A ski helmet must fit correctly in order for a ski helmet to provide safety and provide comfort to the wearer. If a ski helmet is too large, it may slide around on the head of the skier, or it may fall off the wearer during a turn on the ski slope. If a ski helmet is too small, it may pinch the temple of the skier, and may cause discomfort while the skier is skiing.
It is, therefore, necesary to find the correct size of ski helmet for each individual to ensure that the helmet perform its essential job of protecting the wearer’s head. In order to find the proper size of ski helmet for the wearer, it is necessary to measure the circumference of the wearer’s head. A soft tape measure can be used to measure the circumference of the wearer’s head at the widest part of the skull, approximately one inch above the eyebrows and one inch above each ear.
How to Choose and Fit a Ski Helmet
The tape measure should be kept even around the head, and should not be pulled too tightly around the head. The wearer’s head should be measured twice to ensure accuracy in the measurement, and it is possible to take the measurement while wearing a thin beanie, since manufacturers generally design ski helmets to accommodate a thin beanie. Based off this measurement, the wearer can reference the size chart that is included with the ski helmet to determine the proper size for that wearer.
Should the measurement indicate that the wearer falls in between two sizes, the wearer should opt for the larger size, and use the adjustment dial to ensure that the helmet fits snugly onto the head. Generally, adults will require medium or large sizes of ski helmets. However, individual adults may require smaller or larger sizes according to the size of their heads.
Children will require different sizes of ski helmets from those adults, again due to the smaller heads of children. Furthermore, the safety regulation of ski helmets are different for childrens helmets than they are for adults’ helmets, so you should never provide ski helmets to children wearing the helmets that were provided to adults. Ski helmets can have different construction types, which impacts the weight and durability of the helmets.
In-mold construction fuses the thin ski helmet shell to the foam, resulting in a lightweight ski helmet. Hardshell ski helmets have thick outer layers to the helmets, indicating that they are constructed in a way that increases their durability. Hybrid helmets have features of both in-mold and hardshell helmets.
Helmets that are lighter in weight will reduce the fatigue of the wearer’s neck, but helmets that are heavier in weight will endure more abuse from the skiing activity. Safety certifications are required for ski helmets to ensure that they meet certain standards for drop tests. Ski helmets should be certified according to U.S. Ski norms or European alpine ratings.
Many ski helmets also have MIPS technology, which is a yellow slip layer that is included within the helmet. This technology allows the helmet to rotate within the wearer’s head in the case of an oblique impact to the head, which reduces the shearing forces on the brain. Ski helmets have different systems for the release of hot air from the helmet.
Active ventilation systems allow the wearer to open and close vents, which may be beneficial if the weather is often changeable. Passive systems have vents that cannot be opened or closed, indicating that they are simpler in construction and in weight. Rear exhaust vents will help to release the hot air from the helmet, and the liner paths help to move the air across the wearer’s scalp.
If there are too few vents in a helmet, the wearer will become sweaty while skiing. However, if there are too many vents in the helmet, the wind will chill the wearer’s head. Ski helmets have different systems that permit the wearer to adjust the fit of the helmet to the head.
Dial adjustment systems allow even pressure to be placed onto the head with a knob on the back of the helmet, which is beneficial in that such a knob does not need to be engaged with gloves. BOA systems utilize reels and wires to allow for micro-adjustments to the ski helmet fit. These should be tested to ensure that the cheek pads of the helmet provide a firm fit to the wearer’s face.
The goggles that are used while skiing also must work in conjunction with the ski helmet. If there is a gap between the goggles and the ski helmet, cold air will enter that gap. Therefore, the wearer should try the ski helmet and goggles out together in a store to ensure that they will fit together properly and leave no space between the goggles and the ski helmet.
A ski helmet must also be replaced after significant impacts to the helmet. Ski helmet foam will compress with impact, and will not be able to absorb another impact. In addition, ski helmets will need to be replaced after five years of use, as the sun may fade the liner of the helmet over time.
Finally, one last check can be made on the ski helmet to ensure that it is correctly sized for the wearer. The ski helmet should not wobble when the wearer shakes their head. Furthermore, the ski helmet should sit two fingers above the eyebrows of the wearer.
The cheek pads of the helmet should hug the face of the wearer, and the chin strap should be secured such that only one finger can fit beneath the chin strap.
