Taking care of life and your own health is the difference between a real rider and a crazy extreme. Every year everything appears on the mountain slopes more people in helmets, and this cannot but rejoice - common sense triumphant. Let's talk about how to choose a ski helmet and not regret it while skiing.

Why do you need a helmet?

There is a myth that on the slope you can easily get by with a warm hat or some kind of helmet. Experienced athletes and instructors, who tirelessly repeat - hats are suitable only for walking near the recreation center and cafes.

The popular Atomic Redster wc helmet in kevlar and fiberglass. Unisex, suitable for women and men

Life-loving alpine skiers and snowboarders cannot do without a rugged helmet. Only he will save the rider from injuries of varying severity and fogging of the masks. By the way, we were not mistaken with the latter - the helmet performs not only a protective function. Thanks to it, vapors will not cloud the lens and will not make you stop unnecessarily if you suddenly decide to move the mask to one side.

REMEMBER! A headbutt resulting from an awkward movement can easily result in more than just a bruise, bump or concussion. The statistics do not lie: more often than not, it is negligence that causes death on the ski slope. It is followed by random collisions with other skiers or obstacles.

Gradually, resorts are overgrown with lists of rules that govern not only behavior, but also appearance on the slopes. Helmets are becoming a must on any list as travel insurers are increasingly denying claims for injury sustained without the necessary equipment and protection.

And there are fewer and fewer reasons not to wear a helmet: prices for the range are getting lower, and the design is more interesting. You can already buy a decent helmet for skiing from 3 thousand rubles.

How is the market changing?

Technology is increasingly striking, and designers create lightweight and durable models of the most different types and silhouettes. From time to time you come across absolutely amazing things - for example, ski helmets from Casco limited edition - are they trimmed with Swarovski crystals, is not it a work of art?

Features such as thermoregulation also improve every year. At the moment, at the right choice helmet, athletes completely forget about the heat and wet hair.

Now on the market there are more than 20 serious companies offering ski equipment. All of them are guided by a different income of clients, but each undergoes mandatory certification (which we wrote about at the end of the article). The equipment must comply with the standards accepted in the sports world. These standards imply all kinds of tests that determine impact resistance.

Of course, a large assortment is fraught with the throes of choice - it is very difficult to navigate the sports market without relevant experience. Among the variety, it is difficult to determine what is primary and what is secondary, especially if the consultant cannot correctly tell how the goods behave in practice. We have tried to make this helmet fitting process easier.

Ski and snowboard helmet design - which one to choose?

It is important to understand what the structure of the helmet is. Therefore, imagine: all products consist of three parts:

1. Outer shell. She is usually thin and tough. Its function is to distribute energy from a possible impact over the entire area of ​​the helmet at once. It is the shell that protects the inner part and the skull from the penetration of various fragments. Such shells are made of high quality plastic or in more expensive Kevlar and fiberglass models. Sometimes carbon is found. All of these materials determine other characteristics of a ski helmet - its weight and strength.
2. Inner shell. It is always soft, because it is the inner part that absorbs the energy from the impact and protects the brain from injury. A good quality inner lining should be made of polypropylene foam or expanded polystyrene.
3. The lining is the third component of the helmet. It is made of antibacterial materials of increased strength, which guarantees comfort and the necessary air flow. Some firms make the lining removable so that it can be washed from time to time.

You should know: upon impact, the received energy is evenly distributed over its area and will be absorbed by the foamed plastic. It will deform, of course, but it will save your life.

Replacing the helmet in a collision will turn out to be the smallest disaster, especially since over time it will still have to be changed - the frame loses its properties over the years and wears out. Many manufacturers strongly recommend buying new products every few years to be sure of the degree of protection.

What to look for when choosing a ski helmet?

Once in the store, newbies in skiing are lost from the variety and incomprehensible designations, so here's a little reminder.

Helmet weight

It will be difficult for an adult to ride if the weight exceeds 800 grams, for a child the figure is two times less - its limit is 400 grams. Unfortunately, the reliability of a product, even in the modern world, is often directly proportional to its weight, so the price of lightweight products can go off scale.

Manufacturers try not to skimp on materials and use expensive developments, such as carbon.

Form

Conventionally, all helmets can be divided into open and closed - the former are convenient for skiing on prepared slopes, and the latter are good for beginners and extreme lovers.

Uvex P1us 2.0 open ski helmet for men with a swivel ring for adjusting the size. The cost is from 6 thousand rubles.

