Gear Reviews | Best Ski & Snowboard Helmets 2025

It used to seem perfectly normal that pro skiers like Candide Thovex would huck themselves off massive money booters wearing nothing more than a bobble hat on their head. But looking back at that early 2000s footage now feels a little like watching one of those 1980s films where everyone is smoking inside. 

In the last 20 years, helmets have gone from optional extra to ski gear essential, right up there with ski jackets, gloves or goggles. Of course, you can rent a helmet, but although hire ski helmets are perfectly serviceable, having your own will ensure a better fit. It's also nice to know that the interior lining you're sweating into is less... communal, shall we say. 

"Footage of helmet-less pros from the early 2000s now feels like those '80s films where everyone is smoking inside"

The best ski helmets of course, don't let you sweat — they offer comfort as well as excellent protection from falls and impacts while still being so light you’ll forget you’re wearing them. The relatively new ‘MIPS’ standard helps to protect against rotational forces in a fall, and is a definite benefit worth having, especially if you’re upgrading from an older model. 

Buyers' Guide: What to look for in a ski or snowboard helmet

There are four main things you really need to look for in a good ski or snowboard helmet. 

First, is the protection element. Make sure your helmet meets the European Union certified CE standard for skiing (EN 1077) which will be marked on a sticker, usually on the inside.

Second, a good fit is essential, both for comfort and safety. Third, check the features—adjustable ventilation is handy to prevent goggles fogging up. A removable liner can be handy if you want to wear a beanie underneath.

Although most brands ensure that helmets and goggles are compatible, it’s worth checking the fit if you’re mixing brands, as a poor goggle/helmet combination can be enormously annoying. 

And finally, does the helmet look good? Despite sounding like a vanity measure, this is actually related to safety. You're less likely to wear it if you feel like it makes your head look ludicrously large.

Best ski helmets

Anon Logan WaveCel Helmet

RRP £235

This lightweight helmet has a freestyle inspired style, a sleek fit, and is jam-packed full of tech to keep your noggin’ safe—impressive for such a low-profile lid. 

It’s built with WaveCel Technology which acts like a web of shock absorbers, spreading out energy on impact, and softening the blow if you take a tumble. There's a BOA dial and a magnetic buckle for easy fitting and one-handed click in. While it's made by Burton Snowboards' in-house goggles and helmet brand, Anon, there's no reason why skiers shouldn't wear this as well. 

Buy Anon Logan WaveCel Snowboard Helmet: £187 at absolute-snow.co.uk

Oakley MOD 5 Ski Helmet

RRP £221 

Oakley's ski helmet may be less well known than their goggles and sunglasses, but they're no less impressive. The premium MOD5 (MIPS) looks the part, delivering style and substance in one hit.

Importantly, this model has the increased protection of the MIPS system, which is designed to reduce dangerous rotational forces caused by angled impacts to the head, as well as the easy-fit BOA adjustment system and a magnetic buckle that allows easy operation wearing gloves.

A combination of a removable Polartec Power Grid liner and customisable ventilation ensures you stay fog-free and classy in most situations, as well as being able to close off ventilation when it gets too nippy.

Buy Oakley MOD 5 Ski Helmet: £220 at absolute-snow.co.uk

Salomon MTN Lab Ski Helmet

 RRP £155

Salomon have made a series of strong environmental statements with the MTN Lab helmet, not least using recycled materials in the build, as well as natural and biodegradable merino wool. Arguably the biggest sustainability play is the fact that the MTN Lab is rated for use for alpine, mountaineering and biking, making it something of an allrounder for mountain lovers. This potentially cuts waste from the multiple lids you’d otherwise need, as well as reduces faff when travelling.

Aside from that, the MTN Lab features a removable liner - and a lighter weight summer one as well - good ventilation and a custom dial system for a good fit. Another key feature is the headlamp fitting, so those alpine starts (and epic late finishes) can be done safely and without additional fuss.

Buy Salomon MTN Lab: £155 at Ellis Brigham 

Giro Grid Spherical Ski Helmet

RRP £230

The Grid helmet is a good one for ski tourers for two main reasons: it’s lightweight at 400 grams, and it has excellent adjustable ventilation to handle the inevitable changes in cardio. This is down to the Thermostat control slider, which can easily be operated with gloves on, while fogging is minimised by the Stack Ventilation vents.

More widely, the Grid has the latest protection in the shape of MIPS Spherical technology, which allows the outer liner to rotate around the inner liner in the event of an accident, reducing rotational energy. Available in eight stylish, matt, colourways, there’s also a glove-friendly magnetic closure to minimise fumbling around.

 Buy Giro Grid Spherical Ski Helmet: £138 at absolute-snow.co.uk

Bolle V-Ryft Pure ski helmet

RRP £220

Sometimes just looking the part is enough to enjoy the benefits, and this race-inspired helmet looks all that - as well as being practical to a certain degree. The huge benefit here - apart from not being able to drop your goggles - is that the inbuilt visor will really not fog up unless severely mistreated. It also makes you look like you know what you're doing between gates, and Instagram will almost definitely approve of the two interchangeable visors or a photochromic lens option.

Bolle isn’t a newcomer ski brand either, so the basics are all taken care of too, not least the AVID progressive EPS for improved safety, masses of ventilation (six vents) to suit the weather, and a tried-and-tested, glove friendly Click-To-Fit System.

