What should you check to determine a helmet's suitability for high-impact activities?

Determining a helmet's suitability for high-impact activities primarily involves checking its impact rating and certification standards. These ratings are crucial because they indicate that the helmet has been tested and meets specific safety requirements set by relevant organizations. For example, certifications may come from agencies such as the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the Snell Memorial Foundation, or the European Committee for Standardization (CE). These organizations evaluate helmets based on their ability to absorb impact and protect the wearer during a collision or fall.

The impact rating reflects the helmet's performance in simulated impact tests, which gauge how well it can protect the head from various forces typically encountered in high-impact environments. By ensuring that a helmet has an appropriate impact rating and certification, users can be confident that it has undergone rigorous testing and is designed to offer the necessary level of protection during hazardous activities.

While the material used in the construction and the helmet's weight can play a role in comfort and durability, they do not necessarily determine the helmet's effectiveness in safeguarding against impacts. Similarly, color and design are purely aesthetic factors and do not contribute to the helmet's protective capabilities. Therefore, focusing on the impact rating and certification standards is critical when selecting a helmet for high-impact activities.