Ski & Snowboard
The Best Ski Helmets: 4 Compared (and One to Skip)
We compared four ski and snowboard helmets on safety certifications, rotational protection, construction, fit system, vents, weight and returns.
The short version
The OutdoorMaster Kelvin 2 MIPS is the pick: MIPS rotational protection, certified to both ASTM F2040-18 and EN 1077:2007 Class B, 14 vents, an adjustable dial, a detachable liner, audio compatibility and 30-day returns, at a budget price. The Anon Logan WaveCel is the premium buy, with WaveCel impact material, a 360° BOA fit dial, in-mold construction and a published 424 g weight, though its page does not list certifications. The Wildhorn Highline MIPS suits bargain hunters, certified to ASTM 2040 and EN 1077 with MIPS and audio, but it is clearance stock sold as final sale in limited sizes. Skip the Retrospec Comstock: it lists only EN 1077 Class B, not the US ASTM F2040 standard, has no rotational system, and Retrospec says it runs small. Best for: resort skiing and snowboarding.
Our picks at a glance
- OutdoorMaster KELVIN 2 MIPS Ski Helmet - Buy. Dual-certified with MIPS, 14 vents and audio compatibility at a budget price.
- Anon Logan WaveCel Ski & Snowboard Helmet - Buy. WaveCel protection, a 360° BOA fit and a low-profile in-mold shell.
- Wildhorn Highline MIPS Snow Helmet - It depends. A certified MIPS helmet at clearance prices, sold as final sale in limited sizes.
- Retrospec Comstock Ski & Snowboard Helmet - Skip. An inexpensive hard-shell helmet that lists only the European standard and no MIPS.
The verdict in 30 seconds
What mattered most
- Certifications
- Rotational protection
- Construction
- Fit system
- Vents
- Weight
A ski helmet is the one piece of gear where the safety certification matters more than anything else. In the US, ASTM F2040 is the snow sports standard; in Europe it is EN 1077. Many helmets add a rotational-impact system such as MIPS or WaveCel. After that, the fit system, construction, venting and goggle compatibility decide whether you actually wear it. We compared four popular helmets.
Dual-certified with MIPS, 14 vents and audio compatibility at a budget price.
Best for: Most skiers and snowboarders who want certified protection and MIPS without a premium price.
- Meets ASTM F2040-18 and CE EN 1077:2007 Class B, with MIPS rotational protection.
- 14 air vents, an adjustable dial and a detachable lining.
- Audio compatible, sized by head circumference in inches, with 30-day returns.
- No weight is published.
- Construction type is not described on the page.
- Vents are not described as adjustable.
- Warranty terms sit on a separate page.
WaveCel protection, a 360° BOA fit and a low-profile in-mold shell.
Best for: Riders who want a premium fit system and a low-profile helmet.
- WaveCel impact material, visible through 10 passive vents, with snow-stopper fabric.
- In-shell 360° BOA fit dial for micro adjustments all around the head.
- In-mold polycarbonate shell fused to an EPS liner, at a published 424 g.
- The product page does not list ASTM or EN certifications.
- WaveCel helmets fit close to the head; Anon suggests sizing up if between sizes.
- Vents are passive, not adjustable.
- The most expensive helmet here, with a 1-year warranty.
A certified MIPS helmet at clearance prices, sold as final sale in limited sizes.
Best for: Buyers who know their size and want certified MIPS protection for very little.
- Certified to ASTM 2040 and EN 1077, with MIPS.
- In-mold polycarbonate and EPS shell, a moisture-wicking liner and a goggle strap lock.
- Audio compatible, with a Fine Tune Adjust fit system.
- Clearance stock: all sales final, with no returns or exchanges.
- Many size and colour combinations are sold out.
- It may ship in original or alternate previous-season packaging.
- No weight is published.
An inexpensive hard-shell helmet that lists only the European standard and no MIPS.
Best for: Occasional riders on a tight budget who have checked the fit carefully.
- ABS shell with an EPS interior, 10 vents and a fleece lining.
- Removable, hand-washable earmuffs and a removable goggle clip.
- ErgoKnob dial adjuster and a 1-year warranty.
- Retrospec lists compliance with EN 1077 Class B only, not the US ASTM F2040 standard.
- No MIPS or other rotational-impact system.
- Retrospec notes that it runs small.