Closed models are generally bulky but reliable. They are popular with downhill and slalom enthusiasts. Closed helmets save those who often fall, so they are useful for lovers of freeride and skicross.

Ears

They are hard and soft. Hard ones better save you from falls, but again this is all conditional. First of all, a helmet with hard ears is advised to choose for classes, so as not to get a stick from a passing colleague, but snowboarders have chosen soft ones.

A post about not gouging out your colleagues' eyes or ears during the descent will come in handy.

If you are just starting to go in for skiing, then choose a helmet with soft ears - they will give you the opportunity to hear the instructor or other participants in the skiing. Snowboarders are very fond of soft ears, because they do not have ski poles.

Ventilation

This indicator is likely to be given the hardest than others - helmets come with adjustable and unregulated ventilation, with external and internal, with a whole set of ventilation holes and channels. Here you will have to rely on the professionalism of the consultant, who will determine the model that suits your riding style.

The important characteristics of the equipment are as follows. All modern helmets have ventilation holes, there are only some children's models where air ventilation is not provided, since it is assumed that children will not ski for a long time and sweat a lot.

The holes can be opened and closed with a special switch, or they can be plugged with rubber plugs. The gags are removed depending on the riding activity and the weather conditions on the slope.

The main thing to remember

If you spend a lot of time on the ski slope, you need a ventilation system that can be adjusted. With its help, you can create comfortable conditions and save your own health.

Camera mount

More and more popular every year, and some of the helmets may include a built-in camera. Better, of course, the first option, when it is possible to connect your camera.

Helmet with GoPro action camera

Built-in audio system

Some helmets have built-in speakers that allow you to listen to music from your phone while skiing. They can work through a wired connection or bluetooth. Notable representatives: Bogner Flames and Salomon Ranger AIR.

A few more words about the helmet cover and protective arches (chingard).

Front protection will give a sense of security, and will save the face and jaw of a skier who is seriously injured. First of all, this accessory should be chosen by novice freeriders and fans of speed slalom. A protective arc is attached to the helmet with four bolts, the main thing is that it supports such an upgrade.

Volume adjustment: what to adjust, why and why?

One of the most important characteristics of a good helmet is the ability to adjust its size according to your own performance. The protection should sit as tightly as possible on your head, because otherwise it will not save you when you fall, but will simply fly off from the slightest blow.

best posts
In alpine skiing, it is very important to correctly adjust the size of the equipment, we discussed this in the article about, and now we focus on the helmet.

The shape of the human head is unique and it can be difficult to choose a helmet for it, but this is the most important task when buying!
3 types of designs for adjusting the size:

• Soft inserts (overlays) that can be added or removed depending on anatomical features... A similar system is now only used for budget ski helmets.
• The so-called adjustable strap or ring is a special system that allows the inside of the helmet to be adjusted to the head circumference. The principle of operation is simple - by tightening the ring, the tightening of the inner helmet is tightened. By unscrewing the ring, the tightening is accordingly relaxed.
• Air pump system (pneumatic regulation) that fills separately remote tanks with air. The pump is good because it gives a soft and precise fit, but the cost is significantly higher than the swivel ring design.

The clasp holding the ski helmet should not interfere, press on the Adam's apple, but at the same time the mouth should open freely.

How to wear a helmet correctly?
Who served in the army will understand - the height should be two fingers above the eyebrows or 2 cm, here is the ideal location of the helmet on the head, which will give the maximum view of the track along all axes:

What to wear?
If it's warm, then you can just wear it on your head. Or on a comforter, which is also convenient to wash, in contrast to the internal non-removable comforters. Although most often the inner shell is removed, it all depends on the specific model. Separately, it should be said that crests for ski helmets are now in fashion, these are such unusual "caps" that are worn on top of the helmet. Allow the owner to stand out from the crowd of skiers, create their own unique image.

The helmet should fit snugly around the head, but not squeeze it in any way. Putting it on your head, shake it, jump on your heels. If the helmet does not move, then everything is fine, you have selected the required size, if it hangs somewhere, we go to choose and measure further.

Ski Helmet Size Chart

Do you need a helmet for alpine skiing with a visor?
The advantage of modern helmets is that now, by analogy with motorcycle sports, a visor is added to them - a kind of "visor" that allows you to abandon ski masks and goggles.

The visor protects against almost everything - from snow, wind, ultraviolet radiation. It can be moved to the forehead if necessary, or it can be lowered to fully enjoy the ride.

