Helmet dilemma - what would you choose?

[VladSki]

So, you've been shopping for a new snowsports helmet for a while, and ran out of all options but two - a perfectly* fitting (10/10) helmet without MIPS or Spin, or a "near fit" (8/10) with a protection technology add-on.

* Perfect fit = snug, comfortable, a natural outer extension of your head, feels like you were born wearing one, etc.

 

[Jilly]

An ill fitting helmet, no matter what latest tech, is not going to protect you as well as a proper fit.

 

[Tony S]

Go with fit. That said, there are lots of MIPS (or equivalent) helmets out there, and it would surprise me if you couldn't find one with a great fit.

 

[PinnacleJim]

Just bought a new helmet this month at the annual Killington ski club sale. Good price and MIPS technology. Tried it on and it fit like a glove.

 

[Marker]

I've tried many helmets for my large head and by far Smith has the best fit. Surprised how uncomfortable were other very popular brands. Went with the Quantum to get their best tech.

 

[Tony Storaro]

I've tried many helmets for my large head and by far Smith has the best fit. Surprised how uncomfortable were other very popular brands. Went with the Quantum to get their best tech.

Top helmet. Tried and tested. And I mean…really tested

 

[Tom K.]

Fit, every day of the week, over MIPS.

 

[graham418]

Just like ski boots, every manufacturer has a different take on what a typical head shape is. You may have to try a few to find the best fit

 

[scott43]

Just like ski boots, every manufacturer has a different take on what a typical head shape is. You may have to try a few to find the best fit

Especially true motorcycle helmets...

 

[James]

Top helmet. Tried and tested. And I mean…really tested

Did you replace it?

 

[dbostedo]

An ill fitting helmet, no matter what latest tech, is not going to protect you as well as a proper fit.

Go with fit.

I concur with favoring fit. MIPS is not a be-all, end-all kind of thing - and only somewhat correlates with helmet effectiveness from what I've read.

This is limited data in terms of models/brands, but Virginia Tech has done a lot of helmet testing across many sports, including snow sports. MIPS is shown to be helpful, but there are low rated helmets that include MIPS, and high rated helmets that don't.

Snow sport Helmet Ratings

Virginia Tech Helmet Ratings - Ski and snowboard helmets have been tested to evaluate their ability to reduce brain injury risk.

www.helmet.beam.vt.edu

I wish they had a lot more data, but I think you can see that some MIPS helmets show up from the 5-star models down to the 1-star models.

 

[Ade62]

Personally I would assume 8/10 is a very good fit. With that score it's not going to expose any risk factors, it might just fall-short of super comfort. That being the case I would go with MIPS. If, however, fit was to compromise safety in any way then that would be a different story.

I have found Smith suits my head shape over a number of years and several helmets.

 

[dbostedo]

Personally I would assume 8/10 is a very good fit.

Good point... we're not talking good fit versus bad fit. It sounds like its perfect fit versus good fit.

 

[James]

Depends on your mind.
If you’re going to constantly worry that your non mips helmet is unsafe and you’re about to die- get the mips and suffer the fit.

 

[Jilly]

Salomon has 2 fits. Round and Oval. I would assume that others are similar.

 

[dbostedo]

Salomon has 2 fits. Round and Oval. I would assume that others are similar.

Interesting... I've never seen that with other brands. And I don't see it on the Salomon website. Can you literally buy the same model in 2 fits? Or are they different models?

EDIT: I do see on the website in descriptions of the model it will either say "round fit" or "oval fit"... so I guess they are different models; You can't pick a model and then pick either fit. And no, I have still not seen that with other brands - and don't seem to see it for Smith or Giro at least.

 

[Jilly]

Different model. I fit the Icon models only.
They were noted as fit on the website I think. Or maybe it was the reference book from under the counter.

 

[crosscountry]

Resist the marketing pressure. Go with the best fit.

 

[Tony Storaro]

Just like ski boots, every manufacturer has a different take on what a typical head shape is. You may have to try a few to find the best fit

Sweet Protection are wrong tho

 

[Tony Storaro]

Did you replace it?

They don’t make Quantums anymore and when they still did they didn’t have the good color anymore. That hornet one was kinda one off. Huge shame.

I moved to POC who understand better the fact that helmets are worn while skiing not when attending a funeral