How To Properly Fit and Size a Ski Helmet

Helmets are widely accepted out on the mountain and it's almost weird to see someone not wearing one.  If you don't wear one start wearing one, even if you don't ski or snowboard as hard anymore, you need to protect yourself from other people on the mountain.  Honestly, everytime my helmet as come in useful I've gotten hit by someone.

We got a little off topic there, this post is about sizing and fitting helmets.

If you're shopping for a ski or snowboard helmet, you have to like the look of it.  There may be some features you want to have like vents.  Helmets keep you a lot warmer than your typical hat, you have a thick foam with a plastic shell around your head that has ear muffs... It's going to be warm.  Every brands helmets fit a little differently and sizing can change even within a brand.  Finding one that fits your head shape takes just trying a few on.

Step 1: Establish what color helmet you want.

Step 2: What feature in a helmet are you looking for.

Step 3: Find a helmet that matches the answers to Step 1 and 2.

Step 4: Does it fit????

If you clearly have space all around the helmet... It's too big.

Some helmets have an adjustment on the back so you can snug up a helmet if it's a little on the big side.  In the picture above, that helmet is way too big and will not be safe at all.

In the picture above you can see that the helmet is sitting too high on Devin's head.  When you try on a helmet you want to feel like the helmet has even contact with the majority of your head.

Now that looks like it fits well!  To double check have someone grab the helmet with two hands and move it back and forth while it's on your head, if your eyebrows move you should be in good shape.  

Bottom line: Find something you like the look of and that you'll keep on your head, that's the only way the helmet will work.  Helmets don't work if they're sitting in your ski bag in the lodge or the trunk of your car.  

Goggle Fitting Tip: Most goggles that you buy nowadays will fit very well with whatever helmet you choose.  If it fits your face it should fit and integrate with the helmet really well.  The only modern goggles that can be an exception to this rule are the Oakley Stockholm and A-Frame, those goggles were originally made before helmets were a thing.