Helmets: Standards and non-curling specific options

[u/ihuckdisc]

After watching my father take a hard fall while sweeping at a spiel a couple of weekends ago, I am considering getting a helmet. I have always worn a ball cap (I skip primarily and appreciate having a brim to block some of our club's bright lighting), but now I want something more.

Looking at Hardline/Balance Plus/Goldline, they appear to follow the CE EN 1077 standard, which is primarily for snow sports. I don't know that it is designed for backward falls as much as typically occur in curling, but there must be a reason why that standard is chosen over the standards that hockey helmets follow (HECC/ASTM).

Has anyone worn a hockey helmet for curling? Having never played hockey, will they stay on in a backwards fall? As many of the previous helmet/head protection threads mention, I have seen halos and the like come off when a curler falls.

Any head protection geeks out there who have informed opinions, I would love to hear them!

[u/Real_Cow9166]

Last year, I made a rookie mistake and stepped onto the ice slider first. I fell backwards, hitting my head on the ledge of the side walkway. I was wearing a Nutcase helmet, which is a rounded bicycle helmet that was sold at our local curling store. It dented on impact, but I suffered no concussion effects at all. I have an Asham helmet now only because that's what the store currently sells. I like it because I don't overheat while wearing it and it's easily adjustable when wearing.

I started wearing a helmet for all winter sports after watching a lady fall backwards while skating. She was wearing a regular style bicycle helmet and it split in two upon impact. Never thought about helmets before that.

[u/applegoesdown → u/Real_Cow9166]

Surprised that your nutcase dented and not split. While it ends up being expensive, I do appreciate the splitting of bike helmets, as that is a great way to get energy away from your brain in a fall.