I wear ski/snowboarding goggles when it gets really cold to protect my eyes from the wind and snow, and to keep my glasses from fogging. The problem is, they don't play very nicely with a normal bike helmet.

I'm wondering if there's any reason using a snowboarding helmet would be a bad idea? Presumably the goggles would interface better with it.

I have an old-school one that was unvented, and thus got pretty hot at about -5C and up.

Last month I had a new Giro snow lid with the open-close vents in my hand at the checkout line, but at the last minute tried it on with my googles... and found it didn't even almost fit. Seems it was designed to fit with Giro goggles. Oakleys.. notsomuch.

That tirade aside, I think it's a great solution for riding in the winter, just make sure it fits your head AND your preferred goggles.

I think Dottie rocks one of those:

A guy was wearing one on our group ride yesterday. There are some that are approved for cycling and they work really well in combination with goggles.

Trying to do some research on snowboarding helmets that are certified for cycling. I think anything CPSC certified is safe for cycling, since there doesn't appear to be a snowboarding or skiing certification, but I'm not sure. I've found one Giro helmet that's explicitly certified for cycling, and a couple other helmets from other brands that list CPSC certification, but not the sport the CPSC certified them for.

Anyone have more knowledge of how the certifications work?

the safety ratings are pretty dubious at best, because one helmet can be approved of in europe, but not in the US, or vice versa.

As long as you buy a helmet from a reputable maker, you're safer than without one.

you obviously want a helmet that's not too heavy, because it's can be a strain on your neck with the extra weight.

other helmets you might want to consider are MTB full face helmets.

One thing the snowboard/ski helmets seem to lack are proper ventilation for the amount of work you do on a bike. Riding a bike is more effort and more sweaty compared to skiing or snowboarding.

I dont see a snowboarding helmet being very comfortable if you're running drop bars, i think the back goes down too far for how much you have too look "up". I think it would work other than the ventilation issues noted above for say a flat bar bike.

You are right in that goggles do not work well with a regular bike helmet. Ski/Snowboard helmets are usually too hot as even the vented ones do not have enough venting for even winter cycling. The solution is to use the inexpensive bike/skateboard/skating helmets. They have more venting than ski helmet but not as much as a regular bike helmet. They work better with goggles and are inexpensive. And they have about the right amount of venting for winter riding. Plus they keep the back of your head warmer since they have better coverage in the back.

Try Pricepoint.com. They usually have some for less then 25 dollars.

...or get a really nice bern. will play nice with goggles. the brentwood is quite nice (comes in a "snow" version).

https://www.bernunlimited.com

I am using a Uvex X8 ski helmet, with a pair of Uvex goggles. The back is curved and trimed out and I have not had an issue with keeping my head up, or feeling a pinch point at the neck. I clip a flasher with two AAs to the goggle strap and this shifts balance of the helmet to the rear. I wear a thin fleace hat to sug the fit and have not had a problem with becoming too sweaty when riding. The vents are small, but it is really nice to be sheilded from the wind. Not being build to be lightweight or full of holes, I am confident that it can take a impact as good as, or better than many summer bike helmets.

I use this one:



It seems to work really well, but I don't switch to goggles until 15ºF (-10º C)...so maybe that keeps me from getting too warm. It seems to be similar construction to bike helmets, and I imagine the same helmet that will save you from when you hit a tree at 45mph will save you from when you hit ice covered asphalt at 20.

Cheers,

Josh

I just got the Bern G2 and so far it's working great. The venting is fully adjustable from wide open to fully closed. The G2 comes with both a summer and winter liner. The summer liner is a soft, fabric band around the inside of the helmet while the winter liner covers your ears and is toasty warm. Both liners just snap in. It has a clip on the back for goggles but I removed it for now. Would imagine it would work great with any brand of goggles.

Thanks for the suggestions. One thing I'm concerned about regarding helmets that aren't specifically bike certified is that skateboarding helmets are typically built to sustain less severe impacts than bike helmets. It is unclear if the same is true of snowboarding helmets.

I'm thinking I'm going to check out the Giro Encore 2 if I can track one down in the right size. Not too expensive, somewhat ventilated, and certified for cycling.

Look for the bicycle free ride helmets if you are concerned about certification. In my experience the multi-purpose helmets offer better protection than a standard bike helmet.

https://www.pricepoint.com/detail/207...Lid-Helmet.htm

This helmet meets all certifications for under 15 bucks. You are only getting enhanced style and better venting with more expensive helmets like the Giro's.

I bought a Giro G10 snow helmet a couple of months ago and I love it. I bought it after reading a thread here that talked about snow helmets offering a little more protection than bicycle helmets. I searched for the thread but couldn't find it. It has removable earpads and today was the first time I put them back in. The only drawback is that it is to hot to wear if the temp is over 80 degrees.

Thanks, though I'm reluctant to buy headgear without being able to try it on first.

Ya, that is a big issue. Though for helmets you just need to know were to look. Bike shops that specialize in kids bikes and BMX bikes will have the right kind of helmets for less money. But if you have the money for the nicer helmets like the Giro shown above I would go for it. Since it will be nicer in the long run. Mostly just wanted to point you in the right direction. So you know the right style of bike helmet to look for, for winter use. Good luck.

ok, I will say it. Dottie is hot.

Way!!!

I tried a helmet for winter riding six or seven years ago but that didn't work out. I would suggest ditching the helmet and go with a wool cap if you can bring yourself to ride without a helmet. I can say that once you go hat, you will never go back to a helmet.

I already had a thin windproof fleece hat I wore under my regular bike helmet, as well as an even thinner balaclava for when the weather was not quite as cold. Warmth was a complete non-issue.

I say "was" because I ended up buying a Giro Encore 2 and have been using it for a week or so now. Overall opinion is positive; I'll write a more substantial commentary soon.

I generally wear a CCM hockey helmet in the winter, with those springy clamp on ear warmers if its pretty cold (don't usually use a helmet in summer). It's warm enough, and I'm pretty confident of it's protection. Not too stylish though.

I have considered the snow board helmet, but for now have stayed with my regular summer helmet. I wear a balaclava and and my head does not get cold. I also wear ski goggles - the one piece kind, that fit the helmet just fine.

My problem is that my glasses fog up very quickly as soon as I slow down, like waiting at a traffic light. It is the glasses, rather than the ski mask. My solution so far has been to stop wearing the glasses. But that brings on its own problems, especially at night. I have tried some cleaning fluid that is supposed to be anti-fog. No luck

Any suggestions?

A thinner balaclava and/or not pedaling as hard. Assuming your balaclava isn't directing your moisture-laden breath up into your glasses, your glasses are probably fogging up due to heat and perspiration coming off your skin.

My local salvation army has one of these i've been eyeballing. For only $5 I don't think I could go wrong. The only drawback is that it is pink, but I'll just consider it Hi-Viz.

P.S. I'm a male, but it should still fit given my head measurements.