Scooterlay is audience-supported. When you buy through links on this site, we may earn an affiliate commission that we use for site maintenance. Learn more

Snow & Winter Sport Accessories

Best Snowboard Helmets of 2024: Reviews & Buyer’s Guide

Helmets are probably the most important pieces of safety equipment for snowboarders. You need to be extra careful when looking for new snowboarding helmets so you can minimize any possibility of injuries and rather focus on improving your skill.

Aside from the right fit, your preferred helmet should have a Snell RS-98, ASTM, or CE certification. Our pro and amateur boarders reviewed today’s best snowboard helmets and shared how well they performed when tested.

See which one seems to be the perfect fit for you!

Best Snowboard Helmets – Top 10 Reviews

01 Wildhorn Drift Snowboard & Ski Helmet (Editor’s Choice)

Wildhorn Drift Snowboard & Ski Helmet

Why It Stands Out To Us

The Wildhorn Drift is a solid contender for being the best budget snowboard and ski helmet. It’s a stealthy looking helmet that provides great comfort and safety. This helmet comes with different features and benefits that are rare to find in other helmets of its price range.

The Stealth has a straightforward and old-fashioned design. It’s also one of the most lightweight helmets you can find on the market. The cozy strap and the 13 adjustable vents make it very comfortable to wear.

Though it falls into the lighter sides of ski helmets, the Stealth doesn’t compromise on the safety features. It assures the safety of the head with a strong polycarbonate shell that’s fused to an internal layer of EPS foam. It’s CE EN 1077 and ASTM F2040 standard certified, which means that it’ll protect the head with high efficiency.

The helmet has removable ear pads that provide warmth in the most snowy and cold days. It also comes with an adjustable goggles strap. The helmet is audio and goggles compatible. So, you won’t notice any goggles-to-helmet cleavage as well.

The stealth has an amazing ventilation system that makes it suitable for long skiing sessions. Also, with the ‘Fine Tune Adjustment’ feature of the company, you can find the inch perfect fit for your head.

Overall, the Stealth is a solid pick if you’re looking for an affordable helmet with all the features of a high end option.

Our Experience With the Wildhorn Drift Snowboard & Ski Helmet

We loved using the Wildhorn Drift. It’s straightforward, low-profile and does its job perfectly. We have several units of it and we’ve been using them for about a year now.

The best thing that you’ll notice after holding the helmet is its weight. It’s surprisingly lightweight. It also has a great build quality that gives you the premium feel of all the high-end helmets.

The helmet felt comfortable to wear and the straps were good too. We loved the adjustable vents that it comes with. The sliding lever lets you adjust how much air you want to come through the vents. The removable ear pads were also comfy and audio compatible. It’s a great thing that the helmet lets you choose how you want it to work.

We love our goggles and the Drift handled them well despite being stealthy and old fashioned. Our snowboarding goggles fit perfectly with no gaps between the helmet and the goggles. The goggles strap on the bag also felt secure and handy.

While being lightweight and comfortable, the Drift also feels sturdy when you wear it. We noticed that it’s nicely padded on the inside and strong on the outside. Though we didn’t like the fact that it didn’t have MIPS certified protection.

Another thing we didn’t like is that it didn’t come with a bag. We know, the manufacturer had to cut corners here and there to make it available at that affordable price, but we’d still love to get a bag with it.

Overall, we loved our experience with the Wildhorn Drift. We rate it higher than most budget ski/snowboarding helmets on the market. It provides great comfort, breathability and safety in an affordable price range. If your budget is below $100, then it’s the helmet that you should really take into consideration.

The Good Sides

  • The drift is very lightweight and it comes at an affordable price
  • Comes with adjustable vents, which gives you control over the ventilation system
  • It has removable ear pads that keeps your ears warm in snowy and cold weather
  • The helmet is audio compatible
  • Suitable for most goggles
  • CE EN 1077 and ASTM F2040 standard certified.
  • Comfy inline and sturdy shell

Things We Didn’t Like

  • We didn’t receive a bag with it
  • No MIPS certification

Things That Could Be Improved

  • The vents are often difficult to adjust with gloves on. The slider could have been a bit smoother.
  • We’d really like a bag with it.

Specifications

  • Available Sizes: Small, Medium, Large
  • Target Audience: Unisex-Youth
  • Material: EPS
  • Certifications: ASTM, EN1077
  • Available Colors: 7

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Comfortable
  •  djustable ventilation
  •  Goggle and audio compatible
  •  Affordable

Cons

  • No MIPS certification
  • No bags

02 OutdoorMaster KELVIN Ski Helmet (Great Value for Money)

OutdoorMaster KELVIN Ski Helmet

Why It Stands Out To Us

It’s very unlikely that you’ll find another helmet on the market that provides the same features as the OutdoorMaster Kelvin Ski Helmet and costs less than it. It comes at an affordable price and also does its job perfectly without any bells and whistles. The helmet is available in 9 different colors and comes with a wide range of features.

The Kelvin is a unisex helmet that provides maximum safety in its price range. The helmet has a reinforced ABS shell and shock-absorbing EPS core. It’s also ASTM standards certified which assures that the helmet will be sturdy enough to protect your head from life-threatening injuries.

The helmet comes with 14 individual vents that provide great ventilation during long skiing sessions. It also has an inner lining that’s comfy and soft to the touch. The removable ear pads provide a nice warmth in cold and snowy weather. Easy to remove and clean, the Kelvin is an absolute win in terms of comfort and ventilation.

Since the Kelvin comes in three different sizes, it’s easy to find the right fit for your head. Also, the helmet has a size adjustment belt. This belt has a dial that lets you adjust the size according to the measurements of your head.

The kelvin is also compatible with goggles. One of the issues that worry most skiers and snowboarders is the gap between their helmet and their goggles. This gap lets the cold wind get into the helmet, which is very annoying but Kelvin doesn’t have this issue.

If your goggles aren’t weirdly shaped, you won’t notice any gaps. The helmet also has a goggles strap which works perfectly.

