All ski helmets sold in the markets need certification: European markets – BS EN1077, USA markets – ASTM F:2040, Canadian market – CSA Z263.1-08, Australian/New Zealand – AS/NZS, FIS – FIS 2013/2014 (maybe a new version for several years). For skier’s safety, best to select the helmet with certifications, usually BS EN1077 standard would be OK for normal skiers’ selection. Better to know some general knowledge about ski helmet.

1. Structure of Helmet:

  • Shell: The outside part of a helmet, material could be ABS, Polycarbonate (PC), Carbon Fiber or Fiberglass. Shell decides a helmet appearance, most brands take more attention on shell designing, wishing it could one generation of CLASSIC.
  • Impact-absorbing Liner: Absorbing energy occurred impact. Some low-end ABS ski helmets use white EPS. Most PC in-molding ski helmet would use Black EPS (most are made in USA). Some brands use EPP, which performance is better than EPS. Impact-absorbing liner decides the fitting of wearing.
  • Comfortable Inner Padding: Made by fabrics and sponge, enhance the comfortability of wearing. Also the helmet sizes are adjusted by using different thickness of sponge. Now more and more ski helmets use removable comfortable padding.
  • Strap: Material could be Nylon, Polyester… Most helmets use “Y” structure strap to protect the roll-off testing for certification
  • Goggle Clip: A ski helmet should have a goggle clip, for skier should wear a pair of goggle during playing. Usually could make brand logo on the clip.
  • Ear Padding: Protecting ear from cold weather outsides. Some helmet would put speaker into the ear padding.
  • Buckle: It is made from plastic(POM). Most ski helmets use quick-release buckle.
  • Chin Guard: Ski Helmet Accessories. Usually it is made from Steel and fit in the helmet to protect the chin in skiing.
ski helmet structure - CCL

 

2. Type of Ski Helmet:

  • PC In-molding Helmet: The shell is PC, the Impact-absorbing liner was connected with the shell without space, like SKI-02
  • ABS Helmet (Hardshell helmet): The shell is ABS, connected with the impact-absorbing liner by glue, like SKI-04

Comparing PC In-molding helmet and ABS helmet, the differences

  1. Weight: Normally PC In-molding helmet is lighter than the latter, like SKI-02 weight is 420grams, SKI-04 weight is 530grams
  2. Ventilation: Normally PC In-molding helmet could have more ventilation holes than the latter;
  3. Surface Graphics Making: For PC in-molding helmet, usually use SILK PRINTING(or called SCREEN PRINTING) technology to make the graphics. Sometime would paint its surface with different color paints. For ABS HELMET, usually use WATER DECALS to make the graphics, then paint outsides, to look more attractive;
  4. Price: PC In-molding is more expensive than the latter;
  5. Comfortable Inner Padding and Ear Padding: All PC in-molding helmet are removable. For some ABS helmet, both could not be removable.
  6. FIS Rules: Only ABS helmet could be used for GS/SG/DH, because FIS rules require Class A helmet. At present, almost all PC in-molding helmets are Class B.

3. Certification:

  • BS EN1077: The most used Standard for European market, also like USA, Canada, Japan, Australia also accept this standard.
  • ASTM F:2040: USA standard for ski/snowboarding helmet.
  • CSA Z263.1-08: Canada standard for ski/snowboarding helmet.
  • AS/NZS: Australia and New Zealand standard for ski/snowboarding helmets.
  • FIS 2013/2014: This standard is issued by FIS, which is used in GS/SG/DH. This standard is based on BS EN1077/A and ASTM F:2040, and have an addition testing – Helmet model to pass an additional specific test under EN 1077 test procedure but at higher test speed of 6.8m/s.