 Activity  Helmet Type  Applicable Standard(s) 

Individual Activities — Wheeled

Bicycling (including low speed, motor assisted)

Roller & In-line Skating — Recreational

Scooter Riding (including low speed, motor assisted)

Bicycle CPSC, ASTM F1447, Snell B-90/95, Snell N-94†

BMX Cycling BMX CPSC, ASTM F2032

Downhill Mountain Bike Racing Downhill CPSC, ASTM F1952

Roller & In-line Skating — Aggressive/Trick

Skateboarding Skateboard ASTM F1492†, Snell N-94†

Individual Activities — Wheeled Large Motor

ATV Riding

Dirt- & Mini-Bike Riding

Motocrossing

Motocross or 

Motorcycle DOT FMVSS 218, Snell M-2005

Karting/Go-Karting Karting or Motorcycle DOT FMVSS 218, Snell K-98, Snell M-2005

Moped Riding

Powered Scooter Riding Moped or Motorcycle DOT FMVSS 218, Snell L-98, Snell M-2005

Individual Activities — Non-Wheeled 

Horseback Riding Equestrian ASTM F1163, Snell E-2001

Rock- & Wall-Climbing Mountaineering EN 12492†, Snell N-94†

Team Sport Activities ‡

Baseball, Softball & T-Ball

Baseball Batter’s NOCSAE ND022

Baseball Catcher’s NOCSAE ND024

Football Football NOCSAE ND002, ASTM F717

Ice Hockey Hockey NOCSAE ND030, ASTM F1045

Lacrosse Lacrosse NOCSAE ND041

Winter Activities

Skiing 

Snowboarding Ski ASTM F2040, CEN 1077, Snell RS-98 or S-98

Snowmobiling Snowmobile DOT FMVSS 218, Snell M-2000

Although a helmet has not yet been designed for the following two activities, until such helmets exist, wearing one of the three 

listed types of helmets may be preferable to wearing no helmet at all.

Ice Skating

Sledding

Bicycle CPSC, ASTM F1447, Snell B-90/95 or N-94†

Skateboard ASTM F1492†, Snell N-94†

Ski ASTM F2040, CEN 1077, Snell RS-98 or S-98

The federal CPSC Safety Standard for Bicycle Helmets is mandatory for those helmets indicated by CPSC.

† This helmet is designed to withstand more than one moderate impact, but protection is provided for only a limited number of impacts. Replace if 

visibly damaged (e.g., a cracked shell or crushed liner) and/or when directed by the manufacturer. 

‡ Team sport helmets are designed to protect against multiple head impacts typically occurring in the sport (e.g., ball, puck, or stick impacts; 

player contact; etc.), and, generally, can continue to be used after such impacts. Follow manufacturer’s recommendations for replacement or 

reconditioning. 

Definitions: ASTM - ASTM International; CEN - European Committee for Standardization; DOT – Dept. of Transportation; EN - Euro-norm or European 

Standard; NOCSAE - National Operating Committee on Standards in Athletic Equipment; Snell - Snell Memorial Foundation. 

For more information, please contact the

U.S. Consumer Product

Safety Commission (CPSC)

at 

www.cpsc.gov 

or 

(800) 638-2772

Where can I find specific information 

about which helmet to use? 

Look at the information in columns - of the 

table to the left and follow these easy steps: 

Find the activity of interest in the first 

column ().

Read across the row to find the appropriate 

helmet type for that activity listed in the 

second column ().

Once you’ve found the right helmet, look 

for a label or other marking stating that it 

complies with an applicable standard listed 

in the third column (). 

1.

2.

3.

Which Helmet 

for Which 

Activity?

See inside for an answer to 

this and other questions.

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Why are helmets so important? 

For many recreational activities, wearing a helmet 

can reduce the risk of a serious head injury and 

even save your life. 

How can a helmet protect my head? 

During a fall or collision, most of the impact 

energy is absorbed by the helmet, rather than your 

head and brain. 

Are all helmets the same? 

