In the two times I tried to wakeboard, I found myself very much acquainted with the water—crashing became familiar—and I have to admit though, the impact is a lot stronger than you think. Water literally becomes brick-like when you are traveling at jet ski speeds. I now wonder what these professional wakeboarders must go through, when an unfortunate crash happens, with all their up-in-the-air tricks. The impact will surely be magnified.

Like any sport or activity that requires helmets, safety is a a grave concern. Our heads are quite simply that precious. Now, because wakeboarding happens on water, unlike motorcycle helmets, wakeboarders can generally afford to have half helmets just to protect the skull or the most fragile part of it—the temple. Most wakeboard helmets are also very light and unobtrusive, as this is an important requirement if you are doing major airtime.

Like most gear, it is important to start looking for that quality helmet from known manufacturers and brands that are already involved in the sport. In wakeboarding, such brands include Liquid Force, Hyperlite, and Pro-Tec to name a few. These brands’ helmets will surely come of quality as some of them even sponsor professionals and events, not to mention their adequate history and research in the field.

Sample Wakeboard Helmets

Below you can find some helmets being offered by the aforementioned brands and you can click on each to learn more or read reviews. The good thing about these helmets though is that most quality, professional-grade helmets are below $100 to begin with. See some products below.

Pro-Tec Ace Wake

The Ace Wake, depending on size will set you off in the vicinity of $50. Available sizes range from small to extra large, with extra large suiting up to 60 centimeters. The Ace wake is a solid color helmet, with simple logos on the front and on the side. Available colors are red, blue, yellow, and black.

Click here to read more about the Ace Wake.

Hunt for more Wakeboard Helmets

Click here to start your helmet hunt.

So for starters, we shall start an experiment and create an article on a very far side of the spectrum—welding helmets. Why? Because somewhere in this blog network is a blog about welding, and the chief writer there was bragging to us about his new, flamed paint job he did himself on a  welding helmet test mule. We later figured out what markets welders looking for helmets are interested in, until we came across auto darkening welding helmets.

Truth is, I do a little welding myself. This is primarily because one of my other passions, which actually in reality is my first love, forced me to learn a thing or two about metals—mini trucks. Mini trucks, or mini trucking is quite possibly a form of new age hot rods, which we all know is the mother of all customizing.

About Auto Darkening Welding Helmets

Without a proper tint or shade on your welding helmet, you are literally working in the dark. Some might be used to it—some are skilled enough to just wait for the light the first arc supplies and go on from there—but if you are semi-new to the trade you really need to see what you are welding. MIG, TIG, Stick, whatever type of welding you are practicing, it pays to get quality welds.

I for one have been used to a certain tint shade which is not that dark to begin with. Without the arc, I can still see the metal especially if the place is well lit. When the arc comes, the light still is not that bright and it is still considered safe for my eyes.

Auto darkening helmets literally darken when an arc develops. One reason people shy off with these helmets is that they think there is no such thing that can darken that quickly—but, they can’t be more wrong. Darkening helmets react as fast as 1/10,000 of a second. Yes, you read that right. Plus, you can also adjust the tint it automatically darkens to, whether it be around the 9 shade up to 13 or more.

These helmets rely on batteries and complicated circuitry to darken. Some of these face shields also utilize solar power—we all know how powerful welding light gives at it can literally burn our face in a matter of hours. These solar-powered helmets combined with lithium batteries are a total maintenance free solution. Sure, these helmets are a little more expensive to begin with, but just imagine how much comfortable welding can become if you can see before and after, and during welding.

To find a proper auto darkening helmet, first look at brands that are known also for their welders or welding units. Such brands include Miller, Hobart and Lincoln Electric to name a few.  These companies’ helmets should have gone through major research since they are leaders in the welding industry anyway. You can also look at other aftermarket brands by checking out welding supplies or big tools centers.

Sample Images