Jet Skiing is undoubtedly an exciting water sport. It is a speedy sport that can cause a sudden adrenaline rush in your body. And for the same reason sometimes it can become dangerous. So, it is recommended to wear a helmet when you are Jet Skiing.
There is rarely any company that makes helmets specifically for Jet Skiing. However, some bike helmets are waterproof and suitable for personal marine craft. So, be careful when you are buying a helmet.
In this helmet buying guide, I will suggest some helmets that are best for Jet Skiing. You should choose a helmet that matches your requirements. There is no need to wear helmets wherever you go Jet Skiing. From this article, you will also learn when to use a helmet for Jet Skiing.
What Are The Best Helmets For Jet Skiing?
Since wearing helmets is not a mandatory safety accessory for Jet Skiing, many people avoid wearing a Jet Ski. As a result, there are very few companies that make helmets only for PWCs. People who are concerned about their safety have to use helmets made for other vehicles. But there are a few things to consider when you are choosing a helmet.
Now I’m sure you are scratching your head and thinking what sort of helmets you should even look for. Well, I’ve got you covered. In this section I will be providing 5 of the best helmets you can buy for riding Jet Skis. Take a look at all of them and buy the one that best suits your needs.
- O’Neal Sierra II Full-Face Slingshot Helmet
The O’Neal Sierra II is one of the best helmets for Jet Skiing. In fact, if you check the features of the helmet, you will see Marine-personal-craft written in the vehicle service type feature. Besides, the lightweight of the helmet which is only 3 pounds makes it super comfortable.
The attractive exterior of the helmet will surely influence you to buy it. It is made with Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) making the helmet really tough. Thus it will protect you from serious accidents. Besides, it is DOT certified, so you can guess it is approved for extreme sports.
The best feature of the helmet is its double visor. It has a standard face shield that covers your entire face. So, you can completely shield your face from the water. Again, if you want some air or water to get splashed on your face, you can use the sun-visor instead of the complete face-shield. You do not have to buy extra goggles.
If you are worried about fog blocking your vision because of the full shield, then do not worry because the mouthpiece has vents. It helps you to get rid of the humid air. There is a switch to close and open the vents. The soft and sweat-absorbing pads provide enough protection. Some pads are removable, so you can remove them whenever you want.
You may not find any other helmet for Jet Skiing with so many great features at such an affordable price.
Pros
- Strong stylish shell made with ABS
- Light-weight helmet
- Double face shield
- Padded chin strap with safety lock
- Proper ventilation system
- Removal and washable linings
Cons
- The size is often complained to be too small
- GLX GX23
This lightweight helmet with an advanced cooling system is a close competitor for being the best Jet Skiing helmet. GLX GX23 from the GLX brand weighs only 3.5 pounds. The full-face helmet is so light that you can keep it on your head for long hours. Even if the inside pads get wet with water, you will not feel too much pressure on your neck.
The 14 air vents of the helmet ensure airflow and keep the inside of the helmet cool and breezy. The GLX GX23 is preferred by professional Jet Ski racers for its implacable safety standards. This DOT-approved helmet has protective screens, fast-release chin straps, mouthguards, and washable and removable inner pads.
The visor of the helmet is adjustable and shatterproof. So, you will get a clear view of your surroundings. The price of the helmet is also cheap. Therefore, buy a GLX GX23 helmet if you are low on budget for Jet Ski helmets.
Pros
- Light-weight, strong and durable
- Proper ventilation
- Affordable price
- Shatter-resistant visor
Cons
- Can be small and tight. So check the measurement guide
- Duke Helmets DK-120
Now, if you are looking for something cool and a bit more expensive, then go for the Duke Helmets DK-120 Full Face Motorcycle Helmet. Fans of Marvel’s Black Panther will surely fall for this helmet for its smooth matt black finish.
