Simple Poll. Helmets. Do you use them or no?

[Old Duderino]

I never used a helmet even when I first started snowboarding but after I caught a heel side edge and bounced my noggin off the hardpack a few times I got one and have worn it ever since. It happened on a flat run out and I was looking back to see where the person I was riding with was when it happened. I'm sure I had a concussion (seeing stars, nausea, etc) but I kept riding after resting awhile. I figured if I could get hurt that badly on the flattest part of the mountain I had better protect myself better, learning to snowboard induced many more painful falls then I ever had skiing.

I'm going back to skiing this winter and plan on wearing it. I think if I never went from skiing to snowboarding it may have never occurred to me to get a helmet.

 

[SkiingInABlueDream]

The thing about the helmet topic that annoys me is when people get condescending about the issue, assuming that not wearing one makes you a gaper or completely ignorant of the risk of head injury. A helmet isn't a magic safety suit but I feel like some people presumptively, probably subconsciously, approach it as if it's the definitive safety step when really it's just one increment. Why stop at helmets? Why not body armor and neck braces? Do these people wear helmets when driving their cars? Airbags have improved tremendously in 30 years but AFAIK most cars still don't fully cocoon you in a safety bubble.

That all said I have absolutely nothing against helmets themselves. I can't think of one objective reason not to wear one when skiing.

 

[dlague]

The thing about the helmet topic that annoys me is when people get condescending about the issue, assuming that not wearing one makes you a gaper or completely ignorant of the risk of head injury. A helmet isn't a magic safety suit but I feel like some people presumptively, probably subconsciously, approach it as if it's the definitive safety step when really it's just one increment. Why stop at helmets? Why not body armor and neck braces? Do these people wear helmets when driving their cars? Airbags have improved tremendously in 30 years but AFAIK most cars still don't fully cocoon you in a safety bubble.

That all said I have absolutely nothing against helmets themselves. I can't think of one objective reason not to wear one when skiing.

I think you are the first one to bring some sort of tone to your post. I have not seem anyone mention anything you posted.

 

[Scruffy]

The thing about the helmet topic that annoys me is when people get condescending about the issue, assuming that not wearing one makes you a gaper or completely ignorant of the risk of head injury. A helmet isn't a magic safety suit but I feel like some people presumptively, probably subconsciously, approach it as if it's the definitive safety step when really it's just one increment. Why stop at helmets? Why not body armor and neck braces? Do these people wear helmets when driving their cars? Airbags have improved tremendously in 30 years but AFAIK most cars still don't fully cocoon you in a safety bubble.

That all said I have absolutely nothing against helmets themselves. I can't think of one objective reason not to wear one when skiing.

Ski helmets are just a warm hats with less hat-hair issues and a little bit of protection. It's your noggin, do with it what you want.

 

[SkiingInABlueDream]

I think you are the first one to bring some sort of tone to your post. I have not seem anyone mention anything you posted.

No, not in this thread. But I have certainly read (maybe not on AZ, I don't remember) and heard people make statements like that.

 

[fbrissette]

Ski helmets are just a warm hats with less hat-hair issues and a little bit of protection. It's your noggin, do with it what you want.

I agree with this. However, if you were to randomly poll skiers at any hill, I would think that most would severely overestimate the amount of protection helmets afford.

 

[ski stef]

They are also a must for backcountry and slackcountry skiing.

This. Well at least for me now. I typically only wore my helmet at the resort and actually NEVER in the backcountry (that includes early mornings or weekend touring). I actually went up on my lunch break from work to do some skinning and ended up hitting something underneath some snow and I actually scorpion-ed myself in the back of the head with the tip of my ski.

I didn't think it was so bad (I had a hat on), but had a pretty severe headache. Started down the hill in my car back to work and took my hat off and realized there was blood all over the back of my hand. I actually stopped at my husbands (oo yeaaa still got that newlywed glow) job site, he took one look at my head and drove me to the ER. I got like 7 staples in my head or something. Now he pretty much refuses to let me out into the back country without a helmet although even after that I would still prefer not to wear it sometimes. I realize it is necessary but it seems to just be an extra piece I'm carrying and what happened to me was a complete fluke.

