Do I need a special helmet for dirt jumping?

Yes—a regular cycling helmet is not sufficient for dirt jump riding. At minimum, use a mountain bike helmet with extended rear coverage. Most dirt jump riders prefer full-face helmets, especially when learning new tricks or hitting larger features. Modern lightweight full-face helmets (like the Proframe or Super DH) offer DH-level protection with ventilation that's comfortable for pedaling. A full-face helmet is the single most important safety investment you can make for dirt jump riding.