Poster: A snowHead
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I'm sorry if this is a stupid question, but after reading other threads about helmets, I have been musing about this. We haven't worn helmets for skiing in the past, but I do have a cupboard of unused cycle/ skate/mountainboard helmets, and wondered if these would do the job? Not the Barbie one of course, but the others are good.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I've been pondering this also, I do a little bit of power kiting and am looking into landboarding, which will mean getting a helmet. Killing two birds with one stone I'm looking at a radsail helmet, but have not seen one mentioned on this site, does no-one here use one at all for skiing?
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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A helmets a helmet at he end of the day, the variation for each sport apart from allowing a mark up, is the amount of warmth or ventilation it provides, the weight and which areas of the head its protects.
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hollyvan, I once (only once) went cycling in my ski helmet, because it was a cold day. Big mistake. I absolutely boiled in it, even with the vents fully open. On a cold day you'd be very chilly in a cycle helmet.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Thanks papasmurf (cool name)
I'm off to La Plagne on Saturday, should I buy one in the UK beforehand, or just see what's in resort or even hire one? Hiring sort of goes against the grain for me, as I have riden motorbikes and would never consider renting a crash helmet, but then I know quite a few people hire helmets for their children, so why not for themselves? If it's common practice to hire, well I'm game for that.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Helmets for different sports such as, rock climbing, cycling, skiing, kayak/canoeing, land boarding and watersports have very marked differences in regard to how they are tested for impacts, especially so if they have a CE mark.
CE marked protective equipment will also have an EN code number/s next to the CE logo. You can look these numbers up and find out what the impact rating, testing and certification is for.
For example, I have a Protec watersports helmet that looks very similar to their ski helmets, but when you check the CE or EN category number the impact ratings and the direction where the impacts are tested from are very different.
All CE marked helmets have been tested and passes as safe in very different ways, there may be some cross over with a small group of helmets, Salewa make a multi sport helemt suitable for cycle, climb and watersports, but they are pretty much the only company that do.
I had a client on a climbing course that turned up with a ski helmet made in full carbon fibre by SWEET. She was very adamant that it was safe for use as climbing, because they told her that in the shop where she bought this expensive lid, however the CE marking showed it clearly wasnt safe or suitable or more imprortantly tested or certified to use as a climbing helmet on a professionally provided and insured course.
In short all CE marked protective equipment is tested for its suitability regarding its end use, wear a cylce helmet if you want but when it doesnt stop that bang on the head dont go blaming the manufacturer for a defective product if you have used it for something it was never designed for.
You only get one skull and one brain, if you are thinking of protecting it with a helmet make sure you check its able to do the job you want it to do.
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Ski helmets are usually insulated for warmth (mine is anyway). Cycle helmets usually have a lot of venting. I reckon I'd freeze wearing my cycle helmet for skiing and it wouldn't fit properly with a decent hat underneath. Buy a ski helmet or don't bother with one at all.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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It appears that the radsail helmet I am looking at corresponds with the correct safety rating i.e. CE EN 1077, and so will cover both sports.
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EN 443 Fire protection helmets
EN 397 Industrial safety helmets
EN 812 Industrial bump caps
EN 967 Ice hockey helmets
EN 1077 Ski helmets
EN 1078 Bicycle helmets
EN 1080 Impact protection helmets for young children
EN 1384 Equestrian helmets
EN 12492 Climbing and Mountaineering helmets
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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just to make this more obvious:
climbing/mountaineering helmet - main purpose is to protect against rocks landing on the top of your head
skiing helmet - main impact likely to be falling into front/side
rather different designs required!
From a protection point of view would have thought cycle and ski helmets need to do similar things but insulation and ventilation isssues are rather different!
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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hollyvan, Don't do it! Get a proper ski helmet if that is what you want. I think mark handford, puts it rather nicely...
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You only get one skull and one brain, if you are thinking of protecting it with a helmet make sure you check its able to do the job you want it to do.
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Good luck.
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You know it makes sense.
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Agree 100% with mark handford, you need a helmet that will offer protection for the injurys that are likely to be sustained in the given sport/ activity. And that is aside from the comfort issues. If any helmet was suitable for any job then I would happily have saved the £100 I just spent on mine and worn the £2.69 BSEN 397 hat I wear when I have to work on building sites.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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If it's common practice to hire, well I'm game for that.
Indeed, people do rent. I would suggest, however making the purchase as it will possibly cost you 20 pounds or so to rent and you have no history with the helmet i.e. Has somebody taken a massive whack with it and damaged the interior structure?
A decent helmet with the ce1077 mark can cost as little as 40 pounds for adults and 30 pounds for kids.
Is it worth the risk with your young ones in particular renting and not particularly fitting well?
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Poster: A snowHead
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Quote: |
user
Posts: 24
Location: hemel hempsteadIf it's common practice to hire, well I'm game for that.
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Indeed, people do rent. I would suggest, however making the purchase as it will possibly cost you 20 pounds or so to rent and you have no history with the helmet i.e. Has somebody taken a massive whack with it and damaged the interior structure?
A decent helmet with the ce1077 mark can cost as little as 40 pounds for adults and 30 pounds for kids.
