Investing in a ski helmet gives you insurance for your brain. While advanced skiers don’t frequently hit obstacles such as trees, a hard fall in icy conditions can be dangerous.
No matter what situation you’re in, protecting your head is extremely important. Bones heal, bruises go away, but brain injuries can have life-long consequences.
Helmet Qualities
If you haven’t upgraded your helmet in years, it’s time for a new one. Even if there aren’t any apparent signs of wear, the plastic material will degrade over time.
New helmets have cushioning layers of plastic that absorb impact forces, keeping your head well-protected. The longer you put off getting a new helmet, the harder a helmet’s plastic becomes, leaving you at greater risk of concussions or brain injury.
The good news is that modern helmets last a lot longer than older ones. We’re seeing advanced technology that ensures a much longer lifespan. It’s incredible to see how far the industry’s come in just a few short years.
In this guide, we break down the best ski helmets of the year. Keep your brain healthy and be more confident on the slopes with our recommendations. From our years of experience, we’ve seen how an upgrade in protective gear can give athletes the confidence to push themselves and find new boundaries.
1. Wildhorn Drift Ski Helmet
4.8 Stars | 2,637 Skier Reviews
One of the most popular and trusted ski helmets on the market is the Wildhorn Drift Ski Helmet. It’s ultra-safe, affordable, lightweight, and used at the highest level of professional skiing.
Wildhorn is an official supplier of the USA Ski Team’s safety equipment, making them about as reputable as possible. This exact ski helmet is worn by Ashley Caldwell, a 4x Olympian and world champion freestyle aerialist.
The Wildhorn Drift is a professional-grade product that costs less than half as much as other fancier helmets.
Design
This helmet has a low profile and lightweight build that’s packed full of features. It accommodates all different ski goggles and head shapes with its “Fine Tune Adjustment system” for micro-adjustments. The ear pads are audio compatible.
All other components, such as the straps, vents, and goggle holders, are designed for use even while wearing gloves. You won’t have to worry about having the awful “bobblehead” look with this sleek design.
Weight
Wildhorn’s Drift is 25% lighter than most competing helmets in the lower price range. This super lightweight build is essential for skiers of all experience levels. You’d be surprised how much relief this offers after a full day out on the snow.
Comfort
With all these features, it’s good Wildhord didn’t sacrifice any comfort. The interior is “Ultra-Plush” and works to give the skier a softer feel and more protection. Earpads on the sides are also removable to accommodate different temperatures and preferences.
Whenever you’re skiing hard and aerobic exercise, you can open up the 13 fully adjustable vents for a nice breeze. The helmet is truly a joy to have on.
Safety
We all know that safety is the number one priority. It’s why we’re even wearing helmets in the first place. All the features are top-notch except for the protection technology.
Currently, helmets that feature MIPS rotational protection systems are by far the safest on the market. If you’re a serious skier who pushes your limits or weaves between trees, a MIPS helmet is a worthwhile investment.
The Drift does have an outer PC shell and inner EPS foam liner, so it will do a great job of protecting you in most situations.
2. OutdoorMaster Kelvin Ski Helmet
4.7 Stars | 7,044 Skier Reviews
Another product that’s an excellent value for the money is the OutdoorMaster Kelvin Ski Helmet. It’s available in 11 different color options, including Army, Lemon, Dark Blue, Red, White, Teal, Black, and more. Each one has a coated matte finish, making the paint extraordinarily durable and resistant to fading.
Given the price, this is a remarkably high-quality product. It doesn’t have the MIPS rotational protection high-end helmets have, but it also won’t cost you an arm and a leg. A Reinforced ABS shell and shock-absorbing EPS core is used to keep you safe while skiing.
This helmet outperforms in comfort and ventilation. You’ll notice it’s well made and easily adjustable, adding to the great feel on your head. There’s a ton of padding on the interior, and the earpads are super thick, keeping your entire head warm even in harsh conditions.
