Gear Test: Helmet
Add to Del.icio.usby Rocky Thompson
We designed these tests to compare each helmet's effectiveness in different scenarios. We packed them with cantaloupes and dropped them from 12 feet up onto concrete. This crude simulation checks the damage from a direct blow to the helmet and our stand-in head. We froze them and stomped on the sides to see what would happen if you slammed them in your trunk after a day on the mountain. We bashed them with a ball-peen hammer while frozen to see if they would break apart or absorb the shot.
We also looked at less destructive aspects like how well they fit with our 10 most-popular goggles. We compared their weight, ventilation, construction, and liners. All tested helmets were a size large, except the Salomon, which was a medium because their sales rep can't follow simple instructions — he dropped the helmet off at the wrong place too (we're just playin' Todd, we love you anyway).
Giro G10 - 4 out of 5 Goats
The Giro G10 is a light, sexy helmet with 4 fixed vents and 10 adjustable vents — more
adjustability than any other helmet in the test. Giro's massive venting and neutral style
gives both springtime park stompers and old-school carvers what they want.
Weight: 15oz
Multi impact: No
Vents: 14 vents
Vent adjustment: Two front and two back vents are fixed open while the other 10 adjust with a low-profile on-the-fly switch
Headphone rig: TuneUps II, hook up your MP3 player and your cell phone
Removable liner: Yes, removable/washable liner and removable ear pads
Multi-sport: Snow sports only
Construction: In-mold
Melon drop: 4 (out of 5), the shell compressed to take the hit. There was a small crack in the
melon that you might need to get stapled shut before making more turns.
Trunk slam: 4, a loud crack and the helmet's plastic front-brim cover popped off. If it was
your helmet, you'd be mad at yourself, but if it was your buddy's, you'd just stick
the plastic back on before he notices. It still looks okay.
Hammer: 5, the G10 soaked up directed blunt hits and didn't show any damage inside. The foam compressed
around the ball-peen hammer to absorb the blow.
Price: $119.95
RED Hi-Fi - 4 out of 5 Goats
The RED Hi-Fi helmet is a super-stiff, durable bucket for your melon. It'll take the abuse and come out looking new. Let the sweaty helmet freeze solid in your trunk for weeks. RED made it lightweight and it has loads of vents, so you won't overheat for spring riding. The biggest downside is that you're supposed to replace it every time you smack your head on a rail or into the icy ground.
Weight: 15.1oz
Multi impact: No
Vents: 8
Vent adjustment: None
Headphone rig: Hi-Fi Audio with one-touch mute button
Removable liner: Yes
Multi-sport: Snow sports only
Construction: In-mold
Melon drop: 3 — Splat! — the RED Hi-Fi took the hit like a champ, but ejected seeds on impact.
Trunk slam: 5, this was like trying to slam a cinder block in your trunk. This thing took the hit and didn't show any signs of damage.
Hammer: 5, this helmet doesn't feel like it has any flex, but the foam on the shell gave to take the impact from the hammer, and
it still didn't show any damage on the inside.
Price: $99.95
Goggle fit
Avoid the gap between your helmet and goggles that makes your forehead cold and immediately identifies you as a tourist worthy of
contempt from lifties. We tried on 10 goggles with each helmet, checking to see that the goggles provided a flush fit at the top
and sides and that the hinges worked well with the helmets. We identify which goggles need a retro-fitted longer strap to fit over
helmets, but if you have a small or medium brain bucket you might be able to get away with just leaving the goggles on your helmet
until the strap stretches out. We rated fit 1-5 and identified where the gap or fit problem occurred.
| long enough strap | Giro | RED | |
| Oakley Wisdom | No | 5 | 3, sides |
| Oakley A-Frame | No | 5 | 5 |
| Spy Soldier | Yes | 4, hinges | 5 |
| Spy Orbit | Yes | 4, hinges | 4, sides |
| Electric EG% | ok on small helmets | 5 | 5 |
| Smith Triad | Yes | 5 | 4, sides |
| Smith Prodigy | Yes | 5 | 5 |
| Dragon Foil | Yes | 5 | 4, sides |
| Anon Halcyon | Yes | 5 | 5 |
| Scott High Voltage | Yes | 5 | 5 |
Quick comparison chart
| Giro | RED | |
| weight | 15oz | 0.7oz |
| vents | 14 | 8 |
| on the fly adj. vents | 10 | 0 |
| removable liner | Yes | Yes |
| multi-sport | No | No |
| construction | In-mold | In-mold |
| multi-impact | No | No |
| cantaloupe | 4 | 3 |
| trunk closing | 4 | 5 |
| hammer | 5 | 5 |
| Overall rating | 4 | 4 |
| price | $119.95 | $99.95 |