The 10 Best Snowboard Helmets
Editor's Notes
November 04, 2019:
One of the latest, and arguably most important, advancements in helmet safety in recent years is the addition of MIPS, or Multi-directional Impact Protection System. It is essentially a slim piece of plastic between the padding and the shell that is designed to reduce rotational forces, thereby decreasing the chance of injury in certain types of impacts. During this update, we removed every model that didn't feature this potentially-lifesaving technology to ensure we are only recommending the safest models around.
That being said, there is one helmet here that does not feature MIPS — the POC Obex Backcountry. However, this model features the company's proprietary SPIN technology, which does nearly the same thing according to tests, but utilizes medical-grade silicone gel pads, instead. In addition to feeling that it offers the same level of protection, we also included it because it has features that make it one of the best options for backcountry riders, specifically a passive transponder that helps search and rescue teams find you and an NFC medical ID chip.
We also wanted to make sure we were including some of the latest models from the top manufacturer's, if they met our stringent safety guidelines and user satisfaction levels, which is why we have the Smith Optics 2019 Vantage, Smith Optics 2019 Code, and Smith Optics 2019 Allure on our list.
Though there is no structural difference between men's and women's snowboard helmets, there are sometimes aesthetic differences, such as the color options. While we feel any women would be well-suited with any model on our list as long as they are also happy with the design, we did include the versions of the Pret Lyric X and Smith Optics 2019 Allure that were specifically designed with a women's sensibilities in mind.
The next time time you are loading up your snowboard car rack and grabbing your boots to head out to the slopes, make sure you have one of these awesome brain buckets ready to go, as well, to ensure you come back as happy and healthy as when you left the house.
March 12, 2019:
Comfort, style, and, of course, solid protection are the three defining features of any good snowboard helmet. With that in mind, we combed through over two dozen of the most highly-rated models on the market, which we then narrowed down to these ten. We also payed close attention to the price of each option, understanding that many winter warriors in need of headgear may be constrained by their budgets. Our top two choices ultimately reflect that -- both the Giro Ledge and the Smith Optics Holt represent what we'd argue are the best bangs for your buck of any helmets out there. Of course, if you've got a bit more cash to spend, something like the Giro Range MIPS or Oakley Mod 5 will offer even more protection and comfort.