The advantages of such protection in the best view and no foreign object sensation on the face. In addition, it does not fog up and allows the tan to lie flat on the face. However, there are also disadvantages to a helmet with a visor. They are worse than masks to protect from the wind during the descent along the track, snow can drift under them at speed.

Ski helmet care

Remember, a ski helmet requires careful handling and maintenance. You can wash it soap solutions and warm water, dry removable parts at room temperature, avoiding direct proximity to batteries and other sources of heat.

Ski / Snowboard Helmet Certification Systems

At the moment, there are three common standards in the world that are followed the best manufacturers... If the helmet you choose does not have this, then you should think about its quality and, in general, about the degree of protection.

1. ASTM F 2040: the most common certificate. The conformity standard was developed in the USA and provides maximum protection for the skier. The appropriate sticker must be on the inside of the helmet.
2. CE EN 1077: European certificate for ski and snowboard helmets. Some models can be certified to both ASTM and CE EN.
3. Snell RS-98: less common, but also matches modern requirements for safety.

The best ski helmets are produced by the following companies: Rossignol, Atomic, Casco, Cebe, Dainese, Salomon, Scott, Uvex.

Today is a short dive into (relatively) new types of ski optics. In places! Boatswain, see that no one gets drunk before returning to the shore, so that my edges never rust, a thousand snowflakes!

Today, in the deep waters of the ski ocean, there are three main types of optical animals: a mask, a visor and something in between, we will call it a hybrid.

Let's cut and cook this fish and see who likes which one.

Ski mask

If you are already a seasoned fisherman, then you should know that reliability is more important for a good skier than beauty. If you're in the mood for experimentation or looking to improve your irresistibility, then try the visor and hybrid.

Visor advantages

Carrera Visor Helmet

The visor has several subjective (they are not obvious to everyone) advantages:

• A visor cannot exist without a helmet. This means that there will be no temptation to go out on the slope in a beautiful hat, and there are still those among us who ride without a helmet. They are in vain - today nowhere without a helmet, this is the same integral part of a ski-border head, like a tortoise shell.
• The visor is easy to use - lifted it up in one movement and scribbled text messages on the lift. This will not work with a mask, you have to dig deeper if you don't have the skill and experience.
• The visor is good for those who ride in glasses with diopters - no need to aim the mask over the glasses (I know this from the words of those who wear long-range glasses, I myself just can't see anything close).

Changing the visor on a helmet today is as easy as changing filters in modern masks - in one swipe.

Minus visor

The main drawback of the visor is that it does not fit tightly to the face and, in windy (especially frosty) weather, cold and snow will blow under it. It's uncomfortable.

Today, manufacturers are trying to solve this problem by running a sealing sponge (like in masks) around the filter perimeter, but there is no effective solution yet, because the relief of our faces is very diverse.

Visor not for freeriders

It follows from the above that the visor is least suitable for freeriders. When skiing off-piste, snow is packed everywhere, which means that it will be full under the visor. And this will not give you joy.

For fans of off-piste skiing, there is only one choice - a mask.

Hybrid mask and visor

Strictly speaking, a hybrid is 99% a mask, only without the usual elastic band. So to speak, a more elegant version of pressing the ski mask to the face:

Visor or ski mask - a hybrid visor mask from Casco

If so, let's treat the hybrid as a normal mask, not as a visor. And if this is a mask, then it has all the pros and cons of an ordinary mask, so there is nothing to talk about here.

Let's see how off-piste fans frolic in hybrid masks:

However, not all of us ride off-piste or drive like devils on the pistes. Most skate slowly and, moreover, want to look five. Why not a visor, they will say, because in the visor I ...

... so handsome

Say what you like, but the visors look great:

Vist helmet with visor

Vist Visor Helmet

The naked eye can see that such a visor does not fit well to the face, and in bad weather it can ruin a certain type of skiing.

The rest is space!

Kask Visor Helmet

And look at this wonderful headdress from the Kask brand, it is truly royal:

Kask claims that the visor fits perfectly to the face and is not blown out at all. Perhaps so, but not all of us will be able to check: the cost of this helmet is more than 70,000 rubles. with discount.

Bolle Visor Helmet

Bolle Visor Ski Helmet

And still

We need to think about why large manufacturers of optics and helmets are not in a hurry to enter this segment.

The most popular winter sports are skiing and snowboarding. They are versatile because they are suitable for people of different genders and ages. It's never too late to start. And most people have no ambitions to become professionals, high-class craftsmen. They just rest, relax, enjoy the process, distracted from everyday monotony and problems.

Before you start skiing or boarding, you need to think about equipment, pick up not only equipment, but also special and, so that it is comfortable, special and helmets, etc.

