For Christmas, my son wants me to build him a slider and get him a helmet. I've been looking into the Protec ones. What is the difference between the wakeboard specific helmets and skateboarding helmets? Do the wakeboard ones have flotation in them or something?

The wakeboard ones don't soak up water, but I have been using a skateboard one for the last 8 years and haven't had an issue with it.

The wake helmets have removable ear pieces as well

Not all of the wake helmets have removable ear pieces . . . . I think skateboard helmets have a higher rating for harder impacts but that's not a bad thing

<a href="http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2000987&amp;cp=2367826.2672646 .2672659&amp;sr=1...check" target="_blank">http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2000987&amp;cp=2367826.2672646 .2672659&amp;sr=1...check</a> out dick sporting goods.....39.95 for a wake helmet pro tec ace. I bought my helmet from here and love it. Plus it is 39.95. That is the cheapest you will find it anywhere. If the link does not work go to dickssportinggoods.com...and tab under water sports and then select wake. If the item is not available...check often because whenever someone orders it...it disappears from their site but will return in about four days. I think their online warehouse only keeps one in stock at a time. The only color they offer is rubber black....this lid is the one with the headlok system and the ear flaps...so it is the premium helmet despite in the incorrectness in the description. Just an FYI

pro-tec ACE is the way to go.

Ear pads are important! Few guys in our crew blew their ear drums, which would never happen if they was wearing a helmet with ear pads. One of them was so bad it actually needed a surgery. Almost lost his ear. I use Pro-Tec ACE Wake. The helmet does float and does not soak up water. Pro-Tec ACE Water is the same helmet but without the ear pads. Buy the one WITH them. They maybe look lame, but they'll save your ears. You always could remove them if you want to pose.

pro-tec ace is the choice. the headlock system and the ear pieces are great. i have a ridin buddy that blew out his ear drum because he didnt have his ear pieces in.

The helmet @dickssportinggoods.com is the Protec Ace with ear flaps and headlok system. Order it...you will not be disappointed. Especially that price. most places charge almost double.

only size is medium? Whats that about on dicks Website?

you guys should check out Bern helmets they're the way to go check them out <a href="http://www.bernunlimited.com" target="_blank">http://www.bernunlimited.com</a>

Wake + snow= skate helmet. Is there a helmet for snow and wakeboarding? snow would be a few times a year, wake is every weekend.

only a medium on dickssportinggoods site.....weird...the only size they had when I ordered was a large.

don't be too confident w/ the pro-tec and the ear flaps. the ear flaps on the pro-tec will NOT prevent blown ear drums. a couple friends blew theirs even with the pro-tec w/ the ear flaps on.

Probably there is not 100% protection, but ear pads reduce the risk at least the half. IMHO

i only said what i said because of this comment. <BR> <BR> <BR><blockquote><hr size=0><!-quote-!><font size=1><b>quote:</b></font><p>Few guys in our crew blew their ear drums, <b>which would never happen</b> if they was wearing a helmet with ear pads. <BR><!-/quote-!><hr size=0></blockquote> <BR> <BR>and yeah, there's protection that's way more effective than ear pads. that's ear plugs. they're called <a href="http://www.proplugs.com/" target=_top>doc's proplugs</a>.

Well, OK, I agree with that <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/happy.gif" border=0>

I have ridden ear plugs and now wear a pro-tec with ear protection. The ear plugs affected my sense of balance to the point it made riding really wierd. I have planted the side of my head so hard so many times learning flips and spins w/o huting my ear drums, that I swear by the ear protection. I do agree, blowing an ear drum is still possible, and I have heard stories like Joe is saying, but in most cases, I think they will do the job.