Overall, the OutdoorMaster Kelvin Ski Helmet works great. It has all the features that you’ll expect from a more expensive ski helmet. It provides great comfort, safety and comes in a stylish design. What else can you ask from a helmet that costs you less than $50?

Our Experience With the OutdoorMaster Kelvin Ski Helmet

We’ve had a few of these helmets over the years. Because of the experience we’ve had with them, we can tell that we’re going to get more of them in the upcoming years. The kelvin has a nice feel to it. You know it’s not the best helmet you can buy, just by looking at it. But it does its job perfectly, which is the most important thing for a ski or snowboarding helmet.

The first thing we noticed about Kelvin is that it was very comfortable. The inner lining feels soft and comfy when you touch it. It was extremely lightweight which added more to the comfort.

The ear pads covered our ears perfectly and they were great in terms of providing warmth in cold weathers.

Though the helmet is lightweight and comfortable, it didn’t seem to compromise on the safety features. The EPS core was great in shock absorption and the outer shell also felt very sturdy when we tested it.

Though the manufacturers claim that it has ASTM certifications, we didn’t see any ASTM stickers on the helmet.

We used the OutdoorMaster Kelvin Ski Helmet with different conventional goggles and they fit perfectly. The helmet held our goggles in place and we didn’t notice any gap between the helmet and the goggles.

However, we had mixed feelings about the goggles straps because in some of the units, the straps broke easily and the other ones worked just fine.

The sizes of the helmet felt a bit confusing but we found the right size for each of our heads in the end. We liked the fact that the adjustment knobs worked fine and we could adjust the helmets accordingly every time.

There weren’t a lot of issues that we noticed with the Kelvin. However, it would’ve been great if it had a MIPS certification. But with its affordable price, it’s understandable because many helmets that cost twice than the Kelvin often don’t have this certification. Also, it would have been great if the vents were adjustable.

We were satisfied with our overall experience with the Kelvin. The affordable price and numerous features make it a budget beast in the realm of ski or snowboarding helmets. It’s a solid pick if you want comfort, safety, and affordability at the same time in a ski helmet.

The Good Sides

  • Provides ASTM certified safety
  • The reinforced ABS shells and shock-absorbing EPS core ensures maximum safety
  • Comes with a size adjustment dial that lets you adjust the size according to the measurements of your head
  • 14 vents that provide great ventilation
  • Available in 9 different colors
  • Removable ear pads provide great warmth in cold weathers
  • It comes at an affordable price and it’s lightweight
  • Compatible with most goggles

Things We Didn’t Like

  • Not compatible with earphones
  • No MIPS certification

Things That Could Be Improved

  • The ear pads could be somewhat bigger
  • The goggles strap could be a bit sturdier
  • The vents could be adjustable

Specifications

  • Available Colors: 9
  • Weight: 1.3lbs
  • Available Sizes: S, M, L
  • Material: EPS
  • Certifications: ASTM

Pros

  • Affordable price
  • Lightweight
  • ASTM certification
  • 9 different colors
  • Goggle compatible
  • Great ventilation
  • Size adjustment dial

Cons

  • Not earphone compatible

03 Retrospec Traverse H1 Convertible Helmet (Most Versatile)

Retrospec Traverse H1 Convertible Helmet

Why It Stands Out To Us

Everyone loves gears that cost less and offer great features. The Retrospect Traverse H1 is one of those products. This snow sports helmet costs less than 50 bucks and provides great protection and comfort at the same time. No wonder it has grown popular among snow sports enthusiasts.

For starters, the helmet has a nice appearance. You can use it as a bike helmet as well. One thing about the helmet that’ll surely impress you is its weight. It’s extremely lightweight and feels comfortable on the head.

The Retrospect Traverse H1 provides great ventilation. It has 10 vents that allow excellent temperature regulation. So, you won’t end up with a sweaty scalp after long skiing sessions. It also has removable ear covers that offer great warmth and comfort.

The helmet is compatible with different goggles. So, most of your eyewear will fit perfectly with it and it’s unlikely that you’ll see any gaps between the helmet and the goggles. It also has a goggles strap that keeps your goggles in place.

Despite being affordable and lightweight, the helmet doesn’t compromise on the materials that will keep your head safe. It has a ABS shell and an EPS inner liner. The shell is sturdy and can take the strongest of hits.

The interior is soft to the touch but it has great shock absorption. Though it doesn’t come with the fancy certifications like the high-end helmets, it’s surely strong enough to protect your head from severe injuries.

The helmet is very adaptive in terms of size & fitting. It comes with a size adjustment dial that allows you to adjust the size according to your head shape. The comfy chin strap works great to keep the helmet in place without any hiccups.

The Retrospect Traverse H1 is a budget beast. It’s hard to find a snow sports helmet that has all these features yet comes at a cheap price. So, it is surely a great pick for you if your budget matches its price range.

Our Experience With the Retrospec Traverse H1

We tested the Retrospect Traverse H1 for months and examined all its features. We found out all of its advantages and disadvantages and focused on the overall user experience.

The first thing we noticed about the helmet was that it’s extremely lightweight. The helmet was really comfortable to wear. It had an amazing built quality that felt good on the touch. After wearing it, you wouldn’t be able to tell that you’re wearing a $40 helmet.

The ventilation system worked pretty well. The vents worked perfectly to regulate air and heat. However, we’d like it more if it had adjustable vents. We found the ear pads very comfy and they were able to keep our ears warm. However, in sub zero temperatures, we suggest you wear a beanie underneath the helmet.

We tried different goggles with the helmet. It worked great with eyewear of different brands. We noticed very small or no gaps between the helmet and the goggles. The goggles weren’t too congested either. We liked the goggles strap too. It kept our goggles in place with perfection.

Though the helmet felt sturdy, it didn’t come with any safety certification stickers. We would have liked a MIPS or at least an ASTM certification on it. However, in its price range, it’s hard to find helmets with these safety certifications.

The EPS interior gives great cushion to your head and has great shock absorption. The ABS outer shell seemed sturdy enough to take a few hits. Overall, it felt like a safe helmet for long skiing and skateboarding sessions.

