Updated September 6th, 2023
Skiing and snowboarding are a lot of fun. Accidents do happen no matter how good a skier you are or how careful you are. One of my ski friends got a concussion standing in the lift line after being run over by an out of control skier. Wearing a helmet can help protect your head, keep you warm, and help defog your goggles. Good helmets don’t have to be super expensive. There are many good options under $100.
See below for our top picks for best budget ski helmet. Keep reading for ski helmet reviews and our helmet guide.
The 7 Best Budget Ski Helmets Under $100 Of 2023
- BEST OVERALL: OutdoorMaster Diamond MIPS
- TOP PICK: Smith Maze MIPS
- BEST VALUE: Outdoor Master Kelvin
- Giro Ledge
- Wildhorn Drift
- Smith Optics Mission MIPS
- Oakley MOD3
1 – OutdoorMaster Diamond MIPS Ski Helmet
☆ Best Overall
Specifications
- Construction – PC Shell with in-mold EPS liner
- MIPS – Yes
- Adjustable vents – Yes
- Goggle defog vents – Yes
- Audio Compatible – Yes
Use the Coupon Code SUMMER20 for up to 20% off or code SUMMER25 for 25% 2 items at OutdoorMaster.com during their 8th Anniversary Sale
Overall Score
What we liked:
- Very comfortable to wear
- Advanced PC Shell with in-mold construction with MIPS
- Adjustable venting including goggle defog vents
- Bungee attachment for goggle straps
What we didn’t like:
- Not available in an extra large size
Styling is a little bland
Bottom line:
A great value MIPS ski helmet that is very comfortable with the latest freestyle trends in styling
Summary
The OutdoorMaster Diamond MIPS Ski Helmet is the latest offering from OutdoorMaster. I have personally been wearing one for most of this winter. It is very comfortable with a lot of good features. It is a large improvement over the popular Kelvin helmet while still keeping the price low under $100. This helmet uses advanced in-mold construction with a PC shell and EPS foam inner. It has MIPS technology to make the helmet safer in angled impacts and glancing blows. The ear pads are deep and have pockets to use with speakers for those who like listening to music on the slopes.
Review
See our full review of the OutdoorMaster Diamond MIPS helmet to learn more.
2 – Smith Maze MIPS Ski Helmet
☆ Top Pick
Specifications
- Construction – In-Mold
- MIPS – Optional
- Adjustable vents – No
- Goggle defog vents – Yes
- Audio Compatible – Yes
Overall Score
What we liked:
- Very lightweight
- Available MIPS
- Low profile skater look
- Removable ear pads that are audio compatible
- Removable goggle clip
- Goggle defog vents
- Good goggle compatibility especially with Smith goggles
What we didn’t like:
- Fixed vents
- No size adjustment dial
- Not a lot of ventilation
Bottom line:
The Smith Maze MIPS helmet is a lightweight freestyle helmet that offers great protection and style. It is one of the lightest helmets available and still has MIPS.
The Smith Maze MIPS helmet is a lightweight freestyle ski helmet. At 13 ounces, it is one of the lightest ski helmets made. It is designed with a simple low profile skater look. It uses in-mold construction with optional MIPS. We always recommend getting the MIPS version of a helmet. It’s worth the extra few bucks.
The Maze has no dial for adjusting the size. It uses an elastic band combined with removable foam pieces to adjust the size. It works okay but the fit can’t be fine tuned as well as helmets with a dedicated size adjuster. It’s one of the items that was left off the helmet to get it as lightweight as it is.
The helmet has fixed vents. There is enough venting to work for most resort skiing. There is not as much venting as helmets with adjustable vents. Most skiers will need a thin hat for colder days.
Goggle compatibility is excellent, especially with Smith goggles. Smith Mag Squad goggles with flat lenses look great with this helmet.
Review
See our full review of the Smith Maze MIPS helmet to learn more.
