Helmets are the most important protective piece of your snowboarding gear - they absorb the shock of nasty falls and collisions and make the injury less severe if an accident occurs. In fact, it has been shown that a proper helmet reduces the risk of head injuries by 60%. But I know that choosing the proper mens snowboarding helmet can be a very daunting task so I put together a couple of tips to help you choose the right option for your next snowboarding adventure.
The Helmet’s Construction
Once you decide to hit the market and get a mens snow helmet, I'm sure you’ll come across a huge range of choices. At this point, it’s important to pay attention to how the helmet is constructed and choose one with safety on your mind. Talking about how men’s snowboard helmets are constructed, you can choose between the two main types - in-mould and hard shell.
In-Mould Helmets
Mens snow helmets featuring in-mould technology have a tough outer shell made from polycarbonate materials. Such shells are firmly connected to a shock-absorbing EPS (expanded polystyrene) core. But this EPS core is actually protected by the polycarbonate shell from damages since it distributes the force over a large area - depending on the model.
This construction is particularly lightweight and durable, but still easy to damage. On the upside, this combination of shell and EPS core has been shown to provide a great ventilation system for snowboarders.
Hard Shell Helmets
As their name suggests, hard shell mens snowboarding helmets feature an extremely robust and shockproof shell that is made from plastic and extends over the entire outer surface of the helmet. And while in the past such shells were made of glass-reinforced plastic, nowadays manufacturers take safety to the next level and use different mixtures of polypropylene and ABS plastic.
Aside from this, hard-shell helmets feature internal strap construction that increases the damping properties and also ensures that the helmet doesn’t sit too directly on the head but absorbs the shock if an accidental fall occurs. But not only is this strap construction considered extremely stable, but the straps are also antibacterial and can easily get removed to be cleaned.
Hybrid Helmets
These helmets combine the technologies and therefore, the advantages of in-mould and hard shell helmets. The outer shell is constructed by a robust, shock-resistant plastic (usually ABS), while the inside consists of a foamed core made from EPS for the best cushioning properties. This is why they’re considered one of the safest options on the market.
Choosing the Right Size
Your snowboarding helmet won’t be able to absorb the shock and protect your head from those nasty falls if it doesn’t fit you right. But if you don’t know how to get the right fit, don’t worry, you can do a couple of things to determine it.
It’s always recommended to start by measuring your head. So, take a soft measuring tape and wrap it around your head 2cm above your eyebrows and ears. This is the circumference of your head and the fit should always be chosen according to this size. For instance, if your circumference is 56 cm, the perfect fit for you would be a Medium size mens snow helmet (55-58 cm). However, make sure you check out your manufacturer’s sizing chart and choose according to it.
After you receive your helmet, it’s always best to try it on immediately. Make sure you align the front properly with your eyebrows and pull the strap down until it feels comfortable. The helmet should sit snug and have no gaps between the helmet’s lining and your head. If it feels too tight, uncomfortable and puts pressure on your head or shifts and rocks back and forth it means that it isn’t the right fit for you.
Additional Features
Except for choosing the right type and size, it’s important to pay attention to the other features that can change the entire snowboarding experience.
Liners
As I mentioned before, every helmet must feature liners, but not all of them are equally lined. Some of them come with minimal lining and some of them can feature super plush, comfy padding inside. Some helmets can also feature detachable ear pads which are always recommended, especially for spring conditions.
So, make sure you choose the lining degree according to your preferences and needs. However, it’s always recommended to choose removable liners so you can wash them and the helmet properly, or wear the helmet with a beanie if it works better for you.
Ventilation System
Helmets featuring a proper ventilation system are always recommended since they’ll allow the warm air to escape and therefore prevent sweating when snowboarding becomes steamy.
Generally, there are two types of ventilation systems in men snowboard helmets - the type featuring removable plugs that you can attach depending on the weather, and the type with adjustable vents you can open or close any time based on your needs and preferences. And even though the second type is more recommended because it’s way more convenient, make sure you choose considering your preferences, comfort and budget.
Goggles Compatibility
When shopping for a men snowboard helmet, it’s always recommended to choose goggles from the same manufacturer. This isn’t just about the smooth physical appearance, but it’s about the alignment and the perfect compatibility. If the helmet and the goggles are compatible, you won’t struggle with any gaps where air can penetrate and cause fog on your goggles.
In fact, a perfect alignment means that any air that comes up through the bottom of the goggles will flow up through their bottom and leave through the ventilation holes in the brim of the helmet, which will keep your goggles fog-free.
Audio Compatibility
If you’re the type of person who prefers listening to your favourite jams while rocking your snowboard, you can always skip the frustration of adjusting your constantly falling earphones and choose a helmet featuring audio compatibility. In fact, such helmets feature ear pads with pockets that you can slip special speakers into, but this doesn’t mean that you can’t find a helmet featuring speakers included. Such audio-compatible helmets come packed with a plethora of functional audio features, allowing you to always adjust the volume, skip the song and even mute them so you can talk to your friends with just a single push of a button.