Though we liked the size adjustment dial, we found that it gets hard to adjust the size sometimes. We also noticed that the dial makes the back part of the helmet very uncomfortable. And if you’re used to wearing beanies underneath your helmet, we would recommend you to go one size up.

Overall, we had a good time with the Retrospect Traverse H1. It never felt like a cheap helmet and it offered every feature with perfection.  We would gladly recommend this helmet to you.

The Good Sides

  • The helmet is extremely lightweight
  • It has a cool looking design
  • The removable ear pads provide great warmth
  • Compatible with goggles
  • It comes with a goggle strap
  • Offers a size adjustment dial
  • Comes at an affordable price

Things We Didn’t Like

  • The vents aren’t adjustable
  • No MIPS or ASTM certification

Things That Could Be Improved

  • The size adjustment dial could be utilized differently so that it doesn’t hurt the back of the head
  • It would have been great if the vents were adjustable

Specifications

  • Available Colors: 11
  • Weight: 1.3lbs
  • Available Sizes: S, M, L
  • Material: EPS, ABS
  • Certifications: ASTM

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Stylish design
  • Lightweight
  • Compatible with goggles
  • Size adjustment dial

Cons

  • No MIPS certifications
  • Vents aren’t adjustable

04 Smith Vantage MIPS Snow Helmet (Safest Choice)

Smith Vantage MIPS Snow Helmet

Why It Stands Out to Us

Coming from a trusted and well-known company, the Smith Vantage MIPS Snow Helmet is a great overall choice. It provides maximum safety and comfort. The helmet is by no means a cheap one. So, you can expect all the features of a top-end helmet from it.

The Smith Vantage is one of the most comfortable snowboarding and ski helmets you can find on the market. It uses the BOA Fit System that helps you get the perfect size for your head. Also, it has a variety of adjustments in case you like wearing a beanie under your helmet.

The inner liner is soft and comfy as well and the ear pads also provide extra comfort and warmth. The helmet has 21 vents that provide great ventilation. It also has a dual adjustment system that allows you to open and close the vents according to the weather.

Like all high-end ski and snowboarding helmets, the Smith Vantage doesn’t compromise on the safety features. It has MIPS certification that assures the protection of your head from dangerous injury. The helmet is sturdy and has a great shock absorption.

The helmet has goggles and audio compatibility. It has one of the best eyewear integrations in the realm of ski and snowboarding helmets. It uses the AirEvac2 technology to funnel moisture from your eyewear, which ensures that they’re fog free. You won’t notice any gaps between the helmet and your goggles. So, the cold wind won’t be able to get in during long snowboarding sessions in cold weather.

The Smith Vantage is also lightweight despite having all these cool features. So, it provides great comfort along with all the features that you can expect from a high-end ski and snowboarding helmet.

Overall, the Smith Vantage is a great ski or snowboarding helmet. If you have the budget to go for one of the best helmets in the business then it’s a solid pick for you. We can assure you that it’s worth every penny you’ll be spending on it.

Our Experience With the Smith Vantage MIPS

Out of all the ski and snowboarding helmets we’ve used, the Smith Vantage MIPS was one of the better ones. Like all the other products we reviewed, we used the Smith Vantage for several months before giving any opinions on it.

The first thing we noticed about the helmet is that it felt very comfortable. It had an inner liner that’s both soft and supportive. Even when it’s tightly adjusted to your head, you won’t feel uncomfortable because of the soft padding. We also found the strap very easy to use.

Ventilation is essential for long skiing or snowboarding sessions. We found out that the Vantage had great ventilation. The vent openings were in good sizes and they could be customized easily. The two sliders of the helmet were easy to adjust even with gloves on.  If you use this helmet, ventilation won’t be a problem to you.

Though the helmet provides great warmth overall, we noticed that a little bit of cold air came through the space below the earpieces. This shouldn’t be much of a big deal if you use a beanie beneath your helmet. However, it’s still an issue regarding that you’ll be splashing a hell lot of cash for it.

In terms of safety, there’s nothing much to say. The MIPS certification confirms that it will protect your brain from any potential damage from all angles. Though most helmets that have great safety features come in bulky shapes, this one was fairly slim.

We absolutely love our goggles. We found out that the Smith Vantage was compatible with different goggles. Normally ski helmets work perfect with the goggles that are made from the same manufacturer.

We used different goggles with the helmet and faced no issues at all. We would say that the Smith Vantage was one of the best helmets we’ve used in terms of goggles compatibility. We also found the goggles strap useful and easy to use.

While wearing the Smith Vantage MIPS, we couldn’t tell that we’re wearing a $200 helmet because it was very lightweight. We’d say that the Smith Vantage is one of the lightest helmets we’ve reviewed.

Overall, we had a great time with the Smith Vantage. With our experience, we can guarantee that it’s a great helmet for all skiers and snowboarders. It’s lightweight, comfortable and it has a MIPS certification. There are very few helmets on the market that can compete with it in all categories.

The Good Sides

  • The helmet packs a lot of features
  • MIPS certification ensures maximum safety of the skull
  • The BOA Fit System helps you get the perfect size for your head
  • 18 adjustable vents
  • Compatible with most goggles and it has a goggles strap
  • Audio compatible
  • Easy to operate chin strap

Things We Didn’t Like

  • Goggles don’t stay above the forehead.
  • A little bit of wind comes through beneath the earpieces

Things That Could Be Improved

  • With its price, you’ll expect it to provide better warmth.

Specifications

  • Available For: Unisex-adult
  • Materials: ABS exterior and EPS interior
  • Available Colors: 13
  • Certifications: MIPS
  • Available Sizes: S, M, L, XL

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • MIPS certified
  • BOA Fit System
  • Compatible with most goggles
  • Audio compatible
  • Adjustable vents
  • Premium design

Cons

  • Difficulties finding the right size
  • Expensive

05 Lucky Bum Adult Snow Ski Helmet

Lucky Bum Adult Snow Ski Helmet

Why It Stands Out to Us

The Lucky Bums Adult Snow Ski Helmet is loaded with features. It offers great safety, comfort and ventilation at an affordable price. The helmet has a sleek and eye-catching design that most snow sports enthusiasts would like. Surprisingly, it comes with a limited lifetime warranty, which is rare to see in its price range.

