How To Choose The Right Ski/Snowboard Helmet For You
One of the most, if not THE most important thing to take with you for your days on the slopes is of course, your helmet! So, we thought we would give you some top tips on how to find the perfect size, fit and style for you, so all you have to focus on is having fun!
SKI / SNOWBOARD HELMET SIZING AND FIT
One of the most crucial aspects of choosing your helmet is down to the fit – this makes sure it is comfortable for you but also that it functions at its best to help keep you safe in an accident.
How to Find Your Helmet Size and Fit
- Measure your head circumference in centimetres by wrapping a flexible tape measure in centimetres around the largest portion of your head—about one inch above your eyebrows. If you don’t have a flexible tape measure, you can also use a piece of string and then measure that with a ruler. This is your helmet size.
- Once you’ve determined your size and ordered your new ski/snowboard helmet, now you need to make a couple of final adjustments to make so that it fits properly. Your helmet will either have an adjustment dial at the back of the helmet to fine-tune the fit of your helmet or a Lifestyle Fit System that flexes to match your head shape for maximum comfort. Shake your head up and down and back and forth and adjust your helmet so that is feels snug but not tight.
- Next, buckle the chin strap, and adjust it so that if you open your mouth wide, your helmet presses slightly into the top of your head. You should be able to fit two fingers between the buckled helmet chin strap and your chin.
- Now you want to correctly integrate your helmet with your goggles. There should be no gap between the top of your goggles and the helmet. Make sure your helmet fits so that it is just above the top of your goggles but isn’t so low that it pushes down on your goggles. Smith helmets are designed to match the curvature of the goggle frame, eliminating “gaper gap” and allowing for precise alignment between the helmet’s AirEvac and the goggle venting systems.
If you’re in between two sizes, we recommend heading to the brands website where they can advise what to do next.
FYI: Smith Snow helmets come in a round contour fit, which fits a rounder head shape, and have a slightly different size chart!
WHICH SKIING/SNOWBOARDING HELMET STYLE IS BEST FOR YOU
There are no rules for which helmet you have to wear for wherever or however you board. You could wear an all-mountain helmet in the terrain park or bring your freestyle helmet to a day in the backcountry, but here are some different features of our helmets which were designed to suit a certain style of riding. If you’re looking to perform at your best, you’ll want to pick a helmet designed with your activity in mind.
1. All Mountain
All-mountain helmets are designed with adjustable venting so you can stay cool when working hard or traveling uphill and conserve warmth when you’re sitting still taking a break or on the lift.
2. Freestyle
Freestyle helmets have fixed ventilation for a sleeker look for riders who don’t need all the adjustable ventilation in an all-mountain helmet.
3. Alpine Racing
Alpine racing helmets are built for speed and protection. They are FIS-approved, with advanced ABS construction for increased impact protection and all-around durability, and an engineered EPP foam core that enhances durability in repeat-impact zones.
EXTRA TECH FEATURES TO CONSIDER
Now you know how to find your perfect size, fit and style of helmet, you should know what extra features to consider for that added bonus.
EPS: EPS stands for expanded polystyrene foam, which protects your head by slowing it down and helping to dissipate impact forces.
Koroyd: This honeycomb-like layer is a true energy absorber that converts kinetic energy by crushing, which results in better energy absorption in the event of an impact.
MIPS: MIPS® stands for Multi-directional Impact Protection System. The core of this layer is a low friction layer that allows the head to move 10-15 mm relative to the helmet in all directions, reducing rotational motion to the brain.