Snowboard helmet buyer's guide: what to keep in mind this winter

Choosing a stylish, secure snowboard helmet is easy if you know what to look for. Here's our guide to help you.

In the old days, very few people wore a helmet while snowboarding. However, endless reports about serious injuries, and developments in helmet technology, have made helmets an obvious for most people hitting the slopes. Here’s how to pick a snowboard helmet that will suit your needs and make you feel comfortable when you’re out on the hill.

Helmets have come a long way. The days of wearing old-school skateboard helmets that were bulky, heavy and left your ears freezing are over. The demand for higher levels of comfort and protection have caused a revolution in snowboard gear, and most shops will carry a variety of options specially designed for snowboarding for you to choose from.

Do your research. Talk to friends, look around online, read reviews and speak to the staff at your local snowboard shop. If you hear the same brand names again and again, there’s a good reason for it. Try some helmets on, assess the fit, adjust the straps and move your head around. Remember, you want to be comfortable.

Look for these features in your helmet. You may not need everything on the list, but these are the basic elements you’ll want to have:

• CSA approval stickers, showing that the helmet meets safety standards.
• Moisture wicking fabric to keep sweat away from your skin.
• Vents to allow air flow and keeping you from overheating.
• Goggle clips to hold your goggles in place.
• A removable, padded fabric liner that covers your ears.

Assessing fit is a little trickier, because every head and helmet is different. However, what you want is a helmet that does not sit too high on your head, and does not move around when you shake your head side to side. Put the helmet on, adjust the straps, and look in a mirror. Some helmets straps or multiple other ways to adjust the fit, so if you find you’re between sizes, this can be a good way to get the helmet snug.

Finally, check the helmet over for scratches, dings and cracks. Even though the helmet is new, it could still have been damaged during shipping. You want to make sure you get as much protection as you can when you hit the hills.

The main reason people don’t wear helmets is that they don’t want to look like a dork. However, helmet technology has made it possible for snowboarders to feel protected with helmets that are lighter and more functional than they’ve ever been. The basic outline provided above will show you how to choose a snowboard helmet that will keep you safe and (not too) cool this season.