For starters, it’s one of the lightest snow sports helmets you’ll ever find on the market. So, you won’t even notice that you’re wearing a helmet. This makes long snowboarding or skiing sessions even more enjoyable.

The helmet is available in several different colors. So, you won’t face any difficulty in finding the right one for yourself. The helmet provides great comfort. The ear pads are comfy and they provide great warmth in cold weather. The interior is also soft to the touch. The soft materials combined with the weight give amazing comfort to your head.

The exterior is made out of ABS materials and it’s sturdy enough to protect your skull from life threatening injuries. The EPS inner liner has great shock absorption. So, it provides comfort and safety at the same time. The helmet is also CE and EN1077 certified, which means it can be trusted for the protection of your head.

The Lucky Bums Adult Snow Ski Helmet does a great job in terms of ventilation. The vents work great in terms of circulating the air in and out of the helmet. So, you won’t have to worry about having a sweaty scalp during long snowboarding sessions.

The helmet is compatible with a wide range of goggles. It also has a goggle strap on the back that can come in handy if you like to hang your eyewear in the back of your helmet.

Overall, the Lucky Bums Adult Snow Ski Helmet provides amazing comfort, safety and ventilation. It’s surprising that the manufacturers managed to offer so many features in an affordable price range. This helmet is a great pick for you if you’re looking for a good helmet that doesn’t cost you a fortune.

Our Experience With the Lucky Bum Ski Helmet

We love reviewing budget products and the Lucky Bums Adult Snow Ski Helmet is one of those. We used the helmet for a significant amount of time to get an authentic user experience. During our time with it, we found out all its good and bad sides.

The first thing you’ll notice about this helmet is that it’s very lightweight. The manufacturers didn’t want to throw in extra weights into the helmet. So, it felt really comfortable to wear.

The glossy design was eye catching and it didn’t feel like a cheap helmet. The ear pads felt soft and cozy. They along with the whole interior provided a nice warmth to the ears and the head. However, we found out that it doesn’t stand out in sub zero temperatures. So, we would recommend you to wear beanies underneath it in extremely cold weather.

The vents of the helmet provided good ventilation. However, the vents weren’ adjustable so it might cause a few problems in cold weather. Otherwise, it seemed good enough for the price.

We tried different goggles with the Lucky Bums Adult Snow Ski Helmet. We weren’t particularly happy with its compatibility with goggles. We noticed that most goggles blocked our nostrils and made it difficult to breath while wearing this helmet. We also didn’t like the material of the goggles strap because it broke after several days of use.

We liked the size adjustment dial. It was easy to use and we could adjust the size according to different head shapes. However, the dial presses against the back of your head, which is very annoying.

We aren’t big fans of helmets that aren’t MIPS certified. The Lucky Bums Adult Snow Ski Helmet didn’t have the safety certifications we would have liked. But, with our experience of the helmet, we can say that it will protect your skull just as good as any other helmet of its price range.

Like all budget helmets, the Lucky Bums Adult Snow Ski Helmet has a few drawbacks. But it surely does its job quite well. So, you can definitely go for it if the price matches your budget.

The Good Sides

  • The helmet is extremely lightweight and it comes at an affordable price
  • EN1077 and CE certifications
  • Removable ear pads
  • The ABS shell and  EPS inner liner ensure safety and comfort
  • Cmes with a goggles strap
  • Has a limited lifetime warranty
  • Available in different colors and sizes

Things We Didn’t like

  • The vents aren’t adjustable
  • Not compatible with most goggles

Things that Could Be Improved

  • The vents could be adjustable
  • The placement of the size adjustment dial could be changed

Specifications

  • Available for: Unisex
  • Materials: ABS exterior, EPS interior
  • Available Size: S, M, L, XL
  • Available Color Options: 9
  • Certifications: CE

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Affordable
  • Size adjustment dial
  • Removable ear pads
  • Goggles strap
  • Limited lifetime warranty

Cons

  • No adjustable vents
  • Isn’t suitable for most goggles
  • NO MIPS

06 AKASO Snowboard Helmet

AKASO Snowboard Helmet

Why It Stands Out To Us

Akaso is one of the most trusted and renowned brands in the ski and snowboarding helmet business. The Akaso Ski helmet is the company’s best-selling helmet. So this tells you how popular it has been to the skiing and snowboarding community over the years.

It has a unisex design that suits both adults and children. The Akaso Ski Helmet comes at an affordable price and it packs some really useful features. It’s comfortable, sturdy and provides great safety. So, you can call it an all-rounder.

Though the helmet doesn’t cost you much, it doesn’t compromise in safety. The helmet has ASTM and CE certification which guarantees that it’ll save your head from life threatening injuries. It’s super sturdy as well.

The helmet has an inline that can be detached. The ear pads are detachable as well. You can use the ear pads according to the weather. Both the inline and the ear pads provide great warmth and comfort.

You can use a range of different goggles with the Akaso Ski helmet. There is a goggles customization feature that works perfectly. There’s also a goggles strap made of rubber, which is very durable and suitable for most goggles.

The Akaso Ski helmet is very lightweight and comfortable. You’ll hardly be able to tell that you’re wearing a helmet if you put it on. It also comes with adjustable vents on the top which ensures your freshness during long sessions.

If you don’t want to spend a fortune and still want a helmet that provides great comfort and safety, the Akaso Ski is the perfect match for you. The helmet is an all-rounder in terms of affordability, features and safety. We can definitely recommend this helmet to anyone who’s looking for a helmet in its price range.

Our Experience With the AKASO Snowboard Helmet

With our experience, we can say that the Akaso Ski helmet is one of the best skiing and snowboarding helmets you can find in its price range. It’s cheap, sturdy, has a cool finish and it’s a great product overall.

We used the Akaso Ski helmet for a significant amount of time. We noticed that the helmet is extremely lightweight. It also has a sturdy assembly. Its outer shell seemed hard so it won’t crack if you hit a tree or fall on hard ice. The inner liner made of non-degrading Styrofoam also felt like it had a good shock absorption.

