Helmet is a very important piece of gear for anybody performing some kind of winter sport. If you consider it just an optional choice, we advise you to think again.
Many choose not to wear a helmet while skiing or snowboarding, so you might wonder, why is it so important to have it? Well, simply said, because it could be a life and death matter.
No matter how great your experience is, nothing can protect you from head injuries like a ski snowboard helmet does. This wonderful piece is the best thing for all sorts of unpredictable things that could appear on the skis or snowboard. But for a ski helmet for women or men to reach its purpose, a right fit is essential.
The Perfect Size Ski Helmet
If you want your helmet to ensure the best protection and the best functions it was designed with, make sure to get the helmet size.
Each brand has its own type of measurement so learning to measure your head and knowing a few details about ski snowboard helmets will help you choose the perfect one. In this article we will guide you with a few practical ideas to get the right helmet size.
1. Measure Your Head
You can do it by using a fabric tape measure. In case you don’t have something like this, you can use any piece of string that can be measured against a ruler afterwards.
The actual measurement is done around your head circumference 2 cm above your years and eyebrows and over the natural bump at the back of your head. Once you have found out your size, it is enough to compare it with the size chart available for the brand.
2. Try the Helmet On
When trying the ski helmet on, you apply the same principles as for measuring your head. This means you should position it above your eyebrows and make sure it doesn’t touch the back of your neck. Make sure there are no gaps between the helmet and your head. However, be careful to pressure points and don’t minimize their effect, with longer wear, they will get worse. Your helmet should feel comfortable and snug all day long.
3. Shake the Helmet
A shaking test is good to see whether there is any movement of the helmet. The ski helmet shouldn’t roll back off of your head or move from side to side while you shake your head. In case it moves, a smaller size could be a more suitable fit.
Another useful detail is to try the helmet on with a pair of goggles. You know you got the right sizing of your snowboard helmet if the top of the goggles and the helmet match perfectly leaving no gap.
All the guides mentioned above can be applied to kids ski helmets as well. However, don't try to choose a bigger size like parents usually do when buying kids clothing. A ski snowboard helmet for women or men needs to have the right fit to offer protection. Besides that, children's head does not grow so fast so a helmet that fits today can be a great choice. With the right sizing details you can buy them the ski helmet in the shop or choose the shipping method in case you discover something nice online. Your child will be thrilled when you will give it to him as a gift along with a nice pair of ski boots.
Important Ski Helmet Features
When choosing your ski helmet, you might find it useful to know some ski helmet features about the construction of helmets. In case your helmet suffers an impact, make sure you check the interior hard foam to see if it has collapsed or cracked. In case there is any, replace it as soon as possible otherwise your helmet will no longer be safe.
Some brands offer additional features when it comes to helmets. So, when you want to shop, pay attention to details and accessories such as ventilation, ear pads or audio. Though you will find some sort of ventilation in every helmet, some come with an adjustable venting system giving you the option to close or open the vents to your personal preference.
In a similar way, ear pads can be removable for some helmets allowing you to put them on whenever you want and even choose a certain style. And in case you would like to avoid being uncomfortable with headphones under earpads, check for helmets that have an audio system integrated.
Ski Helmets are a matter of personal choice, but the safety reason should not be overlooked. Safety starts from a proper measurement and finding a right fit. Some people use bike helmets for skiing - find out if this is a good idea by clicking here. The result should be a nice well fitted and comfortable helmet that makes you rock on the slopes and keeps you protected. Afterwards, if you want to match your snowboard helmet with your boots and gloves, is just a matter of details.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aleksandra Djurdjevic
Senior Content Creator
Aleksandra Djurdjevic is a senior writer and editor, covering snowboarding, skiing and trends in outdoor winter activities. She has previously worked as ESL teacher for English Tochka. Aleksandra graduated from the Comparative Literature department at the Faculty of Philosophy in Serbia. Aleksandra’s love for the mountains, getting out in the snow on her board, season after season, seeking wild snow adventures across the globe helps her continue to be a top expert at CSG.