A Guide to Selecting the Best Modular Snowmobile Helmets
Samuel Gilmour
Snowmobile helmets are an absolute essential for snow riding. Not only do they provide much-needed protection--they also go a long way to keeping you warm and comfortable when you want to enjoy a day in the mountains.
Choosing the best modular snowmobile helmet can be tricky, especially with the wide range of products available on the market. This buying guide aims to simplify this overwhelming task into a simple checklist of desirable features.
The three points that should determine your choice are
If you’re a hardcore snowmobile enthusiast, you should definitely go for the high-end models. However, if your interest is limited to just a few days in the season, you may not want to spend a fortune on buying the best snowmobile helmet. It is best to reach a decision after considering your specific requirements and weighing the available options.
Types
-
Modular snowmobile helmets: The entire front part of a modular snowmobile helmet can be flipped up when necessary. The feature is very handy when you need to take frequent breaks. They are the most popular type of snowmobile helmet, and ten include small pockets for ear plugs.
-
Full-face snowmobile helmets: They come with a dual lens shield and a breath box. They offer maximum protection and warmth.
On the flip side, the design restricts peripheral vision and you have to take off the entire helmet each time you need to access your face (for example, to adjust your glasses).
-
Motocross/Snocross/open face: the Motocross or Snocross style of helmet is the best option that does not have a face shield. You will have to use separate goggles. This allows you to have a greater field of vision and better ventilation.
-
Dual-sports style: The shape of the helmet is the same as with open-face helmets. However, they also have a shield. This design feature gives the added advantage of protection with improved vision and ventilation.
What Reviewers Have to Say
Safety: DOT-All snowmobile helmets should at least carry the minimum of a DOT standard.
Snell--As an independent non-profit group, Snell has set a higher regulatory standard for helmets to ensure safety and durability of the product.
All modulated snowmobile helmet reviews stress the necessity of meeting a minimum of these standards.
Comfort: Internal design, weight, and comfortable fit of the helmet are of utmost importance. Snow riders emphasize seamlessly-operating buttons and clasps, sophisticated visors, advanced fog fighting systems and moisture control vents.
Features: After going through thousands of reviews, we conclude that most riders opt for the best in design and additional features. The best modular snowmobile helmet would provide comfort and safety along with aesthetic appeal and loads of features.
Important Features
-
Helmet size and fit: It is essential to find a helmet that fits perfectly. A larger size may come loose during the ride or slide off, thereby obstructing your view during the ride. A smaller size can be very uncomfortable. If you are purchasing the helmet on-line, you should look at the size chart before finalizing on the product.
-
Material: Lightweight, polycarbonate shells are the most durable and sturdy when it comes to modular snowmobile helmets.
-
Dual-pane shields: A dual-pane, anti-scratch, UV-filtering shield is an absolute must in a snowmobile helmet. They help in minimizing the fog on the shield. A layer of inert gas between the two panes provides insulation against heat transfer. Heat transfer can otherwise cause fog due to condensation.
-
Framed/frameless shields: Dual-pane shields are often surrounded by a plastic frame to seal the panes. Advanced lens technology has made it possible to make frameless helmet lenses that achieve the same seal. Frameless shields are now much in vogue. But, apart from the aesthetic appeal, there is no other advantage to a frameless shield.
-
Heated Electric Shield: Although dual pane shields go a long way to prevent fogging, to completely eliminate fog formation, a heated electric shield is required. The heating elements powered by the snowmobile’s electric system runs all along the outside rim of the shield, to prevent any condensation.
-
Breath Guard: This feature, in addition to the dual pane, controls fogging. Ideally, a breath guard should fit snugly over your nose and face to help deflect your breath downwards. Breath guards are fixed in place either by Velcro or snaps. Integrated or removable breath boxes are the optimum choice.
-
Ventilation: Ventilation in snowmobile helmet is essential to clear out the moisture build-up from the rider's breath. The optimal choice is helmets that have adjustable vents.
-
Single button operation: A responsive button for flipping the chin bar or releasing the face shield with one hand is a desirable feature in a modular snowmobile helmet.
-
Visors: Built-in sun visors that can be flipped up or down according to the rider’s convenience are an added advantage.
-
Speaker cavity: Built-in Bluetooth-enabled speakers cavities are a new fad and are increasingly in demand.
-
Safety Rating: The safety rating of a snowmobile helmet is very important. DOT, SNELL, and ECE are all separate safety rating systems that grade helmets according to their shock absorbing capacity, ability to withstand a blow from a sharp object, the ability of the chin straps to stay fastened, and peripheral vision.
Top-Rated Brands
HJC Helmets has set the standard in design innovation and durability of modular snowmobile helmets with its top-of-the-line products
Typhoon Helmets are a favorite amongst snow riders for their wide array of features, built in a sturdy, sleek design.
Ski-Doo is one of the most popular brands of modular snowmobile helmets. It is highly valued for its innovative features and appealing designs.