The adjustable vents provided great ventilation. We could attach a GoPro mount with the vents on the top and it didn’t cause any problem. The sliding button for adjusting the vents was located on the top and it was quite easy to operate even when we had our ski gloves on.

The helmet’s chin strip felt secure and it showed no sign of weakness the whole time we were using it. The size adjustment dial also worked perfectly to get us the right fit. However, we found the dial a little too short in size.

We loved the fact that the helmet worked great with goggles. We wore different googles and tested the helmets compatibility with them. It held most of our goggles in place and left no gaps between the goggles and the helmet. We found the goggles strap on the back very useful. It was strong and secured the goggles nicely.

Though the Akaso Ski helmet doesn’t cost you a fortune, it still provides great safety. We liked that it has ASTM and CE certification. We’d love a MIPS certification, which would guarantee maximum safety. However, it’s understandable because MIPS certification only comes with the high-end and expensive helmets.

We noticed that the helmet puts a bit of pressure on the back of the head when you wear it. So, it’s safe to say that it wasn’t the most comfortable helmet we’ve used.  Another thing that we didn’t like was that the Akaso Ski helmet isn’t compatible with headphones. This might be a huge red flag for a lot of skiers and snowboarders.

We liked the design and we found it easy to use. All the components of the helmet were easy to clean for keeping it sweat free. Overall, we were happy with the helmet. It did its job and didn’t cost us much. So, we can definitely recommend you to buy the Akaso Ski helmet if it matches your budget.

The Good Sides

  • The helmet is lightweight and it has a great design
  • ASTM and Ce certification
  • Offers a size adjustment dial
  • The adjustable vents provide great ventilation
  • Compatible with goggles
  • Comes at an affordable price

Things We Didn’t Like

  • The helmet puts pressure on the back of the head
  • It’s not suitable for headphones

Things That Could Be Improved

  • The ear pads could be a bit better
  • The size adjustment dial could be a bit bigger

Specifications

  • Available Colors: 2
  • Available Sizes: S, M, L
  • Certifications: ASTM, CE
  • Availanble for: Unisex
  • Material: EPS

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Lightweight
  • ASTM certified
  • Goggles compatible
  • Has a strap for goggles
  • Size adjustment dial
  • Great build quality
  • Unisex design

Cons

  • Not suitable for headphones
  • Not the most comfortable helmet

07 SMITH Optics Unisex Adult Holt Snow Sports Helmet

SMITH Optics Unisex Adult Holt Snow Sports Helmet

Why It Stands Out To Us

Coming at a comfortable price, the Smith Optics Holt is a great snow sports helmet. It doesn’t lack in the safety department and provides a well-balanced overall user experience.

The helmet has a straightforward unisex design and it also comes in several different colors. It has great ventilation. There are 14 vents that keep the insides of the helmet fresh and sweat free. The helmet is also compatible with different goggles. You won’t have to worry about the gap between the goggles and the helmet.

The Smith Optics Holt also has a goggles strap on its back, which is strong and keeps your goggles safe and protected. The helmet has a comfortable inner liner that has great shock absorption. The helmet is fairly comfortable. The ABS shell is sturdy and protects the head from serious injuries.

With ASTM and CE certifications, it assures great safety. The helmet is also compatible with headphones. It comes with Skullcandy speakers, which can be replaced with other similar earphones. So, its audio game is strong.

The Smith Optics Holt doesn’t have the bulk that most snow sports helmets of its price range have. It is fairly lightweight and easy to use. It’s a cool looking helmet that you can’t say no to.

Overall, the Smith Optics Holt does its job quite well. It’s packed with features and doesn’t cost you a fortune. It’s a great pick if it matches your budget.

Our Experience With the Smith Optics Holt Snow Sports Helmet

The Smith Optics Holt never felt like a cheap helmet during our time with it. We used it for a long time and tested all of its features.  It gave us a good time overall despite coming at an affordable price.

We noticed that it’s very comfortable to use. We found the chin straps very easy to use. We had no problems wearing the helmet over beanies as well.

The helmets inner liner felt soft and comfy. The outer shell seemed sturdy enough to protect the head from injuries. Though the ASTM and CE certifications assures that the helmet is great at protecting the head from severe injuries, we’d still love a MIPS certification. However, regarding its price range, it’s acceptable.

We used a lot of different goggles with the helmet. We noticed no problems regarding the goggles. So, if your goggles aren’t weirdly shaped or a bit oversized, you won’t be noticing any gaps between the goggles and the helmet. However, we didn’t like the quality of the goggles strap because it felt cheap and after a few days of use, it broke.

We loved the audio compatibility of the helmet. The Skullcandy headphones provided great sound quality and it felt really good. The removable ear pads were comfy and easy to clean as well. They kept your ears warm and you can also remove them if you use the helmet in the summer.

The sizes of the helmets were a bit confusing because a Large sized unit that comes with the range of 59-63cm didn’t fit a 61cm head. Later we realized that the helmet was best suited for more rounded heads. So, we can say that it’s not suitable for all head shapes. The size adjustment system worked fine and we could adjust it according to our needs.

Overall, the Smith Optics Holt was a good helmet to use. It provided all the features that it claimed to have and we were fairly satisfied with it. Though we found a few drawbacks here and there, we can still assure that the helmet is a great pick regarding its affordability.

The Good Sides

  • Comfortable and comes at an affordable price
  • 14 vents that offer great ventilation
  • Minimal but good-looking design
  • It’s suitable for a wide range of goggles
  • It has ASTM and CE certifications
  • Audio compatibility and adjustable fit system

Things We Didn’t Like

  • Not suitable for all head shapes
  • The vents aren’t adjustable

Things That Could Be Improved

  • The goggles strap could be made of better materials
  • The vents could be adjustable

Specifications

  • Available Sizes: S, M, L, XL
  • Available Colors: 5
  • Certifications: ASTM, CE
  • Available for: Unisex-adult
  • Material: EPS, ABS

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Great ventilation
  • ASTM and CE certified
  • Goggles compatible
  • Audio compatible
  • Removable ear pads
  • Adjustable fit system
  • Minimal but great looking design

Cons

  • No adjustable vents
  • Goggle strap not sturdy

08 JetBlaze Ski Helmet, Snow Sports Helmet

JetBlaze Ski Helmet, Snow Sports Helmet

The JetBlaze Ski Helmet is loaded with features and at the same time, it comes at an affordable price. It’s comfortable to use and it doesn’t compromise in the safety department as well.