It has 14 individual vents, which are exceptional for the price. One complaint we have is that there isn’t a feature to open and close the vents. Everybody loves adjusting their vents while on the mountain and deciding how warm they want to be. We wish OutdoorMaster could have sacrificed some of the ducts and given us the ability to adjust our settings.
3. Smith Optics Holt Snow Helmet
4.7 Stars | 1,251 Skier Reviews
The Smith Optics Holt Snow Helmet is a highly customizable, sturdy helmet packed full of features. It’s one of the most frequently worn helmets on the mountain because of its versatility and great design.
An impressive list of matte colors is available, including Charcoal, Klein Blue, Lava, Fuchsia, Sriracha, and Dusty Lilac. We won’t discuss all the innovative qualities the Smith Optics Holt offers. Hence, we recommend browsing Smith’s Amazon listing for more information.
This ski helmet has exceptional ventilation. Smith integrated a “Dual Regulator Ventilation System,” which allows the rider to adjust the front and rear vents independently. If you want the exhaust vents to let out hot air but don’t want to let in a chilling breeze, you can open and close the ports accordingly.
The ventilation design also features an “AirEvac System” designed to create the best airflow through the helmet. It removes the unwanted warm air that causes goggles to fog up. This patented design is essentially a fancy name for precision-engineered air channels that keep air moving while you’re skiing.
Overall, we can confidently recommend this helmet to the average skiing enthusiast. It’s comfortable, sturdy, and keeps your head warm in the coldest conditions. People who are either learning to ski or frequently test their limits need a quality helmet. Skiing is only a dangerous sport if you don’t have the right equipment.
4. Smith Vantage MIPS Snow Helmet
4.8 Stars | 49 Skier Reviews
Intermediate and advanced skiers should consider something with better protection. Anyone who skis fast and spends time in the trees or rides the park puts themselves at higher risk. A standard helmet is built similar to a skateboard helmet and only protects from certain types of impacts. The Smith Vantage MIPS Snow Helmet has the most up-to-date technology to save you from all kinds of collisions.
This is a helmet that has saved lives. Even though it’s expensive, the benefits outweigh the additional cost. It dramatically reduces the chance of concussions, brain damage, and even death after hard crashes and falls. This is achieved by using MIPS or “Multidirectional Impact Protection System,” combined with a Koroyd Structure. MIPS is a complex system that reduces the dangerous rotational forces that can cause lasting damage to the brain.
The Koroyd structure is a unique technology that Smith uses. It’s essentially thousands of tiny tubes thermally welded together, creating a lightweight and robust core. It offers additional impact resistance and low-profile abilities. The world hasn’t seen a helmet as protective and aesthetically pleasing as the Smith Vantage MIPS.
If you’re on a budget, this likely isn’t what you’re looking for. There are plenty of good options that won’t break the bank. However, if you’re serious about safety and have the money to spend, this helmet is the best there is. We’ll discuss other affordable MIPS helmets, but none are as good-looking as the Smith Vantage MIPS.
5. Anon Women’s Nova MIPS
4.8 Stars | 8 Skier Reviews
The Anon Women’s Nova MIPS is the most protective and best-looking women’s ski helmet on the market. It has an outstanding balance between affordability, comfort, quality, and, most importantly, MIPS protection. Anon knows that unisex helmets sometimes sacrifice the perfect fit and comfort, so they split the Nova series into two models.
You won’t find a high-quality women’s helmet with MIPS technology for a better price. This helmet offers advanced protection against angled impacts and rotational forces that frequently cause injury. Through research and innovation, we’ve learned how many gaps traditional helmets have in safety. MIPS moves with your head and is engineered to protect you from every type of collision you encounter. There’s also an ICEdot Emergency ID system that can store emergency contacts and medical information for emergency responders.
