What's your helmet? Do you love it?

[mtnscallme]

Hi all, longtime lurker here. Ski season is almost upon us, and I need your help

In pretty desperate need of a new helmet. Current helmet is an ill-fitting hand-me-down from a sister. Open to any and all recs from this community.

Note: I'm used to picking stuff up at local secondhand stores, but don't live near mountains at the moment... was living in CO, but moving to SLC in early 2025. Would love to meet and ski with any ladies in the area.

Thanks in advance!

 

[CarverJill]

If you are looking for deals I have found some great ones over the years on ebay. You have to know the sizing of the brand and have an idea of what you are looking for though. I currently like smith helmets best because those are the goggles I have. Don’t underestimate the need for a goggle helmet match. I have had some not work out. Persia on i love the option to have open or closed vents so that’s my main criteria other than brand when searching. Good luck!

 

[scandium]

A helmet that fits!! I like the fit of Giro helmets for both bike and snow and would strongly support buying a helmet new as the materials used generally degrade over time, plus you never know for sure what a helmet's history is like. I have tried on other big brands like Smith, Anon, etc and they don't fit my head as well.

 

[AJM]

A helmet that fits!! I like the fit of Giro helmets for both bike and snow and would strongly support buying a helmet new as the materials used generally degrade over time, plus you never know for sure what a helmet's history is like. I have tried on other big brands like Smith, Anon, etc and they don't fit my head as well.

I'm the opposite I have a "Smith" head and cant wear a Giro, I'm currently wearing a Pret helmet that fits me like a Smith but is a bit cheaper so thats a plus and my Smith goggles fit well with it too.

 

[skibum4ever]

Another vote for Giro both ski and bike helmets.

 

[marzNC]

Hi all, longtime lurker here. Ski season is almost upon us, and I need your help

In pretty desperate need of a new helmet. Current helmet is an ill-fitting hand-me-down from a sister. Open to any and all recs from this community.

Note: I'm used to picking stuff up at local secondhand stores, but don't live near mountains at the moment... was living in CO, but moving to SLC in early 2025. Would love to meet and ski with any ladies in the area.

Thanks in advance!

Hello! Welcome! Are you aware that Divas will be in SLC this season for the annual Diva West Gathering?

As for helmets, I started with a Giro because that's what is was more common when I bought the first helmet about 20 years ago. Switched to Smith helmets with a brim after that because they fit better, matched up better with the Smith goggles I'd started using.

For future reference, helmets go on sale during late season. Best prices can be found over the summer and into the early fall. Of course, it's best to have tried on helmets (with your current goggles) so that you know exactly what brand/model/size you want.

 

[mtnscallme]

If you are looking for deals I have found some great ones over the years on ebay. You have to know the sizing of the brand and have an idea of what you are looking for though. I currently like smith helmets best because those are the goggles I have. Don’t underestimate the need for a goggle helmet match. I have had some not work out. Persia on i love the option to have open or closed vents so that’s my main criteria other than brand when searching. Good luck!

Thank you! Definitely sounds like I need to go in person to a shop and just start trying some on with my goggles

 

[mtnscallme]

A helmet that fits!! I like the fit of Giro helmets for both bike and snow and would strongly support buying a helmet new as the materials used generally degrade over time, plus you never know for sure what a helmet's history is like. I have tried on other big brands like Smith, Anon, etc and they don't fit my head as well.

Thanks for the response! I will check out Giro, thank you!

 

[mtnscallme]

I'm the opposite I have a "Smith" head and cant wear a Giro, I'm currently wearing a Pret helmet that fits me like a Smith but is a bit cheaper so thats a plus and my Smith goggles fit well with it too.

Got it. I'm going to go have a helmet try-on day at my nearest shop to see what kind of "head" I have

 

[mtnscallme]

Hello! Welcome! Are you aware that Divas will be in SLC this season for the annual Diva West Gathering?

