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Ski & Snowboard Helmets
Comfortable ski and snowboard helmets make days on the mountains even better. Stay protected and warm while you hit the slopes.
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How to Choose a Ski or Snowboard Helmet
Getting this right comes down to two things: measuring your head properly and making sure the helmet sits where it should. Here is how we do it.
How to Measure Your Head for a Ski Helmet
Grab a soft tape measure and wrap it around the widest part of your head, roughly an inch above your eyebrows. Keep the tape level and resting just above your ears. No tape measure? Use a length of string, mark where it meets, then lay it flat against a ruler. It takes an extra minute, but it works just as well.
Snow helmet size chart by head circumference
| How to Use | Product Spec | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Comstock Kids | Kids | 48 to 51.5cm (19 to 20.25in) |
| Comstock Kids | Youth | 52 to 55cm (20.5 to 21.75in) |
| Comstock Youth | OS | 52 to 55cm (20.5 to 21.5in) |
| Zephyr | S | 52 to 55.5cm (20.5 to 21.75in) |
| Comstock | S/M | 55 to 58cm (21.5 to 22.75in) |
| Zephyr | M | 55.5 to 59cm (21.75 to 23.25in) |
| Comstock | M/L | 59 to 62cm (23.25 to 24.25in) |
| Zephyr | L | 59 to 62cm (23.25 to 24.25in) |
Ski and Snowboard Helmet Size Chart
Grab a soft tape measure and wrap it around the widest part of your head, roughly an inch above your eyebrows. Keep the tape level and resting just above your ears. No tape measure? Use a length of string, mark where it meets, then lay it flat against a ruler. It takes an extra minute, but it works just as well.
How Should a Snowboard Helmet Fit?
Match your measurement to the band below. If you land between two sizes, we would size down and let the fit system take up the slack rather than sizing up and hoping.
What Size Ski Helmet Do I Need?
Snug, level, and low enough at the front to cover your forehead. The front edge should sit about an inch above your eyebrows, with no gaps between your head and the liner.
Find the Right Snow Helmet for You
All four of our helmets share the same shell and liner build, so this comes down to sizing and how much control you want over your venting.
| Ski Helmets for Men and Women | Our snow helmets are unisex because we size them by head circumference rather than gender. What changes from one rider to the next is the size band and the colorway. Measure your head, find your band in the chart above, then pick your color. | |
| Kids and Youth Snow Helmets | We make two smaller helmets; the difference is the fit system, not age. Comstock Kids adjusts with straps and adds a padded chin strap to stop chafing. Comstock Youth uses the same ErgoKnob dial as our adult helmets, so you can adjust the fit on the hill without taking the helmet off. Both overlap at 52 to 55cm, so measure first and choose the fit system that suits the rider. | |
| Comstock vs Zephyr: Which Snow Helmet Suits You? | Comstock is our all-around pick, with ten fixed vents moving air steadily all day. Zephyr has nine vents paired with BreezeBar, a low-profile lever you can work with gloves on to open up more airflow or shut it down when the wind picks up. Go with Zephyr if you ride through changing conditions and want to manage your temperature on the fly. Go with Comstock if you want steady, dependable venting and the widest spread of sizes we make. |
CONSTRUCTION
How Our Snow Helmets Are Built
Pairing Your Helmet With Snow Goggles
A helmet and goggles are really one system. When they fit together properly, there is no cold gap across your forehead and nothing shifting around when you move.
How the Goggle Clip Works on Each Helmet
Your goggle frame should sit flush against the helmet's front edge, with no gap between the two. The clip at the back holds the strap in place so nothing creeps upward while you ride. Comstock and Comstock Youth have a removable goggle clip, so you can take it off if you would rather run your strap free. Zephyr has a built-in clip. Our snow goggles are designed to sit properly with all of them, so it is worth trying the pair together before the first cold morning.Caring for Your Ski and Snowboard Helmet
Snow helmets don't ask for much, but a bit of end-of-season attention makes a real difference in how long yours lasts.
How Long Does a Ski Helmet Last?
Plan on replacing yours every three to five years with normal use, and immediately after any significant impact. Even with no visible damage, the EPS liner may have compressed and taken the energy it was built to take once. If you have had a hard fall or a collision, replace the helmet.
How to Clean and Store a Snow Helmet
Mix a mild soap with warm water and wipe the shell with a soft cloth, paying attention to the vents. Remove the earmuffs on Comstock and Comstock Youth for a separate hand wash. Rinse the shell, then let everything dry fully before storing it. Store it somewhere cool and dry, out of direct sun, ideally in a soft bag. Don't stack heavy gear on top of it, and avoid harsh chemicals and heat, which can degrade the shell.
Ski and Snowboard Helmet FAQs
Do you need a helmet to ski or snowboard?
Yes. A ski or snowboard helmet is core safety gear, not an accessory. Skiing and snowboarding carry a real risk of falls and collisions with trees, rocks, or other riders, and a helmet helps absorb impact to reduce the risk of head injury. Even experienced riders run into the unexpected, so wear one every day you ride, whatever your skill level.
What are the benefits of wearing a snow helmet?
A snow helmet protects your head from impact while you ski, snowboard, or sled, and it keeps you warm while it does it. Every retrospec snow helmet pairs an impact-absorbing liner with fleece-lined earmuffs and vents, so you stay comfortable in deep cold and milder spring conditions alike. Brighter colors also make you easier for other riders to spot.
