The Best Snowboard Helmets 2015
A helmet is an essential piece of kit for any skier or snowboarder hitting the slopes this winter. New lightweight helmet construction and stylish designs mean you can still look cool and protect your nugget at the same time. Here are this season’s best ski and snowboard helmets, reviewed.
To help you hit the mountain in style and choose the right helmet here’s the lowdown on some of the technical features to watch out for:
Consider the construction of the helmet. Some helmets like those from Scott Sports with their brain protection system have a tough outer shell over a shock-absorbing inner, others like the Giro Nine have an in-mould construction, where inner and outer shell are one-piece to save weight. Some helmets like the K2 Diversion combine the two builds.
A good fit is essential for effective protection and the ability to tighten the helmet around your head will help dial in a custom fit. Look out for an adjustment wheel, dial or ratchet at the back of the helmet.
Check how well your goggles fit with the helmet. Anti-fog vents will work best if there’s no gaping gap between the top of your goggles and the brim of your helmet. Typically, brands will make their helmets and goggles to work seamlessly together. And, if you like wearing your goggles on the outside of your helmet, look for a goggle clip on the back to keep them in place, or you could be scrambling up the mountain to fetch them when you wipe out!
Bern Watts Snowboard Helmet Review
Our Rating 
RRP: 95 GBP | 100 EUR
Construction: Molded ABS outer shell with EPS foam
Venting: 11 open vents
Sizing system: Adjustable Cordoba liner
Removable Ear Pads: Yes
Meets European safety standard: Yes
Comfort: Good
Adjustability: Excellent
We like:
The Bern Watts helmet looks sharp, is lightweight and constructed from quality materials. 11 vents on the top and rear of the helmet means good airflow and stops you overheating. The integrated visor looks cool and keeps the sun out of your eyes.
There’s a goggle clip on the back which can be worn high or low depending on how you like to wear your goggle strap. It’s also got channels on the inside, so if you like to wear your goggles under your helmet you can do that as well.
This winter version comes with a really nice winter liner including detachable fleecy ear warmers to keep you nice and snug. The padded surround adds comfort and is adjustable for a custom fit via a dial on the rear.
The beauty about Bern helmets is the fact you can use them all year. In summer, you just pop out the winter liner and you’re good to go – skating, bmx, whatever gets you out there.
The Watts comes in 2 construction types – hard hat which has brock foam and the thin shell which has EPS foam. For EU safety certification, make sure you go for the EPS foam version.
We’re not so keen on:
The Bern Watts can seem like a tight fit at first, but the EPS foam will bed in after a few times out, so unless it’s uncomfortably tight, hold off returning for a bigger size…
Available from:
Pro Tec Classic Snowboard Helmet Review
Our Rating 
RRP: 55 GBP | 65 EUR
Construction: ABS hard shell with EPS foam
Venting: 11 screened vents
Sizing system: Adjustable padding
Removable Ear Pads: Yes
Meets European safety standard: Yes
Comfort: Excellent
Adjustability: Good
We like:
The Classic is Pro-Tec’s tried and trusted snowboard helmet. It’s a lightweight and comfortable helmet that has all the main features you’d expect from 10 years of product evolution.
The hard shell is constructed from high-density injection-molded ABS which encases an EPS foam impact liner that meets international safety standards. You can bust out those backside 5’s in the full knowledge that at least your head is safe!
It’s a warm helmet, but good ventilation means you don’t overheat. There are a total of 11 vents across the front, top and back of the helmet which are mesh-lined to stop snow getting in.
There’s an elasticated goggle clip on the back that is simple to use even with gloves on and keeps your goggles in place nicely. The chin strap is comfortable and easy to adjust.
Fleece lined ear pads are removable and additional padding on the inside of the helmet can be rearranged for a custom fit. As always, measure your head before you order, but the Pro-Tec runs true to size.
We’re not so keen on:
The vents work well, but on really cold days you may find the Classic a bit chilly. The adjustment system is pretty basic, using extra pads which which you either remove or stick in with Velcro.
Available from:
Anon Raider Snowboard Helmet Review
Our Rating
RRP: 59 GBP | 70 EUR
Construction: Endura-Shell ABS Construction
Venting: Passive Ventilation
Sizing system: Simple Fit
Removable Ear Pads: Yes
Meets European safety standard: Yes
Weight: 595g
Comfort: Good
Adjustability: Good
We like:
The Anon Raider helmet is Anon’s price point snow helmet, but it does what it says on the tin – protects your melon, and it does it without compromising on essential features. And it looks good too.
The Raider uses Anon’s tough Endura-Shell ABS construction which is designed to be ding resistant, coupled with an EPS foam inner to offer season after season of certified protection.
As with all Anon helmets, the Raider features Simple Fit which allows you to quickly and easily remove your ear pads and liner, so you can fit your favourite beanie and goggles under your helmet, if that’s your style.
The goggle clip is easy to use and is removable in case you prefer to use the Anon’s Strap-Stash feature and run your goggle strap under the helmet for a low-profile look.
