Buying a ski helmet means considering two key things: style and safety. Less than 20 years ago, most skiers would schuss down the slopes with little more than a woolly hat to safeguard their heads. Nowadays, almost everyone wears a helmet.
From a safety perspective, it makes sense. Helmets clearly decrease the risk and severity of head injuries, according to a 2012 study by the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma Injury Control. Plus travel insurance policies increasingly require you to wear one while skiing. But which to buy?
Ski helmet features
Style wise, helmets are also not the bulky monstrosities they used to be. Choose from simple all-mountain models to race-orientated helmets with built-in goggles. You can also rest assured that ski helmets sold in reputable UK shops will meet basic European safety standards (just look out for the code EN 1077:2007). However, more expensive helmets go above-and-beyond with their own safety technology.
Take MIPS, for example. You’ll see this safety rating marketed on many high-end helmets. MIPS stands for multi-directional impact protection system. Standard snow helmets will protect you from straight-on impacts, but MIPS uses a moving layer to prevent rotational impacts (i.e. when your helmet stops but the head keeps moving) from causing concussion or brain injuries. So, in short, MIPS safety rating is more comprehensive.
Buy, don’t borrow
It’s important to note that helmets are not 100 per cent effective against any head injury, especially at high speeds. The best way to ensure ultimate protection is buying a helmet that fits you correctly. It’s not the time to borrow your Uncle Frank’s relic from the 80s, especially given that helmet effectiveness decreases each time it’s dropped or bashed.
How to size a ski helmet
When sizing up for a helmet, make sure you measure the circumference just above your eyebrows. Then, when fitting the helmet, line up the front of your helmet with your eyebrows, so it protects your forehead. You’ll also want to try on your goggles with your helmet to make sure they fit together nicely. And that’s it. Now, you’ve just got to ponder whether you prefer the deep blue or racing green version.
Below, we’ve put together a round-up of the best ski helmets on the market this season.
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Bollé Mute MIPS unisex ski helmet
Top safety rating? Check. Stylish design? Check. Thoughtful features? Check. It’s easy to see why Bollé’s helmet ranks highly in our book.
Designed in tandem with the Bollé team, it has a sleek, minimal design in three easy-to-wear colours, plus comes in a wide range of sizes. All of the features you’ll need on the slopes have been considered - from removable ear pads to a rubber size adjustment wheel that’s easy to tweak with gloves on.
The only drawback is it’s slightly heavier than others on our list at 520g. But, for serious quality at this price, we’ll forgive a little extra weight.
Buy now £130.00, Bolle
Dynafit TLT unisex ski touring helmet
If you’re a three-in-one shampoo kind of person, then no doubt you’ll be drawn to this ski touring helmet, which also doubles up for climbing and cycling.
Ski touring involves sweaty uphill ascents, which is why the crown is peppered with vents. The low profile shell gives it a mountaineering look, plus will fit easily under a jacket hood if the weather turns poor. It’s also incredibly lightweight, weighing just 300g, but still offers excellent safety protection.
Ideal for adventurous types who would rather their loft only had one helmet in it, rather than three. Note: the cycling peak is removable, ready to be saved for summer.
Buy now £101.96, Alpine Trek
Oakley Mod7 unisex ski helmet
Oakley is known for its high-quality goggles. Now, they’ve blended their famous Prizm lens with the new Mod7 to create a first-of-its-kind design: goggles that clip straight into the helmet.
When you’re ready to take them off, just unclip the goggles from the magnetic frame and secure them on top of the helmet, like normal. The latch is a little fiddly at first (especially with gloves on), but once secured, the fit is impressively snug. Other perks include a handy magnetic chin buckle and a sweat-wicking Polartec lining that’ll keep your head warm and ventilated.
The downside? This helmet is rather expensive, but perhaps justifiable considering you get both high-quality goggles and a helmet in one package.
Buy now £363.99, surfdome
Salomon Icon LT women’s ski helmet
Forget big and bulky; this low-profile women’s ski helmet offers a streamlined look in a simple black colourway. And, at just 370g in weight, it’s lightweight, too.
Expect all of the features you’ll need for a day on the mountain. Think MaxFit ear pads for protection from the biting wind and adjustable vents. Safety conscious riders will also be pleased to hear that the EPS 4D technology absorbs 30 per cent more impact than required by industry standard, plus it can cope with impact from any direction. Just pop this helmet on your head and twist the custom dial for a snug fit.