What should I look for in a snow helmet?
Start with fit, because a helmet that moves cannot protect you properly. Look for a fit system you can adjust, like a dial, and make sure the helmet sits level and low across your forehead. After that, it comes down to venting you can live with, earmuffs that come out when it warms up, and a goggle clip. Our snow helmets comply with EN 1077:2007 Class B.
Are snow helmets legally required?
No. Neither the U.S. federal government nor any state requires skiers and snowboarders to wear helmets. Many resorts set their own policies, though, and some require them for younger riders. Rules aside, we would wear one every time. Head injuries account for a meaningful share of ski and snowboard injuries, and a helmet cuts that risk.
Is there a difference between a ski helmet and a snowboard helmet?
No, there is no meaningful technical difference between the two. Both are built to handle the same kind of impact in the same conditions, and the differences you see between models are usually styling rather than construction. Every retrospec snow helmet is made for skiing and snowboarding, so one helmet covers you no matter how you ride.
How do I choose the right size snow helmet?
Measure your head, then match the number to our size chart. Wrap a soft tape around the widest part of your head, about an inch above your eyebrows, keeping it level and just above your ears. Our sizes run from 48cm to 62cm across four helmets. If you fall between two bands, size down and let the fit system take up the slack.
Do ski helmets protect against concussions?
Yes, though no helmet is completely concussion-proof. The EPS foam liner inside absorbs and spreads impact energy, which lowers your risk of concussion and more serious head injury in a fall or collision. Long-running injury data from resorts has consistently shown that helmet use reduces head injuries. Wear yours on every run, and replace it after any significant impact.
How many people ski without a helmet?
Only about one in ten. The National Ski Areas Association reports that roughly 90% of skiers and snowboarders now wear helmets, up sharply from previous decades when the figure sat closer to a quarter. That is a big shift, but it still leaves riders on the mountain without head protection. A snow helmet is one of the simplest ways to lower your risk.
Can I wear a beanie or hat under my snow helmet?
It is better not to. A hat underneath changes how your helmet sits on your head, which reduces its protective performance in a crash. Our snow helmets have fleece-lined interiors and built-in removable earmuffs, so they retain warmth on their own. For extra insulation, choose a thin helmet-compatible liner rather than a thick beanie.
Can a hockey helmet be used for skiing?
No, a hockey helmet is not a substitute for a ski helmet. Hockey helmets are designed to withstand repeated low-speed impacts and concentrate protection at the front and sides. Ski and snowboard helmets are built for a single higher-speed impact, with more coverage at the back and sides, better ventilation, and different certifications. Always use a helmet made for the sport you are doing.
Do you need a ski mask for snowboarding?
No, a ski mask isn't essential, but it helps in cold or windy conditions by adding a layer over your face and neck against wind, snow, and sun. If you wear one under a snow helmet, keep it thin. A thick mask or beanie changes how your helmet sits and reduces its protective effectiveness in a fall.
How long do snow helmets last?
Plan on three to five years with normal use, and replace yours right away after any real impact. The EPS foam liner inside is built to absorb one serious hit, and once it has compressed, it cannot do that again. Even with no visible damage, replace a helmet that took a hard fall rather than trusting it for another season.
Does dropping a ski helmet ruin it?
Not always, but it can. The foam liner is built to absorb one serious impact, and even a drop that leaves no visible mark can compress it. A short drop onto snow is usually fine. A drop onto a hard surface from roughly three to five feet means it is time for a new one. When in doubt, replace it.
Which retrospec snow helmet should I choose?
It comes down to the fit system and how much control you want over airflow. Comstock is our all-around pick, with ten fixed vents and a dial-adjust fit. Zephyr adds BreezeBar, a glove-friendly lever that opens and closes the vents as conditions change. For younger riders, Comstock Youth has a dial, and Comstock Kids uses straps.
What is the difference between the Comstock Kids and Comstock Youth helmets?
The fit system and the size range. Comstock Youth uses an ErgoKnob dial so you can fine-tune the fit on the go, while Comstock Kids adjusts with straps and adds a padded chin strap to prevent chafing. Comstock Kids also comes in a smaller size starting at 48cm, so measure the head first and choose by the number rather than the name.
Do you need MIPS in a ski helmet?
Not necessarily. MIPS is one of several systems designed to manage rotational forces in a crash, and many well-made snow helmets do not use it. What matters most is that your helmet fits properly, sits level on your head, and gets replaced after a real impact. Our snow helmets use an ABS outer shell over an impact-absorbing EPS foam liner, with a dial or strap system to lock in the fit.
Do snow goggles fit with a ski helmet?
Yes. Snow goggles are made to sit flush against the front edge of a helmet, with no gap between the top of the goggle frame and the helmet. Every retrospec snow helmet has a goggle clip that holds the strap in place while you ride, and our snow goggles are built to pair with them.
Can you use a ski helmet for sledding or snow tubing?
Yes. A snow helmet works well for sledding and tubing, and head protection matters just as much on a sled hill as it does on a groomed run. The same fit rules apply: snug, level, and low enough at the front to cover your forehead. If you are heading out for a session, take a look at our snow sleds too.
