Protect Your Dome: Wear a Helmet!
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After cracking my head open 3 or 4 times and having at least
a couple concussions, I should probably wear a helmet just to walk outside.
Even though that idea might not be realistic, the least I could do is wear one
when I’m snowboarding…and you should too!
Kerry and I...all helmets all the time
The nicest thing about purchasing helmets is that the
companies don’t seem to compete with each other the way they do with all other
hard goods and accessories. Most brands helmets are compatible with just about
any goggle. When it comes to purchasing a helmet, it’s not a bad idea to bring
your goggles with you to try them on as a set. If you get up to the hill and
you’re getting a wind gap, try putting the goggle strap under your helmet
instead of over. From personal experience with Oakley goggles and a Smith
helmet, A Frames need to be worn with the strap under the helmet, vs a larger
goggle like the Airbrake or Crowbar, where the strap is fine being on the
outside of the helmet. What it really
comes down to with helmets is that it’s all about just finding something that
fits and feels good, so you will actually wear it.
The difference between men's and women's helmets you ask? Not much. Generally the actually sizing is the same. The biggest differences are usually just the colorways and the ear pads in women's helmets are softer. Depending on the company and the helmet, sometimes the forehead coverage on a women's helmet is a bit more shallow. I have always worn a "men's" helmet and I've got no complaints!
The difference between men's and women's helmets you ask? Not much. Generally the actually sizing is the same. The biggest differences are usually just the colorways and the ear pads in women's helmets are softer. Depending on the company and the helmet, sometimes the forehead coverage on a women's helmet is a bit more shallow. I have always worn a "men's" helmet and I've got no complaints!
My Favorite Helmet: Smith Maze
It’s the lightest and most comfortable helmet I have ever
worn. It’s low profile, has nice ventilation, removable ear pads, and only
retails for about $80. I wore a Smith Holt for a long time(because it only
costs $60) and it’s a great helmet, but it feels bulkier and heavier, which
usually led to me not wearing it very often.
The Maze in matte black
Killin' it in colorways: Anon Griffon
Anon "released" helmets this past season, but they are actually just rebranded from the RED company (nothing wrong with that). Burton owns Anon and RED and converted them over for marketing and goggle purposes, which actually makes a lot of sense. I am a Smith girl for sure, but they did a very nice job this year with colors and designs. The Griffon women's specific helmet, amongst others, have been looking good. Nice feminine touches in the colors and graphics, but still using matte finishes and not making them look too girly.
The Griffon in the Sprae Colorway
Useful thinking: Bern
Bern helmets are cool for two reasons. One-they're straight out of Compton or at least the closest where house to me is (they even have a model called the Watts). Two-they make multiple removable liners, so you can use your helmet all year round! You purchase your helmet for whatever season you're going for, then just go online and check out the rest of the liners you might want as well!
The Bern Lennox
According to Wikipedia.com, out of 188 skiing/snowboarding deaths in the last 10 years, 108 have been related to head injuries! Yikes!