This helmet is comparatively heavier than the previous helmets I have mentioned. However, it weighs only 4 pounds which can also be considered light. Advanced lightweight poly-alloy is used to make the aerodynamic shell of the helmet.
DK-120 is not just about the looks, it is also great for safety. Jet Skis can reach his speed, and the water can splash on the helmet with great force. The helmet is scratch-proof. Therefore, it will not be damaged easily.
It has cheek pads inside, and the linings are removal and washable. The double D chin strap keeps the helmet secure on your head. The helmet is large and has ample space inside for proper breathing.
Besides, you can choose your visor style for the helmet. The options are clear, chrome, iridium, and tinted visors. They are sold separately so you can buy more than one visor.
Moreover, it is Bluetooth-compatible. So, you can keep yourself entertained with music while you are Jet Skiing. With all these features, the price is naturally higher than the previously mentioned helmets.
Pros
- Cool and fashionable design
- Lightweight
- Bluetooth-compatible
- Hard and durable shell
- Different styles of visors
- Ample space inside
Cons
- Quite Expensive
- Can be noisy
- Chinstrap can be irritating
- Size can be a problem
- BELL Super 3R MIPS Adult Mountain Bike Helmet
Mountain Bike Helmets are also good choices for Jet Skiing. The BELL Super 3R MIPS Adult Mountain Bike Helmet is one of the best mountain bike helmets you should try. It is a full-face helmet with a removable chin bar. So, you can use it as a full-face helmet and a half-face helmet depending on the situation.
The helmet weighs only 1.72 pounds, and so you can use it for a long time with ease. Although the helmet is very light, the polycarbonate shell is still strong and durable. The helmet has a Multi-directional Impact Protection System (MIPS) inside of the helmet that protects from sudden forces.
There are chin pads on the cheek and the chin bar of the helmet. Thus, you will not feel the full force of any sudden impact on your face. You can remove them whenever you want.
BELL Super 3R MIPS Adult Mountain Bike Helmet does not have any face visor, but you can use a Google or sunglasses instead to protect your vision. There are clips that you can use to remove the chin bar. Two clips are on the sides, and one is on the back of the helmet.
The sound of the back clip can be annoying, but it is not much of a problem when you are focusing on driving the Jet Ski. There are many airways to pass the wind and water, hence no chance of water getting stuck inside the helmet. The inside of the helmet is quite comfortable and secure.
Pros
- Lightweight, strong and durable
- Full of Airflow vents
- 2 in 1 helmet
- Removable chin bar
- Easy to carry
- Padded Chin Bar
- MIPS inside the helmet
Cons
- No attached face shield or visors
- Sizes are not always available
- Can make irritating noises
- Tontron Kayaking Waterskiing Whitewater Helmet
If you are looking for something simple for protection, you will find the Tontron Adult Kayaking Wakeboarding Water-skiing White-water Helmet very useful. It is a half-face helmet suitable for Jet Skiing. However, you can use this helmet when you are sure there will be no high-speed activities.
It is one of the lightest helmets in the market. Therefore, it makes it suitable for Jet Skiing and other water sports. The Tontron Kayaking Helmet is great for tackling fast rapids. It also focuses on maximum protection. So, you will not injure your head even if you hit your head at high speed.
The helmet shell is constructed from ABS plastic. As a result, it can withstand hard hits. The inside of the helmet is lined with EVA foam which keeps your head secured. The ear protector pads on both sides prevent water from going inside your ears. You can remove the ear pads if you want.
The 11 vents on the helmet make it easy for the air to pass in and out. So, you will not feel any heat trapped inside. Since there is no face shield or visor, you should buy sunglasses or goggles.
There are different colors of the helmet to choose from like black, white, orange, pink, red, and many more. Although the design looks very simple, you will surely admire the comfort and features of the helmet. Besides, the price is also affordable.
