Never too early for winter- Snowboarding Helmets

[DaveK]

@krazygl00 30197 wrote:

I heard a tip last year about using a snowboard helmet for cold weather riding. They have less ventilation than bike helmets, some lining, and ear flaps built in. So I snagged two Giro G10’s on sale recently, one Large one Medium, and I think the Large will fit me better (and allow for a thin hat/scarf if needed). They’re pretty sweet actually…nice and light, ventilation adjustable via a switch on top (sweet!), ear flaps with pockets for headphones, and made for use with goggles (which I may or may not try).

Anyway, I will post my findings here when it gets cold. In the meantime, since I am leaning towards keeping the Large, anyone interested in the Medium? I’ll let it go for what I paid via Steepandcheap (I’ll have to dig up the receipt).

My brother has that Giro helmet and seems to like it. He also got it on S&C. I have a Bern helmet that I’m pretty happy with. I originally bought it for winter biking but I found that even on the coldest days my head needs to breathe. Fantastic for snow sports though. The Berns run VERY small IMO. With the winter liner in I can barely fit in a large – I wear a medium in most bike helmets. It’s very warm though and works well with my goggles.

[consularrider]

I’ll be most interested in hearing a side by side post crash worthiness test report as compared with a regular ventilated bike helmet after you hit that first patch of winter ice. Stay safe out there!

[krazygl00]

@consularrider 30199 wrote:

I’ll be most interested in hearing a side by side post crash worthiness test report as compared with a regular ventilated bike helmet after you hit that first patch of winter ice. Stay safe out there!

Ha! Well, ice on the W&OD is a no-go for me

[TwoWheelsDC]

@DaveK 30198 wrote:

My brother has that Giro helmet and seems to like it. He also got it on S&C. I have a Bern helmet that I’m pretty happy with. I originally bought it for winter biking but I found that even on the coldest days my head needs to breathe. Fantastic for snow sports though. The Berns run VERY small IMO. With the winter liner in I can barely fit in a large – I wear a medium in most bike helmets. It’s very warm though and works well with my goggles.

+1 on the sizing. I have a big head, but can usually wear Large sized helmets just fine…with the Bern I had to go XL and it’s just barely big enough. I haven’t used mine in cold weather yet, but it seems warm enough that I don’t anticipate needing the winter insert…just something to cover my ears.

[vvill]

I just use balaclava type things if I need head warmth. Never had a problem being too cold – it’s usually just the opposite.

[DaveK]

@TwoWheelsDC 30201 wrote:

+1 on the sizing. I have a big head, but can usually wear Large sized helmets just fine…with the Bern I had to go XL and it’s just barely big enough. I haven’t used mine in cold weather yet, but it seems warm enough that I don’t anticipate needing the winter insert…just something to cover my ears.

If I used it for any kind of cardio I would have to pull out the liner. For downhill skiing though I usually don’t warm up, so it’s good to have in there.

[Rod Smith]

My goggles fit better with my ski helmet, so I ride in ski helmet and goggles when it snows.

[PotomacCyclist]

I’m usually fine with a polyester beanie under my regular bike helmet for most winter rides. For the coldest days, I might wear a balaclava under the helmet instead. As long as I keep my ears covered, I don’t have any problems keeping my head warm.

It’s always my toes and fingers that are the problem. The Bar Mitts helped with my hands last winter. And chemical warmers helped with my toes, but not completely. (I also use mtn bike shoes with little ventilation and neoprene shoe covers in the winter.)

[jopamora]

I tried a snowboarding helmet two Winters ago. I overheated after 20 minutes in 30 degree weather. I’ve been fine with a wool buff folded over to protect my lower face.

[Dirt]

There are a few things that I like. Lazer helmets make a winter liner to their helmets so that you get a little warmth without getting rid of ventilation. They also make ear flaps. They also make a lexan cover that closes most of the vents and keeps rain/snow out.

I have a Nutcase helmet that I use for short trips. They’re inexpensive, have some ventilation and their snowboard accessories (ear flaps) fit their summer helmets. They also come in cool patterns/colors.

Like Will, I tend to wear a cap or headband under my normal helmet. That also gives me a visor, which I need to keep oncoming headlights from blinding me when riding in the dark.

One thing that I have done is use a little tape to cover up some of the vents up front. It lets you limit the amount of air coming into the helmet, while still having some cooling and plenty of vents to let the sweat go out the back. This technique has been made much more cute with the advent of pink, Hello Kitty duct tape.

[off2ride]

I bought this http://www.giro.com/us_en/flak-5524.html for the incoming cold weather rides. Looks trick. Not much vents. Looks like it’ll do ok in the winter.

[5555624]

@Dirt 30287 wrote:

One thing that I have done is use a little tape to cover up some of the vents up front. It lets you limit the amount of air coming into the helmet, while still having some cooling and plenty of vents to let the sweat go out the back. This technique has been made much more cute with the advent of pink, Hello Kitty duct tape.

If I feel the need to cover the vents — say it’s in single digits — I pull out the rain cover. I might try duct tape on the front vents — not pink or Hello Kitty, though. Some silver duct tape might make my helmet look a bit like Certified’s, though…

[pfunkallstar]

I’ve never had much of an issue, even down into the teens. I just throw on a balaclava and up my pace a bit – I look like a sticky bun coming out of the steamer by the time I get to work.

[krazygl00]

I finally listed the one that I’m not keeping in this thread in the classifieds section.

[thecyclingeconomist]

I run clear goggles a simple skull cap (helmet cover if raining) and the Talus Coldavenger… it’s the best mask out there. Changed my commuting in the winter and is the best $40 I have spent on a gear upgrade.

I snowboard and have my helmet, but it’s WAY too hot if you are riding with any effort in my opinion (even in the teens.)

http://www.talusoutdoor.com/coldavenger

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