Question: Thoughts about a helmet with integrated goggle visor?

[marzNC]

A few years ago when I was at Steamboat, my ski buddies and I were lucky to catch Billy Kid doing his "free lesson." What I noticed immediately was his helmet with integrated goggles. The blog entry below includes a video clip of Billy explaining why he likes the helmet so much. However, his helmet is quite pricey.

Billy Kid and CP Visor Ski Helmets

Video Transcript I am here with Billy Kid and Stasche Kaelin on top of Steamboat Springs and we have the pleasure to ski with him. Billy, I see you have an interesting helmet on there. This is a Stefah Kaelin helmet, Stefan and I used to race together in the Olympics. He always had the best...

stefankaelin.com

Recently I discovered that Smith has a visor goggle helmet now. It's called the Smith Survey MIPS Helmet. Wondering if anyone has seen one. A few online stores have the helmet at a discounted price right now.

I have had Smith helmets for a while. I use the Smith I/OS Mag goggles. Usually wear contacts but sometimes don't bother and wear my glasses.

Do you have a helmet with goggle visor? If so, what kind?

 

[Susan L]

I have been using this one by Giro for a few years. I think it was ~$300 when I bought it. I like that it is very easy to push the visor up and down but it doesn’t stay up that well after a while. Snow falls through the gap at the top and accumulates on the bottom of visor and since it is not fitted like goggles, it does fog/freeze up very easily. I have worn glasses with it and worked out well.

 

[Jilly]

I had the Head Queen....Helmet was cold. The vents didn't close. I have one from Salomon, but it didn't work well with the face masks. So didn't use it last year. Will be trying again this year.

One thing....lots of goggles have 2 lenses for different light. So far I haven't seen too many visor type with 2.

 

[ski diva]

I've demoed visor helmets on a couple occasions and found them very, very cold. The cold air just seemed to gust up from the bottom, which wasn't sealed like a conventional goggle. I couldn't say which ones I've tried. I think the Smith one is different, though, and actually has a seal. My concern would be that if I didn't like the goggle, I'd be stuck with it since it was integrated into the helmet. Something to think about.

 

[diymom]

I have the Head Rachel, but so far I've only worn it inside at Big Snow so I can't speak to how warm it is. I got it mostly for when I know I won't be out too long and don't want to bother with my contacts. I need to try it on a cold day still to see how it does with fogging and drafts. The foam on the bottom of the lens either lightly touches my face, or is close enough that with a mask it would touch, but there is a little more of a gap at the nose bridge. If it is too drafty, it might just call it my "spring helmet." I do have two lenses for it, but I don't think I would want to swap them out too often. When not in use, the visor clicks into place on the helmet, so it won't fall down. And I know it is silly, but I like that it doesn't necessarily look like a visor helmet.

@Jilly what model Salomon do you have? I like the look of the Salomon Driver, and I usually wear Salomon for the fit. Their higher end model has a photochromic lens, the next level down has interchangeable lenses, and then the basic model has a fixed lens. I'm hoping Salomon will have some at the ski show to look at and try on. That's where I first saw the Head Rachel a few years back, and then waited until I found a good sale.

 

[skishell]

I have the women’s Giro women’s Essence MIPS helmet and love it! I used it all last season and it was about $250 on sale. I didn’t have any issues with it in all types of conditions, but I do almost always wear a hood balaclava that goes under my helmet.

​

 

[Jilly]

@Jilly what model Salomon do you have? I like the look of the Salomon Driver, and I usually wear Salomon for the fit. Their higher end model has a photochromic lens, the next level down has interchangeable lenses, and then the basic model has a fixed lens. I'm hoping Salomon will have some at the ski show to look at and try on. That's where I first saw the Head Rachel a few years back, and then waited until I found a good sale.

Not sure which model, but it was the first year it came out in that shape. No other lens for it either. Everything still in storage. That's next weekends work.

 

[marzNC]

As mentioned above, the fact that there is only one lens is a negative factor for me. But for driving trips when bringing two helmets is possible, might be worthwhile. Especially for my home hill (runs take 3 min between lift rides that take 5-7 min). I get a season pass and am more likely to ski only a few hours at Massanutten, which means I won't bother with contacts.

