Snowboard Helmets - Page 9

Sizing is important to get right so that you’re being as safe as possible when you’re out on the slopes. Simply measure the circumference of your head, and then match your measurement to the corresponding size chart for whatever brand of helmet you’re interested in. Your helmet should be snug, but not too tight; when you shake your head around, your helmet should not move.

Most helmets have an adjustable fitting system, meaning you can alter the helmet’s straps to give you a tighter or looser fit. If you’re taking greater risks and riding more advanced terrain, you may consider a MIPS (multi impact protection system) helmet, which are specifically designed to protect your head from impacts coming in from any direction.

Snowboard helmets are crucial to ensure safety and prevent injuries. Helmets were introduced to skiing and snowboarding some time after World War II, and back then they were made from fiberglass. In 1954, styrofoam liners, otherwise known as EPS (expanded polystyrene bead foam), were used as a better shock absorber, further reducing the damage that could result in concussions. Further developments resulted in helmets not only being more protective but also taking on a more streamlined design to increase the speed of the wearer.

Properly fitting helmets reduce the risk of skier and snowboard-related head injuries by 60 percent. Even if a skier or snowboarder sustains a head injury, it will be less severe if their head is protected by a helmet.

To give you a better idea how these two helmets differ, and why you cannot use a skateboard helmet for snowboarding, we've got a short run down of their differences. Skateboard helmets are only designed for a single impact. After that, you have to buy a new helmet. The design of this particular helmet was never meant for snowboarding - it lacks the needed coverage necessary for winter sports and should never be used as an option.

A snowboard helmet will typically cost between $100 and $300 for a good unisex helmet. Women's ski or snowboard helmets are slightly more expensive than their male counterparts. Due to their size, the price of a good youth snow helmet most often ranges from $50 to $150.

Getting a good fit is the most important factor when choosing a snowboard helmet. A good helmet should feel snug but not tight. If the helmet can rock back and forth, the fit is too loose. Shake your head from side-to-side. If the helmet shifts, try a smaller size, adjust the sizing mechanism or use thicker sizing pads.

Both snowboard and ski helmets offer the same level of protection. So the choice of one over the other will come down to aesthetics and comfort.

Great helmet brands include Anon, Giro, Oakley, POC and Smith to name a few. Here are a few models we recommend:

• Giro Ledge MIPS: a comfortable and highly adjustable option, this helmet is lightweight and breathable and its vents can be easily opened and closed to suit your preferences.

• Oakley Mod3 MIPS: another innovative and secure helmet, its MIPS technology reduces the risk of brain damage as well as surface injuries. Handy removable ear flaps offer additional warmth when the temperature drops.

• POC Auric Cut: uses a Spin system, meaning your head is safer from impacts that occur at an angle. With a versatile and adjustable fit, it's very flexible no matter the shape of your head.