Choosing a helmet should be taken very seriously. So many people die or get seriously injured while skiing, snowboarding, etc. This does not mean that everyone gets such serious injuries, but the risks are very high, no one is insured, even professionals with long experience. For these reasons, protective equipment, and in particular the choice of a helmet, should be given close attention, and the required amount of time, do not rush, do not save, and purchase a reliable, high-quality, durable item. We will talk about how to choose a helmet for alpine skiing and snowboarding in our article.

Determining your helmet size is easy. You just need to measure the circumference of your head with a measuring tape. The head circumference is measured along the forehead line above the ears. Depending on the numbers received, you can determine your size.

Ski helmet sizes(table) :

• 51-56cm is size S (Small)
• 55-57cm - M (Medium)
• 55-61cm - L (Large)
• 61-64 cm - XL

The size cannot be ignored, because how the helmet will fit on the head depends on it, whether it will be comfortable in it.

What to look for when choosing

There are models of snowboard and ski helmets with retractable visors that should be replaced.

Ski helmet without visor and ski mask - the best choice

How to choose a children's ski helmet

Children's helmets are no different from adults. The requirements for them are as serious and tough as for adults.

• They should be of the correct size, normal, comfortable to sit on your head, not dangling or crushing.
• It must be a helmet from famous brand, bought in a normal place, so that you can be sure that the product is original, not a fake.
• The design of the helmet can be of any design, it has no effect on the quality. You can let your child choose the design he likes.

Ski helmet liner

Ski helmet liner

The comforter (it is also called), although thin, although it seems to many to be useless and a waste of money, plays a very important role providing comfort and safety. It goes without saying that it comes about a high-quality, branded liner, bought in a good store, and not about a cheap Chinese fake.

In addition to the fact that the helmet is “the most warm hat»For skiing, it primarily protects you from head injuries, and in some cases it can save your life.

Sometimes it doesn't matter how well you yourself know how to skate, since, unfortunately, none of the skiers is safe from being knocked down by another skier. As the experience grows, both the skiing speed and the difficulty of the slopes increase. At the same time, the risk of injury as a result of even the slightest mistake increases.

For winter sports, special helmets are produced that are designed for use in cold weather.

Ski helmets have passed all the necessary tests required by safety standards. They work great in conjunction with ski masks.

Before buying a helmet, you need to choose its size and shape, size adjustment system, design and type of ventilation - then the helmet will be so comfortable that you will even forget that instead of a light cap you have reliable protection on your head.

Dimensions and fitting

The size that suits you is easy to determine. Take a flexible tailor's tape and measure your head around your forehead. If you only have a ruler, no problem: use any tape, wrap it around your head, and then measure the length of that tape.

For example, if your size is 58, choose a helmet in sizes 56 - 58.

The helmet should fit snugly on the head. A properly fitted helmet should fit all over your head and not move when you shake your head or turn it.

If the helmet moves freely on your head, then it is too big. There should be no gaps between the head and the helmet, and at the same time, you should not feel any points or areas where the helmet presses or causes discomfort.

Keep in mind that with prolonged skiing, slight discomfort can literally turn into a headache.

Grasp the helmet with both hands and try to move it left and right: while doing this, you should feel how the scalp moves with the helmet. At the same time, you should not feel the helmet squeezes your head or does not fit your head well.

When trying on, keep in mind: helmets are available for two different forms heads: round and oval. Try on a few and decide which helmet shape suits you best. After all, you will ride in a helmet all day.

Selection of a children's helmet

Finding a helmet is more difficult for a child. The rules for choosing a helmet are the same as for adults, but the child does not know how to talk about his feelings and may simply not understand how tight or loose the helmet should sit on his head.

Pay more attention to checking how tightly and yet comfortably the helmet sits on the child's head: if something bothers him, this is bad. But at the same time, do not take a helmet "for growth": if it is too large, it is unsafe.

Children's helmets in our catalog

Helmet adjustment systems

Each manufacturer has developed their own systems for adjusting the size and shape of the internal volume of the helmet. The most commonly used systems are with adjusting wheel, pneumatic, removable cushion pads, and auto-moldable shape memory foam.

In systems with an adjusting wheel you can turn the wheel to fine-tune the degree of coverage so that the helmet fits snugly and precisely on your head. This system is fast and reliable, another advantage is that the adjustment can be made at any time.