That being said, I have not been to a resort in over 2 years without wearing my helmet. I find it comfortable and warm as well and I like the option to connect my phone to ear buds in the helmet to communicate better without having to take my hands out of my mitts on cold days.

 

[Mariovntr]

I used to hate helmets, but now I'm older and wiser and I do use one. I know most helmets are only crash rated to 17mph (and I exceed that every run), but there is a level of safety it provides and make me feel safer on the slopes as well My bills always need to be paid so I do what I can to keep myself safe and healthy.

 

[Hawkshot99]

Does anyone who has worn both have an opinion on whether this really makes much of a difference?

I have a Bern with no vents, and even skiing Smuggs last year and Jay the year before on 60+ degree days it didn't bother me. No sense no feeling maybe.

All helmets are not created equally. Every ski helmet is safty rated by ASTM, regardless of the price of the helmet. There is not a "better" rating for more expensive helmets. What you are paying for is comfort. This could mean the helmet is lighter, or a better fit system or vents better.

Here are some pics of the venting systems of a few helmets.

That helmet is a $100 option from Giro the "nine". It has controllable venting, but very basic. When the vents are opened, the white spots you see open up to the outside. Unfortunately the only part of your head that can get rid of hot air is the spots directly under the holes.

The next helmet is a $180 option from Smith called the "variance".

In this helmet you can see that there is still the holes for air to pass through when the vents are opened, but there is also grooves running the length of the interior of the helmet. These allow the fresh air to enter at vents near the front and flow through the helmet and out the back. This is a much better venting system, and actually works quite well. If your hair is damp with sweat on a cold day you can definitely feel the air flow through the helmet.

 

[BenedictGomez]

I agree with this. However, if you were to randomly poll skiers at any hill, I would think that most would severely overestimate the amount of protection helmets afford.

I agree. I doubt helmets offer THAT much protection from serious injury, but I think they're probably wonderful against preventing minor to medium injury. I'd love to see a well-run study on this subject.

All helmets are not created equally. Every ski helmet is safty rated by ASTM, regardless of the price of the helmet. There is not a "better" rating for more expensive helmets. What you are paying for is comfort. This could mean the helmet is lighter, or a better fit system or vents better.

I've (briefly) pondered that a bit too. All things being equal, holes would tend to lessen the strength/rigidity of the helmet I would think.

 

[twinplanx]

Do these people wear helmets when driving their cars? Airbags have improved tremendously in 30 years but AFAIK most cars still don't fully cocoon you in a safety bubble.

Well, there is that steel cage surrounding the occupants...

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[HowieT2]

If you want your kids to wear a helmet, you pretty much have to wear them yourself. I started wearing one when my kids started skiing and love them. keeps my noggin nice and toasty, has a little brim to block the sun and keep moisture from dripping onto goggles. I also think the vents do help in shedding some heat/moisture. although when I'm really steaming, I'll hang the helmet on the chairlift bar during the ride.

 

[MadMadWorld]

If you want your kids to wear a helmet, you pretty much have to wear them yourself. I started wearing one when my kids started skiing and love them. keeps my noggin nice and toasty, has a little brim to block the sun and keep moisture from dripping onto goggles. I also think the vents do help in shedding some heat/moisture. although when I'm really steaming, I'll hang the helmet on the chairlift bar during the ride.

Yup! Kids won't buy in if mom or dad doesn't do it.

 

[Domeskier]

For those of you in the helmet camp: straps or no straps?

 

[benski]

I think most kids who's parents do not were helmets will realize when they get to a ski area that everyone else is wearing one except there parents and assume there parents are weird.

 

[MadMadWorld]

I think most kids who's parents do not were helmets will realize when they get to a ski area that everyone else is wearing one except there parents and assume there parents are weird.

Depends on the age. When the kids are teenagers the best thing to do is not where a helmet. They will just do the exact opposite.

 

[Not Sure]

Speaks for itelf! New Hampshire Granite

 

[Madroch]

Yes. Started when i returned to skiing when my kids started skiing- feel naked without one. Funny how I seem to hit my head more often with I than I ever did before... Or I am just older

 

[Hawkshot99]

For those of you in the helmet camp: straps or no straps?

Chin strap? Whats the point of a helmet that flys off as soon as you start to fall?

 

[MadMadWorld]

For those of you in the helmet camp: straps or no straps?

No strap. It's gets you extra style points