3 – Outdoor Master Kelvin Ski Helmet
☆ Best Value
Specifications
- Construction – ABS hardshell
- MIPS – No
- Adjustable vents – No
- Goggle defog vents – No
- Audio Compatible – No
Use the Coupon Code SUMMER20 for up to 20% off or code SUMMER25 for 25% 2 items at OutdoorMaster.com during their 8th Anniversary Sale
Overall Score
What we liked:
- Very good ventilation
- Stylish appearance
- Low cost
What we didn’t like:
- The sizing runs a little small and there is no Extra Large size
- Vents aren’t adjustable
Bottom line:
A solid basic starter ski helmet with good amounts of ventilation available in a lot of colors
Summary
The Outdoor Master Kelvin Helmet is one of the best cheap ski helmets available today. It is one of the most popular ski and snowboard helmets on Amazon. It has many features that make it a great value for its price. This helmet has a tough ABS shell and EPS foam liner with 14 vents. The ear pads are easily removable. It is ASTM 2040F certified for head protection. This helmet is available in sizes small-large. The large size runs a little small compared to most other helmets. There is no extra large size available.
Review
See our full review of the OutdoorMaster Kelvin helmet to learn more.
4 – Giro Ledge Snow Helmet
Specifications
- Construction – ABS Hardshell
- MIPS – Available
- Adjustable vents – No
- Goggle defog vents – Yes
- Audio Compatible – Yes
What we liked:
- One of the cheapest MIPS helmets you can get
- Durable rugged construction
- Goggle defogging vents
What we didn’t like:
- Very bland styling
- Vents aren’t adjustable
Bottom line:
A cheap durable basic ski helmet that will last and protect for years of use on the mountain.
Summary
The Giro Ledge helmet is the Giro entry level helmet with minimal styling. The helmet has conventional hardshell construction with an ABS shell and EPS liner. It has fixed vents that do not close and goggle defog vents. It is well made and durable feeling. I have used Giro helmets for biking for years and they have stood up very well to mountain biking abuse. Where this helmet shines is that it is one of the cheapest helmets available with MIPS if you buy the MIPS version.
5 – Wildhorn Drift Snowboard & Ski Helmet
Specifications
- Construction – ABS hardshell
- MIPS – No
- Adjustable vents – Yes
- Goggle defog vents – No
- Audio Compatible – Yes
What we liked:
- Adjustable vents
- Stylish looking especially with Wildhorn goggles
- Bluetooth speaker compatible ear pads
What we didn’t like:
- No goggle defog vents
- No MIPS version is available
Bottom line:
A good basic starter helmet with adjustable venting and audio compatible ear pads.
Summary
The Wildhorn Drift Helmet comes from one of the official suppliers of the US Ski Team. It is a step up from the most basic ski helmets with a few extra features. The price is still very affordable under $100. The helmet is ASTM 2040 certified to keep you safe. It uses a standard ABS shell with EPS foam construction. There is no MIPS version of this helmet. The Drift has adjustable venting with a slider on top of the helmet. It does not have goggle defogging vents. The earpads are easy to remove. They come with pockets for putting in your favorite Bluetooth speakers.
6 – Smith Optics Mission MIPS Snowboarding Helmet
Specifications
- Construction – ABS shell with EPS Foam liner and Koroyd
- MIPS – Optional
- Adjustable vents – Yes
- Goggle defog vents – Yes
- Audio Compatible – Yes
Up to 50% Off Bike Gear at Smith Optics End of Season Sale
Overall Score
What we liked:
- Plenty of room to wear a hat underneath
- Comfortable for a long day on the mountain
- Helps to keep your goggles defogged
- Uses koroyd honeycomb energy absorber on the sides
What we didn’t like:
- Size adjuster feels a bit cheap
- Earpads are difficult to remove
Bottom line:
A comfortable ski helmet with advanced koroyd energy absorbers and MIPS that is great for any day skiing at a resort.
Summary
The Smith Mission helmet is the mid level offering from Smith Optics. It has every feature almost any skier would want. It has adjustable vents, AirEvac goggle defogging vents, adjustable sizing, and removable ear pads. The ear pads have pockets that will work with blue tooth speakers. It has an ABS plastic shell with EPS foam energy absorber. It has Koroyd honeycomb for better energy absorption and weight savings around the sides. The Mission helmet is available with and without MIPS. It’s worth it to spend the extra $20 to get the MIPS version.
Review
See our full review of the Smith Mission MIPS helmet to learn more.
