A ski helmet is an essential safety item in your kit, but how do you choose the right one? Follow the guide and we’ll explain everything!
The choice of a ski helmet is based on 5 criteria, which depend on your level, your type of skiing and your head size:
The ski helmet is essential on and off piste. How to find the perfect balance between comfort, support, optimal protection and efficient ventilation
And how to choose the right sized helmet Follow the guide and beware of preconceived ideas.
Whether you are a downhill skier, freeride skier or snowboarder, whether you are a beginner or a thrill seeker, a helmet is an essential safety item in your kit. Your practice and your level are therefore not decisive elements in the choice of your helmet.
Nevertheless, helmets have specific construction technologies, more or less adapted to the use you make of them and the place where you practice, on or off the track:
In-mold technology
A lighter helmet: The helmet consists of a thin polycarbonate outer shell moulded directly onto the EPS inner shell. The inner EPS liner absorbs shocks in the event of a collision. The whole thing forms a very light and unique piece. They are therefore more suitable for the slopes, whether skiing or snowboarding.
Hybrid technology (abs and in-mold)
A helmet that combines lightness and strength: The ski helmet is a hybrid, composed of 2 parts with different technologies:
On the top of the skull, there is a thick, rigid ABS outer shell bonded to the EPS inner shell. This ABS shell is very resistant and increases the protection against the penetration of external objects (branches, rocks, etc.), which are very present during freeriding.
To make the helmet a little lighter, a second In-Mold shell protects the lower part of the skull.
Abs technology
A strong helmet: This is the most common technology on the ski helmet market. They are very suitable for beginners, young skiers or snowboarders.
The entire outer shell is made of ABS hard plastic, which gives the ski helmet high strength.
Inside the helmet, a hard foam called EPS provides shock absorption.
Be careful: We recommend changing your ski helmet at least every 5 years unless it has sustained a significant impact in the meantime.
With the rise of e-commerce and online shopping, it would be tempting to order your helmet on Decathlon.fr without having tried it out, but this is a bad idea!
To ensure your safety, a helmet must be perfectly adapted to your head shape. For this, several settings are necessary:
To find out your helmet size, use a tape measure to measure your head circumference, passing well over the ears, eyebrows and the widest part of the skull at the back (on the occiputus).
The objective is to measure the largest circumference of the skull.
Tip: If you do not have a measuring tape, just take a ribbon or a long enough lace, go around your head and then measure with a ruler.
At Wedze, we offer you :
3 adult helmet sizes:
- S: 52-55cm,
- M: 55-59cm,
- L: 59-63cm.
3 child helmet sizes:
- 2XS: 44-49cm,
- XS: 48-52cm,
- S: 53-56cm.
To adjust your helmet, all our models are equipped with an adjustment system at the base of the neck. Note that the more your head is enclosed and held, the better the protection. To know if your helmet is the right size, the adjustment system should neither be fully tightened nor fully loosened so that you feel both comfortable and well supported.
Helmet with visor
Some helmets are equipped with a visor that replaces ski goggle.
If you wear prescription glasses, we recommend this model that will offer you more comfort.
A helmet with a visor has a practical side: No more masks that slip behind the helmet, no more headband adjustments...
This type of helmet also offers excellent peripheral vision.
Helmet without visor
If you choose a ski helmet without visor, we recommend that you wear a ski goggles that will go better with your helmet than simple sunglasses.
The helmet without visor has the advantage of being able to adapt to different goggles depending on the weather. Goggles often offer more different lens options for more precise adjustment.
There is nothing more unpleasant than having your ear bent in your helmet or so compressed that you can't hear anything around you.
The different ears:
- 3D
- Flexible
- Semi-rigid
- Rigid
Semi-rigid ear protectors, ski helmets made for intensive skiing. They provide excellent envelopment of the ear (no pain from cartilage and excellent hearing) and fit snugly around the face (increased support and no air entry).
In any case, take the time to try them on. You shouldn't feel any areas of discomfort. If this is the case, we advise you to try another model.
Gregory, our headset product manager, answers your questions in pictures:
How to choose a ski helmet
After having checked the size, the head shape and the presence or not of a visor, it is now possible to refine the choice of your helmet according to your practice thanks to the accessories.
The main accessories on a ski or snowboard helmet include:
Essential
Vents
Performing
Vents
+ Internal ventilation channels
Optimum
Adjustable:
Vents
Internal ventilation channels
+ open / close Position
The inner lining consists of a removable cap and ears which are machine washable at 30°C. This increases the comfort of the helmet and its durability.
The chinstrap must be properly adjusted. It's a bit like the seat belt in a car: if it’s too loose, it will not perform its function and you will be less protected.
If you are afraid of the cold, we advise you to use a cap or balaclava under your helmet, which are very thin and do not affect your safety. A helmet has good insulating properties. There is often no point in adding anything else.
Avoid putting a thick hat under your helmet as this will move the helmet away from your head and you won't be as well protected.
Also, avoid adding a camera to your helmet as this can affect safety. The standard does not take into account any elements added to the helmet.
A helmet must include the NF (or CE) standard EN 1077, specific to ski and snowboard helmets. All of our helmets are standardised, and provide the protection a skier needs while skiing. There are two categories in this standard:
En 1077 a
« Soft » earpads, the most common standard.
En 1077 b
« Rigid » earpads, greater coverage area forehead and ears.
Now that you know everything, don't hesitate to try on several models in shop before buying in-store or online, so that you can feel maintained but not overwhelmed ;-)
To be well-equipped:
Protecting yourself well during your ski trips, starts with your head! Today helmets are more and more comfortable and efficient, and in addition they are often very stylish ... So ski safely and above all have fun.
Ski helmets product manager
