Figure Skating Accessory Review: The Ice Halo

A lot of skaters at our club wear the forcefield headbands. The board started getting buy-in by making their own kids wear them. Then more started since they weren’t singled out – they wanted to wear one since everyone else was wearing them too.

This trickled down to the lower levels. At our club, when the CanSkaters reach stage 4 its no longer mandatory to wear a helmet. Parents would get them a headband instead. As they move up, they are used to wearing headbands and don’t think twice about it. My daughter actually finds it weird to step on the ice without wearing one.

So I guess its a case of starting kids early. You could even make it a policy that if you are still in a learn to skate program you must wear head protection – either a helmet or a headband.

I have seen this and other products like this however I would not wear it even though im an adult skater that looks about 14/15 so can get away not looking too old on the ice but this would single me out. I do wear hip and knee ultra thin crash pad things but only when I know my coach is going to get me working on new elements like axel however I do know that i fall on my hips/bum or knees and never on my head as I try to keep it like that.
Also I have a small head but loads of hair thats curly so i put it in either a bun or pony which protects it a little

I wish this product wasn’t so expensive, it really seems like a good idea. As an adult skater who doesn’t fall well I am terrified of a concussion. (Especially since I’ve been told that with 8-step mohawk, it’s a “when” not an “if” for most adults). This isn’t nearly as ugly as a helmet, although it does seem quite bulky (but I guess it needs to be.) I worry that it would make me overheat though… except on the coldest days I can’t skate with a fleece headband.

I bought a pair of crash pad shorts when I was working on getting my loop (didn’t happen) and I wore them when we were specifically working on the jump, but they were bulky and ugly, so I didn’t wear them much… kind of a waste of money. (Wish I wore them for my Rhythm Blues lesson that had me crash down on my hip- and left me off the ice for 6 months…)

I was going to buy this (or something like it) until I saw an article on concussions at my dd’s neurosurgeons office– as it turns out, helmets and other head protection does guard against fractures of the skull, but do nothing at all for the average concussion– concussion, the article said, is about one’s own brain shifting inside one’s own skull and bumping up against the inside of one’s own head– they are still trying to find the technology for that in things like football helmets– they have less fractures of the skull, but just as many (and some doctors said more) than before as there is a false sense of security and head banging is done more aggressively. It is the reason why women’s Lacrosse continues to ban helmets believe it or not. The article was in Newsweek.

I was going to buy this (or something like it) until I saw an article on concussions at my dd’s neurosurgeons office– as it turns out, helmets and other head protection does guard against fractures of the skull, but do nothing at all for the average concussion– concussion, the article said, is about one’s own brain shifting inside one’s own skull and bumping up against the inside of one’s own head– they are still trying to find the technology for that in things like football helmets– they have less fractures of the skull, but just as many (and some doctors said more) than before as there is a false sense of security and head banging is done more aggressively. It is the reason why women’s Lacrosse continues to ban helmets believe it or not. The article was in Newsweek.

My young daughter and I are both in learn to skate, and we are the only ones on the ice with helmets other than the occasional hockey player. We are both used to wearing helmets from horseback riding, so it really doesn’t bother us at all. Last week, she and I were doing some very simple and slow made-up ice dancing, I lost my balance, and before I could react, I had fallen with the back of my head having full impact on the ice. I had never hit my head that hard before in my life, and I was shocked at the force of the impact and how painful it was. I’m convinced I would have gone to the ER had I not been wearing the helmet, and I shudder to think of how much more it would have hurt. After that incident, until/unless she gets to the point that the helmet is really throwing off her balance, she will be wearing one or not skating. I’m happy to know about the halo as a possible alternative for the future, though I do have a hard time understanding why advanced sisters are not able to adjust their balance slightly to compensate for the helmet.

I have the same problem as Ice Girl. It’s acceptable at my rink to wear a helmet on Learn-To-Skate or public sessions, or freestyle if you’re under about six years old. I really wish I could wear one on FS sessions.