It has 12 vents that provide great ventilation. These vents are also adjustable which allows you to control the ventilation system according to the weather. The removable ear pads are great for keeping your ears warm and they provide great comfort.

The helmet has great safety features. It’s ASTM and CE certified, which guarantees great safety. The EPS foam used in the inner liner has a great shock absorption and soft on the touch. The ABS outer shell is sturdy and it can protect your head from dangerous injuries.

The JetBlaze Ski Helmet is fairly lightweight despite having all these protective features. You won’t feel any excessive weight on your head while wearing it. The manufacturers also made it easy to find the perfect fit according to your head size. They have an easy measuring guide, which makes it less likely to pick the wrong size.

There is a size adjustment dial that helps you to adjust the size and have a perfect fit. The JetBlaze Ski Helmet is also compatible with goggles and it has a rubber-made goggles strap. You can also put speakers in the ear pads which is great for a helmet of its price range.

Overall, the JetBlaze Ski Helmet is a great helmet considering the price. It’s good looking, provides great safety and comfort. It’s very unlikely that you’ll find a helmet with the same number of features in the same price range.

Our Experience With the JetBlaze Ski Helmet

We love products that cost less and still provide great user experience. The JetBlaze Ski Helmet is one of those products. It doesn’t cost you a fortune and still packs a wide range of features. We used the helmet for a significant amount of time and tested all of the features that it comes with.

During our time with the JetBlaze Ski Helmet, the first thing that we noticed was its unique but stealthy design. The helmet felt fairly lightweight and comfortable. The inner liner felt soft to the touch and the outer shell looked tough.

The helmet felt very good in terms of safety. We appreciate helmets like the JetBlaze Ski Helmet that cost less than 50 bucks and still have ASTM and CE certifications. However, it’s still not MIPS certified.

The helmet had easy functions all over. The chin strap was easy to use and it felt comfortable. We used the helmet in different weathers and found out that the ear pads worked nicely, and provided warmth in the coldest of weathers. Though we would suggest you wear a beanie underneath the helmet in sub-zero temperatures.

We loved the fact that the JetBlaze Ski Helmet worked great with goggles. We tried different snow sports eyewear with the helmet and it worked perfectly with most of them. The helmet was  also audio compatible. We inserted speakers into the earpads and they felt like they were made for the helmet.

It’s always great to see a budget helmet coming with features like size adjustment dials. The size adjustment dial in the JetBlaze Ski Helmet worked fine. However, after a few days use, we noticed that it became difficult to turn, especially with our ski gloves on.

We had a good time reviewing the JetBlaze Ski Helmet. It provided great safety, comfort and came at an affordable price. We found a lot of good sides with not a lot of bad ones. So, with our experience with the helmet, we can surely recommend this helmet.

The Good Sides

  • The helmet comes at an affordable price and it provides great comfort
  • ASTM and CE certified
  • The adjustable vents work perfectly
  • The size adjustment dial assures a perfect fit
  • Suitable for a wide range of goggles
  • Audio compatible
  • It has detachable ear pads

Things We Didn’t Like

  • The size adjustment dial gets difficult to turn after some time
  • No MIPS certification

Things That Could Be Improved

  • The size adjustment knob could be better

Specifications

  • Materials: ABS & EPS
  • Certifications: ASTM, EN1077
  • Available for: Unisex
  • Weight: 1.2lbs
  • Warranty: 1 year

Pros

  • ASTM and CE certified
  • Adjustable vents
  • Size adjustment dial
  • Compatible with goggles
  • Audio compatibility
  • Detachable ear pads
  • Comfortable
  • Lightweight
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Size adjustment knob not durable
  • No MIPS certification

09 Retrospec H2 Ski & Snowboard Helmet

Retrospec H2 Ski & Snowboard Helmet

Why It Stands Out To Us

If you’re looking for a helmet that gives you maximum control over the size, ventilation and compatibility, then the Retrospec H2 is the perfect match for you. It doesn’t cost you a fortune and also it comes with a lot of features.

The Retrospec H2 is a cool looking helmet that has a weight of 1.2lbs, which makes it lighter than most snow sports helmets on the market. It’s also great in terms of ventilation. It comes with 14 adjustable vents that give you full control over the air flow inside the helmet.

Despite being affordable, the helmet doesn’t compromise with the safety features. It has an EPS interior with great shock absorption and an ABS exterior that’s built to withstand the toughest of hits. The helmet also has CPSC, ASTM and EN certifications, which means it’s going to protect your skull from dangerous injuries.

The helmet has removable push ear muffs that provide great comfort and warmth to your ears. It also has an adjustable padded chin strap which is strong and comfortable at the same time. The helmet also works great with different goggles. It also includes a goggles clip at the back that keeps the goggles in place.

One of the best features of the helmet is the size adjustment dial. It’s one of the features that most budget helmets lack. With this dial, you can adjust the size of the helmet according to the measurements of your head. The Retrospec H2 is also audio compatible. So, you can insert speakers into the ear pads and enjoy music during long skiing sessions.

Overall, the Retrospec H2 provides both comfort and safety. It has all the features that you expect from a quality snow sports helmet. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for a quality helmet that comes at a cheap price.

Our Experience With the Retrospec H2

We’ve been using the Retrospec H2 for quite some time now. It came at a reasonable price and offered more features than most of the other helmets of that price range. So, it was easy for us to pick it in the first place.

We tested all of its features and durability. The first thing we noticed about this helmet is that it was very lightweight. The helmet also looked great compared to its price. The inside of the helmet felt soft and comfy to the touch and the outer shell was not bad either.

We used different goggles with it and we found out that the helmet was best suited for the goggles from the same manufacturer. However, it can still be used with other branded eyewear. We were happy with its compatibility with different goggles. We also inserted speakers in the ear pads and they worked perfectly.

