Ok my knowledge on helmets, I used to be a level II inline skate instructor back in the day, and this was part of what I tought. I'm going off memory here so bare with me.
Skate helmets are excellent protection from low impact or slow moving impacts. A pro tect style skate helmet works very well with what we do. It's made to protect the head from different angles of impact.
A bicycle style helmet is made in a way to protect the front of the head since most bicycle accidents are usually going forward so impact will be towards the front of the head. Thats why they are shaped the way they are. Not really good for what we do.
Kayaking helmets will work well also same principle as a protect.
Remember most of the pro tect style helmets will not provide addequate protection at faster speeds.
Also most of the bicycle style helmets with foam are one time use helmets, you crash you throw away it's the way there made.
Larger DOT helmets are evidently better due to design and thicker padding and construction, but are only designed to protect you at speed of 30mph and less. (I need to verify this, but it's what I was told in an atv safety class this summer)
Now with the larger and heavier helmets comes additional problems such as whiplash. So don't go and get the biggest and heaviest helmet you find you may end up with a bad neck. Of course there are solutions to this, neck rolls or collars and the HNR's that are out there.
My personal choice for helmets are the pro tect style for trail ridding and the occasional hard obstacle. I also have a down hill bike helmet, which are made light and with vents and some are even DOT approved. I have wore this on certain occasions where I might need that little extra protection.
Then If I'm racing I will go with a DOT and neck roll.
