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The Best Ski Helmets

Nataliya Nazarova/Shutterstock.com
🕚 Updated November 2022

If you enjoy skiing or snowboarding, you know a good amount of gear is involved in keeping you comfortable and safe on the slopes. But it's that ski helmet that can save your life. 

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  Best Overall Most Color Options Best with Goggles Easy to Clean Also Consider
 
  Wildhorn
Drift Snowboard & Ski Helmet
OutdoorMaster
Kelvin Ski Helmet
Odoland
Snow Ski Helmet and Goggles Set
AKASO
Ski Helmet with Removable Liner and Ear Pads
Retrospec
H1 Ski & Snowboard Helmet
 
Our SummaryThis premium youth ski helmet has adjustable vents and a fine tune adjustment system for a perfect fit.A top-selling ski helmet that has it all and at an affordable price.A helmet and goggles set with great ventilation and color selectionThis ski helmet offers optimal climate control features.A protective, retro-looking helmet for skiers and snowboarders.
Pros✓ Fine tune adjustment system
✓ 13 adjustable vents
✓ Trusted brand
✓ Comfortable
✓ Best-seller
✓ 14 vents
✓ Removable ear pads and fleece lining
✓ Easy-to-use size dial
✓ Pair of detachable goggles
✓ 28 air vents
✓ Removable earmuffs
warmer liner
✓ Padded chin band
✓ Detachable fleece liner and ear pads
✓ Adjustable tension dial
✓ Made for skiers and snowboarders
✓ 10 vents for better temperature regulation
✓ Adjustable dial for tightening and loosening
✓ Retro look
Cons✗ On the pricey side✗ Goggles not included✗ Combination of goggles and helmet may not fit users equally well✗ Not the most durable helmet
✗ Doesn't offer the best versatility
✗ Limited size options
✗ Fewer vents compared to other helmets
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16 Models Evaluated

7 Hours Researched

38 Reviews Analyzed

The Best Ski Helmets

A man wearing a ski helmet, goggles, and a blue coat smiles outside.
Nataliya Nazarova/Shutterstock.com

While similar to bike or skateboard helmets, ski helmets differ in several ways: They will almost always have moisture-wicking liners, temperature-sensitive or regulating materials and features, clips for holding ski goggles, and sometimes, extra features like built-in earmuffs. Here we’ve gathered some ski helmets that we recommend.

Buying Guide for the Best Ski Helmets

Rear view of snowboarder in sportswear with equipment resting on top of ski slope
Iurii Stepanov/Shutterstock.com

Why buy a ski helmet?

No matter your skill level, you should wear a ski helmet to protect yourself in case of falls, collisions, or entering dangerous terrain. Some people might not like to wear them because of their potential bulkiness, but with recent improvements in the design, ski helmets are now lightweight and incredibly comfortable to wear. Some high-end models also offer unique features to make your experience more fun and memorable.

What should you look for in a ski helmet?

  • Size: A ski helmet won’t do you much good if it doesn’t fit you properly. You’ll want to measure your head (or your child’s, if you’re buying for them) just above the ears and eyebrows before you start shopping since you’ll want the helmet to cover the top of the forehead. Be sure to measure in both centimeters and inches since some helmets’ sizing charts might list sizes in one unit. Ski helmets come in both adult and child options. Some offer youth sizes as well for teens and preteens. Ideally, a ski helmet will be snug but not tight. You might want just enough room to slip your helmet on over a ski mask, for instance.
  • Features and Accessories: There are some handy features to keep an eye out for when you’re shopping for a new ski helmet. Vents help regulate your temperature as you ski or snowboard, and some vents are adjustable, so you can adjust them to the precise level of airflow that you’re most comfortable with. Built-in earmuffs or ear pads and linings will help keep you warm on the slopes. A helmet with a clip or other attachment for your goggles will reduce the risk of losing them as you ski or snowboard. Some ski helmets now come with a built-in camera mount for people who like to film while skiing or with built-in speakers to listen to music as you’re zooming down the mountain.

Can you customize your ski helmet?

Some ski helmets will offer more customization and adjustability than others. As previously mentioned, helmets with adjustable vents are a great way to ensure that you’re getting a comfortable amount of airflow. Many ski helmets offer adjustable sizing dials or pads to give you the perfect fit. The chin strap or buckle will often be modifiable as well. Helmets with interchangeable or removable foam padding can offer a better fit and double as a way to repurpose your ski helmet for biking and vice versa. Some helmets have built-in, removable earpads and liners, allowing you to choose how much extra warmth you want and making them much easier to clean.

Our Picks for the Best Ski Helmets

Best Overall

Wildhorn Drift Snowboard & Ski Helmet

This premium youth ski helmet has adjustable vents and a fine tune adjustment system for a perfect fit.