I can see why people who compete might worry about the helmet becoming a crutch, not being able to skate without it etc. But as I’m not really into competing anyway, I’m not sure why I should avoid wearing one.

This something I would love to see catch on. I am afraid though, that unless all the skaters wore them, no one would. How many kids do you see wearing helmets/knee pads when biking/rollerblading/skateboarding? Personally, I LOVE this! My adult daughter fell the other day and suffered a concussion. The ice halo would have prevented an ER visit and PAIN! Also, this is my first visit here… found by looking for skate dress sewing info. I’ve only read a few posts but THANK YOU for this site! I’m in love already! I do sew, do not want to sew, but seeing the prices for dresses, and a granddaughter JUST getting into competitions… well, I will start sewing again! I never knew ice skating was intended only for well-to-do people! Yikes. I understand now why Michelle Kwan’s parents took out a second mortgage to pay for her skating! OUCH! Thanks SO much for this blog!

This something I would love to see catch on. I am afraid though, that unless all the skaters wore them, no one would. How many kids do you see wearing helmets/knee pads when biking/rollerblading/skateboarding? Personally, I LOVE this! My adult daughter fell the other day and suffered a concussion. The ice halo would have prevented an ER visit and PAIN! Also, this is my first visit here… found by looking for skate dress sewing info. I’ve only read a few posts but THANK YOU for this site! I’m in love already! I do sew, do not want to sew, but seeing the prices for dresses, and a granddaughter JUST getting into competitions… well, I will start sewing again! I never knew ice skating was intended only for well-to-do people! Yikes. I understand now why Michelle Kwan’s parents took out a second mortgage to pay for her skating! OUCH! Thanks SO much for this blog!

This something I would love to see catch on. I am afraid though, that unless all the skaters wore them, no one would. How many kids do you see wearing helmets/knee pads when biking/rollerblading/skateboarding? Personally, I LOVE this! My adult daughter fell the other day and suffered a concussion. The ice halo would have prevented an ER visit and PAIN! Also, this is my first visit here… found by looking for skate dress sewing info. I’ve only read a few posts but THANK YOU for this site! I’m in love already! I do sew, do not want to sew, but seeing the prices for dresses, and a granddaughter JUST getting into competitions… well, I will start sewing again! I never knew ice skating was intended only for well-to-do people! Yikes. I understand now why Michelle Kwan’s parents took out a second mortgage to pay for her skating! OUCH! Thanks SO much for this blog!

Yes, also read this article and similar ones to it. It seems that the halo, like a helmet, would only protect against skull fractures. Now, to my mind, that doesn’t mean the halo is a bad thing – it is certainly good to avoid fracturing your skull. But don’t let it lull you into thinking that you don’t have a concussion. Concussions, whether they include a skull fracture or not, need to be monitored by a doctor and your child needs to not risk any additional head trauma until a doctor releases them.

The best thing a rink can do is post the warning signs of a concussion in large letters in a prominent place. (Ours does.) Some people are more susceptible to a concussion than others, so you can’t judge by how hard they hit the ice.

Yes, also read this article and similar ones to it. It seems that the halo, like a helmet, would only protect against skull fractures. Now, to my mind, that doesn’t mean the halo is a bad thing – it is certainly good to avoid fracturing your skull. But don’t let it lull you into thinking that you don’t have a concussion. Concussions, whether they include a skull fracture or not, need to be monitored by a doctor and your child needs to not risk any additional head trauma until a doctor releases them.

The best thing a rink can do is post the warning signs of a concussion in large letters in a prominent place. (Ours does.) Some people are more susceptible to a concussion than others, so you can’t judge by how hard they hit the ice.