 

[marzNC]

Even with my current Smith helmet and I/OS goggles, I have a gap. That's not a big deal because I use the FaceSaver most of the time. That eliminates the gap and helps keep the goggles up. Even in the spring when it's warm I'll use the FaceSaver for at least the morning to keep the sun off.

 

[Mudgirl630]

I have Casco helmets in two different styles.
I tried Head Rachel first, but the quality was a joke, so I returned it. Lens were not great either.
Casco helmets are amazing quality.
Instead of typical 3 to 4 year life span, they are expect to last 8 years or so. I absolutely love them. They feel absolutely well made.

 

[Mudgirl630]

Forgot to mention the lenses are photochromic, change their darkness depending on the brightness in the atmosphere

 

[marzNC]

I have Casco helmets in two different styles.

Which models? I see SP-2, SP-3, and SP-6. SP-3 and SP-6 is more than I would want to spend for a helmet I haven't tried on in person.

Is there any company in the USA selling them?

 

[Mudgirl630]

Which models? I see SP-2, SP-3, and SP-6. SP-3 and SP-6 is more than I would want to spend for a helmet I haven't tried on in person.

Is there any company in the USA selling them?

The white one is SP-6. The dark color one I have is SP-3. For SP-3, you need to buy the goggles to go with the helmet.

There is a store in Aspen that sells them although I only see SP-3 in that store

Casco High Quality Ski and Snowboard Helmets | Miller Sports

Casco ski and snowboard helmets offers the best protection for freestyle riders on the slopes. Shop Miller Sports today fitted and functional helmets.

millersportsaspen.com

 

[marzNC]

The white one is SP-6. The dark color one I have is SP-3. For SP-3, you need to buy the goggles to go with the helmet.

Ah, the Casco is not exactly like the "integrated visor goggle" helmet I have is mind. The Casco goggle is designed to fit under the helmet in a way that isn't that much different than having a Smith helmet and Smith goggles that are shaped to fit the curve of the helmet.

What Billy Kidd has flips up on top of the helmet. As does the Smith Survey helmet I was looking at. That's why you can't switch lenses or goggles.

 

[Mudgirl630]

Ah, the Casco is not exactly like the "integrated visor goggle" helmet I have is mind. The Casco goggle is designed to fit under the helmet in a way that isn't that much different than having a Smith helmet and Smith goggles that are shaped to fit the curve of the helmet.

What Billy Kidd has flips up on top of the helmet. As does the Smith Survey helmet I was looking at. That's why you can't switch lenses or goggles.

Sp-6 is exactly what you are talking about. The goggle is indeed integrated. SP-3 is a bit different
Sp-6 is also just like CP visor helmet
I look at them in a store, but did not care for it

And goggles for the SP-3 model do NOT go under. You can see a small knob on the side. That is where the goggle strap hooks onto. There is no other helmet like in the market. Very comfortable. But yes, not quite integrated as you wish.

 

[Mudgirl630]

Another company you might want to look is Kask.

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KASK & KOO Official Store

www.kask.com

They are the original.company that came out with this "Visor helmet"

Kask , CP, and Casco are at the same level, extremely well made.

 

[Mudgirl630]

Here is the video of Casco integrated helmet, sp-6

Casco, Sp-6 Visor ski helmet with visor unisex black

Exclusive Casco ski helmet with unique design and Vautron-Automatic visor for the best view in all weather conditions. The visor of the ski helmet is extra safe. If you fall on your face, the visor slides backwards automatically because the visor is elastically mounted. This prevents your visor...

www.skiwebshop.com

 

[Mudgirl630]

 

[Jilly]

Not sure if Kask has changed their design, but you looked like a fighter pilot with that one. Hopefully they stream lined a bit.

 

[Mudgirl630]

Not sure if Kask has changed their design, but you looked like a fighter pilot with that one. Hopefully they stream lined a bit.

I do not care for Kask either.....