HOW TO BUY SKI & SNOWBOARD HELMETS

Ski and snowboard helmets are essential because they keep you warm while preventing serious and traumatic head injuries. Your head is the most critical part of your body, so purchasing a helmet that fits correctly is crucial. This guide will illustrate the differences among the many types of ski and snowboard helmets available at The Ski Bum and help you pick the one that suits your needs.

SKI AND SNOWBOARD HELMET SIZE AND FIT

To ensure that you are maximizing the safety and effectiveness of your helmet, you first must figure out your precise head size. Grab a cloth measuring tape, and wrap it around your forehead. Hold the tape tight, and where it overlaps is your helmet size. Be sure to measure in centimeters, as this is the standard unit for ski helmets.

Your helmet must be snug, so do not oversize. Extra space between your head and the helmet can be dangerous, as whiplash can cause the helmet to bang your head violently. On the other hand, if your helmet is too tight, it will be extremely uncomfortable and you will have a squeezing feeling in your head. If you do not buy the proper size, you will likely not use your helmet, and it will go to waste.

SKI AND SNOWBOARD HELMET DESIGN TYPES

The inside of your helmet is made out of expanded polystyrene (EPS), a lightweight and durable foam liner that absorbs the shock upon impact to reduce brain injuries.

The outer section of the helmet, the shell, is made out of a hard plastic that protects your head against hard and sharp objects in the event of a fall. There are a few different options when looking at helmet types:

1. In-Mold Shells - This ultra-lightweight design is a very thin outer shell made out of a hard plastic material. The EPS and the shell are joined in a single molding process, providing you with a sleek and stylish helmet that features excellent ventilation.
2. Hard Shell ABS - This helmet is highly durable and one of the safest choices you can make. The EPS foam is bonded to an incredibly hard ABS plastic shell. These are typically heavier and offer less in terms of venting.
3. Hybrid Shells - The hybrid shell helps limit the weight of the hard shell by placing the ABS plastic only on potentially high-impact areas of the helmet. The hybrid offers you the comfort of the in-mold shell with the safety of the hard shell.

As you can see, there are a few customizable options to choose from. If you are a beginner, it may be smart to select a helmet that offers the most protection. Advanced skiers may prefer a helmet that is light and sleek, as they are typically safer skiers and do not want to be held back by the bulky weight of in-mold shells.

HELMET VENTING

As you are skiing, your helmet will trap heat on the top of your head. To prevent you from becoming overheated, helmets have venting systems that make sure you are always comfortable while on the mountain.

1. Fixed Venting - This venting system contains pre-placed holes that allow the air to escape. This is the simplest and also the cheapest venting system, but for some skiers, this is all you need.
2. Plug Venting - This option has more holes on the top than the fixed helmets, but plugs cover the holes. The skier or snowboarder can take off the helmet and manually remove the plugs to control how much heat you want to let out. However, it can get tiresome having to take off your helmet to adjust the ventilation constantly.
3. Active Venting - This system also has many holes for ventilation. Still, it is equipped with an adjustable sliding mechanism that opens and closes the holes without removing your helmet. There are usually a few adjustable notches, allowing you to control the heat easily.

Once again, you have many different venting options to choose from with The Ski Bum. Be sure you choose what you need, as active venting is simply a luxury for some skiers, while a necessity for others.

SAFETY CERTIFICATIONS

ASTM Certification is the American safety standard that helmets must meet to be sold in the United States.

CE Certification is the European standardization for ski and snowboard helmets.

When purchasing with The Ski Bum, you will often see both of these certifications attached to a helmet. Conversely, you may only see the ASTM certification listed if it does not meet European standards. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as the European safety testing model is simply different than the American model.

With the help of this guide, you should be ready to purchase your new helmet from The Ski Bum. Use the tips from above, and you will have no problem finding a comfortable, safe, and stylish helmet that will make your experience more enjoyable. With a good helmet, you can enjoy a great time skiing or snowboarding knowing that you will be warm and protected.