Yes, also read this article and similar ones to it. It seems that the halo, like a helmet, would only protect against skull fractures. Now, to my mind, that doesn’t mean the halo is a bad thing – it is certainly good to avoid fracturing your skull. But don’t let it lull you into thinking that you don’t have a concussion. Concussions, whether they include a skull fracture or not, need to be monitored by a doctor and your child needs to not risk any additional head trauma until a doctor releases them.

The best thing a rink can do is post the warning signs of a concussion in large letters in a prominent place. (Ours does.) Some people are more susceptible to a concussion than others, so you can’t judge by how hard they hit the ice.

I’d wear this in a heartbeat, whether or not any of the adult skaters did or not, and I am pretty sure I could get my DD to wear it on the ice too. I realize that the $51 cost is cheaper than the cost of a head injury, but its still pretty steep for what it is: a strip of foam and some fabric. Money is very tight now, so its going to have to stay on my wish list for a little longer.

Would have been handy when a large male adult skater fell backwards on his head and split open the skin. Lots of blood everywhere. No bad injury, just scary for the kids. A halo probably would have kept the skin from splitting.

This mom would love for her skater to wear it, but it’ll never happen. Coach would not be supportive either. If I had a little one, I would start them out in this so it would be a habit, just like a bicycle helmet or skateboard helmet.

I just pray tons and tons and keep my fingers crossed.

Would have been handy when a large male adult skater fell backwards on his head and split open the skin. Lots of blood everywhere. No bad injury, just scary for the kids. A halo probably would have kept the skin from splitting.

This mom would love for her skater to wear it, but it’ll never happen. Coach would not be supportive either. If I had a little one, I would start them out in this so it would be a habit, just like a bicycle helmet or skateboard helmet.

I just pray tons and tons and keep my fingers crossed.

Would have been handy when a large male adult skater fell backwards on his head and split open the skin. Lots of blood everywhere. No bad injury, just scary for the kids. A halo probably would have kept the skin from splitting.

This mom would love for her skater to wear it, but it’ll never happen. Coach would not be supportive either. If I had a little one, I would start them out in this so it would be a habit, just like a bicycle helmet or skateboard helmet.

I just pray tons and tons and keep my fingers crossed.

I cringe whenever see people fall. Last month a lady fell backwards and hit her head. During LTS class I fell backwards onto my lower back and I could have hit my head.

I like the idea but it looks bulky. I wouldn’t wear it, even as an adult.
I looked up other options and found Full90 Premier. Looks like you a can wear a hat over it and you can’t tell you have it on.
http://www.thisweeknews.com/wwwexportcontent/sites/thisweeknews/images/2010/08/11/0812be64869-5822cjp.jpg
http://www.thisweeknews.com/wwwexportcontent/sites/thisweeknews/images/2010/08/25/0826gv64869-6090cjp.jpg

I wear a helmet cycling and I feel exposed if I don’t have it. My parents never forced me to wear a helmet as a kid.

I would never wear one myself simply becuase I don’t care at all for the way it looks, it looks uneccesarily bulky, and I HAVE seen them in person – one elderly lady at my rink skates with one. There are another few older skaters who wear full helmets. I’ve never seen any of them fall, let alone hit their heads.

I feel like the same impact protection could be provided with a MUCH more streamlined appearance. I’d like to see some d3o foam used (like in se-ku’s crash pads), or similar… it could be thinner and still do the job effectively. I would be more likely to wear something that simply looked like a knit hat for example, than a bulky piece of protective gear.

That said, I do actually kind of like the somewhat technical appearance of the Full90 Premier linked below. I could wear that if I was jumping or something that would obviously increase my risk of falling and thus increase the chances I might hit my head (though I don’t know if in 17 years of skating, I have ever hit my head, and I’ve had plenty of nasty falls in that time, including one that dislocated and shredded my knee), but I don’t know that I’d be happy to wear it all the time “just in case”.

The Ice Halo doesn’t look like it would protect the back of the head, which is where I’ve seen most skaters hit their head. (Like some other posters, I’ve been saved by a well-placed ponytail in the past.) I’ve gotten pretty good at tucking my chin when I fall, but sometimes you can’t avoid hitting your head.

