Helmets are used in sports competitions such as cycling, motorsports, motorcycling, trials or those in which high speed is reached such as skating. It is also used in sports with the risk of falls, blows or collisions: American football, baseball, hockey, polo "Polo (sport)"), climbing, etc.

Helmets differ greatly in design depending on the purposes for which they are intended. For example, a bicycle helmet would be required primarily to protect against impact forces, commonly to the front and sides of the head. A helmet designed for climbing, however, should protect against objects (e.g., small rocks and climbing gear) falling from above, but would have a reduced need to protect against impacts to the sides of the head. Therefore, the one intended for cyclists and those who practice motorcycling have little similarity.

Practical concerns also dictate helmet design. A helmet for cycling would preferably be aerodynamic in shape and probably well ventilated, while a climbing helmet would be lightweight with minimal bulk to reduce any detrimental effect on the climber's technique.

Car drivers and motorcyclists wear helmets that cover the entire head and include narrow transparent visors.

The construction material of the helmet will also depend on the intended activity.

In the history of modern helmets in general, and sports helmets in particular, the figure of the British neurosurgeon Hugh Cairns stands out, who managed to make the use of helmets widespread for military and civil uses (motorcyclists) when he was greatly impacted by the death in a motorcycling accident in 1935 of Thomas Edward Lawrence, better known as Lawrence of Arabia; With this action, he would be able to save the lives of many motorcyclists.[13]​.

In baseball, the use of a helmet is mandatory in the catcher position "Catcher (baseball)") and in batters, the latter have safety earmuffs depending on the side they are batting for.

Military helmets do not protect the face, they protect the head and riot helmets are similar to military helmets, but they have an articulated, transparent and wide visor to protect the face.

Helmets are among the oldest forms of protection and are known to have been used by the ancient Greeks and throughout the Middle Ages. At this time they were primarily part of military equipment protecting the head against slash wounds from swords and arrow wounds. They were initially constructed of leather but later came to be made entirely of iron.

The military use of helmets declined as the use of firearms spread, since in long-range shooting, traditional helmets offered little protection. However, as the use of heavy artillery increased, the steel helmet made a reappearance in the century as head protection against shrapnel.

In ancient times, warriors were the only ones who used to wear helmets. Examples of old helmets:

Firefighter helmets are part of the most important personal protective equipment for firefighting personnel. In the past, helmets were mostly made according to military models, but today they have become a specially designed element that provides the greatest possible comfort and protection for the user.

The fire helmet is designed to protect the head against falling objects and flying parts and should therefore be used in accordance with the relevant accident prevention regulations and/or your own risk analysis. They also serve as support for flashlights, masks in some cases or communication systems.

Materials have evolved from felt and later metal (including brass, steel, nickel and aluminum) and leather, to composite helmets constructed from lightweight polymers and other plastics such as Bakelite, Kevlar, polyamide, vulcanized fiber and fiberglass.

Glasses are usually made of plexiglass, polycarbonate and methacrylate "Methacrylate (polymer)"). The chinstraps and restraints were formerly made of leather, and currently of aramid and nylon.

Currently there are mainly two styles: the American one, more open (such as the Cairns & Brothers Inc.) and the European ones, more closed such as the Gallet F1 helmet and the Gallet F2 helmet.

Helmets are used in sports competitions such as cycling, motorsports, motorcycling, trials or those in which high speed is reached such as skating. It is also used in sports with the risk of falls, blows or collisions: American football, baseball, hockey, polo "Polo (sport)"), climbing, etc.

Helmets differ greatly in design depending on the purposes for which they are intended. For example, a bicycle helmet would be required primarily to protect against impact forces, commonly to the front and sides of the head. A helmet designed for climbing, however, should protect against objects (e.g., small rocks and climbing gear) falling from above, but would have a reduced need to protect against impacts to the sides of the head. Therefore, the one intended for cyclists and those who practice motorcycling have little similarity.

Practical concerns also dictate helmet design. A helmet for cycling would preferably be aerodynamic in shape and probably well ventilated, while a climbing helmet would be lightweight with minimal bulk to reduce any detrimental effect on the climber's technique.

Car drivers and motorcyclists wear helmets that cover the entire head and include narrow transparent visors.

The construction material of the helmet will also depend on the intended activity.

In the history of modern helmets in general, and sports helmets in particular, the figure of the British neurosurgeon Hugh Cairns stands out, who managed to make the use of helmets widespread for military and civil uses (motorcyclists) when he was greatly impacted by the death in a motorcycling accident in 1935 of Thomas Edward Lawrence, better known as Lawrence of Arabia; With this action, he would be able to save the lives of many motorcyclists.[13]​.

In baseball, the use of a helmet is mandatory in the catcher position "Catcher (baseball)") and in batters, the latter have safety earmuffs depending on the side they are batting for.

Military helmets do not protect the face, they protect the head and riot helmets are similar to military helmets, but they have an articulated, transparent and wide visor to protect the face.

Helmets are among the oldest forms of protection and are known to have been used by the ancient Greeks and throughout the Middle Ages. At this time they were primarily part of military equipment protecting the head against slash wounds from swords and arrow wounds. They were initially constructed of leather but later came to be made entirely of iron.

The military use of helmets declined as the use of firearms spread, since in long-range shooting, traditional helmets offered little protection. However, as the use of heavy artillery increased, the steel helmet made a reappearance in the century as head protection against shrapnel.

In ancient times, warriors were the only ones who used to wear helmets. Examples of old helmets:

Firefighter helmets are part of the most important personal protective equipment for firefighting personnel. In the past, helmets were mostly made according to military models, but today they have become a specially designed element that provides the greatest possible comfort and protection for the user.

The fire helmet is designed to protect the head against falling objects and flying parts and should therefore be used in accordance with the relevant accident prevention regulations and/or your own risk analysis. They also serve as support for flashlights, masks in some cases or communication systems.

Materials have evolved from felt and later metal (including brass, steel, nickel and aluminum) and leather, to composite helmets constructed from lightweight polymers and other plastics such as Bakelite, Kevlar, polyamide, vulcanized fiber and fiberglass.

Glasses are usually made of plexiglass, polycarbonate and methacrylate "Methacrylate (polymer)"). The chinstraps and restraints were formerly made of leather, and currently of aramid and nylon.

Currently there are mainly two styles: the American one, more open (such as the Cairns & Brothers Inc.) and the European ones, more closed such as the Gallet F1 helmet and the Gallet F2 helmet.