As the ski and snowboard season quickly approaches, it is important to ensure all your equipment is ready to go ahead of time, so you don't have to worry about the season-opening rush. A crucial piece of equipment for safety and warmth is your helmet. Here, we are going to cover the different types of helmet constructions, and which one is perfect for you this coming ski and snowboard season!

A hard-shell helmet, sometimes called injection moulded, has a thick ABS or hard plastic outer shell that is separately moulded from the inner foam liner within the helmet. Hard shell helmets are typically cheaper, much more durable, and provide great impact protection, but they tend to be quite heavy and lack ventilation. A hard-shell helmet is perfect for someone who is looking for something simple, cost-effective, and extremely durable!

In-mould helmets are created by fusing a polycarbonate outer shell to the inner foam liner during the manufacturing process. By using this technique, the helmets are generally much lighter and have better ventilation, but in-mould helmets are usually more expensive and less durable than hard-shell. An in-mould helmet is ideal for a skier or snowboarder searching for something extremely lightweight and well-ventilated.

Hybrid helmets combine aspects of both in-mould and hard-shell construction to create durability in the most important places on the helmet, such as the temple, while maintaining a lightweight, well-ventilated build. Hybrid helmets tend to be the most expensive due to their complex design. As an avid skier or snowboarder looking for one helmet to rule them all with the durability aspect of hard-shell construction mapped to the most important sections and the lightweight, breathable nature of an in-mould helmet, look no further than the hybrid.

An important feature you should consider when purchasing your next helmet is MIPs, an in-helmet membrane that drastically reduces the severity of rotational impacts to the head. Take a look at this article to learn all about MIPS and the safety features it adds to a helmet.

MIPS: Don’t Knock It ‘Til You Try It

Hopefully, this article helped you determine what type of helmet to consider grabbing for this season. Check out our store online or in person to explore all the different helmets we have available, as well as accessories such as in-helmet audio systems, lift pass holders, helmet bags, and much more to make this upcoming ski and snowboard season even more enjoyable!