As for helmets, I started with a Giro because that's what is was more common when I bought the first helmet about 20 years ago. Switched to Smith helmets with a brim after that because they fit better, matched up better with the Smith goggles I'd started using.

For future reference, helmets go on sale during late season. Best prices can be found over the summer and into the early fall. Of course, it's best to have tried on helmets (with your current goggles) so that you know exactly what brand/model/size you want.

No, I wasn't aware! How fun. I don't think I have the requisite # of posts to access the meetup forum. I'll work on that. Would absolutely love to meet some fellow ski divas this winter.

 

[Jilly]

Your helmet needs to fit, as you've found out.
So, start with deciding if your head is round or oval. Trying on live is best. In the past, Salomon had a good "test" for that on their website.

Also some goggles do not seal/work well with other helmets. I could never get an Oakley goggle to work with a Salomon helmet. Probably my face shape, but just warning you. Also do you need vents? Permanently open, or adjustable?

Personally, I've gone from a Salomon combination to a Smith combination.

Also, I have tried 2 different visor helmets. Didn't like either, because again the visor didn't work with my face shape. (Head and Salomon) But, they may work for you. Make sure you can get 2 different visors lenses for different light conditions.

 

[VTsnowflower]

All good advice. It's important to try on multiple helmets, and important that the goggles fit with the helment. Personally, I've had good luck with Giro and with Smith.

Be sure to get a helmet with MIPS technology, "designed to help reduce the rotational motion of certain impacts that may otherwise be transferred to your head." Worth spending a little extra to protect your brain.

 

[marzNC]

No, I wasn't aware! How fun. I don't think I have the requisite # of posts to access the meetup forum. I'll work on that. Would absolutely love to meet some fellow ski divas this winter.

One way to quickly add some posts is to create a Getting To Know You thread for a self-introduction. You should be able to see that section of Divas Only already. If you put "SLC" or "Utah" into the thread title, it will be easier for the local Divas to notice.

I'll be skiing Alta in April per usual. There will be a few other traveling Divas at Alta Lodge during late season too.

 

[wernerslab]

I have never bought one online because I want to try it on for comfort and fit and to make sure it fits with my goggles too. That said, I was on Sierra Trading Post the other day and they had a large selection of helmets. I have a Giro helmet but Smith goggles and they work fine.

 

[wernerslab]

Anyone have a Kask helmet? Saw them on SierraTP and had never heard the brand but some had pretty designs and a little bit of bling on them. They were $$$ and visored which I don’t think I woul like. I also like to try helmets on if I have never worn the brand before. Now I want to bling or put a big pretty sticker on my Giro helmet!

 

[Jilly]

I've a friend with an older Kask. Seriously the guy looks like a fighter pilot. They have since changed the design.

 

[AJM]

Seriously the guy looks like a fighter pilot.

DH has an Atomic helmet with the visor .... he looks ridiculous and is not allowed to wear it in my presence

 

[wernerslab]

DH has an Atomic helmet with the visor .... he looks ridiculous and is not allowed to wear it in my presence

This makes me laugh. DH used to have a pair of Magnum PI like shorts when we met (19 yrs ago and many years after Tom Selleck made them look ok, at least I thought so!) and I said the same thing. He soon got rid of them to replace with cargo shorts. I do put up with his ugly orthopedic ’dress’ sneakers though.

 

[Susan L]

I have been wearing visor helmets for a few years now. Absolutely love them - have Giro, Smith and Kask. I think a Bolle from Costco is better than a hand me down. Helmets are meant to take that one blow to save your life, I wouldn’t use a used helmet where you don’t know if it has taken hits before.

 

[BlizzardBabe]

Gotta try 'em on. The ONLY helmet that fits me is a Smith Vantage Large Oval (MIPS). I'd like to have more choices (though I'm very happy w/Smith), but no other brand fits me at all.

As others have said - take your goggles with you to ensure they will work w/the helmet you select.