Passive Ventilation Channels draw fresh air in the front and pulls moisture out the back helping to keep your goggles clear and maintain a comfortable temperature inside your lid.
It’s SkullCandy ASFX audio compatible so you can quickly and easily slot your headphones into the ear pads and blast some tunes on the hill.
We’re not so keen on:
The main criticism of Anon helmets is that they can look bulky compared to some other brands. Simple Fit works well, but there’s no quick adjustability feature – for that you’ll need to look at the more expensive Anon Talan that comes with a Boa fit system.
Available from:
Giro Nine 2015 Snow Helmet Review
Our Rating 
RRP: 90 GBP | 100 EUR
Construction: In-Mold Construction
Venting: Adjustable Venting
Sizing system: In Form™ Fit System
Removable Ear Pads: Yes
Meets European safety standard: Yes
Weight: 440g
Comfort: Excellent
Adjustability: Excellent
We like:
The Giro Nine is a comfortable, lightweight and easily adjustable helmet that has been a staple of Giro’s snow helmet range for over a decade.
Giro’s in-mold construction fuses a tough polycarbonate outer shell with an impact-absorbing foam liner saving weight whilst providing excellent durability and protection.
The Nine’s ‘Super Cool’ venting system pulls in fresh air and kicks out stale air and you can control the airflow from a low profile button on the top of the helmet. An additional feature that we really like is ‘Stack Vent’ which was developed based on research showing the majority of the warm air that can cause fogging comes from the centre-top vent of your goggles. By aligning the vent on the top of the helmet with the centre vent of your goggles you practically eliminate fogging. It works really well especially if you combine this helmet with Giro goggles.
The Nine has Giro’s In Form Fit System making it one of the most easily adjustable helmets on the market. You adjust the helmet for a custom, gap-free fit using the glove-friendly dial at the rear. And built in to the system is vertical tuning, which when adjusted properly makes the helmet even more comfortable and further reduces the gap between your helmet and your goggles.
It’s no surprise that the Nine is Giro’s most popular snow helmet. It’s a top notch helmet for the price – lightweight, comfortable with great adjustability.
We’re not so keen on:
The ear pads are a little bit flimsy – on cold days you may think it’s a shame they’re not a bit warmer. Overall though, it’s hard to find fault with this lid.
Available from:
POC Fornix Backcountry MIPS
Our Rating
RRP: 175 GBP | 220 EUR
Construction: In-Mold Helmet with EPS Liner
Venting: Adjustable Venting
Sizing system: Adjustable padding
Removable Ear Pads: Yes
Meets European safety standard: Yes
Weight: 450g
Comfort: Excellent
Adjustability: Good
We like:
The Fornix Backcountry blends Scandinavian style and head-saving substance. Packed inside the good-looking aramid-bridge reinforced shell is a patented system called MIPS that protects your head against rotational forces from oblique impacts. Simply put, there is a layer between the shell and the inside of the helmet that allows a small controlled rotation of the shell relative to the lining and protects your head if you take a knock at a funny angle. Smart technology that could be worth paying the extra for if you’re planning on going big in the backcountry.
The Fornix Backcountry MIPS has decent adjustability options using pads which Velcro directly onto the MIPS layer, and the ventilation is equipped with adjustable air flow that can be tuned to the conditions. Strategically placed goggle vents help to keep your goggles fog-free. The interior pads, ear pads and neck roll can be removed for cleaning or if it’s too warm.
We’re not so keen on:
Be aware that the MIPS model fits a little tighter front to back than the standard Fornix.
Available from:
K2 Diversion Snow Helmet Review
Our Rating
RRP: 110 GBP | 140 EUR
Construction: Hybrid
Venting: K2 Dual Active Matrix
Fit system: 360 K2dialed
Removable Ear Pads: Yes
Meets European safety standard: Yes
Weight: 430g
Comfort: Excellent
Adjustability: Excellent
We like:
The Diversion is K2’s top of the line helmet and if you’re looking for a full featured lid that is both stylish and comfortable you’d be hard pushed to find a better option.
A hybrid construction means that the K2 Diversion combines a rigid front to back build with more flexibility in the sides, a design that blends protection where it counts most with comfort.
The helmet is equipped with K2’s Dual Active Matrix Venting system – a bit of a mouthful that means you can regulate air flow through most vents with the flick of a switch, but the goggle vents over the brim stay open to help keep your specs fog free.
The Diversion has K2’s Level 3 baseline audio system which integrates speakers built in to the ear pads with your mobile or MP3 music device via a lead at the base of the back of the helmet. A single button lets you control the play/pause and answer/hang-up functions. The audio system is removable if you don’t need it or you’d rather use your own.
You can dial in a custom fit with a turn of a knob at the base of the back of helmet. K2 call their version the 360 K2dialed fit system and the selling point is that pressure is evenly distributed around your head.
Good looking, lightweight, easy to use venting, comfortable, plus an integrated audio system – all in all a great all-mountain helmet.
We’re not so keen on:
Don’t buy this helmet for the audio system alone, the sound isn’t great quality.
