14 Best Ski & Snowboard Helmets of 2023

You won’t find a helmet much more comfortable than the Vantage, certainly not one that manages to cram all of the current market-level safety features inside of a lightweight, compact shell. The Vantage checks all of the boxes that you’d expect based on the competition–an accurate fit-adjustment system, molded impact-resistant hardshell, and MIPS rotational impact protection.

It’s a do-all snowsports helmet that can keep you protected from high-velocity impacts, but it comes at a premium. Taking a closer look at the specs might convince you that it’s worth the investment.

The most important criteria in judging a helmet are, of course, safety. But they go a little further by including their shock absorbing Aerocore inserts right underneath the vents. Aside from the safety specs, the Smith Vantage is incredibly well ventilated with 21 slide track adjustable vents.

Paired with their smell-resistant fleece liner, the Vantage MIPS offers just the right balance of safety, comfort, and technical features.

Anon’s new WaveCel lineup of helmets represents the very cutting edge of snowsports impact protection. The Merak is the leading, feature-rich model out of the collection that has garnered quite a bit of controversy regarding the claims of its “Wavecel” protection technology.

So what is this WaveCel Technology? In short, it’s a network of hundreds of tiny dampening chambers between the shell of the helmet and your skull that looks something like space-age corrugated cardboard. We’ve seen similar technology in Bontrager and Trek cycling helmets- a liner that’s built to break, but in a good way.

Their purpose is threefold: In the event of a crash, these chambers first flex to absorb some of the initial shock. They then collapse like the crumple zone of modern cars, further dampening the impact. Finally, the cells also slide laterally similar to POC’s Spin technology, effectively reducing rotational forces and diverting–or gliding–energy away from your head.

Testing is more likely than not done on a proprietary basis, and we’re not exactly lining up to run into trees to give you a more definitive answer. The bottom line is that this is the first time we’ve seen this tech in the snowsports industry, and if you trust the safety parameters that Anon is touting, it seems like a promising new development.

There’s no denying the quality of Smith’s premium helmets like the Quantum and the Vantage. But when it comes to old fashioned industrious protection, the Mission is our helmet of choice. A fleshed-out feature-set and mild heft just over a pound make the Mission an easy choice for a daily resort helmet or something that can stay in your ski pack in the backcountry.

Second to practicality is a very reasonable price point. The Mission is nearly half the weight of other premium helmets on this list, with comparable amenities where it counts most- keeping your head safe.

Unpacking the helmet a little bit: the Mission has both MIPS technology to keep you protected from rotational impacts, as well as the same force-dampening koroyd layer you see in the Vantage and Quantum.

This light honeycombed layer in large part contributes to both the low weight and great airflow that we love in a backcountry helmet.

While it might be a little light on the resort amenities, between the safety features and the portability the Mission is an excellent option for skiers looking to split their time on and off the resort.

The Quantum is one of the most tediously engineered helmets on the market, built with the needs of the 50+ day a seasoned skier in mind. Smith is another huge name in the industry, and the Quantum integrates just about every safety feature available across their snow line.

It’s a great helmet for the right skier. There’s certainly nothing wrong with it, and its extensive list of safety features. But, it does weigh a lot. And clocking in somewhere around $300, it’s definitely one of the most expensive helmets in this style.

The foundation is a quality hybrid molded shell, reinforced with rigid polymers at common impact points. The interior is reinforced by Smith’s Aerocore tech, plates of force-dampening tubes that have the additional perk of increasing airflow.

The build is topped with an impressive 22 slide-adjustable vents, to dissipate the heat that its admittedly considerable bulk is sure to accumulate.

Though it’s a bit of a niche option, the Salomon MTN Lab should be a strong contender for any dedicated backcountry skier. The MTN Lab is one of the lightest helmets out there that offers dependable protection.

The MTN Lab is up to specifications for both skiing and rock climbing, but the rock specs have more to do with its potential for ski mountaineering. It’s a helmet you definitely won’t ever get too warm in and has the additional benefit of keeping moisture off of your head so your goggles don’t immediately fog up after a tough climb.

