WHILE THIS QUESTION MIGHT BE A BIT OF A NO-BRAINER FOR SOME SKIERS AND SNOWBOARDERS, THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF TO-ING AND FRO-ING AMONGST EXPERTS AND IN THE MEDIA ABOUT THE NEED FOR A HELMET ON THE SLOPES. HERE’S THE TWO MAIN REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD WEAR A HELMET WHEN PRACTISING ANY EXTREME SPORTS….
The inner layer – usually a foam-like material – and plastic shell of your skiing or snowboarding helmet absorb shock waves and spreads them out to lessen the effect of impact, protecting your skull from fracturing and your skin from lacerations. And while wearing a helmet doesn’t make you invincible or immune to head trauma, it will seriously reduce the risk and severity of injuries.
Yes, it protects your head, but it also gives your goggles something to cling on to and provides your scalp and ears with much needed warmth on the coldest of days. Still feeling the chill? You can wear a hat underneath your helmet; just be sure to try your hat-helmet combo before you hit the powder. Most helmets boast ventilating properties that stop your head from overheating too. It’s a win-win!
When it comes to choosing your ski helmet there are a few things you’ll need to consider or look out for…
An ill-fitting helmet can result in injury, so it’s important to measure your head correctly before you start trying different styles on. Helmet sizes are measured in centimetres – so take a tape measure and wrap it around your head, about an inch above your eyebrows, to find the circumference i.e. your helmet size.
Your ski helmet should cover your forehead and finish just above your goggles. Most helmets are adjustable, so you’ll be able to tighten and loosen it until you find a snug-but-comfortable fit for you.
Lastly, adjust the chin strap so it sits under your chin. You shouldn’t be able to get your finger through it too easily but it shouldn’t dig into your skin either.
Check it’s the right fit for you by shaking your head, or pushing the helmet from side to side with the flat of your hand while you’re wearing it. It shouldn’t move, so if it does, it’s too big.
There are two main styles of ski helmet: full and half shell. Full shell helmets have shell protection over the ears and are popular with professionals and racers. You’ll probably be best suited to a half shell ski helmet, which provides a great balance of comfort and protection.
Make sure your ski helmet meets the necessary safety measures. All Decathlon helmets are in keeping with the EN 1077 Standard, a European standard that applies to helmets used for protecting the head during alpine skiing or snowboarding.