Is it worth the risk with your young ones in particular renting and not particularly fitting well?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Quote: |
user
Posts: 24
Location: hemel hempsteadIf it's common practice to hire, well I'm game for that.
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Indeed, people do rent. I would suggest, however making the purchase as it will possibly cost you 20 pounds or so to rent and you have no history with the helmet i.e. Has somebody taken a massive whack with it and damaged the interior structure?
A decent helmet with the ce1077 mark can cost as little as 40 pounds for adults and 30 pounds for kids.
Is it worth the risk with your young ones in particular renting and not particularly fitting well?
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Quote: |
user
Posts: 24
Location: hemel hempsteadIf it's common practice to hire, well I'm game for that.
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Indeed, people do rent. I would suggest, however making the purchase as it will possibly cost you 20 pounds or so to rent and you have no history with the helmet i.e. Has somebody taken a massive whack with it and damaged the interior structure?
A decent helmet with the ce1077 mark can cost as little as 40 pounds for adults and 30 pounds for kids.
Is it worth the risk with your young ones in particular renting and not particularly fitting well?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Now that would be a good picture rookt! Thanks everyone for taking the time to reply
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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alpinequeen, think you've made your point
I can understand kids renting as they will need a different size every year, so they might only use it for 1 or 2 trips.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Quote: |
FreeRider
Posts: 2325
Location: UKalpinequeen, think you've made your point
I can understand kids renting as they will need a different size every year, so they might only use it for 1 or 2 trips
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Not if it's an adjustable helmet. Your head is not a part of the anatomy that grows much after the age of 10 so, i would suggest ecomically and for health and safety resons, you are better off buying
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Beequin, that radsail link is exactly the helmet I am looking at. Thoughts? Bearing in mind it's designed for snow kiting as well as kite surfing and land boarding.
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alpinequeen, I think you will find that your head does grow quite a bit from 10yrs old , otherwise all those young kids would look like aliens with massive heads on their shoulders
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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johnofthejungle wrote: |
Thanks papasmurf (cool name)
I'm off to La Plagne on Saturday, should I buy one in the UK beforehand, or just see what's in resort or even hire one? Hiring sort of goes against the grain for me, as I have riden motorbikes and would never consider renting a crash helmet, but then I know quite a few people hire helmets for their children, so why not for themselves? If it's common practice to hire, well I'm game for that. |
like the others have said, buy..then at the very least you're garrented a good fit..no point having a lid if it doesn't fit correctly.
plus they don't cost the earth and probably pay for themselves after a trip or two unless you go crazy and buy a Sweet..
plenty of Skate and DJ lid seem to be certified for skiing aswell
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Beequin
your comment about me racing made me chuckle, i'm not exactly streamlined, or have the ability for that - thanks for the thought though. That is a very good price, anyone else bought a helmet off the internet.
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anyone else bought a helmet off the internet.
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I had to try on about 15 before finding one that fitted really snugly - no way would I buy off the internet.
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You know it makes sense.
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anyone else bought a helmet off the internet.
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I did. Found it fine (but I only wear it for two hours at a time on the dry slope).
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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johnofthejungle, I punted buying a Sweet off the net and it is the best helmet fit I have ever had. Wouldn't advise it though
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Poster: A snowHead
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Quote: |
snowHead
Posts: 193
Location: North Walesalpinequeen, I think you will find that your head does grow quite a bit from 10yrs old , otherwise all those young kids would look like aliens with massive heads on their shoulders
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The average 10 year olds head size is 54/55cm and an adult 56/58cm. Not massive growth compared to the rest of the body over a generation.
As stated before, if it's adjustable it will easily pay itself off and why not pass it down to a brother/sister if there's one to pass it to! Atleast you know the helmet's history.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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alpinequeen, not like feet then. In that case I agree with you, better to buy a lid
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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I saw a guy in Val last year wearing a Giro Mad Max for DH MTB racing, not sure why, but he had it custom painted and was on a set of fat (should that be phat) park skis. Seemed a bit overkill to me!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Theres a ski version of the Mad max.
saw some one with a full face motorbike lid commuting to work on a cycle recently...and some old dear wears one on her mobility scooter..makes me chuckle.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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I did try a Bell car racing helmet once on my DH MTB, saw the late Jason McRoy trying it, it didn't work, it was so heavy it hurt my neck after a few runs, taught me a lesson though, most kit is designed to do a specific job!
And yeah there's a guy round here I see commuting in a full face, weird, wonder how worried you must be about your teeth to put one of those on!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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I was thinking about helmets and specs earlier this evening and wondered if there was a market for a standard styled ski helmet fitted with a clear perspex half visor just from top to around nose height which could be worn with prescription sunnies, or one fitted with a dark perspex half visor which could be worn with standard spectacles. I wonder whether it would make prescription glasses a more all round option on the slopes regardless of the weather.
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Megamum, I am pretty sure I saw some helmets like that in Cyril Sports in Alpe d'Huez recently. Sadly they were all in different national colours! Sorry, can't remember the make.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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alpinequeen, and you can use the lid on the next kid... I reckon 4 years of use for each kids lid.
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