While everybody wants to be safe, it’s also vital for a helmet to be comfortable and convenient. The shell is a hybrid design that combines performance, durability, and lightweight feeling. Goggle ventilation channels provide a ton of airflow. The fleece liners and earpads are specifically designed to be comfortable with long hair for a great women’s helmet. There are also 23 vents in the shell of the Women’s Nova MIPS that have one-hand adjustment.
6. Anon Men’s Raider 3 Multi-Season Helmet
4.6 Stars | 64 Skier Reviews
Anon’s best product for male skiers is the Men’s Raider 3 Multi-Season Helmet. While they offer MIPS helmets for men, they aren’t as high-quality as the female version, and your best bet is to avoid them. Where Anon has succeeded is in making a great helmet with a mid-range cost.
This helmet has a great fit to it that’s designed for men with short to medium-length hair. If you’re looking to spend under $100 and want a versatile and quality helmet, this is a great option.
There are many qualities of the Men’s Raider 3 that caught our attention. It has a great build, a premium fit, and excellent aesthetics, to name a few. The Endura shell is super strong and makes this product last a long time. It’s more durable than other helmets because the shell is resistant to both hard impacts and small dings.
As with all the helmets we recommend, this one has adequate ventilation. Passive channels suck in the fresh air and expel both heat and moisture.
The liner and ear pads are made from fleece and are very warm and comfortable. It doesn’t have the fine-tuning capabilities of high-end helmets. Still, the auto-adjust fit system is premium and holds a position well.
7. Giro Jackson MIPS Snow Helmet
4.7 Stars | 171 Skier Reviews
If you’ve paid attention to what other people are wearing on the mountain, we’re sure you’ve seen this before. The Giro Jackson MIPS Snow Helmet is a unisex product that’s been ramping up in popularity. It offers the life-saving protection of MIPS technology for much less than other brands. There was a time when you could only find it in ski and sports retail stores, but it’s now being sold on Amazon.
Giro is known for its meticulous design pairing process. This helmet is fine-tuned to be paired with goggles from the same manufacturer. For those that already own a favorite pair of goggles, this is unfortunate, but if you’re looking for the whole package, it’s great. When the Giro Jackson MIPS is combined with either the Ciro Contact or Axis Goggles, you get the quality of a $500+ setup for much less.
The MIPS technology is what’s best about this helmet. It has in-mold construction that fuses a tough polycarbonate outer shell with an impact-absorbing liner. Discrete exterior vents make it look wicked cool while still giving the skier good airflow.
Giro has a unique fusion process that allows for this vented design. Not only does it look clean and modern, but it’s also lighter than traditional helmets. We can’t go on too long about the Jackson MIPS Snow Helmet. You can find more information about one of our favorite MIPS skiing helmets in their product description.
8. JetBlaze Ski Helmet
4.7 Stars | 1,309 Skier Reviews
The JetBlaze Ski Helmet is the best budget helmet on the market. It doesn’t have the bells and whistles of the others on this list, but it’s certainly better than nothing. If you’re deciding whether to wear a helmet or not, the price should scare you away. For under $50, this helmet could be the difference between life and death.
While it’s not premium equipment, JetBlaze’s Ski Helmet still has many things going for it. It’s well made, decently comfortable, and is sure to last a full season out on the mountain. This helmet has a price that’s about the same as a weekly helmet rental. It’s an excellent alternative for beginners who want to avoid the hassle of rental shops.
Five color options are available; black, blue, gray, pink, and white. The in-mold construction is surprising for the price and makes it lighter than one would expect. It’s certainly more durable and has better protection than any other helmet in this price range.
With twelve vent holes and two reinforced protective layers, you’re getting a bang for your buck. All BOA safety systems appear to be of acceptable quality, and we can’t find any flaws. It’s not high-quality like other helmets, but the features it does have are functional and well made.
9. Oakley Mod 5 Snow Helmet
4.6 Stars | 323 Skier Reviews
Anyone who knows their way around sporting goods has heard of Oakley before. They’re a brand that creates gear and apparel for many outdoor activities. In recent years, Oakley has gained popularity in the skiing community, mainly due to their Mod 5 Snow Helmet release.
