A helmet is a crucial piece of equipment, not just for traveling on two-wheelers but also in sports. From time to time, officials reinstate the importance of wearing a helmet, as it can often save athletes from severe head injuries. Experienced professional athletes such as Tony Hawk and Shaun White are examples of the same.

Hawk has become a name synonymous with success and safety. But safety equipment sporting his name could not find similar success.

Tony Hawk signature series helmets fail safety test

Tony Hawk has been injured many times, but he always made a comeback. His safety equipment absorbed the impact of many of his injuries. He has become one of the leading advocates of safety equipment in skateboarding. Hence, various manufacturers wanted to partner up with the skateboarding legend to maximize their sales. Sakar International partnered with Tony Hawk to produce a signature series of helmets for skateboarders.

However, the tie-up has not been as successful as the parties involved would have hoped. Consumer Ratings (CR) has rated Sakar International’s ‘Tony Hawk Silver Signature Series helmet a- Don’t Buy: Safety Risk’. The helmets failed one of the tests during their evaluation phase. The test assessed the usability and durability of a helmet to protect a rider during a crash.

CR purchased samples of the Tony Hawk Silver Signature Series helmets and put them through some tests. During the evaluation of the straps and buckles that keep a helmet in place, the buckle on the chin strap broke on two helmets. The first sample passed the test, but according to the guidelines of CR, two samples must pass the test to be deemed safe.

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The next two samples similarly failed the test and were deemed unsafe to use. CR has reported this to Sakar International and Walmart, where it is available to purchase.

Not the first helmet to fail the test

This is not the first time a helmet by Sakar International has failed the safety test by CR. Back in March 2022, they recalled their Dimensions Bluetooth Speaker Helmets, which CR rated as a ‘safety risk.’

The kid’s bike helmet failed the chin-strap strength test during routine testing. CR found the buckle on many samples would release by itself during testing. They traced the problem to a minor inconsistency in one of the buckle mold cavities. Sakar International recalled the products in March, while CR submitted the report in July 2021.

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John Galeotafiore, who oversees the testing of bike helmets at CR, was both happy and sad at the company’s reaction. While he was disappointed that it took Sakar International so long to recall their products, he was glad to see the company take action for the safety of the consumers.