7 – Oakley MOD3 Snowboarding Helmet
Specifications
- Construction – Hybrid shell with EPS liner
- MIPS – Available
- Adjustable vents – Yes
- Goggle defog vents – Yes
- Audio Compatible – Yes
Overall Score
What we liked:
- Modular brim system
- Hybrid ABS shell and in-mold construction
- Very comfortable ear pads and liner
What we didn’t like:
- Polarizing appearance. You will either love how it looks or hate it.
Bottom line:
A comfortable helmet with Oakley style and MIPS safety protection.
Summary
The Oakley MOD3 is the mid-priced budget offering from Oakley. It is a high tech advanced helmet with many great features. It has the Oakley modular brim system that lets you get rid of goggle gap on almost any set of snow goggles. The MOD3 uses a combination of ABS shell and in-mold construction. There are both MIPS and non-MIPS versions of this helmet. The styling of Oakley Mod helmets is a little unconventional. Some people like the look of this helmet. Others do not.
Review
See our full review of the Oakley Mod 3 helmet to learn more.
Budget Ski helmet guide – What to look for
There are many things to consider when looking for an under $100 ski helmet. There are basic features that almost all ski helmets will have. These include vents, adjustable size, and removable ear pads. There are other nice to have features such as adjustable vents and audio compatible ear pads. Let’s discuss what you should look for.
If you are still wondering whether or not you need to wear a ski helmet, see our article 5 reasons why you should wear a ski helmet to help you decide.
Price
Low end budget ski helmets start around $50. A $50 helmet will be ASTM2040F or EN1077 certified so it will be safe. It will not have every feature that you will eventually want in a ski helmet. It might have adjustable vents but won’t have goggle defog vents. The ear pads might be speaker compatible but they might not be. Nothing in the $50 range will have MIPS protection. It will be a good basic helmet that will keep you safe on the slopes in most situations.
Moving up to $100 ski helmets you add more features and less compromise. A $100 helmet should have goggle defog vents. The design should at least have MIPS available although it may be a $20-$30 extra.
When we go up to $150-$200 helmets, they should have every basic helmet feature. MIPS should be available. They should have goggle defogging vents. Vents should be adjustable. The earpads should be Bluetooth speaker compatible. Helmets in this price range should not be missing any main ski helmet feature. A few will also have more advanced hybrid construction or honeycomb energy absorbers.
Helmet construction
Most budget ski helmets all have very similar construction. They all involve a plastic shell, either ABS or PC, and an EPS foam energy absorber. The 2 main helmet shell materials are ABS and PC or Polycarbonate. The 2 main construction methods are Hardshell and In-Mold construction
ABS vs PC shells
- ABS shell – ABS material is heavier and more scratch resistant. It’s also cheaper than Polycarbonate. Most helmet shells on budget ski and snowboard helmets are made entirely of ABS.
- PC shell – Polycarbonate is lighter and stronger than ABS but it is also 3 times more expensive and scratches much easier. PC is used as a shell material when the goal is saving weight. Some helmets with hybrid shell construction will have some portion of their shell made from PC.
See this article from ThingsThatFold.com to learn more about the differences between ABS and PC plastics.
In-Mold vs Hardshell construction vs Hybrid
Both types of helmet construction use EPS foam for their energy absorber. Both offer the same protection for your head and are equally safe.
- Hardshell construction – The helmet shell and EPS foam liner are molded seperately and then glued together. This method is cheap and easy to manufacture. Because of tolerances the helmet can’t have really intricate venting holes and details.
- In-Mold construction – The helmet shell and EPS foam liner are molded together in one mold. This construction method costs more but produces a lighter weight helmet. Because the shell and foam are molded together, the vent holes and channels can be more controlled.
- Hybrid construction – Hybrid helmets are made of more than 1 molding. Part of the helmet uses hardshell construction and part uses In-Mold construction. This is less expensive than a full In-Mold helmet and somewhere in the middle as far as weight and other benefits go.
See the below video for a quick explanation of hard shell vs in-mold helmet construction
ASTM vs EN vs CE certifications
The main standards used to certify the safety of snow helmets are ASTM2040F and EN1077. One is the American standard. One is the European standard. Both do similar testing although there are subtle differences. They use different impactor shapes on the helmet. They have different acceleration limits. Both use 4 samples to get their results. Both test at a variety of temperatures. You can feel equally safe wearing a helmet that was certified to either standard. See these articles from Aurora Helmets and Satra Technology to learn more.