The Retrospec H2 is ASTM, CPSC and EN certified, which means it gives great protection to your head. We would have liked a MIPS certification in it but regarding its price, it would be unfair to expect a premium feature like that.

Ventilation was good and we could adjust the airflow into the helmet properly. The vents were great and the ear pads also provided great warmth and control. We could use the helmet without a beanie and it still kept us warm.

The helmet felt comfortable to the head. The size adjustment dial was easy to control and it was pretty accurate. But when we tightened up the chin strap, it started feeling a little uncomfortable. It presses against your neck and it feels uncomfortable and unsafe at the same time. Also, it was hard to look up with the helmet on as well.

Another thing that we noticed was that the chin strap was positioned in a way that it doesn’t stay under the chin. Rather it stayed close to the neck, which made it uncomfortable to talk while wearing the helmet.

After a while, we realized that the helmet was best suited for egg shaped heads. Also, the goggles strap broke after a few days of use.

We’d say that our overall experience with the Retrospec H2 was good. Like all helmets of its price range, it had some good sides and bad ones. Nevertheless, we still think that the Retrospec H2 is one of the best helmets you can get in a small budget.

The Good Sides

  • Comes at an affordable price
  • ASTM, CPSC and EN certification
  • Suitable for a lot of different goggles
  • Provides great ventilation with 14 adjustable vents
  • Comes with a size adjustment dial
  • Offers a goggle strap
  • It has a secure fit

Things We Didn’t Like

  • The size adjustment dial presses against the back of your head and neck
  • No MIPS certification
  • The chin strap doesn’t stay under the chin and presses against your upper neck while talking.

Things That Could Be Improved

  • The size adjustment knob could be placed elsewhere
  • The positioning of the chin strap could be better
  • The goggles strap could be made of rubber instead of plastic

Specifications

  • Colors: 2
  • Sizes: L, XL
  • Material: EPS interior and ABS exterior
  • Available for: Unisex-adult

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Size adjustment dial
  • Adjustable vents
  • Suitable for a variety of goggles
  • Goggle strap
  • Secure fit
  • Great design

Cons

  • No MIPS
  • Not suitable for all head shapes

10 Giro Ledge Snow Helmet

Giro Ledge Snow Helmet

Why It Stands Out To Us

Coming from an underrated manufacturer of snow sports gears, the Giro Ledge Snow Helmet is one of the best helmets of its price range. It’s affordable, does its job well and comes with a lot of features.

The helmet has a half-shell design, which means that the helmet and the ear pads aren’t attached permanently. The design is great overall. It has a hard shell outside that’s attached to an EPS inner liner on the inside.

The Giro Ledge Snow Helmet has the Auto Loc 2 fit system that works flawlessly. The fixed straps and the bands lets you choose between 3 different levels of tightness. The chin strap also feels very cozy and keeps the helmet in place without any issues.

The helmet is better than most of the budget helmets available on the market regarding durability. The ear pads can be removed and the helmet can be used all season.

It has a great ventilation system overall. The helmet has six vents that push the air out. Also, it is suitable for different goggles. Though it works best with the eyewear from the same manufacturer, it’s also compatible with other goggles. It also has a removable goggles strap that’s very handy.

The helmet provides great safety overall. The materials used in it are great in shock absorption. It will definitely protect your head from life threatening injuries.

The Auto Loc 2 ensures perfect fit for all head shapes. Helmets often don’t fit accurately even after getting the right size because of variations of head shapes. The Giro Ledge Snow Helmet enables you to adjust all the straps and bands both vertically and horizontally. So, you can adjust the helmet according to the size and shape of your head. The adjustable chin straps also play a big part in ensuring an accurate fit.

Overall, the Giro Ledge is a great snow sports helmet. It does its job without the bells and whistles. You can definitely go for it if the price matches your budget.

Our Experience With the Giro Ledge Snow Helmet

We used the Giro Ledge Snow Helmet for a significant amount of time. During our time with it, we tested all of its features and checked on all of its advantages and disadvantages.

The half-shell design of the helmet looked great. Its stealthy and simplistic design made it even more appealing. The first thing we noticed in the helmet was that it felt sturdy. Though the outer shell wasn’t the biggest of all the helmets that we’ve used, the material made it heavier than the most. Thus, it gave the sturdy feel.

The helmet was easy to adjust for different head shapes. The Auto Loc 2 worked great. But we didn’t like the fact that the helmet couldn’t be adjusted while wearing. It also didn’t come with a size adjustment dial which was surprising because we’ve used many helmets that cost less than the Giro Ledge Snow Helmet and had this feature.

In terms of ventilation, the helmet did a good job overall. We would have liked adjustable vents but the vents worked great and provided great ventilation. The removable ear pads were good at keeping our ears warm and cozy. However, we wouldn’t recommend you to wear the helmet without a beanie in subzero temperatures.

We used the Giro Ledge Snow Helmet with different goggles. We noticed that it worked best with goggles of the same company. It left no gaps between the goggles and the helmet and also did a great job in providing a fog and stress-free function. We liked the fact that the goggles strap was removable.

Despite being sturdy and heavy, the helmet had no safety certification stickers on it. We would have liked a MIPS certification but regarding the price, it’s understandable.

In our experience, the Giro Ledge Snow Helmet had both good sides and bad sides. However, that is expected from a helmet of its price range. It did all the things that it sells for. It looked great, provided great safety and comfort while coming at an affordable price. We can assure that it can be a valuable addition to your snow sports gear collection.