HI I was an elite figure skater “back in my day” which was about 13 years ago…I hit my head on the ice when my pair partner got caught in a rut during a lift dismount. He obviously couldn’t save me! My resulting concussion was horrible and to this day I don’t quite remember what we were doing other than what other people say had happened. I suffer from daily headaches, shakiness, tingling in my fingers, short term memory loss and sometimes I black out. I can’t follow a simple conversation with a friend anymore because I get a “haziness” feeling come over me sometimes and miss what she says….When I stand still for more than a few minutes I start to sway and fall over…..Helmets should be mandatory no matter what your level of skating. My career was ruined due to my fall. We missed out on Nationals that year. We were 2nd year Juniors and ready to test in Senior if we did well at Nationals. What’s more, it was an Olympic year the following year (Nagano). We had our path laid out before us and it was all taken away from us with a simple fall………….

Just bought one recently. I skated as a kid (to novice). I said I’d never wear such a thing … I was “tough” and “cool” even as an adult. I tested my gold dances a few years ago, and even after being dropped during lifts I had no fear of hitting my head. I have never fallen on my head.

Circumstances do change. I am now re-learning to skate and my balance is compromised after recovery from orthopedic surgery. Because I skate so slowly now, I’m more likely to fall on my head. I think people who know me are taken aback to see me wearing the halo, but I hope that seeing me will allow them to consider doing it too. I am 48 and therefore geriatric enough that I don’t think any kids are going to emulate me, but perhaps adults will.

I never imagined that I’d be the older lady tootling around the rink in a helmet, but that’s exactly what I’ve become! I have to say that even at my mature age I am self conscious about it – there’s just such a culture in figure skating that we don’t wear head protection unless we are beginners.

I do think it’s a well made product, comfortable and light, and it does cover the back of the head which is where protection is needed most.

A helmet is the best way to go…would you like to have your head hit marble?  Or would you prefer a pillow on top of it?  If any doc says “a helmet will not avoid injury” then you need to see another doc…it’s physics.  There are rinks that risk losing insurance unless they force and provide kids under 8 (I believe it’s 8 yrs) to wear helmets.  The problem with the head band is that there is nothing to keep it in place…so that does nothing if it shifts…good thought…there is a skull cap kind of helmet (already made for skaters) and not so bulky with a chin strap.

I am an adult beginning skater and bought my Ice Halo after watching a friend fall on the ice just standing there! It was no more than a nanosecond’s loss of focus that sent her down, and she is a good skater! She hit the back of her head, bled, and suffered a concussion. That really brought home the realization that having some form of head protection was the responsible thing to do.

I got the Ice Halo with the jersey knit cover and with the label inside. It is unobtrusive and lightweight. I wear a low ponytail so I can position the Ice Halo properly on my head. One of the other coaches came up to me one day and told me that he wished more people would get in the habit of wearing head protection. I have nothing but compliments from other skaters, young and old, beginning and advanced, for wearing it, so it puzzles me why head protection has not caught on in skating like it has for other sports. I suppose unless you experience firsthand the devastating effects of concussions and head trauma, you will continue to think that it will never happen to you. I would rather not find out the hard way, and will continue to wear the Ice Halo whenever I am on the ice. For those who think they’ll look stupid wearing a helmet, no one is looking at you. We are all too busy concentrating on our own moves to be worried about what you look like.

My daughter, five, is new to skating.  She is moving into the Alpha level class next week.  When she started her pre alpha class a few months ago I watched another little girl repeatedly bonk her head on the ice.  Although my daughter does not fall (very much) I went out and purchased an Ice Halo.  Our rule is like our bike rule – no halo no skate, no helmet no ride.  After the holidays I noticed MANY more little girls wearing the halo.  She always gets compliments on it.  When she starts jumping I will probably make her wear butt pads too…