Note: it only comes in small and medium, so might not suit those with larger noggins.
Buy now £65.44, Amazon
K2 Phase MIPS unisex ski helmet
Planning on hitting jumps and rails? You’ll want a park-style helmet like this one from K2.
Its smooth shell is noticeably free of adornments, like gaping vents, mimicking the design of a skateboarding helmet. However, instead of concrete, the Phase is crafted for the snow. The MIPS liner is a welcome addition, primed to protect your skull from any bumps or crashes in the park. While it’s not got the bells-and-whistles of a more expensive equivalent, image-conscious skiers will like the understated style of this lid, complete with a subtle peak at the front.
On top of this, it’s unisex with sizes ranging from small to extra-large.
Buy now £165.00, Snowinn
Roxy Kashmir women’s ski helmet
Add a pop of colour to your ski ensemble with this pastel-hued Roxy helmet. It breaks away from the usual earthy tones found among most ski helmets. Instead it’ll nicely match Roxy’s iconic patterned jackets and fluro-bright snow pants.
The low profile shell, minimal vents and peaked front add that skate feel. Safety wise, it gets the European standards stamp of approval; the EPS shock-absorbing foam will cushion your head during any bumps or falls. Not only that, it’s one of the lighter helmets on the market, so you won’t feel like you’re carrying a planet on your shoulders while you ski.
Buy now £80.00, Roxy
Decathlon adult unisex ski helmet
Decathlon is a firm favourite for budget ski gear. Beginners will love this simple adults ski helmet, complete with six airy vents, warm ear pads and a size adjustment dial at the back. It also comes with a handy strap at the back that’ll keep your goggles in your orbit, even if they slip off the top of your helmet.
Also, you can easily bung the liner in the washing machine once you get home, so it’s fresh for your next trip.
Yes, the price is unbelievably affordable, but also rest assured that it meets European safety standards. Ideal for one-time or occasional skiers.
Buy now £34.99, Decathlon
Smith Vida MIPS women’s ski helmet
Smith is famous for its skii goggles: after all, they invented the double-lens, which stopped goggles from fogging up for the first time. Today, their helmets are just as innovative.
This mid-range model offers superior safety protection for women. Not only does it have a MIPS liner, it also features Zonal Koroyd technology. This relies on hollow plastic tubes, which absorb and dissipate impact more effectively before it hits the head. On top of this, the simple, stylish design will appeal to skiers who’d rather let their turns do the talking.
Added bonus: this helmet fits perfectly with Smith goggles, ensuring good ventilation and no awkward gap between the helmet and lens.
Buy now £160.00, Amazon
Anon Merak WaveCel unisex ski helmet
Okay, if we’re being pedantic, Anon is technically a snowboarder brand. However, when it comes to helmets, skiers can wear the same lids, especially if you prefer the minimal skate-style look.
The sweetener with this helmet is the extra safety protection, courtesy of its WaveCel construction. Hundreds of shock absorbers link your head with the outer shell. This interconnected cellular structure better reduces the impact forces. It’s worth noting that WaveCel has a more snug fit than your average helmet, so you may want to size up. The Merak also boasts a magnetic buckle that’s easy to use with gloves on.
Yes, it’s one of the most expensive helmets around, but the added safety precautions will ease any pre-trip worries.
Buy now £290.00, Burton
Poc Obex WF MIPS unisex ski helmet
If you’ve got a wide skull, finding the right helmet can be a headache. Ski race brand Poc, however, have designed helmets for a broader fit. Slip it on and you’ll find plenty of roominess without too much rattle, thanks to the 360 degree adjustment system. Attention to detail is also key here - from the goggle chimney to prevent lenses from steaming up, to the optional built-in Poc headphones. It also ticks all the safety boxes, combining both EPS and MIPS technology, as well as a durable polycarbonate shell.
Looking for goggles too? Throw in a pair of the Nexal and you’ll be impressed with the seamless fit.
Buy now £165.00, Amazon
Verdict
For our best of the best, we’ve picked the Bollé Mute MIPS ski helmet, which combines style, safety and affordability for both men and women. However, if you’re into ski touring, then the three-in-one Dynafit TLT helmet is hard to beat for versatility.
