Is it the law to wear a jet ski helmet? The short answer is no. That doesn’t mean going helmet-less is recommended. Having a jet ski helmet is always a good idea.
For the average jet ski rider, it may not be something you see often, but performance jet ski riders and racers won’t be seen without a helmet and lifejacket!
That said, just because you don’t race, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get a helmet. Being on the water doesn’t mean you are safe from a head injury. A jet ski helmet could save your life! In this guide, we will
The 5 best jet ski helmets are:
- Fly Racing F2
- Fox Proframe
- Bell Super Super 3R MIPS
- Bell Super Air
- O’Neal Fury
We will explain why in this article and where you can find them!
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What are the best helmets for jet skis?
To get to the point, we will first list our top-rated helmets for jet skis. You may think they look like mountain biking helmets… skip to the bottom of this guide to learn more about that!
1. Fly Racing F2
Carbon fiber helmet with removable foam for machine washing. Safest for extreme water sports and preventing waterlogging.
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Even though it’s made for mountain biking, this helmet is the closest thing you can get to a jet ski helmet. That’s because the liner and foam are made for removal and are machine wash safe. That means it’s designed to get wet without causing damage. Waterlogging will be your biggest concern when looking for a jet ski helmet. You don’t have to worry about that with this helmet! The exterior is made of carbon fiber, which is water-friendly, lightweight, and shock-absorbent.
This helmet is also extremely breathable. It has venting and exhaust technology that stays breathable at both idle and high speeds.
The helmet comes in many colors. Fly is known for making flashy helmets (like the one pictured), but you can go for matte black too if that’s more your style. This is one of the most popular helmets in the watercraft racing scene!
2. Fox Proframe
Another top pick is the Fox Proframe. It checks all the boxes in terms of low foam, high visibility, safety, and breathability. It is also a very common jet ski helmet. They come in all sorts of colors too! Check out the Fox website for their current offering.
3. Bell Super Super 3R MIPS
This is also a great option for a jet ski helmet. It is highly breathable and almost no sound reduction. Sound reduction can be another concern while wearing a helmet on jet skis. Reduced vision or hearing can be dangerous, and this helmet provides a wide-open view and many holes to allow noise to get in. Check it out on Amazon.
4. Bell Super Air
This is one of the most comfortable helmets. The foam technology helps reduce impact while using less foam, allowing for a more comfortable breathable helmet. It also comes in a variety of colors. Check out this camo one on Amazon.
5. O’Neal Fury
Safe and reliable helmet for jet skis at a more affordable price point.
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If you are trying to stay on a budget, this is our best suggestion for a budget jet ski helmet. O’Neal makes great helmets and they are highly protective, but they can reduce sound. Vision is more important, so this helmet is necessarily a deal-breaker. You should try to avoid helmets that may reduce your sense of hearing. You may not hear boats or jet skis coming from an unexpected direction.
Why don’t people wear jet ski helmets?
The most obvious reason is: because it isn’t the law.
If you go from a state with motorcycle helmet laws and go to state without motorcycle helmet laws, you might be surprised how few people wear motorcycle helmets. The same concept goes for jet ski riders.
Another reason is people assume it is fairly safe, as you just get thrown off into water. If this were your only concern, and you weren’t going very fast, then this might make sense. But the truth is even at slow speeds there are unexpected hazards, such as buoys, boats, other jet skis, sandbars, and the list goes on. I personally know someone who was killed instantly on a jet ski by falling off, and then being hit by the following jet ski. If he were wearing a jet ski helmet, this death likely could have been avoided.
Do I need to wear a helmet on a jet ski?
YES! (well, you should). In the past few years, jet skis have become surprisingly fast and have extremely high horsepower. Going 70+mph and not wearing a helmet is simply foolish. At these speeds, head impact, even on water, can cause a serious concussion or even death. You also risk breaking your neck, nose, or jaw.
Racing and jet ski tricks are also becoming more popular, so helmets should always be worn during these activities.
Pros for wearing a jet ski helmet:
- Prevent concussion
- Prevent broken facial bones. A common injury is a broken nose and jaw in water sports.
- It actually looks badass!
- You can attach a camera to your helmet, such as a GoPro
- Peace of mind when attempting new tricks or racing
Do jet ski helmets exist?
Not currently. When you see jet ski riders wearing helmets, they are actually wearing mountain bike helmets. There are several reasons why mountain bike helmets are the best option for jet skis:
1. Low Foam
Jet ski helmets are actually re-purposed from other sports, which means they usually aren’t designed to be submerged in water. Motorcycle helmets might be the obvious choice, but these can become waterlogged (think “sponge”), which is extremely dangerous.
I recently read on a forum that someone prefers motorcycle helmets. They said they know about waterlogging, but said: “just don’t fall off.” This is terrible advice. The point of having a jet ski is to protect your life if you fall off. If you fall off, become knocked out, and then have a helmet full of water – you’re going to drown. You might as well not wear a helmet in that scenario!
If you are going to wear a helmet, the plan should be to survive another day! Low foam helmets, like mountain bike helmets, are the best choice here.
2. High visibility
A major concern with wearing a helmet on a jet ski is losing visibility and peripheral vision. Boats and other jet skis can come from any direction, so it’s important to have high visibility while riding. Dirt bike helmets often have a ride face opening, allowing you have a better view of what’s around you.
3. Protection
Mountain bike helmets aren’t as protective as motorcycle helmets, but for a logical reason: Motorcycles go much faster and on asphalt roads. Mountain biking can be a high impact, but not to the extent of motorcycles. Because you are on the water, a mountain bike helmet will be sufficient for your needs.
You also want to have a chin bar on your helmet. Face protection on a jet ski is just as important as your noggin.
4. Breathability
When you are out on the water racing for hours, you are going to want something comfortable. If you aren’t comfortable, you are going to be less encouraged to wear a helmet at all. Mountain bike helmets are comfortable and don’t get too hot.