Pros: Wildhorn is renowned in the ski gear industry because it supplies the U.S. Ski Team. The fine-tuning adjustment and ventilation systems are what we like most. To get the perfect fit, turn the FTA ratchet at the back of the helmet while it’s on. The patented, adjustable ventilation comprises 13 vents you can slide open or close to increase airflow or keep the heat in. 

Cons: This helmet is a bit on the pricey side, especially for a youth helmet.

Bottom Line: The Wildhorn Drift helmet has the looks and ventilation technology other skiers will envy. Plus, it’s made to protect your head. The inner EPS foam and outer PC shell sections are fused foams to create a molded safety structure. Enjoy choosing your favorite color!

 

Most Color Options

OutdoorMaster Kelvin Ski Helmet

A top-selling ski helmet that has it all and at an affordable price.

Pros: It makes sense to us that this ski helmet is a best-seller. The Kelvin helmet looks awesome, wears comfortably, and protects the head. With 14 vents for optimal ventilation and removable ear pads, and fleece lining, you have options to make the helmet most comfortable for you. Adjust the fit with the easy-to-use dial. Want to talk about safety? Yes, yes, you do. The Kelvin has a reinforced ABS shell and an Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) core for maximum shock-absorbing action.

Cons: The helmet doesn’t come with goggles, which may disappoint some, given the product’s high rating.

Bottom Line: The Outdoor Master Kelvin ski helmet has it all: ventilation, protection, removable and washable lining, and style. It’s also available in a wide array of colors.

 

Best with Goggles

Odoland Snow Ski Helmet and Goggles Set

A helmet and goggles set with great ventilation and color selection

Pros: One-stop shop! Well, not exactly. You’ll need to buy skis if you don’t already have them. The Odoland helmet comes with a pair of fully protective, detachable goggles! With 28 strategically placed air vent holes straight through the PC shell and EPA foam, you won’t have to worry about your goggle fogging up or your head freezing. Other features that keep you warm include removable earmuffs, a warmer liner, and a padded chin band. While lightweight, make no mistake; the helmet and goggles are ASTM and CE-certified safe.

Cons: You may find the goggles fit uncomfortably.

Bottom Line: This helmet and goggles combination look great and performs even better. It’s made for adults and youth, with lots of sizes to pick from.

 

Easy to Clean

AKASO Ski Helmet with Removable Liner

Stay cool while skiing with this helmet that comes equipped with adjustable vents.

Pros: The top vents of this helmet are adjustable so that you can change how much cool air you’re letting in and how much heat you’re letting out. If your head feels too warm, slide the vents open wider, and if it starts to feel cold, you can close them tighter. The tension dial on the back allows you to modify the helmet’s size to achieve the perfect fit. It also has a goggle loop on the back that snaps down to hold your ski goggles in place and an easily detachable fleece liner and ear pads. The outer shell is lightweight yet strong and contains an impact-absorbing EPS foam liner for greater comfort and protection. It’s available in two solid colors and in three different sizes.

Cons: This helmet doesn’t offer the same level of versatility as some of the more high-end options. Also, it’s not the most durable helmet you’ll find on the market.

 

Also Great

Retrospec Ski & Snowboard Helmet

A ski helmet that can make your experience more fun and memorable.

Pros: This helmet comes in three different sizes with an adjustable dial that allows you to modify its size further. Move the twist dial with one hand to tighten or loosen the helmet’s built-in framework for a more custom fit. The chin strap is also adjustable. The rugged ABS exterior has 10 vents along the helmet’s top, front, and back to keep you comfortable while on the slopes. The interior is made of EPS foam that absorbs shocks for better protection and has interchangeable shock-absorbing foam inserts. The goggle clip at the back helps keep your ski goggles in place. The built-in earmuffs are warm and comfortable and come off at will for easy cleaning or when you don’t need the extra warmth.

Cons: It doesn’t offer the most size options and has fewer interior vents than some of the more premium helmets. Some finishes might scratch easily.

Bottom Line: This ski helmet comes with just about every feature that you might want or need. It’s safety certified to serve as a ski helmet or bicycle helmet. In terms of overall quality and workmanship, this helmet will get the job done.

Final Thoughts

Whether you ski only once or twice a year or have a seasonal ski pass, you need a protective helmet; ideally, it will be comfortable and fashionable too. This way, you can have a lot more fun while limiting the effects of those frigid temperatures.

Meghan Herlihy Meghan Herlihy
Meghan Herlihy is a full-time writer for LifeSavvy and How-To Geek and has written across a wide variety of topics, genres, and formats, including radio talk shows, local sports journalism, and creative original fiction. She received her bachelor's degree in communications from Ithaca College and a master's in writing from Johns Hopkins University. When she's not writing, you're most likely to find her reading a book, petting every dog within eyesight, and indulging in her love of travel. Read Full Bio »
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