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No matter which sport you practise – safety is paramount! This also goes for snow sports, whether you are shredding in the park, taking the fiercest powder line or carving up the piste. A trend that has changed for the better in recent years on the ski and snowboard scene has definitely been wearing a ski / snowboard helmet. Gone are the days when it was cool to show off your skills on the mountains with just your beanie. All winter athletes with half a brain want to keep it protected when hitting those huge jumps and hard rails by wearing a helmet. There is also a wide variety of fits, colours and technologies to choose from. Blue Tomato is keen to ensure that your head is protected and that, at the same time, you don't have to give up any style!The pro's did it first and now almost everybody has followed them. For many years it has been mandatory to wear head protection in competitions and in more and more ski resorts and fun parks you can no longer go without. Anyway, what is cool about hitting the deck with your head and no helmet after messing up a 5er off a twelve-meter kicker? Not very much. And when Sage Kotsenburg, Shaun White and co. are wearing them in the Olympics and X-Games, then you can also be sure to wear your snowboard helmet with confidence.
Of course, a nice soft beanie is very comfortable to wear, but today's ski and snowboard helmets certainly give them a run for their money in terms of wearing comfort . There are two main types of helmets: full-face helmets (class A) and half-shell helmets (class B). A full-face helmet covers your entire head, ensuring a firm fit at the same time as keeping you warm. A half-shell helmet covers only the upper part of your head, however it is more flexible, light weight and often has removable ear pads. Depending on your specialisation and skill level, you can opt for all-round , freeride or race –specific ski helmets or snowboard helmets. It is also important to note the differences in fit between models for men and women. Manufacturers such as TSG and Anon indicate them clearly. A perfect fit is essential! If too loose, a helmet can slip and may not give your head optimal protection during a fall. Before ordering a new helmet from Blue Tomato, you should measure the circumference of your head using a tape measure. Please the tape measure a centimetre above your eye brows. If, for example, it measure 56 centimetres, then you require a size M (55 to 58 cm), which is available from almost all brands. Use the appropriate size conversion chart to find your helmet size. Ideally, you should also try a helmet on together with your goggles to ensure that they fit together. Another important factor to consider when buying a helmet is a built-in ventilation system. You can then decide whether you want to have the air vents open or closed, or how you'd like to utilize the air inlets, thus controlling air flow. When a helmet features an intelligent ventilation system, it is normally noticeable in the price. Take a tip from us, don't make false savings!Additional features that you can't go wrong with are:
Ski and snowboard helmets are basically made up of an outer and inner shell. The outer shell serves as direct protection and the inner shell as cushioning. The EPS-foam , which can be found inside most helmets, is covered by a shell , which is normally made from carbon, fibreglass or strong plastic (ABS or polycarbonate). A helmet can be manufactured using the ‘ in-mold ' or ‘ hard shell ' method. In-molding involves the two shells being firmly welded together in one single step, resulting in a helmet that is extremely impact-resistant and lightweight. The hard shell method involves the outer shell being adhered to the inner shell. This technique offers the same impact protection and makes the helmet slightly stronger, yet also slightly heavier. Hybrid-technology combines the best of both manufacturing methods. The upper part of the helmet is made using the sturdy hard shell method and the lower part with the in-mold method. The result leaves plenty of space for air vents and ensures good breathability for your head. Helmet manufacturers are constantly developing new technologies to pack into their helmets. Here are a few of examples, along with their benefits.