{"id":61624,"date":"2026-02-10T01:55:01","date_gmt":"2026-02-10T01:55:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.skydivemag.com\/new\/?p=61624"},"modified":"2026-02-10T16:12:07","modified_gmt":"2026-02-10T16:12:07","slug":"a-skydivers-guide-to-choosing-the-right-helmet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.skydivemag.com\/new\/a-skydivers-guide-to-choosing-the-right-helmet\/","title":{"rendered":"A Skydiver\u2019s Guide to Choosing the Right Helmet"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Sunshine Factory’s Chris Stubbs with the complete guide to choosing a helmet for skydiving<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Walk into any busy drop zone or gear store and you\u2019ll hear the same questions again and again:
Which helmet should I buy? Do I really need a full-face? Why do these all fit so differently?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For newer jumpers, helmet shopping can feel overwhelming. A helmet is often one of the first major gear purchases you\u2019ll make, and it\u2019s one of the most personal. The right helmet should feel natural and comfortable. The wrong one can be distracting, fatiguing, or even unsafe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Sunshine Factory, owners Chris Stubbs, Rachel Beck, and Stephen Beck work with jumpers at every stage of the sport and carry helmets from the industry\u2019s leading manufacturers. One thing becomes clear very quickly: there\u2019s no single \u201cbest\u201d helmet, only the helmet that fits you properly and matches how you fly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Start With the Basics<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Before worrying about brand names or appearance, focus on a few core factors:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What kind of flying will you be doing?
Belly flying, freefly, angle flying, and wingsuiting all place different demands on stability, noise reduction, and visibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What accessories will you fly?
Audible altimeters, cameras for more experienced jumpers, and communication systems all require space and compatibility. Most modern helmets offer safe, well-designed options for these additions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What kind of comfort are you looking for?
A helmet that feels fine for one jump may become uncomfortable over a long skydive or a full day at the drop zone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is your head shape?
Helmets in the same size can fit very differently depending on their internal design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is why trying helmets on and getting guidance from experienced gear professionals matters so much. On paper, many helmets look similar. On your head, the differences are obvious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Jesse “Tex” Leos <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Open-Face vs. Full-Face: Which Is Right for You?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

One of the first decisions most jumpers face is choosing between an open-face and a full-face helmet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Open-face helmets leave your face exposed and offer maximum awareness, airflow, and ease of communication. Many newer jumpers use them while building experience, especially during AFF and coaching jumps. They\u2019re simple, lightweight, and easy to live with day to day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Full-face helmets provide more protection, better noise reduction, and increased comfort in faster flying environments. They\u2019re popular with freeflyers, angle flyers, and jumpers who want less wind fatigue and distraction. Modern full-face helmets also offer excellent visibility and reliable visor systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Neither option is universally better. The right choice depends on your experience level, discipline, and personal comfort. At Sunshine Factory, it\u2019s common to see jumpers start with open-face helmets and transition to full-face as their flying evolves, though many experienced jumpers happily use both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n