No. There are different helmets for different 

activities. Each type of helmet is made to 

protect your head from the impacts common to a 

particular activity or sport. Be sure to wear a helmet 

that is appropriate for the particular activity you’re 

involved in. (See the table in this pamphlet for 

guidance). Other helmets may not protect your 

head as effectively. 

How can I tell which helmet is the right 

one to use? 

Bicycle and motorcycle helmets must comply 

with mandatory federal safety standards. Many 

other recreational helmets are subject to voluntary 

safety standards. 

Helmets certified to a safety standard are 

designed and tested to protect the user from 

serious head injury while wearing the helmet. For 

example, all bicycle 

helmets manufactured 

after 1999 must meet 

the U.S. Consumer 

Product Safety 

Commission (CPSC) 

bicycle helmet standard. 

Helmets meeting 

this standard provide 

substantial head 

protection when 

the helmet is 

used properly. 

The standard 

requires that 

chin straps be strong enough to keep the helmet 

on the head and in the proper position during a 

fall or collision. 

Helmets specifically marketed for exclusive use in 

an activity other than bicycling (for example, gokarting, horseback riding, lacrosse, and skiing) do 

not have to meet the requirements of the CPSC 

bicycle helmet standard. However, these helmets 

should meet other federal and/or voluntary safety 

standards. 

Don’t rely on the helmet’s name or claims made 

on the packaging (unless the packaging specifies 

compliance with an appropriate standard) to 

determine if the helmet meets the appropriate 

requirements for your activity. Most helmets 

that meet a particular 

standard will contain 

a special label that 

indicates compliance 

(usually found on the 

liner inside of the 

helmet). See the table in 

this pamphlet for more 

information on what to 

look for. 

Are there helmets that I can wear for 

more than one activity? 

Yes, but only a few. You can wear a CPSCcompliant bicycle helmet while bicycling, 

recreational roller or in-line skating, and riding 

a nonpowered scooter. Look at the table in this 

pamphlet for other activities that may share a 

common helmet.

Are there any activities for which one 

shouldn’t wear a helmet?

Yes. Make sure your child takes off his/her 

helmet before playing on playgrounds or climbing 

trees. If a child wears a helmet during these 

activities, the helmet’s chin strap can get caught 

on the equipment or tree and pose a risk of 

strangulation. The helmet itself may present an 

entrapment hazard. 

How can I tell if my helmet fits properly? 

A helmet should be both comfortable and snug. 

Be sure that it is level on your head—not tilted 

back on the top of the head or pulled too low 

over your forehead. It should not move in any 

direction, back-to-front or side-to-side. The 

chin strap should be securely buckled so that the 

helmet doesn’t move or fall off during a fall or 

collision. 

If you buy a helmet for a child, bring the child 

with you so that the helmet can be tested for 

a good fit. Carefully examine the helmet and 

accompanying instructions and safety literature. 

What can I do if I have trouble fitting 

the helmet? 

You may have to apply the foam padding that 

comes with the helmet and/or adjust the straps. 

If this doesn’t work, consult with the store 

where you bought the helmet or with the helmet 

manufacturer. Don’t wear a helmet that doesn’t fit 

correctly. 

Will I need to replace a helmet after 

an impact? 

That depends on the severity of the impact and 

whether the helmet can withstand one impact (a 

single-impact helmet) or more than one impact 

(a multiple-impact helmet). For example, bicycle 

helmets are designed to protect against a single 

severe impact, such as a bicyclist’s fall onto the 

pavement. The foam material in the helmet 

will crush to absorb the impact energy during 

a fall or collision and can’t protect you again 

from an additional impact. Even if there are no 

visible signs of damage to the helmet, you must 

replace it. 

Other helmets are designed to protect against 

multiple moderate impacts. Two examples are 

football and ice hockey helmets. These helmets 

are designed to withstand multiple impacts of 

the type associated with the respective activities. 

However, you may still have to replace the 

helmet after one severe impact, or if it has visible 

signs of damage, such as a cracked shell or 

permanent dent in the shell or liner. Consult the 

manufacturer’s instructions for guidance on when 

the helmet should be replaced.