Protec, Triple 8 and 187 Killer Pads Skate Helmets and Protection 2025 Preview

Retail Buyers Guide: Skate Helmets and Protection 2025 Retail Buyer’s Guide
Brand: Protec
Interviewee: Tim Lake

MARKET

How is the Skate Helmet and Protection market from your P.O.V?

We are seeing a strong recovery after the COVID hangover. Most of our partners are stating that Helmet & Protectives was one of, if not the strongest category for them in 2024 and we’re continuing to see that in 2025.

What trends are you noticing in Skate Helmet and Protection?

The stigma on protective gear has shifted quite a bit in the last few years, towards a more accepting culture around safety gear. Events like the Olympics and its qualifiers require Helmets for Under 18s in Street and everyone in Park – and whilst pads aren’t mandated, nearly everyone’s wearing them because they’re pushing their limits. Regardless of the consumer knowing it’s mandatory or not, it has meant that nearly all newcomers to the sport are seeing protective gear as an extension of the skateboard itself, instead of an optional accessory. It’s part of a larger perspective change on Skateboarding and BMX as a whole – there is so much more encouragement to pick up a Skateboard now than there was 10 years ago.

What do you think the impact of Trump Tariffs will be on the European Skate Helmet and Protection market?

Some brands who rely heavily on the US market may struggle, but we’re in a good position. Pricing will remain unchanged for Europe, and if anything it has given our International footprint an even bigger focus. It is something that is changing daily, so naturally that breeds a sense of uncertainty, so we’ll see.

How are you communicating safety certification?

The first step is to just get someone into a helmet – whilst most people that are picking up a Skateboard for the first time are choosing to wear a helmet, there’s still a large amount of people who won’t wear one because they don’t think it’s cool. The best way to get those people into a helmet is to make it look cool, so we are doing a lot more video content on our social media platforms showing fast action professional athletes doing captivating tricks rather than trying to win people over by giving them the hard-sell on how protective our helmets are. If kids are going to (want to) wear safety equipment you can’t bash them over the head with educational content in ugly equipment portrayed in an unauthentic way – you need to have action-packed videos with influential athletes showing how cool it looks on a non-sales pitch type of way.

What are your stories for 2025?

We launched two new market-leading models in 2024 with the Deep Cover from Triple 8 and the Low Pro from Protec. They both focus heavily on fit, something we have long felt is underestimated when it comes Skate helmets. You can have all of the helmet tech in the world, but ultimately if the helmet doesn’t fit correctly, it won’t work as intended.

The Deep Cover features a two-piece EPS shell that uses a hidden-hinge to slide over the ‘ledge’ on the back of your head and sit comfortably underneath. Essentially it fits like having a dial-fit system, but without the bulk.

The Low Pro uses a strategically channelled out EPS shell which still passes CE safety standards, but sits lower and closer to your head with thicker pads. It gives the feeling of wearing a non-certified Skate helmet but with all of the added protection of a CE certified EPS shell.

DESIGNS

What helmet designs/styles are trending this year?

The same design that’s been trending since 1973, the Protec Classic. It was super important to us when developing the Low Pro that we retained that original style but with modern construction methods and tech. We’re also using some new pearlescent style paint on Triple 8 lids that’s been a big hit.

What are trending styles in pads?

Mobility while also maintaining high levels of protection. It’s a super fine line between building a pad that’s super protective, but doesn’t restrict a riders ability to skate in the way they want to. Over the years we’ve perfected that with 187, and now it’s just a case of being aware of new materials and technologies that may help us increase on one without sacrificing the other.

Color/pattern trends are not as quick to change in protection gear considering that black and dark colors will outsell any other color/pattern 10 to 1. Our Pro Pads feature a removable/replaceable cap which we offer in a bunch of colors too.

We also still offer fully customized pads via our US website which are handmade by Vinton (187 Founder) in California. People can get pretty wild with those.

Which new colours and graphics/ collaborations are you looking forward to for next season?

We’ve just launched our Santa Cruz colab with Protec – that was a really cool one to get done that celebrates the heritage of both brands within Skate. They’re two iconic brands that have stood the test of time. Adding Protec to our family of brands has really allowed us the ability to focus in on what makes each brand tick, and for Protec that’s the legacy its carved throughout its 50+ years. So there’s definitely more coming in that regard.

On the Triple 8 we launched a Colab with Barbie Patin, one of the worlds best Quad skaters from Argentina – we’re the first brand to do a Pro model with a Quad Skater and the response has been incredible. We’re seeing a huge uptick in Quad and Inline, and Barbie is so great to work with.

On 187, we launched our first ever Signature model on the Pro Knee with none other than Keegan Palmer – Keegan has been crushing it and after his second gold medal last year we felt it only right for him to be the first.

TECH

Are you using any new tech in your helmets/ protection ?

The main tech story for us is the Hidden Hinge system on the Deep Cover – the team worked really hard on finding a way to incorporate the ability for the shell to separate and retract in order to create the snug-fit feeling that it provides. Same with the Low Pro – we had to do a lot of work and testing to ensure that we were only thinning down the EPS liner in areas where it doesn’t compromise the safety performance of the helmet, whilst still providing a lower profile fit.

Are there any crossover technologies from other sports?

Not really – we’re very much about designing products from the ground up around the sports that they’ll be used with. If we find technology that has an application in our helmets that we think will be beneficial for Skateboarders or BMXers etc, then we’ll explore it, but we’re not in the game of just throwing technology at our helmets if it doesn’t improve the user experience.

BEST SELLERS

Please supply 1 pic and 60 words on each of your 3 most important highlight pieces that retailers should definitely order

DEEP COVER –

We took everything we’ve learned from 30 years of helmet development and challenged ourselves to achieve the lowest-profile, deepest-fitting, most comfortable helmet in the world. We succeeded. DEEP COVER cracked the code. With our new patent-pending HIDDEN-HINGE Technology and LUXE-LOCK Liners, you’ll feel the difference as soon as DEEP COVER secures your head in a plush halo. But we didn’t stop there. Every head shape is unique, so we included an unprecedented FIT KIT with 17 liners and shims for optimal customization. Best of all, we packed all of this new tech into a classic shape with a super-slim profile. On the outside DEEP COVER simply looks right. On the inside the fit is unrivalled.

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LOW PRO

Breakthrough technology that delivers the deepest fit with unlimited customization for supreme comfort and security. It starts with our most advanced slimmest-profile shell design,wrapped with newly designed luxurious liners to hug your head like you’ve never experienced before.The LOW PRO is a true helmet revelation—and it’s fully certified for CPSC, ASTM, CE, and AS/NZS.

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Pro Knee – Keegan Palmer Edition

Our first signature edition Pro Knee ever – reserved for the best of the best, Keegan Palmer. Each pad features authentic Aboriginal artwork that varies slightly on every pad, plus Keegan’s custom crest incorporated throughout the interior lining. The Pro Knee is the ultimate in kneepad protection. It is the preferred choice for environments where heavy protection is a must. Providing unmatched safety through proven technologies and superior materials, the Pro Knee is the trusted choice of professional skaters and top athletes worldwide.

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