Due to the minimalist trappings of its design, the MNT doesn’t leave much room for features, but still retains a functional goggle or headlamp strap. When talking about helmets it’s easy to start splitting hairs between safety and weight, this is particularly true if you’re doing most of your riding outside of the ropes. The Salomon MTN Lab offers a beautiful compromise.

The MOD1 has been a favorite amongst park riders and skiers with style for years. This season Oakley introduced their revamped MOD1 Pro, which infuses the same sleek skate-inspired attitude with top-of-the-line safety features and updated amenities.

The MOD1 Pro will appeal to those looking for the coolest skiing or snowboarding helmet on the slopes. Removable earpads and nine solid color schemes to choose from assure you’ll be looking your best regardless of your aesthetic preferences.

On a more serious note, the MOD1 Pro steps up the technology and safety measures in a big way from its predecessor. The shell has been upgraded to an injection-molded Dura-Matter carapace with increased scratch and ding resistance, and they’ve also integrated MIPS rotational protection into the fit adjustment system.

If you throw in a few more improvements to comfort and accessibility, and you have a pretty admirable helmet that manages to keep things relatively compact.

Sweet Protection has steadily carved its niche through crafting high-quality protective equipment for snowsports, paddlesports, and mountain biking. The Switcher is their take on a resort-focused helmet and has received numerous well-deserved accolades from some big names in the outdoor industry.

What separates the Switcher from other high-performance models in our eyes, is how well it pairs with Bluetooth audio chips and even old fashioned earbuds. The sound quality of course doesn’t supersede safety, but the Switcher can balance work and play as well as anything else on the market.

Sweet Protection included all of the typical safety features found in the best performing helmets and added an additional impact shield designed to distribute the force of impact across a wider area.

The Switcher shines in its capacity to make fine adjustments in a hurry. The vents open with easy-to-use sidetracks, the fit is adjustable through an easy-access dial in the back, and the chinstrap is magnetic. Sweet Protection’s proprietary take on helmet tech is certainly worth investigating for any skier serious about safety.

The Ledge is one of the more bare-bones options on our list. But that doesn’t mean it’s low quality. There’s beauty in its simplicity. Sometimes more features feel like more fuss. So long as you’re covered on the protection front, who cares what else it does?

The Ledge is a leader in value. Though there’s another, simpler version out there for a little cheaper, we think the extra insurance is well worth it. Not to put too fine a point on it, the Ledge is one of the only sub $100 helmets that offer MIPS or any other form of angled impact protection.

The Ledge is Giro’s most pared-down helmet and comes with the option to make it even simpler. Both the earpads and goggle retainer are removable, a great feature be it stylistic or as a way to make up for the somewhat lacking ventilation system.

All told, the sleek and subdued look of the Ledge compared with its practical nature makes it an easy pick for skiers or boarders on a budget.

Oakley is a widely recognized name in sports eyewear, and the Mod series is their first foray into making full-protection helmets specifically designed to fit their goggles. The Mod 5 differs from other models because of its unique modular visor.

Users can select either a small or large visor depending on which goggles they’re using that day. It was designed for use with specific models of Oakley goggles, but it has the potential to provide a good fit with other manufacturers as well. This shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise coming from Oakley, you can read our review of their oversized and much lauded Flight Deck goggles to see what we mean.

It’s a hybrid style helmet with a molded interior shell that is armor-plated by sturdy ABS panels. The helmet is also equipped with MIPS, and is reinforced at specific impact points to help mitigate impact force. The Mod 5 has adjustable vents, but these tend to work better while underway rather than standing around at the base.

Giro is one of the most trusted brands in ski helmets, and for good reason. From angled-impact protection onward, they’ve garnered a reputation for prioritizing protective features. Presumably named after the infamously technical Jackson Hole sidecountry, the Jackson is Giro’s take on a freeski-oriented helmet that will also serve a snowboarder well off-piste. But, given its sleek profile and aerodynamic design, it seems like it would be very practical for resorts as well. 