Oakley accurately categorizes their Mod 5 as a helmet for “those who demand the highest level of performance. There’s an option to include a MIPS rotational protection liner in the helmet, but this leads to a difficult decision.
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Oakley’s helmet features a unique hybrid outer shell construction, which gives the skier a substantial amount of puncture and impact protection. It’s designed to be tough in high-impact areas keeping the helmet extraordinarily lightweight.
Depending on your experience level, you may not want to include the MIPS liner. You won’t be nearly as protected, but this helmet was specially designed for peak performance.
Either way, this is a great skiing helmet. A modular brim system creates seamless goggle and helmet integration, reducing fogging. The vents are adjustable, and the “Non-Pressure Ear Pads” are super comfortable.
Slots are built-in so that you can use an audio system of your choice. As a bonus, the combination of these qualities gives the helmet a sleek, low-profile look. We highly recommend the Oakley Mod 5 Snow Helmet.
10. Odoland Ski Helmet and Goggles Set
4.7 Stars | 2,218 Skier Reviews
If you’re looking for a one-stop complete protection package, the Odoland Ski Helmet and Goggle Set is our top pick. It’s within most people’s budget and has a lot of positive qualities. The first thing you’ll notice is how cool the design is. Odoland succeeded in pairing the two products and making the set look wicked cool. The helmet’s brim perfectly matches the goggles’ curve, and the colors are well coordinated.
The padding on the interior is nice and comfy. There’s a groove that runs around the shell keeping the goggles in one place. The lining is detachable, and the band length is customizable and free of annoying pressure points or hot spots.
When it comes to safety, the goggles are made of premium shatter-proof materials that meet all certification standards. A penetration-resistant and shockproof shell reduces vibrations and discomfort from small impacts. It fits snugly, and there’s ample ventilation created by a “Flow-Tech Venting Design.”
Odoland created a great helmet and goggles combo. Brands aren’t always successful in doing this, and it’s challenging to beat this affordable price.
11. POC Obex Spin
4.7 Stars | 242 Skier Reviews
The POC Obex Spin is an award-winning skiing helmet. Many satisfied customers have given the product positive remarks, which is reflected in their ratings. This dual-sport helmet is perfect for those who like to switch between snowboarding and skiing.
Most skiing helmets have only two layers of protection, but the Obex Spin has three. These consist of a robust ABS top shell, in-mold EPS liner, and rock-solid PC shell. It’s a lightweight design that has excellent crash protection.
The first thing we noticed was how comfortable the lining was. It doesn’t push down hard on your ears and allows you to hear well. The paint job is excellent, and the matte finish is elegant. If you listen to music while you ski, this helmet is audio compatible. It’s designed to fit POC’s communication ear pads, which aren’t included in the purchase.
12. Giro Ledge Snow Helmet
4.7 Stars | 1,342 Skier Reviews
Several helmets from Giro are featured on this list. The biggest competitor to the Giro Holt is this next one, made by the same manufacturer. The Giro Ledge Snow Helmet is slightly less expensive than the Holt, and some argue it’s an even better helmet. Comparing the two, the Ledge is slimmer and lighter than the Holt.
The Giro Ledge was explicitly designed to be paired with all of Giro’s EXV Goggles. A lengthy testing process in the company’s Dome R&D center seamlessly integrated the two products. Giro Axis, Ella, and Blok Goggles are the recommended models to use.
There’s nothing too special about the protection. It has a rigid shell design with a rugged outer shell and a soft EPS foam liner. This isn’t a helmet you should intentionally put to the test, and it certainly doesn’t offer the protection of a MIPS system. It fits nicely around your head with the “Auto Loc 2 Fit System” and eliminates the hassle that generally comes with a low-end helmet.
Overall, this helmet is cheaper than the Holt, but many argue it’s higher quality. This is especially true when it comes to the details. Everything feels solid, and it’s proven to last through many years of intensive use.