Helmets with adjusting wheel

Pneumatic regulation systems use air pressure in special channels located along the inner circumference of the helmet. They are automatic and manual. So, in the automatic system, when you put on a helmet, the excess air is automatically released through a special valve and the helmet fits your head precisely and tightly, without forming discomfort zones. In systems with manual adjustment, the air in the ducts is deflated and inflated by pressing special buttons. As with the thumb wheel system, adjustment is possible at any time.

Helmets with pneumatic system

The simplest adjustment secured by removable soft pads that are attached with Velcro fasteners. Depending on the shape of the head, you can add or remove thin soft pads in certain areas of the helmet. This type of adjustment is becoming less common; manufacturers use more convenient options.

As in the internal ski boots, in the construction of helmets, foam auto-formed materials are also used, which, when put on, shrink and accurately remember the shape of your head.

Helmet designs

There are three basic designs of ski helmets. The first construct is In-Mold It consists of a foam inner part made of a sufficiently soft EPS (expanded Polystyrene) material that absorbs impact, and an outer part which is covered with a hard and thin outer "shell" made of polycarbonate or other hard plastic. The outer shell protects the inside of the helmet and helps distribute the impact energy across the entire surface of the helmet. This design is characterized by low weight and excellent absorption of impact energy, which makes it the most common.

In-Mold Helmets

Design Hard Shell ABS It has a thicker and stronger outer shell made of hard plastic - polypropylene or ABS, less often lightweight carbon is used. The casing is molded and then an EPS liner is glued into it. This design provides reliable protection from a blow, especially a local one. But at the same time, its weight is slightly higher than that of the In-mold structure.

Hard Shell Helmets

There are helmets and hybrid design, which combines the advantages of both options. The upper part of the helmet is made with Hard Shell technology to provide reliability in critical areas most prone to impact, while the lower and sides are made using technology In-Mold to significantly reduce weight. This design is the most difficult to manufacture and the least budgetary, but it combines the impact resistance of the HardShell design and the lightness of In-Mold.

Hybrid Helmets

It should be noted that the vast majority of helmets are designed to reliably protect the skier from one really strong blow. And if this happens, the helmet will be deformed: the shape of the inner or outer shell will change. In this case, the helmet must be replaced, since a helmet with deformed parts or a crack in the outer shell will no longer be able to protect you the next time you fall.

Open and closed ears

The vast majority of helmets used by skiers are available in two types: one-piece hard shell covering the ears and soft ear protectors. The former better protect against falling to the side and from bad weather. These helmets are used by athletes and experts who ride fast in all conditions.

Skiing involves following certain safety precautions. For this, special protective equipment is used. Its key element is the helmet. It is he who protects the head from serious injuries that can be received during the fall. Today manufacturers offer many interesting models, so both amateurs and professionals will find the best solution for themselves.

Ski helmets with visor

They began to produce relatively recently, but they immediately became quite popular, since there is no need for a mask or sunglasses. The visor is made of polycarbonate, it reliably protects the eyes from ultraviolet radiation, glare, wind. It can be easily removed on the forehead, and if necessary, it also simply returns to its original position.

Helmets with a visor stand out for the following advantages:

• Provide maximum visibility. Even the most best mask cannot compete with the visor.
• Comfort. Many people do not like the mask, as it fits snugly to the face, it can hurt, there are no such problems with the visor.
• Easier to choose. It is much easier to find such a helmet than a mask.

It should be noted that there are also disadvantages to such helmets. Most importantly, the visor does not fit snugly to the face. As a result, when driving at high speed, the wind can blow out.

It is best to choose a model with a photochromic visor. Although manufacturers have provided for the possibility of replacing it, this is not so easy to do.

Another important detail is the price. These helmets are quite expensive. In some cases, it is more profitable to purchase a mask and helmet.

How to determine the size

It is imperative to choose the right size product. Only with a snug fit will the maximum level of protection be ensured. Sizes for kids, juniors and adults vary greatly. Moreover, even with the same brand, certain models may differ in size.

It is best to measure the helmet carefully before purchasing. In this case, the optimal model is guaranteed to be selected. By the way, to determine your size, you need to take a meter and measure the head circumference. To do this, the centimeter is applied just above the eyebrows and is connected at the same level, but at the back of the head. As a result, get your size.

Manufacturers offer two options for helmets - with a fixed size and with the ability to adjust. With the first, everything is much simpler, a comfortable model is chosen and that's it. The choice of adjustable models is a little more complicated. If during the adjustment process there is an excessive gap between the helmet and the back of the head, it is better to choose another model. Excessive clearance significantly reduces the protective parameters of the product.