Ski Helmets too warm? Any good?
 

Anybody using skiing/snowboard helmets for winter riding? Are they too warm? Is it better to get one with open/close vents? I'm in Minneapolis, so the winter riding is cold.

They are easy to score cheap in the summer. I made my kids get them for skiing so I thought I might pick one up myself. I could justify it easier if I could use it for my daily winter commute too.

I know there is almost no one here these days but I'm thinking about it now.

I bought a Giro Omen snowboard helmet with moveable vents late last winter, only rode the bike with it a few times - It would be way too hot without the vents, nice and warm on the ears, though.

If you pedal with any sort of effort, you'll just overheat and sweat inside the ski helmet. I rode in temperatures down to around 0 degrees F this winter and the bike helmet with ear covers was fine by itself most of the time. Only when it got under 10 degrees did I install the rest of the winter kit to plug some of the vents.

My helmet is a Bell Metro, which has a reasonable amount of venting and can be equipped with a snap-attached rain cover, visor-mounted mirror, and winter kit with ear and vent covers.

I only used the rain cover one time and it was worse than getting rained on because of how much my own perspiration condensed inside the helmet. It made me every bit as wet and hot and uncomfortable.

Thanks, I should have mentioned at the start, that I don't have a problem with a cold head, or ears I wear a heaband, hat, or balaclava or both under my bike helmet in the winter depending on the temps. So I'm good. And I ride pretty hard in the winter to warm the body up. Single speed bike, studded tires. Plenty of effort.

So right off the bat here I'm getting the impression a ski helmet might be too warm for most days, even with the openable vents.

ya think?

I bought a downhill ski helmet a few years ago for my winter riding and LOVE it. It's a Giro, I forget which model. I find it's too hot for anything warmer than -5C. I don't need any more layers until about -25C and then I have a balaclava that I wear from -25C to -45C.

It probably depends on the weather in your area. Here on the Canadian prairies it's been perfect.

Hi... Another mpls winter rider here... I tried ridingonce a few years ago with a "snowboarding" helmet. Like you said, once ya get going it is just to damn hot. I always end up covering a few vents on my bell witj good ol duct tape. But only for the REAL frigid days we have to deal with here. Nice thing about the tape is how easy it is to peel off if ya need.

I have found that vented ski or snowboard helmets work well in cold temperatures. Say below 35 F. A few riders may over heat in them but for most they work well. Stay away from the non-vented models. Since even a well vented ski helmet will have few vents compared to a bike helmet it usually has about the right amount for cold weather riding. You can also use the bike free ride helmets which cover the back of the head and have less venting than regular bike helmets. Both these kinds allow more room for goggles if needed. They often are in really cold conditions.

I personally use a free ride helmet because they are less expensive and have better venting than the ski/snowboard helmets. I have tried every option and this has worked the best for me.

Something like this is just about perfect. Notice the venting all around. Yet a lot less than a regular helmet. ALso, they come down further in the back which helps keep the back of your head warm.

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/176...ion-Helmet.htm

There is also one with less venting for 10 bucks at price point.

Heres another one for 15 bucks less and looks like it come down a little more over the ears.

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/172...elmet-2008.htm

Mine has vents and a removeable liner. With the liner out and the vents open it's not too hot until I get to about 60 f. I use a bandana underneath to catch sweat and seat the helmet with the liner out.

I wear a full-face DH MTB'ing helmet in 95+ weather, so I don't see why a ski helmet is too hot for >0....

Yup, totally agree. I'm in Winnipeg. My wife bought me one for christmas. I was like " ummm....already have a bike helmet" Thought I was going to have to wear it with balclava underneath. Wrong! It's a giro, and she got me the skull candy speaker ear flaps. I'm good without the plugs until about -10C after that the plugs go in. So far I haven't worn anything under it. When it get stupid cold ~ -30c I wear a filter mask and ski goggles as well.

Anyway - I say go for it!

Helmet Cozy
 

I've biked with all sorts of helmets in the winter, but I prefer my bike helmet with a helmet cozy. I think it looks the coolest (mind the pun) and it keeps me warm and safe. I think their website is: helmetcozy.com

I have never seen one of these helmet cozy's before until now. I can't say that I think they are cool looking but they look like they would do the job by keeping in more heat and keeping the helmet breathable at the same time. A good idea.

I wear a pink Pryme ski helmet. Most wonderful warm helmet! It has a warm liner and cozy ear flaps. Best part they hold my goggles well (no slipping!). I wear the combo whenever I ride my bike on less than 0 degree celsius days! Looks nuts, but at least I'll still have my ears.