The Good Sides

  • Comes at an affordable price and it’s comfortable
  • Has a stealthy and simplistic design
  • Uses the Auto Loc 2 fit System
  • The removable ear pads provide great warmth
  • Comes with a removable goggles clip
  • Works great with goggles

Things We Didn’t Like

  • No adjustable vents
  • You can’t adjust the size while wearing the helmet
  • No MIPS certification

Things That Could Be Improved

  • A size adjustment dial could be installed
  • It could have some safety certifications

Specifications

  • Colors: 6
  • Sizes; S, M, L, XL
  • Available for: Men
  • Certifications: No

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Auto Loc 2 fit system
  • Removable ear pads
  • Compatible with goggles
  • Goggles retainer
  • Comfortable

Cons

  • No adjustable vents
  • No MIPS

Best Snowboard Helmets: A Comprehensive Buying Guide

Snowboard Helmet buying guide

1. Types/Style of Snowboard Helmets

  • Half Shell: The half-shells are the popular choice these days. The upper half is made of a hard shell that has adjustable soft ear flaps. The flap makes it much easier to hear, making for a more convenient experience.
  • Full Shell: These are more on the traditional side. The hard shell covers the ears, which makes for a warmer experience at the expense of reduced hearing ability.

2. Adjustable Fit Systems

  • The Boa or adjustable wheel system: Contains a wheel or dial that allows custom adjustments.
  • In-fitted system: Has a strap or ratchet that allows you to make adjustments.
  • Replaceable pad system: This one is best suited for young snowboarders that can grow into their helmets. The system comes with removable pads that can be adjusted to fit the size of the head.
  • Air-inflation system: Utilizes air to inflate the helmet to match the person’s head.

3. Size and Fit

  • Measuring for your size
  • Measure the circumference of the largest part of your head and match it with the size chart provided by your helmet manufacturer.

Protip: Measure your head size in centimeters as most helmets come in centimeters.

  • Checking the fit
  • A good helmet won’t be too tight or too loose. It has to be snug and comfortable for it to be safe.
  • Make sure your helmet sits an inch or so above your eyebrows
  • There should be no gaps between your helmet and goggles.
  • Chinstrap/buckle
  • Make sure the space between your chinstrap and your chin does not exceed the two-finger width.

4. Helmet Weight

A lightweight helmet that can also provide ample protection is the helmet you want. It will make your snowboarding experience much more comfortable as your head won’t feel weighed down excessively. It’s best to go for a helmet that can strike the balance between weight and protection.

5. Construction

  • In-mold helmets: The exterior is a hard outer shell that will typically split open at a severe impact in order to prevent rebound. The lining on the inside is usually made with EPS foam. This material will absorb the shock of the impact.
  • Hardshell ABS helmets: The interior hard foam shell is equipped with a soft lining. A thick ABS shell is attached externally.
  • Softshell helmets: While the softshell provides enough protection against less severe impacts, it is not strong enough to withstand high forces.

6. Venting

Most helmets come with built-in ventilation that helps your head remain comfortable the whole day as vents allow moisture and heat to escape. The more vents there are, the better the airflow.

  • Fixed Vents: As the name suggests, this type of ventilation is not adjustable. The amount of airflow within the helmet is fixed by the manufacturer.
  • Adjustable Vents: These vents can be adjusted as seen fit by the user. They can take the form of a sliding mechanism, a removable plug, or even a push-button release.

7. Safety

In recent years, there have been many advances in technology that have made helmets extremely good at protecting their wearers. MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) is a safety feature where a low friction layer separates the hard outer shell of the helmet and the soft liner on the interior.

This reduces rotational forces so that the person does not feel the entire impact on their brain. The low friction layer helps the helmet absorb much of the energy.

8. Comfort

The comfort of the helmet will depend on the adjustability and the fit. You’ll want to get a helmet that’s not so big that it bumps against your head when you move or one that’s so tight your head feels squished. A snug-fitting helmet will ensure a comfortable ride and also keep you safe.

9. Extra Features

  • Audio: Many manufacturers are producing helmets that have audio and Bluetooth technology embedded inside. This allows snowboarders to take calls and listen to their favorite tunes while on the slope.
  • Camera Mounts: Everyone wants to capture their snowboarding experience. Gliding across the white expanse of snow while doing fancy maneuvers – did it really happen if you didn’t get it on tape? There are several GoPro mounts that you can take your pick from.
  • Goggle compatibility

Not all helmets are compatible with all goggles. Before you purchase your goggles, make sure that they will complement your helmet. You may benefit from buying a helmet that is compatible with a wide range of goggles.

10. Price

Snow helmets come in a wide range of prices. From budget options that start around $30, they can go up to $500 for the very best the market has to offer.

FAQs:

1. How to choose the right size Ski & Snowboard Helmet?

Ans. Measure the circumference of the largest part of your head and match it with the size chart provided by your helmet manufacturer.

Protip:

  • Measure your head size in centimeters as most helmets come in centimeters.
  • A good helmet won’t be too tight or too loose. It has to be snug and comfortable for it to be safe.
  • Make sure your helmet sits an inch or so above your eyebrows
  • There should be no gaps between your helmet and goggles.

2. How often should I replace my snowboard helmet?

Ans. The Snell Foundation in California (an organization that specializes in helmet safety standards) recommends the following:

First of all, consider the two types of helmets.

  • Expanded Polystyrene or EPS helmets can only survive one crash.
  • Expanded Polypropylene or EPP helmets can take several hits unless they are very severe.

You should change your helmet according to the guidelines above. It is also important to change your helmet every five seasons even if you’ve never crashed while wearing it.

3. Are helmets mandatory for skiing?

Ans. While the top safety tip from experts is to be conscientious about your skiing, a close second is wearing helmets. It’s true that a helmet starts being less significant if you’re riding at speeds above 12 to 14 mph. However, they are still excellent at protecting you from severe head injuries below this limit.

4. Do you wear a hat under a snowboard helmet?

No. The helmet needs a snug fit on your head. Wearing a hat underneath it will hinder its fit.

5. Are ski and snowboard helmets the same?

Ans. The safety guidelines for both ski and snowboard helmets are fundamentally the same. Therefore, you can use the same helmet for both.

About the author

Colin Kint

I’m a professional skateboarder and have participated in most skateboarding competitions in San Francisco. I believe my innate passion for the sport drove me to pursue my career as a professional skateboarder.

Another reason I’ve got so good at it is because of my relentless practice sessions with my friends. As an environmental activist with an undergraduate law degree, I volunteer in different community awareness programs. I’m also into photography and do most of the photography for this site.

Leave a Comment