- Several size and colour combinations are sold out.
| Criteria | KELVIN 2 MIPS Ski Helmet Top pick | Logan WaveCel Ski & Snowboard Helmet | Highline MIPS Snow Helmet | Comstock Ski & Snowboard Helmet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verdict | Buy it | Buy it | It depends | Skip it |
| Best for | Most skiers and snowboarders who want certified protection and MIPS without a premium price. | Riders who want a premium fit system and a low-profile helmet. | Buyers who know their size and want certified MIPS protection for very little. | Occasional riders on a tight budget who have checked the fit carefully. |
| Price tier | $$ · mid-range | $$$ · premium | $ · budget | $ · budget |
| Certifications | ASTM F2040-18, EN 1077 Class B | Not listed on page | ASTM 2040, EN 1077 | EN 1077 Class B only |
| Rotational protection | MIPS | WaveCel | MIPS | None |
| Construction | Not described | In-mold PC + EPS | In-mold PC + EPS | ABS shell + EPS |
| Fit system | Adjustable dial | 360° BOA dial | Fine Tune Adjust | ErgoKnob dial |
| Vents | 14 | 10 passive | Not stated | 10 |
| Weight | Not published | 424 g | Not published | Not published |
| Extras | Audio compatible, detachable liner | Snow-stopper vents | Audio compatible, goggle lock | Removable earmuffs, goggle clip |
| Returns | 30 days | Easy returns | Final sale | See policy |
Which one is right for you?
- Most skiers and snowboarders who want certified protection and MIPS without a premium price. Buy it OutdoorMaster KELVIN 2 MIPS Ski Helmet
- Riders who want a premium fit system and a low-profile helmet. Buy it Anon Logan WaveCel Ski & Snowboard Helmet
- Buyers who know their size and want certified MIPS protection for very little. It depends Wildhorn Highline MIPS Snow Helmet
- Occasional riders on a tight budget who have checked the fit carefully. Skip it Retrospec Comstock Ski & Snowboard Helmet
How we judged the field
Five things decide whether a ski helmet is right for you. Certification comes first: ASTM F2040 in the US and EN 1077 in Europe show the helmet passed impact tests. A rotational-impact system such as MIPS or WaveCel adds protection in angled falls. Construction, in-mold or hard shell, affects weight and durability. The fit system decides whether it stays put and feels comfortable all day. And venting, goggle compatibility and returns affect whether you keep wearing it.
The field splits into premium helmets with advanced fit and impact systems, well-specified budget helmets with MIPS, clearance deals and basic hard-shell helmets. We picked one of each and held them to what their product pages say.
The OutdoorMaster Kelvin 2 MIPS is the pick because it publishes what matters most and adds rotational protection at a low price. OutdoorMaster says it meets both ASTM F2040-18 and CE EN 1077:2007 Class B, the US and European snow sports standards, and it includes MIPS. It has 14 air vents, an adjustable dial and a detachable lining, it is compatible with helmet audio, and sizes are listed by head circumference in inches. OutdoorMaster offers 30-day returns. The gaps are weight, which is not published, construction, which is not described, and venting, which is not described as adjustable. Warranty terms are on a separate page. For most skiers and snowboarders, dual certification plus MIPS for a budget price is the right combination, and it is the helmet to buy.
The Anon Logan WaveCel is the premium buy. Its WaveCel material, visible through 10 passive vents, is designed to flex and crumple in an impact, and snow-stopper fabric keeps snow out of the vents. Fit comes from an in-shell 360° BOA dial that tightens a halo all the way around the head, and the in-mold polycarbonate shell fused to an EPS liner keeps the profile low, at a published 424 g. Anon says WaveCel helmets fit close to the head and suggests sizing up if you are between sizes. The main caution is on the product page itself: it does not list ASTM or EN certifications, which you should confirm before buying. The vents are passive, the warranty is 1 year, and it is the most expensive helmet here. For riders who want a premium fit, it is the one to get.
The Wildhorn Highline MIPS is a strong helmet sold on unusual terms, which is why it is our depends. Wildhorn says it is certified to ASTM 2040 and EN 1077, it includes MIPS, and it has an in-mold polycarbonate and EPS shell, a moisture-wicking liner, audio compatibility, a goggle strap lock and a Fine Tune Adjust fit system. The catch is that it is clearance stock. All sales are final with no returns or exchanges, many size and colour combinations are sold out, and it may ship in original or alternate previous-season packaging. No weight is published. If you already know your Wildhorn size and your size is in stock, it is excellent value; if you are unsure of the fit, a helmet you can return is the safer choice.
