski.
That’s why it’s preferable to wear a full-face helmet. The more you expose from your head, the more areas prone to injuries.
Moreover, make sure you follow the general safety guidelines for better jet skiing experience.
Other Cool Advantages
Aside from safety, wearing a helmet can enable you to do more with your skiing. For instance, you can mount a GoPro camera to the top to show the world how skiing looks from your perspective.
Also, owning a helmet would be great for winter skiing. Yes, a knit hat could keep you warm. But a helmet has higher wind and water protection.
If you like to add music to your skiing adventure, a helmet can be of service. Some products, like the GDM DK-120 Helmet, are compatible with Bluetooth devices. You can also listen to the radio or communicate with your peers.
What to Look for in a Jet Ski Helmet?
In my opinion, a helmet has to meet three basic requirements to be suitable for jet skiing.
Hardness
The helmet has to be DOT-certified. This is the easiest way to make sure it’ll be durable against possible skiing hits.
Lightweight
I think that the maximum weight you can bear on your head while skiing is 4 pounds. This becomes exceptionally important at high speeds and windy weather.
Using heavy helmets in these cases is a sure way to lose balance.
Breathable
As you’ll mostly ski in summer, the heat can easily build up inside your helmet. That’s why your helmet has to have excellent air circulation. Purchase a helmet that has multiple ventilation holes located in different areas.
The Verdict
Jet skiing is unmatched, but it’s even better if you stay safe. That’s why having a jet ski helmet is a must. The ILM Full-Face Helmet should provide the best protection due to its full-face coverage. It also comes with a neck scarf which can also be useful for winter skiing.
Want to feel freer? Consider the AHR Half-Face Helmet. It covers your head with a thick EPS lining and fits securely with a chin strap and a D-ring.
In the end, I hope this article benefited you. I wish you the happiest and safest skiing!