The best ski helmets of 2023 featured online are linked; for the full set of reviews you’ll have to subscribe to our digital edition of the 2023 Gear Guide by clicking here.
- Sweet Protection Igniter
- Smith Summit
- Petzl Meteor
- Dynafit TLT
- BCA BC Air
- Atomic Backland UL
- Bolle Eco Atmos
- Julbo Promethee
- Oakley Mod7
- Petzl Meteor
- Salomon Driver Pro Sigma
- SPY+ Galactic MIPS
Sweet Protection Igniter 2Vi MIPS | £210
New this winter, the latest Igniter is living its strongest, lightest and best-performing life yet. Low volume but super safe, the redesigned shell varies in thickness depending on where the most protection is needed. The shock-absorbing structure inside the shell is similarly designed and it comes with a super-safe two-layer MIPS protection tech to seal the safety deal. Also comes with Fidlock magnetic buckles, active ventilation and Sweet’s Audio Ready system. sweetprotection.com
Smith Summit | £215
This peak-optimised lid is another member of the new triple-certified brigade, except this one is good to go for alpine skiing, mountaineering and backcountry touring – not cycling. Ideal for ski trips where you’re mixing it up between the resort and the backcountry, it’s light and loaded with tech, including Zonal Koroyd and MIPS safety protection, Boa fit and 33 fixed vents for max airflow. It’s also designed to be worn with a beanie or trucker cap – clever. smithoptics.com
Petzl Meteor | £80
The first CE-certified ski touring helmet, this 240g mega-lightweight in-mould lid is a backcountry beaut that works for climbing and mountaineering too. Low profile with high-end touring-specific features, it’s supremely ventilated for sweaty ascents, headlamp and goggle-compatible, and offers all the protection you need on technical descents. Heads up though – it’s not certified for alpine skiing, so keep her in the backcountry where she belongs. petzl.com
Dynafit TLT | £120
Another wicked new triple-certified lid, Dynafit’s first ever helmet weighs in at a weeny 310g (size M). Ideal for gram-counting fast and light skiers who also like to earn their turns on two wheels in the summertime, it comes with an adjustable and removable visor so you look the part all year round. Durable, stylish and super protective, pair it with Dynafit’s new TLT goggles and/or Ultra sunnies and get after it. dynafit.com
BCA BC Air | £130
Ultra-light and super-well-ventilated, the in-mould BCA Air is ideal for skiers and riders looking for safety in the backcountry. Weighing in at 340g (size M), it comes with head torch clips, Edam cheese-style holes for passive ventilation, a lightweight polycarbonate shell, and removable ear pads. With dual certification for alpine skiing and cycling, it’s perfect for life-affirming spring bike-ski missions too. backcountryaccess.com
Atomic Backland UL | £130
This new triple-certified lightweight helmet is optimised for alpine skiing, climbing/alpinism and cycling. A multi-talented, year-round in-mould lid, it weighs just 340g (size S) and comes with clever mission-specific additions, including a lightweight liner, headlamp attachment and reflective elements. atomic.com
That’s the shortlist – for our full selection of the best ski helmets of 2023 subscribe here for access to our mega Winter 2022-23 Gear Guide featuring more helmets, as well as skis, boots, bindings, sunglasses, backpacks, jackets and more…
Helmet gobbledegook explained
❄ In-mould helmets bond a lightweight plastic shell to an impact-absorbing foam liner. They are a lightweight option, but are more likely to suffer from small dings and wear and tear than hard shell ones because they deform more easily.
❄ Hard shell helmets do exactly what they say on the tin – they are more impact resistant and they’re stronger too. They often comprise an injection-moulded ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) shell that is fused with a foam liner.
❄ Hybrid construction helmets combine the two ideas described above. Hard plastics are added to key, high-impact areas in a bid to offer the best of both worlds when it comes to top-notch noggin protection.
❄ MIPS technology was developed by brain surgeons and scientists to reduce rotational forces on the brain caused by angled impacts to the head. If you take a big crash the outer helmet rotates independently around your head, redistributing the impact.
❄ Boa’s 360° Fit System is used by many helmet brands. It gives a precise fit, with the added advantage that you can make easy micro-adjustments with the turn of a dial.
❄ Fidlock is the award-winning designer of a new breed of ultra-fast and secure fasteners. Their magnetic helmet buckles are easily operated with one hand.
❄ Ear pads are removable on most lids. Some linings are also removable so you can wash them. You can get helmets with fixed or adjustable vents, or a mix of both.
❄ Audio-compatible helmets allow you to add audio kits, which are sold separately from various companies. They usually have zippered or Velcro pockets in the ear pads. A few helmets have a built-in audio system so you can just plug in and play.