The Retrospec Comstock is an inexpensive helmet with useful features, and we would still skip it. It has an ABS hard shell over an EPS interior, 10 vents, a fleece lining, removable hand-washable earmuffs, a removable goggle clip and an ErgoKnob dial adjuster, with a 1-year warranty. The problem is certification. Retrospec says its snow helmets comply with EN 1077 Class B, the European standard, and the page does not list ASTM F2040, the US standard for snow sports helmets. It also has no MIPS or other rotational system, Retrospec notes that it runs small, and several sizes and colours are sold out. For a similar budget, the OutdoorMaster Kelvin 2 MIPS lists both certifications and adds MIPS, which makes it the better buy.
OutdoorMaster KELVIN 2 MIPS Ski Helmet vs Anon Logan WaveCel Ski & Snowboard Helmet: which should you buy?
The OutdoorMaster Kelvin 2 MIPS and the Anon Logan WaveCel both add rotational-impact protection, but they aim at different buyers. The Kelvin 2 publishes both ASTM F2040-18 and EN 1077 certifications, uses MIPS, and adds 14 vents, a detachable liner and audio compatibility at a budget price. The Logan uses WaveCel, a 360° BOA fit and a low-profile in-mold shell at 424 g, for considerably more, and its page does not list certifications.
Choose the Kelvin 2 if you want certified protection and MIPS without spending much. Choose the Logan if a premium fit system and low profile matter to you, and confirm its certifications with Anon or your retailer before you buy.
What to look for
- ASTM F2040: The US snow sports helmet standard; look for it on helmets sold in the US.
- EN 1077: The European standard, Class A or B; many helmets carry both.
- Rotational protection: MIPS or WaveCel address angled impacts that standard tests do not.
- Fit system: A dial or BOA system keeps the helmet snug; check the brand’s sizing notes.
- Construction: In-mold is lighter and lower profile; hard-shell ABS is tougher but heavier.
- Returns: Helmets must fit precisely, so avoid final sale unless you know your size.
Our final take
For most people, the OutdoorMaster Kelvin 2 MIPS is the ski helmet to buy. It lists both the US and European certifications, adds MIPS, and costs far less than premium helmets, with 30-day returns. If you want a premium fit and low profile, the Anon Logan WaveCel is excellent, as long as you confirm its certifications. The Wildhorn Highline MIPS is a great clearance deal if you know your size, since it is final sale. Skip the Retrospec Comstock: it lists only the European standard and has no rotational protection.
Questions, answered
What certification should a ski helmet have?
In the US, look for ASTM F2040, the standard for recreational snow sports helmets. In Europe the equivalent is EN 1077, which comes in Class A and Class B. Many helmets carry both, like the OutdoorMaster Kelvin 2 MIPS and the Wildhorn Highline MIPS. A helmet sold in the US that lists only EN 1077 has not been shown to meet the US standard.
What are MIPS and WaveCel?
Both are designed to reduce rotational forces on the brain in angled impacts, which standard tests do not measure. MIPS is a low-friction layer that lets the helmet slide slightly relative to the head. WaveCel is a collapsible cellular material that flexes and crumples on impact. Both add cost, and both are widely used in snow and bike helmets.
How should a ski helmet fit?
Snug all around with no gaps, sitting about an inch above your eyebrows, and it should not rock when you shake your head. Measure your head circumference just above your eyebrows and use the brand's chart. Anon says WaveCel helmets fit close, and Retrospec says the Comstock runs small. Try it with your goggles on.
When should I replace a ski helmet?
After any significant impact, even if you cannot see damage, because the foam may be compressed. Many brands also suggest replacing helmets every few years as materials age. Store it away from heat and direct sun. Never use a helmet that has been dropped hard onto a hard surface without checking the maker's advice.
In-mold or hard-shell helmets?
In-mold helmets fuse a thin polycarbonate shell to the foam, which is lighter and lower profile, as on the Anon Logan and Wildhorn Highline. Hard-shell helmets use a thicker ABS shell attached to the foam, which is tougher against knocks but heavier, like the Retrospec Comstock. Both can pass the same certifications. Weight and fit usually decide.
Deciding between the top two? See our head-to-head: OutdoorMaster KELVIN 2 MIPS Ski Helmet vs Anon Logan WaveCel Ski & Snowboard Helmet.