Buy Bolle V-Ryft Pure Ski Helmet: £192 at amazon.co.uk 

POC Obex BC MIPS Ski Helmet

RRP £250

The Obex ski helmet takes snow safety up several notches by adding a couple of extra layers of technology to the mix. There’s a MIPS system, as well as a clever hybrid shell design that blends a robust ABS top section with an EPS liner and stronger-than-steel aramid panels, all of which combine to keep weight down but protection high.

There’s a built-in RECCO Avalanche Rescue Reflector, which is an excellent idea, and even more techy, there’s a ‘twICEme’ NFC Medical ID chip, that’ll enable first responders to read your medical history immediately with a smartphone, even if you’re not up to talking. A final tech benefit is that the company’s Aid Communication Ear Pads (sold separately) are compatible, which allows a smartphone to be connected for easy access to communications - and tunes.

Buy POC Obex MIPS: £250 at Ellis Brigham 

Smith Scout Jr. MIPS Helmet

RRP £110

Children are tough on clothes and accessories, so springing for durable quality is a sensible scheme, as well as the most sustainable one. The ABS hardshell of the Scout Jr. ski helmet will shrug off minor carelessness with aplomb, but the MIPS impact protection is present and ready to mitigate more serious incidents if required. The fit is designed to accommodate differently-sized (and growing) heads, and a whopping eight vents ensure ventilation is as good as possible.

The removable ‘bombshell’ ear pads can be removed when temperatures rise, and the safety rating covers bike use too, making even more ethical and economic sense.

Buy Smith Scout Jr. MIPS Ski & Snowboard Helmet: £109 at absolute-snow.co.uk 

POC Fornix MIPS POW JJ

RRP £200

A unique design from a collaboration with freeride snowboard legend Jeremy Jones (a percentage of sales goes to his charity, Protect Our Winters), the Fornix is all substance, but without forgetting the style. A polycarbonate shell and impact-absorbing EPS foam are super lightweight but shock absorbing, and there’s a low-friction layer between the liner and shell that offers MIPS protection too. 

However, the real pub ammo is the Aramid Bridges integrated into the EPS foam that increase structural rigidity and ensure that any energy transmitted into the helmet is dissipated over the widest area possible. 

An active ventilation system is controlled via a button on the outside, allowing you to switch between open vents on hot climbs, and closed on windy summits. Finally, chimney vents sit above the goggle area, venting warm air away from the lenses and keeping them clear. 

POC Fornix MIPS POW JJ: £180 at ellis-brigham.com

Giro Terra MIPS Ski Helmet

RRP £165

The women’s specific Terra helmet offers a low-profile design with top-tier safety and convenience built in. The Polycarbonate shell offers durability, and is paired with a MIPS system and a foam liner with a plush padded inner. 

Removable earpads and a ‘Passive Aggressive’ Venting system allow flexibility to suit the conditions, the latter automatically regulating temperature depending on your level of exertion. Meanwhile the slight brim is specifically designed to play nicely with Giro goggles. Similarly, it’ll also integrate with aftermarket Giro audio systems too. 

Buy Giro Terra MIPS Ski & Snowboard Helmet: £132 at absolute-snow.co.uk

Atomic Unisex Savor Visor Photo Snow Helmet

RRP £180

Once the preserve of serious racers, the integrated helmet has come a long way—mere mortals can now enjoy the benefits of goggles and helmet in one. To be honest, the benefits are minimal - less weight and few things to faff with - but the cleaner lines and biker-chic are clearly appealing to some people.

Needless to say, Atomic hasn’t let the side down on either the helmet or goggles front, serving up a ABS outer, Holo Core and 3M X-Static Lining for comfort and protection. There’s space for glasses underneath the vizor (another selling point), which is a Atomic photochromic lens with an Anti-Scratch Outer and Anti-fog Inner that adapts to light levels automatically. Finally, the audio compatible ear pads mean you get your favourite tunes too - what's not to like?

Buy Atomic Unisex Savor Visor Photo Snow Helmet: £180 at ellis-brigham.com

Dirty Dog Mens Crank Snow Helmet

RRP £49

The Dirty Dog Crank Snow Helmet has an air of no-nonsense value. The ABS shell and Polystyrene liner are perfectly effective—you won't find MIPS here, but it meets the EN 1077 standard, and the ergonomic design is intended to lower wind resistance and noise into the bargain. 

Specially designed vents allow airflow to minimise moisture build up and keep goggle fog to a minimum. There's a goggle clip, a adjustable rear dial system and - notably - washable interior pads too. 

Buy Dirty Dog Mens Hydra Snow Helmet: £56 at decathlon.co.uk 

WEDZE Adults Ski Helmet

RRP £20

Like the Dirty Dog Crank (listed above) this Ronseal-monikered Adults' Ski Helmet from Decathlon is a no frills, entry-level model. It has a protective outer shell made of ABS, and impact absorbing foam inside that meets the EN 1077 standard.

The vents are always open, and the clasp is a pretty simple clip. But the size is adjustable and you can take the ear flaps out if you want. It can't really be compared to some of the all-singing, all-dancing helmets on this list, but for £20, this is a good starter model. 

Buy Decathlon WEDZE Adults Ski Helmet: £20 at decathlon.co.uk