Pros
- Shell made from ABS
- 11 air-vent systems
- EVA foam liners for water absorption
- Withholding strap system
- Affordable price
- Different colors of the helmet
- Lightweight and strong
Cons
- Not recommended for high-speed Jet Skiing
- May not protect the jaw or chin area
- No face shield or visor
When And Where Should You Wear Helmets?
First-time Jet Ski enthusiasts often ask whether they should use a helmet. You may also wonder when and where you should use a helmet for Jet Skiing.
Here are some situations where you can put on a helmet to avoid any kind of danger.
Competition and Race
When you participate in a Jet Ski competition or race, you have to drive the Jet Ski at high speed. In fact, official Jet Ski races will not qualify you for Jet Ski racing without a helmet because serious accidents can happen in these events. The event organizers do not want to take responsibility for your life.
Group Activities
People usually ride a Jet Ski with their friends and family. They may even start a competition. When a group of people is jet-skiing side by side in the same area, they may have a high-speed collision with each other. In these occurrences, you may fall off from the jet and get hit by a Jet Ski. Helmets will surely prevent injuries.
Jet Skiing with Minors
You should at least have a helmet for the passengers you are riding with you. Young children are often careless when they are riding Jet Skis. Putting a helmet over their head will be a good idea.
Unpredictable Weather
You can easily disregard wearing a helmet on a bright and sunny day. The water might be steady and calm, thus, there is little chance of mishaps. But weather can be unpredictable. So, if you are Jet Skiing in someplace where the weather is unpredictable, you should definitely keep a helmet with you.
The water may become unstable, and big waves can rise. It can also start raining. Therefore get a helmet that protects your head and vision in bad weather.
Showing Tricks
Expert and novice both types of Jet Ski drivers love to show off some tricks. But the wise ones always use a helmet to ensure their safety. You may jump or spin on the water with your Jet Ski. Hence, it increases the risk of accidents.
Using a Camera
Like many other people, you may also like to record your Jet Ski experience. If you have a helmet that has space for mounting a camera, you can record your experience and share it with others.
Should You Buy a Jet Ski Helmet?
You know that it is not mandatory to wear a helmet whenever you are riding or driving a Jet Ski. People may also think that Jet Ski helmets may weigh them down and disturb their entertainment. But as you can see, Jet Ski helmets have a lot of benefits.
If you do not want to use helmets all the time, it is fine. But if you are a racer or a person who loves to drive high-speed Jet Skis, you must buy a Jet Ski. Keep a helmet for your passengers as well. We highly recommend you to buy one of the helmets from this guide because they are already proven to be safe and useful for Jet Skiing.
You can choose a helmet recommended on this guide, or you can search for others. No matter which helmet you choose, make sure they are DOT or CPSC certified. The helmet should also be breathable and light. You can also buy some extra accessories like a face shield, visors, sunglasses, and goggles for your protection.
Is Wearing Helmets Mandatory For Jet Skiing?
People call Jet Skis the motorbike of the water because of its high speed. Since bikers must wear a helmet when they ride their bikes, it should also be a rule for Jet Skiing, right? No, in the case of Jet Skiing, it is not mandatory to wear a helmet in any state of the US.
However, everyone knows they have to put on a helmet when they are in a Jet Ski race or driving the Jet Ski too fast. Indeed, Jet Skiing is not as risky as riding a bike at high speed on the road.
But accidents can happen while Jet Skiing too. Nowadays, Jet Skis can have high-power engines up to 300hp. These engines are capable of reaching 60 to 70 mph. So, the risk of facing accidents also increases. You can avoid getting seriously injured if you put on a helmet.
So, mandatory or not, you should buy a helmet for Jet Skiing. It is always better to be cautious when you are driving high-speed vehicles.
Conclusion
By now, hopefully, you have learned about some best Jet Ski helmets from this buying guide. There may not be any helmets made just for Jet Skiing, but there are plenty of helmets in the market which you can use to protect yourself.
Your safety should be your first concern. So, be safe while you are enjoying Jet Skiing on the vast expanse of water.