13. Pret Cirque X
4.4 Stars | 6 Skier Reviews
The Pret Cirque X is a performance-oriented, lightweight helmet that has only received perfect 5 Star ratings on Amazon. It’s ideal for the technical rider who’s looking for an upgrade. The shell is made of lightweight polycarbonate, which reduces the strain of dropping into steep chutes or ripping down a tight tree run.
Its most complimented feature is the fitting mechanism. Pret developed the RCS Fit System specifically for this helmet. You’ll get a snug and secure helmet that’s easy to adjust and fine-tune. This helmet has the most advanced protection system on the market, MIPS. Pret says it best, “MIPS technology keeps you covered during angled falls.”
With ample ventilation and audio compatibility, it’s suited for experienced riders. This is one of the lightest MIPS helmets that’s ever been created and certainly the highest-rated.
14. POC Auric Cut Backcountry Spin
4.2 Stars | 62 Skier Reviews
Next on the list is a good-looking helmet with attention to safety. The POC Auric Cut Backcountry Spin is a high-end helmet designed for backcountry skiers. It has all the additional features that are required to stay safe in treacherous terrain.
All backcountry athletes should be wearing some sort of reflection. It can be the difference between life and death if a search plane or helicopter is looking for you. The Auric Cut features an integrated Recco reflector, specifically designed for this application.
You’ll be surprised by how light it is. It only weighs 625 grams, which makes it easy to forget you even have it on. This lightweight design makes it more comfortable, and the overall design gives you more confidence.
While it’s expected that a helmet in this price range has a MIPS system, this one doesn’t. Instead, POC uses their own technology, which they say is more protective. Their design reduces the effects of oblique or angled impacts. It dramatically reduces the amount of force transmitted to one’s head. The EPP liner is quick to bounce back, which protects your head during multiple consecutive hits.
15. Oakley Mod 5 Factory Pilot Snow Helmet
4.8 Stars | 175 Skier Reviews
If you’re interested in Oakley’s standard Mod 5 but want something with added performance, the Mod 5 Factory Pilot Snow Helmet is a great option. This helmet is designed with the technical skiing enthusiast in mind, and its price reflects that. At the time of this review, Oakley has marked down the helmet by 43%. If you can find this product on clearance, it’s an offer too good to pass up.
The design features a seamless transition from goggles to the helmet, black matte paint, a magnetic buckle, and a MIPS rotational protection liner. It’s a great balance between protection, functionality, and styling. BOA fit technology is used to ensure the helmet stays in one place and doesn’t slide around on your head.
It has all the bells and whistles one would expect when paying a high price. There’s a lever at the top to open and close air vents. Additionally, the ear pads are compatible with cup audio. While we can’t discuss every quality of this next-level helmet, there’s plenty of information in the Mod 5 Factory Pilot’s product description.
16. Atomic Savor Amid
4.6 Stars | 43 Skier Reviews
Since we haven’t discussed touring ski helmets yet, it’s about time we mention the Atomic Savor Amid. This is a versatile helmet that’s suited for all-mountain skiing but focuses on off-trail performance. It’s a product created for tourers and by passionate tourers. An extra light design, strong in-mold construction, and a 360° adjustment system are just some of its premium features.
The design is what stands out the most. It has tri-color patterns that scream performance and competition. Multiple color options are available, but we think the white, brown, and black combination is the coolest.
An example of a touring feature it has is the RECCO® reflector. It’s super bright, which makes it easy for mountain rescue teams to find skiers. There’s also a second reflective strip on the strap station. You can easily mount a headlamp for night touring, and the design keeps your goggle straps from tangling or twisting.
This is a must-have for touring enthusiasts. We can’t discuss everything that makes this helmet unique in this guide. However, we’ve linked to Atomic’s product description for more information.