The shell itself has two pieces: a hard outer casing, and a molded polycarbonate inner liner. It’s engineered to save on weight, add padding to dead space, and create channels for air to flow through the interior of the helmet. In addition to these passive air channels, the Jackson is equipped with stack vents placed directly over top of the goggle’s vent channels to help prevent fog buildup on hot or moist days. 

All Giro helmets are designed to fit seamlessly with their goggle brand and optimize the stack flow ventilation. The Jackson is also compatible with aftermarket speakers if you want to eventually upgrade to a bluetooth connection for music.

The Raider 3 is a spartan take on a ski helmet. Its design is heavily influenced by skateboarding, so much so that it’s one of the only products on this guide rated for multi-season use. It’s a solid, traditional ABS (see guide at end) shell that doesn’t cut any corners when it comes to durability. Heartiness aside, the Raider 3 certainly isn’t the most comfortable helmet on the market. It weighs more than most other options, has minimal ventilation, and lacks an adjustable fit system aside from the chinstrap. It also doesn’t have MIPS or other angled impact protection (see guide) which may be a deal-breaker for some. 

The Raider 3 takes a heavy-handed approach to protection. It’s quite literally a solid choice for anyone seeking a no-frills budget helmet; and one of the more obvious choices if you’re the type to rip out the side padding and liners anyway. If you’re a multi-sport border, it could be your one stop solution for protection. 

The Revent+ Amid is a rigorously-engineered helmet that excels across the board in resort conditions. It’s safe, well-ventilated, and the hybrid build cuts-off a lot of the weight. Paired with a set of Atomic Revent+ goggles, and you’ll have an all-season setup that you can depend on.

The only drawbacks we could find regarding the Revent+ have to do with sizing. Certain models can be hard to get a hold of, and some folks with wider heads have an issue getting them to fit comfortably around the ears. But beyond this, the Revent+ is a solid option for a feature-heavy helmet at a fair price.

To start, it’s definitely safe. The Revent+ has at least all of the essential safety features that you’ll see from other top contenders. Additionally, its hollow core is designed to give way under heavy impacts to reduce the amount of energy transferred to your head similar to Smith’s Koroyd layer.

An extensively adjustable liner system allows a custom fit to your head, or whatever additional layers the weather requires.

Finding a way to reliably play music and make phone calls on the slopes is difficult, so much so that it begs the question of whether or not it’s even worth attempting. If you want to forego having to fish your phone out of your ski jacket in sub-zero temperatures, then a Bluetooth integrated helmet may be the way to go. POC’s Communication technology isn’t the perfect solution to this problem, but it’s the best one so far. Though some complain about the actual quality of the audio, the Communication series of inserts as well as the integrated Obex Spin helmet provide dependable two-way audio in a market where reliable alternatives are rare. 

Beyond hands free music and phone calls, the Obex Spin is a sturdily built helmet. It has all the features you’d expect from a high-end helmet: a hybrid shell, adjustable vents, and a great fitting system. It also features POC’s Spin technology, which is essentially their proprietary take on MIPS or other angled impact protection systems. The liner is held in place by silicone pads that shear away on impact and allow the helmet a little free movement.  According to POC, they offer nuanced protection from a greater number of angles than other systems and you can buy replacement pads on their website.

We love Wildhorn Outfitters because they make good gear for average skiers. Functional, comfortable, and reasonably priced–people who are starting their own snow careers or only make it up to the mountain for the occasional trip will get the most out of what they have to offer.

In addition to their fleet of winter outerwear, we had a chance to check out their Drift helmet. Compared to Wildhorn’s premium Highline, the Drift is a little lacking in features that daily riders might look for. Below we’ll take a closer look at the Drift, and break it down piece by piece to help you decide if it’s the right fit.