RxSport have handpicked the 10 best ski goggles and ski helmets they have to offer for Winter 2011 to make your shopping experience as pain free as possible. As ever, all helmets meet European safety certifications.
Smith Variant Brim Ski Helmet
The award winning Smith Variant Brim showcases Smith’s helmet technology in its finest form. This full performance helmet built with Hybrid construction and equipped with a slim, sleek brim, has received the highest compliment that could be hoped for – competitor imitation. Technical performance with tons of style!
Just some of the Smith Variant Brim features…
Great helmets start with a great fit. Smith’s proven ergonomic head form combined with their Adjustable Helmet Fit System provides exceptional performance and control.
The AirEvac 2 design is the ultimate in goggle-helmet integration to prevent goggle fogging and climate controlled helmet. The science bit? Where the shell vents and internal EPS channels are connected the airflow evacuates warm, moist air from the goggles and out through the helmet vents. Smith Goggles are also available at RxSport.
Hybrid Shell Construction is the ultimate in helmet protection and comfort. It combines separate lightweight and durable shells to create an entirely new helmet category. By fusing Smith’s tough Bombshell technology ABS construction with flyweight In-Mould technology, the Hybrid shell optimises the favorable traits of each materials. The result…? Avoid the ‘mushroom head’ look with a modern design that provides a lightweight, low-profile and a perfect fitting helmet!
Other features include…
- Adjustable ventilation for easy climate control using 22 different vents
- Removable Snapfit Ear Pads
- Skullcandy Bluetooth and Twin-Tip Phone/audio available
- Weight: 530g
Smith Holt Helmet
From the skate park to the terrain park, the Smith Holt helmet has you covered with smooth style and a year-round, convertible pad kit.
Airflow ventilation utilises waterproof vent plugs for easy climate control in all conditions. Removing the vent plugs allows maximum airflow and heat exhaustion in warm temperatures. This alongside the AirEvac system, which actively pulls warm, moist air out of the goggles and out through the helmet vents, ensures a fog free, climate controlled ride!
You can be sure of the right kind of protection with the Smith Holt’s Bombshell Construction, which uses an injection moulded ABS shell to withstand high-impacts and offer unparalleled durability, dent and ding resistance. If you expect your helmet to be as tough as a truck, Bombshell delivers!
The Smith Holt helmet also features:
- Convertible pad kit for year-round use
- Removable goggle lock
- 14 air vents
- Bombshell ear pads
Sweet Trooper Half Cut
At £179.99 this is not the cheap option, but you certainly get what you pay for with Sweet. All the advanced technical features ensure, in our opinion, that the Sweet Trooper helmet is well worth the money. The Sweet Trooper helmet is made using state of the art technology, with the very best materials available. It comes fully loaded with carbon fibre top shell which means lightweight and the lowest profile helmet on the market. This helmet is a strong all mountain performer and the Sweet Team’s favourite. It’s the first choice of big mountain specialist Torgrim Vole and halfpipe expert Tore Holvik. Click here to view all the colours available in the Sweet Trooper ski helmet!
Other features we just have to mention…
- Silicone goggle strap
- Hugging Occigrip that hugs the nape of the neck
- High-impact ABS occipital shell
- EPP padding with coolmax liner
- Removable earpads
- Internal ventilation channels
- Fit pads for a customised fit
Oakley Elevate Goggles
New for 2011 the Oakley Elevate goggles are all about comfort. These goggles have been specially designed with small to medium faces in mind and Oakley have tried their utmost to cram as many technical features as possible into this one goggle. This is probably why both male and female pros are calling the Oakley Elevate goggles their own.
Now, back to the comfort bit. The Oakley Elevate conforms to your face with a flexible O Matter chassis and strap outriggers that balance the pressure on your face and the pressure on the lens to avoid vision distortion. The surface that is in contact with your face is lined with a triple-layer polar fleece foam that wicks away moisture. With Oakley being Oakley, it doesn’t stop there. They have added an internal skeletal support system that minimises nasal pressure and balances contact forces along critical zones. Translation: You’ll have all the airflow you need to feed your lungs, plus comfort that makes you wonder why you ever wasted a single snow day on ordinary ski goggles.
To add to this, the Oakley Elevate goggles use dual vented lens to fight fog plus a premium F3 anti-fog coating is added. The peripheral view is wide and crisp, and the pure Pluonite lens stops every single ray of UV that bombards the highlands - including, UVA, UVB and UVC as well as harmful blue light. Choose an optional Iridium lens coating to balance light transmission and make the most of your session. Polarised lenses also available. Click here to view an array of frame and lens combinations available in the Oakley Elevate goggles!