17. Asako Original Ski Helmet
4.7 Stars | 2,573 Skier Reviews
The Asako Original Ski Helmet is the best lightweight helmet for those on a budget. It has a sleek design with flowing lines and vents that make it look more expensive than it is. Cheap helmets like this one usually have low ratings due to poor shipment and product handling. This is certainly an exception as its Amazon reviews are incredibly high.
The most significant appeal of the Asako is its weight. It meets the protection standards to make it on this list, but it’s nothing special. You won’t be guaranteed the full protection that MIPS or POC offers. Still, it provides enough safety for beginners to intermediate skiers. This helmet is four ounces lighter than the average helmet under $50. That might not seem like a significant amount, but our experience has taught us that it is. After a full day of skiing or snowboarding, your neck muscles will thank you.
Another feature that’s hard to find for this price is the vent adjustments. Most beginner helmets have vents that are permanently open on top. The Asako Original Ski Helmet’s vents can be opened and closed. This makes it much more comfortable to ski in both extreme cold and hot conditions.
18. Retrospec Traverse H1 Convertible Helmet
4.5 Stars | 1,031 Skier Reviews
Want to stand out from the crowd when you’re skiing? The Retrospec Traverse H1 Convertible Helmet is undoubtedly unique and features some creative patterns. While these helmets are available in solid colors, wood, bamboo, and other graphic designs are the most popular. Our team tested the wood-style helmet in the image above and received quite a few compliments.
Even if you are getting this helmet for its appearance, it’s good to know you won’t sacrifice comfort or safety. There are ten vents along the top for temperature regulation and removable plush earmuffs to keep you warm. An ABS exterior shell and shock-absorbent EPS interior keeps you safe and protected from impacts.
The one complaint we have is that it doesn’t have a low-profile design by any stretch. It sticks out pretty far from your head, which some people aren’t a fan of. This helmet also doesn’t have the advanced safety features of high-end helmets, so keep it safe on the slopes.
19. Sweet Protection Switcher MIPS
4.4 Stars | 14 Skier Reviews
A top list of the best skiing helmets wouldn’t be complete without the Sweet Protection Switcher MIPS. When this was released, it was immediately apparent that Sweet Protection had developed groundbreaking technology. This is a versatile all-mountain helmet, built like a tank. If you’re a serious skier with a risk-taking attitude, the Switcher MIPS will keep up with you.
There are twenty-two one-hand adjustable vents built into the shell. Six are built into the front, and fourteen are facing backward to function as an exhaust. Sweet Protection says it will become “your personal thermostat.”
As the name suggests, the Switcher has MIPS safety technology. It will protect you from a wide variety of collisions and impact situations. We highly recommend that all proficient and experienced skiers wear a MIPS helmet.
Fans of Sweet helmets have given us many positive comments. We’ve heard dozens of people say the Switcher MIPS is super comfy, practical, and lasts for years. Once you experience Sweet Protection, it’s hard to go back to a regular helmet.
20. Smith Women’s Mirage MIPS
4.8 Stars | 247 Skier Reviews
Another fantastic women’s helmet is the Smith Women’s Mirage MIPS. It’s versatile for both snowboarding and skiing use, and it has a ton of great qualities for the price. This helmet has the best Amazon reviews we’ve ever seen and has a perfect 5 Star rating.
We recommend that women strongly consider a helmet designed for females. Brands like Smith and Anon put a ton of work into making sure their helmets perfectly fit the female head and can accommodate longer hair.
The Women’s Mirage MIPS has a lightweight in-mold Aerocore construction, Koyord technology, and a MIPS protection system. It has better performance features than many men’s helmets. Fourteen vents keep you cool on warm days, and the thick padding keeps you comfortable and toasty warm when it gets cold. Another excellent comfort feature is the padded chin strap, which prevents rubbing and rashes.
It has a fully adjustable fit system that’s controlled by a knob on the back. The sizing runs a little bit large, but that can be alright. If you usually wear a hat under your helmet, this is perfect; otherwise, it’s best to size down. You’ll love this helmet, and you won’t believe how lightweight and comfortable it is.