MIPS
MIPS stands for Multi-Directional Impact Protection System. It is an inner liner in your helmet that lets the outer shell and energy absorber rotate about your head while the MIPS liner stays in place. In angled impacts such as a glancing blow to the side of your head, the helmet won’t force your head to rotate. This reduces the strain on your neck and brain.
If you are skiing in the trees and hit your head into a tree but not straight on, MIPS will give you better protection. In any situation where you hit your head on something at an angle, MIPS will help. Go to mipsprotection.com to learn more about MIPS.
Helmet features
The main features you’ll see talked about with ski helmets are venting, size adjustment, and earpads. Let’s take a quick look at each of these.
Venting
Venting helps keep your head cool and dry. Without venting, sweat will build up on your head making you feel disgusting at the end of the day. In general more venting is better for most ski days. On really cold days too much airflow can make you feel cold.
Adjustable venting that can be closed on colder days is a nice ski helmet feature. On some higher cost helmets, you can open and close front and rear vents separately. I’ve personally never owned a helmet with this feature and not sure it has that much real world value. Standard adjustable vents have worked fine for me.
Goggle defogging vents
Smith pioneered the AirEvac goggle defog vent system. This puts vents on the lower front of your helmet that push air through your ski goggles and keep the fog out. Most helmet makers incorporate these into their mid to high priced helmets now. They are well worth the extra cost. I rarely ever have goggle fogging problems these days. If they do fog a little while I am standing around, they quickly clear up as soon as I start skiing.
Audio compatible removeable earpads
Almost every ski and snowboard helmet made has removable ear pads. They can come off for warmer spring days or if you want to use the helmet for biking or skateboarding in summer. Some are much easier to remove than others. Smith helmets have ear pads that need the size adjuster unhooked to take and are a pain.
Some people like listening to music or other things while skiing. Bluetooth helmet speakers are a great way to do this. Some helmets have earpads with pockets built in for holding headphones or speakers. This makes installing them very easy.
Adjustable size
Every ski helmet sold has adjustable sizing now. There is a dial on the back of the helmet that you turn to adjust the size. It will tighten a band that goes around the helmet inside. Helmets with BOA cables such as Oakley and ANON work a little differently but the function is the same.
Helmet compatibility
A proper fitting ski helmet should have a good fit with your ski goggles. You want to have as small a gap between your goggles and helmet as possible. A large gap means your forehead will get cold and the goggle defog vents on the helmet won’t help. If you have a really big goggle gap people may call you a gaper. You want to reduce the goggle gap. Most helmets are designed to work with ski goggles these days.
Different helmet brands shape their helmets and goggles a little bit differently. To get the best fit between your snow helmet and goggle, use the same brand goggle and helmet. If you use different brands, it is a good idea to try them on together to see how they fit together.
See our Ski Helmet Gear Guide to see our ski helmet picks across all price ranges.
Are you still confused about what to buy? Talk to an expert at Curated.com
Budget Ski Ski Helmet FAQ
You might also like:
- What To Wear Skiing? Helpful Layering Guide For Winter
- The Best Ski Goggles Under $100 of 2022 Helpful Guide
- The Best Type Of Ski For Intermediate Skiers
- The OutdoorMaster Vision XL Snow Goggle Review – A Great Under $75 Ski Goggle
Doug Ryan
Co-Founder & Chief Editor
I grew up back east in Pennsylvania and learned to ski on a family trip to Killington, Vermont when I was 6. I immediately fell in love with the mountains and outdoors and have been skiing across the US and Canada ever since. I went to school for Mechanical Engineering, and have a Master’s Degree in Material Science and Reliability.
I am a total gear nerd and love learning how things work and thinking about how they could be improved. Nothing excites me more than trying out new gear. I’d rather spend 3 hours taking my bike apart and learning how to change something than go to a bike shop. These days I reside in Michigan by the Great Lakes and go skiing, biking, and boating as much as possible.
doug@adventuregearinsider.com