Giro G9 Ski Helmet
How do you replace the best selling snow helmet ever made? Perserve its core and make it better by bringing it up to date with clean lines and a hint of attitude. The Giro G9 helmet features…
- Super Cool Vents that pull in cool, fresh air while pushing heat and stale air out keeping you fresh all day.
- In-Form Fit System makes it easy to dial in a custom fit in seconds – even with gloves on!
- In-Mould Construction fuses the helmet’s tough outer polycarbonate shell the the impact-absorbing EPS foam liner for extra durability without excess weight.
The Giro G9 ski helmet represents form complimenting function that can be applied to any terrain or riding style. Incredible comfort via Giro’s In-Form Fit System and a great price make this helmet a perfect all-rounder. Click here to view demo videos of all the amazing tech features that Giro Helmets can offer!
RED Theory Ski Helmet
The RED Theory Helmet – before you go spill your spaghetti all over the mountain, lock your lid with the RED Theory ski helmet. Combining nearly weightless protection with the infinite adjustability of RED’s new Air Band 270 Fit System, it also features a low-profile brim to keep snow out of your goggle vents.
Just some of the well-designed features the RED Theory helmet has to offer…
- Air Band 270 Fit System uses an air pump button to adjust the fit to for that extra comfort and safety.
- FineTuning enables you to customise the level of warmth, padding and protection with modular padding and removable options.
- GlovesOn Buckle means no more hassle on the slopes as the buckles can be adjusted with gloves on
- QuickClip Earpads simply snap on and off so the helmet can easily be converted for multi-season use.
- In Moulded Polycarbonate Shell is where form, fit and function become one. This ultra smart technology engineers the entire fit system, helmet shape and mechanics in unison, leading to reduced bulk and weight, a superior fit and ultimately a better riding experience.
- Airvanced Ventilation is rider-controlled venting that allows variable airflow to the inner helmet microclimate and limits the invasion of outside elements.
All in all, the RED Theory helmet is possibly the coolest ski helmet on the mountain this year. Loaded with RED tech features, the lightweight design retains its performance credentials and the helmet looks hot! Understated design as ever from a helmet developed by the Burton Snowboard family.
Anon Majestic Goggles
Anon Majestic snowboard & ski goggles have been designed for women, and showcase some stunning Anon creativity. The Majestic goggles blend Anon looks with tech features galore! Everything you would expect from the Burton family!
On top of Anon’s standard tech features such as polycarbonate lenses, anti-scratch coatings and 100% UV protection, the Anon Majestic goggles also features…
- Unique Wraps, Prints and Painted Frames, Anon leads the way with unparalleled graphics and detail.
- Vented Dual Lens Anti-fog Protection construction ensures proper climate control between the lenses and in the face cavity to prevent fogging in all ski conditions. For a second line of defense against fogging, all lenses are treated with Anon’s anti-fog coatings.
- Full Perimeter Channel Venting ensures maximum airflow to prevent fogging in any ski condition.
- Interchangeable Strap Tech is unique to Anon and allows you to change straps among Anon Goggles. Trade with you buddies to create your own style and add your personal flavour.
- Dual Density Face Foam utilising moisture wicking fleece on a dual density face foam, provides a perfect goggle-to-face seal that keeps out the elements while providing comfort for riding all day long.
Roxy Love is All Helmet
The Roxy Love Is All helmet is the premium Roxy Ski helmet. Amazing designs that set apart from the rest, come as standard. One of the most popular ski and snowboard helmets at RxSport, this helmet is one of the lightest on the market weighing just 390g!
- Adjustable front Venting allows you to control the airflow depending on the conditions you face on the slopes.
- Full Textile Lining with foam and mesh for that extra bit of comfort.
- Soft Thermoformed and removable earpads gives you multi-season flexibility
- Deluxe Chin strap with extra padding for comfort and durability.
Bern Baker EPS Snow Helmet
“Bern created the most stylish helmet in the game. I have had the pro-model in the Baker for four years because it fits and looks better than any of the others.” Seth Wescott, Double Olympic Snowboard Gold Medalist.
The Bern Baker is the original Bern visor lid. Introduced to the world for the first time by Olympic Gold Medalist Seth Wescott, the Bern Baker has captured the attention of all serious action sports athletes.
So what is it about the Bern Baker Helmet that makes Seth Wescott a fan?
- ASB thin shell with WPS hard foam – All the impact protection you will ever need at 20% lighter than last years model.
- Bern Profile
- Sink Fit Bern’s trademark low profile style is combined with a deep surround fit and feel. No more mushroom head!
- Chine Line of each model separates the top of the lid from the sides. This means the lid ergonomically fits around your head instead of on top of it providing full protection.
- Removable Knit insert ensures a multi-season helmet.
